Moving to Finland in retirement

Moving to Finland temporarily

If you move temporarily to Finland from an EU or EEA country, United Kingdom or from Switzerland, you will receive medically necessary treatment with the European Health Insurance Card. You will also be reimbursed for using private health care services, medication and travel costs incurred due to treating an illness from Kela.

If you move to Finland from elsewhere, you are only entitled to urgent medical care in the Finnish public health care system. You are also free to use private health care services. You will be responsible for the treatment costs yourself.

Moving to Finland permanently

If you move to Finland permanently, apply a municipality of residence from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). If you apply for a benefit for the first time after moving to Finland and your entitlement to benefits provided by Kela has not yet been determined, you should notify your move to Finland to Kela. If you move from an EU or EEA country or from Switzerland and you receive pension from a country other than Finland, submit a certificate of entitlement to medical care to Kela for registration. The certificate is issued by the country paying your pension.

If you move from outside EU or EEA countries or Switzerland, you will need a valid residence permit.

You will receive all needed medical care within the Finnish public health care system. You will also be reimbursed for using private health care services, medication and travel costs incurred due to treating an illness from Kela.