Electronic prescriptions now also valid in Croatia

The use of electronic prescriptions in EU and EEA countries has been expanded with Croatia. Finnish electronic prescriptions are now also valid in Estonia and Croatia.

Your prescription will work in Estonia and Croatia once you have activated your permission for the service in the My Kanta service. You can give consent to individual countries or to all countries covered by the service. The permission is valid until further notice, and you can also cancel it in the My Kanta service. You can purchase medicines in Estonian or Croatian pharmacies by showing your passport or personal ID card. You must be an adult and can only get your personal medicine – you cannot buy medicine on behalf of someone else or with your child’s prescription.

If you want to buy medicines in other EU or EEA countries, you can ask your doctor for a separate printed prescription that is valid abroad. The prescription is called a ‘Medical prescription for purchasing medication abroad’.

What medicine is the prescription valid for?

The use of electronic prescriptions abroad involves some restrictions. For example, electronic prescriptions written for a specific duration of medicinal treatment are not valid; the prescription must state how many units the prescription is for. Electronic prescriptions also cannot be used to purchase medicines that are classified as narcotics or affect the central nervous system (CNS agents), moisturising creams or dietary supplements. Read the entire list of restrictions on the Kanta.fi website.

Are medicines bought in Estonia or Croatia eligible for Kela reimbursement?

You can be reimbursed for medicine bought in Estonia or Croatia if the corresponding medicine in Finland is eligible for reimbursement. Claim reimbursement from Kela afterwards and enclose the receipts for the medicine with your reimbursement application. You cannot get direct reimbursement for medicine like you would in Finland.