Health cover for temporary visitors in Finland (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: A European Health Insurance Card (or a UK GHIC) gives access to necessary medical care in the Finnish public healthcare system. Finnish providers accept only a physical card, and Kela handles reimbursement claims.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Health cards acceptedUnplanned care during a temporary visit | EHIC, GHIC [1] |
| What the card coversUnplanned care during a temporary visit | Necessary medical care in the Finnish public healthcare system, meaning treatment that cannot wait until the patient returns home. [1] |
| Private care coveredUnplanned care during a temporary visit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Repatriation coveredUnplanned care during a temporary visit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Planned treatment coveredUnplanned care during a temporary visit | No [1] |
| Body to contactUnplanned care during a temporary visit | Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) handles reimbursement claims from people insured in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or Australia. [1] |
Notes
- Kela lists the EHIC, and for the United Kingdom also the GHIC and the Citizens Rights Card. Visitors from another Nordic country can show an official ID or passport instead. Only a physical card is accepted, not a digital one.
- Kela says reimbursement can be claimed afterwards for the costs of necessary care, and that direct reimbursement is only possible for emergency care with an EHIC. Whether private clinics are covered under the EHIC itself was not stated clearly.
- The Kela page read does not mention repatriation.
Sources
- Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland): Entitlement to medical care in Finland (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.