If you contract COVID-19 in Finland, the cost of treatment may vary
21.9.2020
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health recommends that the municipalities do not charge a fee for coronavirus tests or for treatment for a coronavirus infection also from persons who do not have a municipality of residence in Finland or a certificate of entitlement to medical care or who are not staying in Finland as travellers. The recommendation entered into force on 26 August 2020. The municipalities decide themselves if they follow this recommendation.
You have the right to receive free treatment in Finland for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus
- if you are a registered resident of a Finnish municipality
- if you are not a registered resident of a Finnish municipality but you have a certificate of entitlement to medical care:
- Persons from another EU or EEA country or from Switzerland can get treatment by presenting their European Health Insurance Card. Finnish pensioners living abroad can get treatment by presenting a European Health Insurance Card for pensioners issued by Kela.
- Persons from the Nordic countries do not necessarily need a European Health Insurance Card, because they can obtain treatment also by presenting a valid passport or other official ID.
- Persons from Great Britain and Northern Ireland can present a European Health Insurance Card or their passport.
- Persons from Australia get treatment by presenting their passport.
- if you qualify for a certificate of entitlement to medical care from Kela: Certificate of entitlement to medical care in Finland (this means, for example, persons working in Finland)
- if you are travelling in Finland. Travellers may not have a certificate of entitlement to medical care, but they are, under World Health Organization recommendations, entitled to free treatment for a coronavirus infection.
If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned categories of persons and do not have insurance to cover the cost of your examination and care, you may still receive free treatment for coronavirus disease in some municipalities. Check with the municipality providing medical care whether they charge for COVID-19 treatment and tests.
Please note
- If you are not sure of your entitlement to medical treatment in Finland, you can contact Kela’s Centre for International Affairs
- Kela has compiled information on the effects of the coronavirus situation on Kela’s benefits, the processing of applications and the services on the page Update on the coronavirus situation. The page will be updated as the situation evolves.