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Health care services for immigrants

  • Service
  • Helsinki
  • Public service

People in need of urgent medical care have the right to receive treatment regardless of their nationality. The right to other health care services is determined by the kind of residence permit the foreign person has.

Health care services for asylum seekers are arranged by reception centres in co-operation with municipalities or other service providers. Those with a residence permit and a perman ...

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Background information

Everyone in need of urgent medical care is entitled to treatment, regardless of their nationality. If a person has a municipality of residence in Finland, they have the right to receive health care services. If a person does not have a municipality of residence in Finland, they may still be entitled to health care services, for example on the basis of their work. In this case, the person must prove their entitlement with a Certificate of Entitlement to Medical Treatment in Finland issued by Kela.

A person from another EU or EEA member state or Switzerland may receive medically necessary treatment from Finnish public health care services with a European Health Insurance Card.

In addition to urgent medical care, adult asylum seekers are entitled to essential health care, such as maternity clinic services. Minor asylum seekers are entitled to the same health care services as other residents of a municipality. Asylum seeker health care services are also organised by reception centres in cooperation with various service providers.

Refugees are entitled to the same health care services as other residents of a municipality.

Immigrants are provided with health care services where experts in integration and special immigration matters engage in multidisciplinary cooperation. These services are available through health and social services centres. Immigrants are entitled to interpretation services during appointments.

The service is provided by

City of Helsinki

Responsible for the service

City of Helsinki, The Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division
Text edited by: City of Helsinki, The Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division
Updated: 28/3/2024