Health Care & Registration in Finland
Healthcare and Registration
One of the first priorities after moving to Finland is ensuring access to healthcare services and completing the
necessary registrations with Finnish authorities. Finland offers high-quality healthcare and a well-organised
public administration system that helps residents access essential services.
Understanding how registration and healthcare systems work will make settling into Finland significantly easier.
Registering as a Resident
Most people moving to Finland for a longer period must register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Registration is important because it allows you to receive:
• a Finnish personal identity code
• an official municipality of residence
• access to various public services
Many official processes become easier once registration has been completed.
Finnish Personal Identity Code
The Finnish personal identity code is one of the most important identifiers in Finland.
It is required for many everyday activities, including:
• healthcare services
• banking
• employment
• taxation
• education
You will use your personal identity code frequently when dealing with authorities and service providers.
Municipality of Residence
After registration, many residents receive an official municipality of residence.Your municipality is responsible
for providing many public services, including:
• healthcare
• education
• daycare
• social services
The services available to you may depend on your municipality of residence.
Public Healthcare System
Finland has a comprehensive public healthcare system available to residents.Public healthcare services include:
• health centres
• hospitals
• maternity clinics
• child health clinics
• specialist healthcare services
Healthcare services are funded mainly through taxation, which helps keep costs affordable for residents.
Private Healthcare
In addition to public healthcare, Finland has an extensive private healthcare sector.
Private healthcare may offer:
• shorter waiting times
• flexible appointment schedules
• occupational healthcare services
Many employers provide occupational healthcare as part of employment benefits.
Kela and Social Security
After moving to Finland, you may be eligible for coverage under the Finnish social security system.
The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) administers many benefits related to:
• healthcare reimbursements
• family benefits
• student support
• sickness benefits
• housing support
Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and residence status.
The Kela Card
Once approved for Finnish social security coverage, you may receive a Kela card.The card can provide access to:
• healthcare reimbursements
• medicine reimbursements
• various social security benefits
The Kela card remains an important document for many residents.
Occupational Healthcare
Employees in Finland often receive occupational healthcare provided by their employer. Occupational
healthcare may include:
• medical consultations
• preventive healthcare
• workplace health assessments
• basic treatment services
This system helps support employee wellbeing and workplace health.
Emergency Services
Emergency medical services are available throughout Finland. In urgent situations requiring immediate
assistance, residents can access emergency healthcare services at hospitals and emergency clinics.
Emergency services operate nationwide and are available regardless of nationality.
Child and Family Healthcare
Finland is internationally known for its child and family healthcare services.Families benefit from:
• maternity clinics
• child health clinics
• vaccination programmes
• family counselling services
Regular health monitoring begins before birth and continues throughout childhood.
Digital Healthcare Services
Finland is a highly digital society, and healthcare services increasingly operate online.Residents can often:
• book appointments online
• view medical records
• renew prescriptions
• communicate with healthcare professionals electronically
Digital services make healthcare more accessible and efficient.
Practical Tips for New Residents
After arriving in Finland, it is often useful to:
• register your residence promptly
• apply for a personal identity code
• check your Kela eligibility
• obtain healthcare information locally
• keep important documents available
Early preparation can help avoid delays when accessing services.
Building a Healthy Start in Finland
Proper registration and healthcare access form the foundation for a successful start in Finland.
Once these practical matters are arranged, newcomers can focus on:
• work
• studies
• family life
• business activities
• integration into Finnish society
Finland's healthcare and registration systems are designed to support residents throughout different stages of life.
Need Assistance?
We help international individuals and families with practical matters related to:
• registration procedures
• healthcare access
• Kela applications
• relocation to Finland
• settling into Finnish society
Contact us for more information.