On this page, you’ll find important information about student healthcare and health insurance to help you stay healthy and supported during your studies in Finland.
Health Care
The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS / YTHS in Finnish) provides health care services to all attending Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students in higher education. To access these services, students must pay a mandatory health care fee to Kela once per term.
- FSHS offers services of general health, oral health, and mental health.
- Services are either free of charge or at a low cost.
- The student health care fee does not cover any emergency or hospital treatment or treatment during evenings or weekends when the FSHS health centre is closed.
When FSHS is closed, contact your closest health care centre for non-urgent health care and the emergency service in acute situations in order to ask for advice concerning your need for treatment.
For more information about booking an appointment and authentication, please check their website.
Non-Urgent Health Care
Access to public health care in Finland depends on your nationality.
- If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to receive necessary medical care that cannot wait until you return home.
- With the EHIC, you will receive treatment under the same conditions and at the same cost as Finnish citizens.
Please note: The EHIC does not cover all medical expenses—you may still need to pay part of the costs yourself.
If you do not have an EHIC, you must seek care from a private healthcare provider for non-urgent issues. This is why having valid health insurance is essential.
Acute Illness and Urgent Health Care
In the case of acute illness or an accident, everyone residing in Finland has the right to receive urgent care from the public health care system.
- During daytime hours, contact the nearest municipal health care centre based on your Finnish address. You must call first and follow the instructions given before visiting.
- If you do not have an EHIC, you will be charged the full cost of the treatment.
During nights and weekends, go to the emergency service for urgent care.
In life-threatening situations—such as sudden illness, unconsciousness, or serious injury—always call 112. This emergency number works even if you don’t have a Finnish phone number or SIM card.
Insurance
All students are strongly encouraged to have valid health insurance during their studies in Finland. Without proper insurance, you may be responsible for covering all medical costs if you become ill or injured during your stay.
Residence Permit Requirement
To obtain a residence permit for studies, you must have valid health insurance. Please check the latest requirements on the Finnish Immigration Service website.
Citizens of EU/EEA countries are covered by Finland’s National Health Insurance, administered by Kela.
To access this coverage, you must bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. The card must be obtained from your home country’s national health insurance provider before arriving in Finland.
Please note: The EHIC does not cover all medical expenses, so additional insurance is recommended.
More Information
If you are from outside the EU/EEA and plan to stay in Finland for more than 3 months, you must have private health insurance that covers both medical care and medication costs. The type of insurance required depends on the length of your stay.
Before leaving your home country, make sure your health insurance:
- Is valid for the entire duration of your stay in Finland
- Provides comprehensive coverage for medical care and medication
- Clearly outlines the conditions and risks it covers, as policies vary between countries
