Social and health services in Lapland

We recommend that you take out travel insurance from a private insurance company before you travel. Depending on the terms and conditions of the insurance, it may cover personal medical expenses and, for example, the costs of rearranging your return journey.

Please make sure your insurance covers your entire stay and all planned activities. 

Arrival at the treatment unit

At the hospital or health center, you will be asked for your personal details, passport, and certificate of entitlement to treatment. Fill in the personal details form carefully and legibly. 
If the reason for seeking treatment is an accident or injury, such as (one caused by) an activity organized by a travel company, also find out the insurance details of the tour operator or company. In the event of a car, snowmobile, or ATV accident, we will also need the vehicle registration details.

Necessary documents

When seeking treatment in the public healthcare system in Finland, remember to bring the following documents with you:

• Passport or identity card
• Certificate of entitlement to treatment (more information in the section Treatment costs) 
• Insurance company details

If you do not have a valid certificate of entitlement to treatment, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate by contacting your home country's health insurance institution immediately. Make sure the certificate is valid from the date you seek treatment. The certificate can be sent by email, but certificates sent after treatment will not be accepted.

The cost of treatment will be charged at the end of your appointment or hospital stay. Please be prepared to pay on site before leaving. Card payments are accepted, and you will receive a receipt.

The cost of treatment depends on: 

• Whether you have a municipality of residence in Finland
• The lenght of your stay in Finland
• The type and validity of your certificate of entitlement to treatment

Coverage of the certificate of entitlement to treatment

Please note that the European Health Insurance Card, for example, does not cover all treatment costs in Finland. Treatment is not completely free of charge, and the card does not cover international transport or private doctor's fees. In public healthcare, you pay a co-payment for treatment. 

Using your insurance

If you have personal travel, medical expense, or health insurance, contact your insurance company immediately in the event of illness or accident. This is particularly important if the event affects your travel plans, such as arrangements for returning home. The European Health Insurance Card or accident insurance does not cover the costs of changes to your return journey.

When you leave the treatment unit, you will receive your patient documents in Finnish. We do not offer translation services – the translation of documents is your responsibility or that of your insurance company.

Finnish citizens

You are entitled to public healthcare services, including non-urgent treatment, at the same customer fees as all other residents of Finland.

When seeking treatment in the Finnish public healthcare system, you must prove your right to treatment with a valid certificate of entitlement to treatment. In this case, you will receive medically necessary treatment at the same price as a resident of Finland.  

Without an acceptable certificate of entitlement to treatment, you will be charged: 

• The actual cost of treatment 
• Co-payments 

Accepted Certificates

The following documents entitle you to treatment in the public healthcare system in Finland: 

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) 
• Global Health Insurance Card / Citizens Rights Card 
• Passport (for visitors from the Nordic countries and Australia)  
• Official ID card (for visitors from the Nordic countries) 
• Certificate of entitlement to treatment issued by KELA 

Please note: certificates do not necessarily cover all treatment costs. Co-payments and possible additional fees are determined on a case-by-case basis.   

Medically necessary treatment  

Necessary treatment means treatment that cannot be postponed until your return home. Be prepared to prove your identity if necessary. Minors must have their own certificate of entitlement to treatment. 

You can find information about safe travel in Lapland in many languages here: pelastustoimi.fi/lappi/turvallisesti-lapissa/matkailun-turvallisuus/matkailijoiden-turvallisuusesite