A pienkeräys – a small-scale money collection – is the quickest way to collect donations in Finland without a full money collection permit (rahankeräyslupa). All it takes is a written notification to your local police department at least five working days before you start.
What is a pienkeräys?
A pienkeräys is a lightweight form of money collection: you can collect donations without a formal permit as long as the amount stays small and the campaign is short.
It works well for art and cultural projects, supporting an individual or family in need, funding a community association’s event or activities, or covering costs for a sports club or hobby group.
A pienkeräys cannot be used to fund business operations or to increase the assets of a legal entity such as a limited company. Companies cannot use this form of collection.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum amount | €10,000 |
| Maximum duration | 3 months |
| Collections per calendar year | 2 at most |
| Minimum number of organisers | 3 people (or a registered association) |
| Notice before starting | at least 5 working days |
Who can organise a pienkeräys?
An unregistered group of private individuals, provided that:
- the group has at least 3 members
- at least 1 member is an adult (18+) with full legal capacity
- the other members are at least 15 years old
- all members have a permanent address in Finland
A registered organisation, such as:
- an association registered in the Finnish Association Register
- a foundation registered in the Finnish Foundation Register
- a registered political party
- a registered religious community
- a university student union or student nation
- a university of applied sciences student union
- a parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Finnish Orthodox Church
Limited companies and other businesses cannot organise a pienkeräys.
How to register a pienkeräys – step by step
1. Gather your information
Before submitting the notification, have the following ready:
- the organisers’ personal details and Finnish ID numbers (or business ID if you are an association)
- contact information: address, phone number and email
- the purpose of the collection – be as specific as possible about what the money will be used for
- estimated amount to be collected
- estimated expenses (opening a bank account, service fees, etc.)
- start and end dates of the collection
- IBAN of the collection account
2. Open a dedicated collection account
You must use a separate bank account for the collection. Funds cannot go into your personal account. Open a new account at a bank before submitting the notification.
3. Submit the notification to the police department
Send the pienkeräys notification to your local police department at least 5 working days before the planned start date. You can send it:
- Online: asiointi.poliisi.fi – recommended
- By email: to your local police department
- By post: note that the five-day deadline starts from the day the notification arrives at the police department, not from the day you send it
4. Wait for your collection number
The police department processes the notification within five working days and issues a pienkeräysnumero (collection number). Do not start collecting before you receive it.
If you have not received a response after five working days and the police have not asked for additional information, you may start the collection without the number.
5. Start collecting – and display the number clearly
The collection number must be shown whenever you ask for donations – including on your website and crowdfunding page. It lets donors see that the collection has been properly registered.
Obligations during and after the collection
During the collection:
- Monitor the total collected on a regular basis
- Stop the collection immediately if it reaches €10,000 and notify the police department
After the collection:
- Submit a pienkeräystilitys (collection account report) to the police department within 2 months of the collection ending
- Include a bank statement or other evidence of how the funds were used
- Notify the police department once all funds have been used for the stated purpose
Pienkeräys or a money collection permit – which do you need?
| Pienkeräys | Money collection permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount | €10,000 | No limit |
| Duration | max 3 months | Ongoing |
| Collections per year | max 2 | Multiple possible |
| Who can organise | private individuals too | Organisations only (associations, foundations) |
| Processing time | ~5 working days | Longer application process |
| Best suited for | A one-off small collection | Ongoing or large-scale fundraising |
Crowdfunding campaigns must always state either a pienkeräysnumero or a money collection permit number.
Running a pienkeräys on Mesenaatti
Mesenaatti is Finland’s largest crowdfunding platform. It supports both donation-based campaigns and reward-based campaigns.
A donation-based campaign is suited to a pienkeräys: no rewards are offered to donors, the collection number is displayed prominently on the campaign page, and the campaign duration follows the pienkeräys rules (maximum 3 months).
A reward-based campaign is the most common type on Mesenaatti. The campaigner offers something in return – books, albums, services or other rewards. This type of campaign is not classified as a money collection, so no pienkeräys notification is required.
If you are unsure which category your campaign falls into, check the Police guidance or contact us – we are happy to help.
→ Start a campaign on Mesenaatti
Frequently asked questions
Can one person organise a pienkeräys? No. At least three people are required. You cannot act as the sole organiser.
Can a company organise a pienkeräys? No. Limited companies and other businesses cannot organise a pienkeräys, and it cannot be used to fund business activities.
How long does it take to process a pienkeräys notification? The police department processes notifications within five working days of receiving them. Submit yours at least 5 working days before your planned start date.
Can I collect money into my personal bank account? No. You must open a separate collection account and keep the funds separate from your own money.
What happens if I collect more than €10,000? Stop the collection immediately and notify the police department. All funds collected must be used for the stated purpose. You do not need to refund donors.
Can I run two pienkeräys collections at the same time? No. You can organise at most two per calendar year, and they must be kept separate.
Do I need a collection number for a Mesenaatti campaign? Yes, if the campaign is donation-based – that is, no rewards are offered. A reward-based campaign is not a money collection, so no number is needed.
Where can I find my local police department’s contact details? All contact details are listed at poliisi.fi/yhteystiedot.
Sources and further information
- Small-scale collections – Poliisi.fi
- Frequently asked questions – Poliisi.fi
- Online services – Submit a notification
Updated May 2026. Always verify the latest requirements at poliisi.fi.