Vehicle tax and inspection 2026: how much you pay and when to get your car inspected

Basic tax: the lowest amount doubled

For a passenger car, the vehicle tax base tax is generally determined by the car's carbon dioxide emissions. If no emissions value has been declared for the car, the tax is determined by the maximum permitted total mass.

In 2026 the lowest basic tax is €106.21 a year, compared with €53.29 in 2025. The increase applies to the lowest-emission cars: cars emitting 0–82 g/km measured by NEDC and 0–102 g/km measured by WLTP. According to the Finnish Taxpayers' Association, the basic tax on newer electric cars is about €171 a year.

For example, for a car with NEDC emissions of 100 g/km the basic tax is 125,56 euros a year. For cars with higher emissions the basic tax is clearly higher.

Propulsion tax for diesel and electricity

For passenger cars other than petrol-powered ones, a propulsion tax is paid in addition to the basic tax. It is calculated for each started 100 kilograms per day based on the car's total mass.

The power-source tax on a diesel car is 5.5 cents, on a fully electric car 1.9 cents (2025: 1.5 cents) and on a plug-in diesel hybrid 3.6 cents (2025: 4.9 cents) per day per 100 kilograms. The tax on a plug-in petrol hybrid should be checked with Traficom's calculator.

Diesel 1 500 kg: 15 × 5.5 cents × 365 = about €301/year
Diesel 2 000 kg: 20 × 5.5 cents × 365 = about €402/year
Fully electric 2,000 kg: 20 × 1.9 cents × 365 = about €139/year
Fully electric 2,500 kg: 25 × 1.9 cents × 365 = about €173/year

How the tax is paid

Vehicle tax is collected by Traficom and is paid in advance for 12 months. The tax can be paid in one go or in two or four instalments. A payment method surcharge of 3 euros is charged on each instalment. The payment method can be changed once during the tax period.

When paying, always use the reference number of the tax slip. Without the correct reference the payment is not allocated to the tax, and the car may be subject to a driving ban. The smallest tax collected is €10, and an overpayment is refunded if the amount is at least €5.

Vehicle tax is charged to the name of the car's owner or holder, so when buying a used car the change of ownership should be registered without delay. When a car is deregistered from road use, payment of vehicle tax is also suspended for the duration of the deregistration.

Inspection intervals: 4–2–2 and then annually

A passenger car taken into use after 20.5.2018 is inspected for the first time at the age of four years. After that the car is inspected every two years until it is ten years old, and every year from then on.

Because the Finnish passenger car fleet is on average 13.2 years old, most cars are inspected every year. You can see the date of a car's next inspection in the Traficom service using the registration number. The price of an inspection varies by station, so it is worth comparing prices.

Under the new rules, the next inspection date for a car is determined by the previous inspection carried out rather than the car's date of first use. If a car fails inspection, the defects must be repaired and the car taken for a re-inspection. Because of serious defects, the inspector may impose a driving ban on the car, in which case it may not be driven until the defects have been repaired.

Prepare for the vehicle inspection

Some of the items inspected in a vehicle inspection can be checked in advance yourself. For example, the lights, tyres, wipers and windscreen condition are easy to go through before your inspection appointment, so you avoid an unnecessary re-inspection.

The obligation to use winter tyres applies from November to March when road conditions so require, and the tread depth of a winter tyre must be at least 3,0 mm. Friction tyres must carry the snow grip marking in winter conditions from December onwards.

All lights and indicators work
Tyre tread depth and condition
Windscreen without damage obstructing the field of view
Windscreen wipers and washer

Electric car or combustion engine in taxes

Taxation of electric cars became stricter in 2026 for both the base tax and the vehicle operating tax. According to the Central Federation of Finnish Taxpayers, the average operating tax on electric cars rises by about 35 euros a year, and the base tax on most electric cars rises by about 53 euros a year. For electric cars first registered after October 2021, the base tax increase is 64,97 euros.

The vehicle tax on plug-in diesel hybrids, in turn, fell, and their average tax drops from about 536 euros to 394 euros a year. When comparing cars, it is therefore worth calculating the taxes for the specific model and weight. Car Radar shows current taxes and registration statistics.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the vehicle tax on an electric car in 2026?

In addition to the basic tax, a fully electric car pays the power-source tax of 1.9 cents per day for each started 100 kilograms. For a 2 000 kg car that is about 139 euros a year. The basic tax for newer electric cars is about 171 euros a year.

Can vehicle tax be paid in instalments?

Yes. The tax can be paid in one go or in two or four instalments, and a payment method surcharge of 3 euros is charged for each instalment.

When is a new car first inspected?

A passenger car taken into use after 20.5.2018 is inspected for the first time at the age of four years, then every two years until the age of ten and annually after that.

Car Radar brings together the topic's figures, deadlines and services. Open Car Radar →

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.