Travel to Finland to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work, or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

How does the healthcare system work in Finland?

What is the quality of healthcare in Finland?

• In Finland, health care is of good quality and there is a choice of public and private institutions.
• The health care system is divided into primary and specialist care. Primary care is provided at health centres (terveysasemat) where you will find a GP, dentist and home care etc. For specialist care, you will have to go to a hospital (sairaalat).
• To visit a hospital, you need a referral from your GP, unless it is an emergency.
• Private insurance is required when applying for a visa.
• Medicines can only be purchased at the pharmacy (apteekki). There is almost always a pharmacy in every village.
• Call 112 for emergency medical services. You will then be taken to a hospital immediately.
• The Finnish Association for Mental Health runs a crisis help centre, SOS Crisis Centre, for everyone living in Finland. This also applies to immigrants, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants etc. Visiting is free and help is available in Finnish, Arabic, English and Swedish.

How does the public healthcare system work in Finland?

• Finland has a public healthcare system. The Finnish healthcare system is of high quality and available to all Finns and permanent residents.
• EU/EEA citizens temporarily staying in Finland are entitled to public medical care upon presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). People who are covered by social security in a Nordic country are also entitled to public healthcare at the same cost as Finns.
• Some care is free, such as x-rays, maternity care and emergency care, but most care must be paid for out of pocket. It is often not expensive and there is a maximum co-payment for certain types of care.
• Apply for a KELA insurance card with your residence permit and Finnish social security number. KELA stands for Kansaneläkelaitos and provides the compulsory health insurance. Without being registered with KELA, you are not insured against health costs in Finland. You will have to deal with KELA if you become ill, if you retire, if you become unemployed, if you want to go on maternity leave, if you want to receive rent subsidy, if you want to receive a study grant, etc. You will be automatically registered with a health centre in your area. It is not possible to use another practice, unless you fill out an application form for this at your own health centre.

How does the private healthcare system work in Finland?

• Private healthcare serves as a supplement to public healthcare. Private healthcare providers account for about a quarter of all healthcare in Finland. You can partly reclaim the costs of private healthcare from your public insurance.
• In the private sector, you will find health centres, dentists and specialists. It is of the same high quality as public healthcare, but you often have faster access to care.
• Doctors in private institutions often work as self-employed persons and determine their own costs. These costs are usually based on the time a patient takes and possibly the specialisation of a doctor.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Finland?

• To make an appointment with the GP, you call the health centre. The assistant will make an appointment with a doctor or nurse depending on your complaints. Bring your KELA card.
• It can be difficult to make an appointment due to the busy health centres.
• Referrals to specialists can be obtained via the GP.
• In Finland, GPs generally do not make home visits. Some private clinics offer home visits and there is a fee for this. Private health services can be used by everyone, including people who do not have a permanent residence in Finland. Appointments are quicker at private clinics and the costs are considerably more expensive than at public health services.

How is the dentist arranged in Finland?

• Public dental care is affordable. KELA pays part of the costs, depending on the treatment. Public dental care has long waiting lists.
• In case of emergency, contact the local emergency dental service (suun terveydenhuollon päivystys). You will then be treated more quickly.

How is pregnancy care arranged in Finland?

• Pregnant women who are permanent residents of Finland can, under certain conditions, receive a kind of maternity grant. You can find out more about this on the KELA website. Maternity care is otherwise free.
• In Finland, women are expected to visit a maternity clinic as soon as they know they are pregnant, or at least before the end of the fourth month. The clinic monitors the health of the woman and the child and organizes pregnancy courses.
• This clinic also provides care after childbirth.
• Abortion is permitted when the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's health or has a major impact on the mother's life. Women under 17 years and over 40 years can also have an abortion because of their age. Abortions are performed free of charge in hospitals.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Finland?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Finland?

• Finland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Street crime, such as pickpocketing, is rare, even in large cities like Helsinki.
• It is one of the best places to raise children, with safe neighborhoods, good schools, and child-friendly amenities.
• It is generally safe to walk alone at night, even in urban areas.
• Demonstrations and protests are rare and usually peaceful. The country has a strong tradition of order and stability.
• In the wild, you can encounter moose and sometimes bears, especially in Lapland. Elks can be dangerous if you are driving, so pay attention to warning signs.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Finland?

• Temperatures can drop to -30°C or lower in winter, especially in Lapland. Frostbite and hypothermia are risks, when you are not prepared.
• In summer, ticks that transmit Lyme disease or TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) can be found in forested areas. Check yourself after walks and consider a TBE vaccination if you spend a lot of time in nature.
• The long, dark winters can cause some people to suffer from the winter blues. Make sure you have enough daylight or consider a daylight lamp.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Finland?

• The road network in Finland is excellent and traffic rules are strictly enforced. Driving is safe, even in remote areas.
• The roads can become slippery in winter due to snow and ice. Winter tires are mandatory and it is wise to learn to drive in winter conditions.
• Finland is bicycle-friendly, with good cycle paths, especially in cities. Make sure you use lights in winter, when it is often dark.
• Pedestrians have priority almost everywhere, but always make eye contact with the driver before crossing.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Finland?

• Is the trip to Finland and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Finland if you are going to live there for a while?

• In many cases, for example for student visas, private insurance is a requirement for a visa application. Find out about this before you start your application. Even if it is not required, private insurance gives you the opportunity to get access to care more quickly, to get care abroad and offers coverage for medical repatriation, for example.
• Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.