People arriving in Finland from Ukraine usually receive health services through the reception centre

In Finland, the right to use health services is usually based on your municipality of residence. If you have a municipality of residence in Finland, you can use the services of the Finnish public healthcare system at the client fee set for a municipal resident. If you have arrived in Finland from Ukraine, your right to health services can also be based on temporary protection, asylum or employment, for example. All persons residing in Finland are always entitled to urgent medical care within the public healthcare system.

As a person receiving temporary protection, the reception centre will arrange health services for you

If you have been granted temporary protection in Finland, you will receive all the health services you need through the reception centre. This also applies if you live in a private home instead of a reception centre. Reception centres can either organise health services themselves or purchase them from a public or private operator. You will receive health services on the same grounds as permanent residents of Finland.

If you are seeking asylum in Finland, you are also entitled to receive necessary healthcare services through the reception centre. Visit our website to read more about medical care of refugees and asylum-seekers in Finland.

As an employee, you are entitled to public healthcare

If you are residing in Finland on the basis of temporary protection and start working, you will continue to receive your health services from the reception centre. However, if you are granted a residence permit on the basis of employment, you can use the services of the Finnish public healthcare system at the client fee set for a municipal resident. Ask Kela to determine your right to healthcare in Finland. Visit our website to read more about employee’s right to medical care in Finland.

As a tourist, you are entitled to urgent medical care

If you have not registered your right of residence in Finland, you can stay in Finland for 90 days as a tourist without a visa. In this case, you are entitled to urgent medical care within the Finnish public healthcare system. You are responsible for the costs of your treatment. Be aware that the costs of treatment may be high. Additional information is available on the page Falling ill when travelling in Finland.

In all of the situations listed above, you can also choose to use private healthcare services in Finland at your own expense. If you are covered by Finnish health insurance, you can receive reimbursements from Kela for the costs of your medical care and medicines. Further information is available on the Kela website.

Be aware of the following issues:

• If you are not sure of your right to medical treatment in Finland, you can contact Kela’s Centre for International Affairs
• Kela’s page How the war in Ukraine affects the benefits available from Kela contains information on the effects of the situation in Ukraine on Kela benefits. The page will be updated as the situation evolves.

More information

• Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Municipal information (14 March), in Finnish
• Kela: Eligibility of persons fleeing the war in Ukraine for social security (4 March)
• Finnish Immigration Service: Instructions on arriving in Finland from Ukraine