Health Insurance for Students in Finland: Kela, FSHS and Private Cover

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Health cover for a student in Finland depends on two things: where you come from and how long you study. A degree student from outside the EU is treated differently from an exchange student or an EU citizen. This guide follows Kela (the Social Insurance Institution), the student health service FSHS (YTHS in Finnish), Migri and Study in Finland as read in October 2026.

What the permit requires

Non-EU students need insurance to get the residence permit. Study in Finland says you must have valid insurance to get a student residence permit, and Migri sets the terms. Our student visa for Finland guide lists them: private cover for medical treatment and medicines for the whole permit, no ordinary travel insurance, a minimum that depends on the length of study, and an excess of at most EUR 300. Migri changes these terms, so check its insurance page before you buy.

FSHS adds that international students need health insurance for their whole stay, even if they use FSHS. EU and EEA students can meet this with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

The two-year rule for non-EU students

Kela explains the dividing line.

Degree students studying 2 years or more can usually get certain Kela benefits: sickness allowance, parental daily allowances, and reimbursement of private healthcare and prescription medicines. As a rule they can get a Kela card. They cannot get student financial aid, the student housing supplement or general housing allowance.
Municipality of residence. Without one you only have the right to emergency care in Finland, which may be billed afterwards. With one you get necessary public healthcare at the client fee. The student visa guide covers how to apply for it at DVV.
Exchange students from outside the EU generally get no Kela benefits and pay medical costs themselves.

For programmes shorter than two years, plan on private insurance and ask Kela and your institution what applies.

Students from the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK

Kela says your stay is generally considered temporary, whatever the length of your studies, so you usually cannot get Kela benefits and your coverage stays in your home country. Order your EHIC before you arrive; it covers necessary medical care. Students from the UK use the GHIC. If you work alongside your studies and earn at least EUR 800.02 a month, you may get certain work-based benefits.

FSHS, the student health service

Degree students at Finnish higher education institutions who are registered as attending are entitled to FSHS services. Incoming exchange students from outside Finland cannot use them.

General medical care at general practitioner level, including women's and sexual health, with specialist referrals when needed.
Mental health support: first-stage support and assessments, groups, short-term therapy and medication treatment.
Dental care, but not at every location; if yours has none, FSHS refers you to the nearest unit.

You cannot book an appointment before a need-for-treatment assessment, done by phone, chat or the online service. Mental health or substance abuse rehabilitation is not included, and specialist care after a referral may carry a visit fee.

The healthcare fee

Students who use FSHS pay the healthcare fee to Kela, not to FSHS: for 2026 it is EUR 70.70 per academic year, or EUR 35.35 per term. Pay for each term without waiting for a reminder. Late payment adds EUR 5. FSHS also charges EUR 56.70 for a booked appointment that you neither attend nor cancel at least 24 hours ahead.

Degree students covered in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland, or the UK do not pay the fee but must show an EHIC or GHIC each time they use FSHS, remote visits included. Private insurance cards are not accepted for this. They must also give Kela a copy of the card.

A simple plan

Check whether your permit and study length give you a municipality of residence.
If you are non-EU, buy a policy that meets Migri's terms before you apply for the permit.
If you are from the EU or EEA, order the EHIC at home.
After enrolment, pay the Kela healthcare fee each term, if it applies to you.
Write down the FSHS assessment contact for your study town.

Costs besides health insurance are in how much it costs to study in Finland; the Europe-wide picture is in health insurance for students in Europe.

Where to look next

Official sources

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.