Rights to Various Types of Services
The right to use the services of Finnish public health care is primarily based on residence in the country. A person arriving from abroad may be entitled to treatment on the basis of EU legislation or international conventions even if they are not permanently residing in Finland. Everyone is entitled to emergency treatment within public health care regardless of citizenship or country of origin.
If you are worried for a person regarding their wellbeing, health or safety, you may submit a notification of concern or a child welfare notification through the website Submitting a notification of concern to the social services – The wellbeing services county of Satakunta (in Finnish)(siirryt toiseen palveluun) or by calling the Social and Crisis Emergency Services at 02 623 4380. The Social and Crisis Emergency Services launches an investigation into all notifications.
A person temporarily residing in Finland is entitled to medically necessary treatment if their medical care costs are covered by another EU or EEA country or Switzerland. Medically necessary treatment refers to treatment that the person requires, at a minimum, in order to safely resume their residence in Finland according to the original plan. A health care professional, usually a doctor, decides on the type of treatment that the person requires. The assessment for the need for treatment will take into account the duration of the person’s stay in Finland.
Proof of Residency Status and the Right to Services
Using the website links below, you can find information in different languages about the right to public health care services based on EU legislation or international agreements, and the required proof, as well as the situations in which, in addition to the customer fee, an invoice is sent to the person for the cost of services. The links also contain information on the services for persons with a refugee background who have been granted international protection.
Prepare for Using the Services
When you make an appointment or arrive to use the services, you will be asked for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), a healthcare card based on other international agreements, or a proof or an identity card entitling you to treatment. For a person from a Nordic country, a driver’s license in accordance with the EU standard, an identity card issued by an authority or a bank card with a photo is sufficient to prove their right to treatment. A person from other regions is asked for a “Certificate of entitlement to medical care in Finland” issued by Kela or an ID card issued by the Finnish Immigration Service/Reception Centre (VOK).
Make a list for yourself: the language of interpretation, information about your next of kin and also a contact person in Finland, your address in both Finland and the country of residence, the reason for using the services, current symptoms, medication prescribed by a doctor, other medication or self-care products you use, the treatment and examinations of ongoing illnesses, and their place and country of implementation, hypersensitivity, allergies and possible restrictions on your treatment.
Where to Seek Treatment
Health and Social Service Centres in the municipalities of the wellbeing services county, e.g. receptions for doctors, nurses and dentists:
- Oral Health Care: Oral Health Care – The Wellbeing Services County of Satakunta
- Health Care Centres: Health Services – The Wellbeing Services County of Satakunta
- Outpatient clinics, emergency services and wards in specialised medical care: Sairaalantie 3, 28500 PORI.
- If you need treatment that cannot wait until the next day, please call the medical helpline number 116 117.
- In an emergency, please call the emergency number 112 for an ambulance.