Right to healthcare services in Finland

If you live or work in Finland, you are entitled to public healthcare services, such as primary healthcare and specialised medical care as well as reimbursement for medicine and travel expenses. Private health services complement public services, and employers are also responsible for preventive healthcare for their employees.

Even if you are staying in Finland temporarily, you are entitled to certain services. You are also entitled to seek treatment in another Nordic country from Finland or in Finland from another Nordic country. 

National freedom of choice in Finnish healthcare does not apply to Åland. If you are interested in healthcare in Åland, go to the page Right to healthcare services in Åland.

If you are registered as living in Finland in the population register, you are generally entitled to public healthcare in a health centre or hospital in your municipality of residence. You can also use private medical clinics. Employers often provide occupational healthcare for their employees. If you are a student, you can also use university and college health centres.

Kela card and European Health Insurance Card

The Kela card proves that you are entitled to health insurance benefits in Finland. You need the card to receive health insurance reimbursement at private medical centres.

If you move to or come to work in Finland, you can apply for a Kela card online at OmaKela or using a paper form. If you have moved to Finland and have not yet notified Kela of your move to Finland, make a notification of move too. Read more on Kela’s website.

If your healthcare expenses are paid by Finland, you are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from Kela. The card allows you to receive medically necessary treatment when you travel or stay temporarily in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland, Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

Reimbursement of expenses

You can get reimbursement for some medicines, a portion of private physicians’ fees and travel expenses for medical treatment.

You get reimbursement for purchases of medicines directly at the pharmacy. You usually get health insurance reimbursement of private physicians’ fees straight away when you show your Kela card. If you are not reimbursed straight away, you can apply to Kela for reimbursement within six months. Use the application form to claim reimbursement.

Seafarers and cross-border workers living in Finland are entitled to healthcare both in their country of employment and their country of residence. Healthcare expenses are met by the country where the seafarer or cross-border worker is covered for health insurance. 

If you are covered by health insurance in another Nordic country and you suddenly fall ill while in Finland, you are entitled to receive care for your illness. Persons covered by health insurance in another Nordic country should receive treatment from the Finnish public healthcare system by showing their passport or other identity card and giving their permanent address in the other Nordic country, or you can show your European Health Insurance Card.

If you want you can seek treatment in another Nordic country, with the exception of Åland. You can seek treatment either with or without prior authorisation. If you do not have prior authorisation, you can often apply for reimbursement afterwards from the health insurance institution in your country of residence.