In Finland, there are public health services, private medical services, and workplace health care.
The easiest way to seek medical care is at the local health center (terveysasema). You can make an appointment with a general practitioner or nurse by calling in the morning starting at 8. During the visit, the general practitioner will decide on the further treatment plan. If a specialist is needed, you will receive a referral to a central or university hospital. If only a general practitioner is required, the appointment will be scheduled at the same health center.
In Finland, each municipality decides the cost of visiting nurses or doctors. For example, in Helsinki, it is free, while in Vantaa, visiting a doctor costs 16.40 EUR, which may apply to the first three visits each calendar year, after which visits are free.
It is not possible to call a doctor from a public medical institution to your home. Some private medical institutions offer home visits, starting from 200 EUR.
Emergency services in public medical institutions are available at major central hospitals, called päivystys, operating during evenings and weekends when local health centers are closed.
You can also call for an ambulance to your home by dialing 112. An ambulance should only be called in severe cases when you cannot reach the hospital by yourself.
If you want to see a specialist immediately, it is better to book an appointment at a private clinic rather than a public health center. Private medical services are considerably more expensive, starting at 80 EUR per visit. Different clinics offer various services. Private medical services are available to everyone, including those without permanent residence in Finland. You can purchase annual private insurance and visit private doctors for free after paying for the first few visits in a calendar year.
If you arrive in Finland for work, you are entitled to public health services after obtaining a KELA card. You can go to a private clinic or use medical services organized by your employer. In Finland, employers are required to arrange medical services for employees either at a local health center or a private medical center. Usually, a private medical center is the private clinic mentioned above, where employees can go for free through their work.
Mothers with preschool children visit neuvola – a service for mothers and children at the local health center, which is always free. Initially, the expectant mother visits a nurse for pregnancy monitoring, and after birth, the child is registered and monitored until school. In first grade, the child transitions to school care, where a nurse and school doctor continue to monitor their development.
Children up to 18 years old receive free medical care, including dental services.
In Finland, each municipality decides the cost of visiting nurses or doctors. For example, in Helsinki, it is free, while in Vantaa, visiting a doctor costs 16.40 EUR, which may apply to the first three visits each calendar year, after which visits are free.
It is not possible to call a doctor from a public medical institution to your home. Some private medical institutions offer home visits, starting from 200 EUR.
Emergency services in public medical institutions are available at major central hospitals, called päivystys, operating during evenings and weekends when local health centers are closed.
You can also call for an ambulance to your home by dialing 112. An ambulance should only be called in severe cases when you cannot reach the hospital by yourself.
If you want to see a specialist immediately, it is better to book an appointment at a private clinic rather than a public health center. Private medical services are considerably more expensive, starting at 80 EUR per visit. Different clinics offer various services. Private medical services are available to everyone, including those without permanent residence in Finland. You can purchase annual private insurance and visit private doctors for free after paying for the first few visits in a calendar year.
If you arrive in Finland for work, you are entitled to public health services after obtaining a KELA card. You can go to a private clinic or use medical services organized by your employer. In Finland, employers are required to arrange medical services for employees either at a local health center or a private medical center. Usually, a private medical center is the private clinic mentioned above, where employees can go for free through their work.
Mothers with preschool children visit neuvola – a service for mothers and children at the local health center, which is always free. Initially, the expectant mother visits a nurse for pregnancy monitoring, and after birth, the child is registered and monitored until school. In first grade, the child transitions to school care, where a nurse and school doctor continue to monitor their development.
Children up to 18 years old receive free medical care, including dental services.
