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Accessing the Public Healthcare System
Finland's public healthcare is available to all registered residents with a henkilötunnus. Your first point of contact is your local municipal health centre (terveyskeskus) or, in Helsinki, a Helsinki City health station. Register with your nearest health centre as soon as you receive your henkilötunnus.
- Register with your local terveyskeskus (health centre) — bring your henkilötunnus, Kela card, and proof of address
- GP visit: maximum €23 per appointment at a public health centre, billed a maximum of three times per year — after that, further visits in the same calendar year are free
- Annual out-of-pocket cap (maksukatto): approximately €692 in 2026 — once this is reached, further public outpatient and inpatient care is free for the rest of the year
- Emergency care (päivystys): always available to everyone, regardless of residency status or henkilötunnus
- Kela (Kansaneläkelaitos): the national social insurance institution; issues the Kela card, reimburses medicines, and covers travel to medical appointments
- Prescription medication reimbursement: Kela covers 40–100% of prescription drug costs depending on the medication and diagnosis
- Omakanta portal (omakanta.fi): access prescriptions, lab results, vaccination records, and health records digitally