We were so honored when Finland was ranked the happiest country in the world last year. But that’s surely not the only thing we are super proud of! In addition, Finland has one of the best health care systems as well. According to many both Finnish and international studies, the Finnish health care system is one of the best in the whole world.
Health care belongs to everyone!
The Finnish Health Care System is financed publicly. In other words, public health care services are funded by taxes and client fees. Moreover, there are private companies providing services as well, but they are usually more expensive.
The whole system is based on equality. Even the Finnish Constitution states that everyone should be guaranteed proper social, health and medical services. Finland wants to provide a high level of quality, efficiency and fairness of care for the same amount of money, for every single person living here. Most importantly, the government wants to diminish differences in health between population groups. Amazing, isn’t it?
The hospital and specialist services are top quality: they are ranked among the highest in the EU. Both the doctors and the nursing workforce are highly educated in Finland so you will be in safe hands!
Your health care as a student
You are entitled to receive the same services for the same price as any other resident in Finland. It doesn’t make a difference even if you arrive outside the European Union. As long as you have a place of residence in Finland, everything should be fine! As a foreign student, you will need valid national health insurance from your own home country. You need the insurance when applying for a residence permit to Finland.
The Finnish Student Healthcare Service organizes health care services for university students (this doesn’t apply to Applied Sciences students). You have a right to use their services if you are studying for a basic degree and you have paid the students’ union membership fee. Most of the services FSHS provides are free of charge!
If you study at the University of Applied Sciences, the municipality in which your university is located will organize your health care.
Finland is a safe place
Finland is considered to be among the safest countries in the world. Since the situation around the world has changed a lot during the past months, this fact has been highlighted a lot!
Coronavirus was reported in Wuhan on the 31st of December 2019 and since then it has spread all over the world. Despite this, we in Finland are well prepared for the virus!
The Finnish Government has prepared for all possible scenarios and it has formed a separate working group full of specialists and professionals. This group is only meant for this ongoing situation. Finland has a budget of almost 10 million euros and we are ready to use more funds if it’s necessary to stop the virus from spreading.
Overall the risk of getting the virus in Finland is small. In addition, Finland can raise its readiness quickly whenever it’s needed. The professionals and the staff in hospitals and in smaller health centers are fully equipped.
Finland is safe and a really good place to live in! You have one of the best foundations for starting your studies and life here in Finland, thanks to our top-quality education, and of course, let alone the health care!
