Travel to Finland

Full of the great outdoors with Santa seasonal specials.

• River Fishing
• Lake Fishing
• Sea Fishing
• Reindeer Sledging
• Skiing and Showboarding
• Family Santaland Trips
• City Breaks Helsinki

Medical and Health

Where to Get Information & Refunds

Local offices of the Sickness Insurance Department (Kansaneläkelaitoksen Paikallistoimisto - KELA).

For UK nationals on a temporary visit to Finland an E111 isn't required - production of a British passport is sufficient to get medical treatment.

For other nationals resident in the UK, an E111 is needed.

In Finland, health services (doctors & hospitals) exist as a balance between public and private providers and services are regionalised to a great extent.

Charges vary depending on the municipality that you're staying in.

If you receive private treatment either with a doctor or at a hospital get a receipt and submit it to the local KELA as you may be entitled to a partial refund.

Refunds for medical expenses must be claimed within six months of the original payment.

Doctors, Dentists & Prescriptions

For treatment within the Finnish State health system, go to a municipal health centre and present your passport or Form E111.

The treatment will either be given free of charge or for a standard fee, depending on the municipality.

For emergency dental treatment, contact the dentist on duty at the municipal health centre and present your passport or your E111.

A standard fee will be charged, depending on the service provided. You may, however, find that dental services are severely restricted in the public sector.

Prescribed drugs are available from any pharmacy. The full amount is charged but you may claim this back from the local KELA.

For most prescribed medicines you'll receive a refund of 50% of the costs above a fixed rate.

Hospital Treatment

A doctor will normally refer you to a public hospital where you must present your passport or E111.

In an emergency you can seek treatment from the nearest public hospital without consulting a doctor first.

For in-patient treatment there's a fixed daily charge, which isn't refundable. For out-patient visits to a hospital, there's a fixed charge, which again, is non-refundable.

©Crown copyright