Know your rights
National and international legislation contain provisions concerning the organisation of healthcare services and the patient’s rights, fees and reimbursements.
Legislation
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issues guidelines concerning the enforcement of legislation within social affairs and healthcare and develops the legislation. The Ministry also provides guidelines and recommendations for healthcare professionals. Wellbeing services counties provide detailed instructions concerning the organisation of healthcare services.
Information on Finnish social security
The Finnish social security system is primarily based on residence in the country. In some cases, the application of EU legislation or an international convention on social security may entitle a person to social security benefits in Finland even if they are not permanently residing in Finland.
Patient’s rights to treatment
The right to use the services of Finnish public healthcare 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 healthcare regardless of citizenship or country of origin.
Patient rights
You have the right to good care and treatment, the right to participate in decisions concerning your treatment and the right to receive information about your treatment.
Patient’s means of legal protection and appeals
You are entitled to appeal if you are unhappy with the received treatment, the invoicing of the costs incurred by the treatment or a decision by Kela.