How the Finnish healthcare system works — from booking your first appointment to emergency care and Kela reimbursements.
For life-threatening emergencies, call 112. For urgent but non-emergency medical help, call the national health advice line 116 117 (available 24/7, free).
Finland has a public healthcare system funded by taxes. As a resident with a henkilötunnus and Kela card, you are entitled to subsidised healthcare. You pay a small patient fee (around €20–40 per visit) and Kela covers the rest.
Your first point of contact for non-emergency healthcare is your local health centre (terveyskeskus). You are assigned to one based on your home address. Book appointments online via your city's health portal or by calling the health centre directly.
Kela reimburses part of the cost for private doctor visits, medicines, and medical travel. Always show your Kela card at the pharmacy — the discount is applied automatically. For private clinic visits, apply for reimbursement via the Kela app or kela.fi within 6 months.
For urgent but non-life-threatening issues outside health centre hours, go to the nearest emergency clinic (päivystys). In Helsinki, the main 24/7 emergency clinic is at Haartmaninkatu 4. Check your city's website for the nearest location.
Neuvola is Finland's free maternity and child health clinic system. All pregnant women and children under school age are entitled to regular free check-ups. Neuvola is also where you collect the famous Finnish baby box (äitiyspakkaus).
Mental health support is available through your terveyskeskus (ask for a referral) or directly via mielenterveystalo.fi, which offers free online self-help programmes and therapy referrals in multiple languages.