Finnish Defence Forces will allow men to wear long hair from the beginning of July, as part of a broader update to the country’s general service regulations. The change brings male soldiers and conscripts under the same hair rules already applied to women, while keeping limits linked to discipline, safety and military appearance.
Under the new rules, long hair will be allowed for everyone, but it cannot be worn loose while on duty. The neck must remain visible, the ears must be uncovered and hair must not hang over the eyes. Styles considered conspicuous, such as mohawks, will still be banned, as will bright or striking hair colours.
The reform is part of a new version of the general service regulations (yleinen palvelusohjesääntö), replacing the previous rules from 2017. New conscripts are due to begin service on Monday, 6 July.
Finland updates military hair rules after years of gender-based differences
Until now, the Finnish Defence Forces required men’s hair to be short, neat and combed, while women were allowed to have long hair as long as it was tied back during service. The new regulation removes that gender-based distinction and applies the same standard to all personnel.
The change follows a wider discussion in Finland over appearance requirements in military service. In 2023, the Ombudsman for Equality (Tasa-arvovaltuutettu) said that different appearance rules for men and women in the Finnish Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard could no longer be justified under the Equality Act. The Ombudsman noted that the demands of military duties could still be taken into account, but that gender alone was not a sufficient reason for different standards.
The Finnish Defence Forces had already acknowledged the need to update the rules as part of a broader review. The new approach therefore keeps a military framework for appearance, while making the regulation more gender-neutral.
Long hair will be allowed, but beards remain restricted
The reform does not mean that all appearance rules will be relaxed. Long hair in the Finnish military will be allowed only if it is kept under control and does not interfere with service or equipment. Hair must be tied or arranged so that it does not cover the neck, ears or eyes.
Facial hair will remain more tightly regulated. Unlike in Sweden, Finland will not allow beards or other facial hair without an exceptional and justified reason. The same principle will apply to headgear that is not part of the military uniform: deviations may be permitted only for justified reasons.
This means that Finland is moving closer to other Nordic armed forces on hair length, but not on every aspect of personal appearance. Long hair is already permitted for men in the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces, while Finland has kept stricter rules on facial hair.
Earrings and service language also reflect a more neutral approach
The new service regulations also revise rules on earrings. In the 2017 version, women were allowed to wear earrings in limited ceremonial situations. The updated wording is gender-neutral: small, discreet earrings that match the uniform may be worn with formal and full dress uniforms.
The Defence Forces also examined whether to introduce more gender-neutral terminology. However, they decided to keep terms aligned with current legislation. Finnish military language still includes several words with a male-coded ending, including varusmies, meaning conscript, varusmiespalvelus, conscript service, esimies, supervisor, and tykkimies, gunner.
The decision shows the limits of the reform. Appearance rules are being harmonised more clearly than institutional language, where legal consistency remains the priority.
New rules also address harassment, NATO and international cooperation
The updated regulations go beyond appearance. They also include more detailed instructions on how to address inappropriate behaviour, including harassment, bullying and hazing. The rules on shared accommodation and improper language have also been clarified.
Another major change concerns Finland’s NATO membership and international cooperation. These issues are now gathered in a separate chapter of the service regulations, reflecting Finland’s changed security position since joining the alliance in 2023.
The update therefore combines everyday questions of military discipline with broader institutional changes. For conscripts and service members, the most visible reform may be the new hair rule. For the Defence Forces, however, it is part of a wider effort to modernise service standards while preserving operational requirements.
