Health care for exchange students
Information for exchange students on where to get medical treatment in Helsinki.
Health care for EU or EEA citizens
If you have a European Health Insurance Card, you can get the same acute medical treatment in public healthcare services as local citizens. While living in Helsinki, you may seek urgent healthcare at one of the Helsinki Public Health Stations. See all the Public Health Stations in Helsinki.
If you have a more extensive private insurance, you can also use the services of private health clinics, such as Terveystalo, Mehiläinen or Aava.
Health care for non EU/EEA citizens
If you are not an EU or EEA citizen, you are required to take out a health insurance in order to get a residence permit.
However, we recommend all students to buy a private health and accident insurance.
Read more about the insurances on the Finnish Immigration Service website.
Urgent and emergency care
Contact your local health station if you have a health concern, experience sudden symptoms or need support for the treatment of a long-term illness. At health stations, urgent care services are available on weekdays at 8:00-16:00. Helsinki health stations can be browsed here.
In evenings, at weekend and national holidays, you can go to the Joint Emergency Department, if there’s an illness that can’t wait for the health station to be open:
- Malmi Joint Emergency Department: Malmi Hospital, Talvelantie 6
- Meilahti Joint Emergency Department: Haartman Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4
Call the free Medical Helpline number 116 117 before visiting a health station or emergency department.
If you have a life-threatening emergency, call the emergency number 112.
Student Health Care Central reception in Helsinki
The Student Health Care Central offers services for all international exchange students studying in Helsinki. Call them beforehand to book an appointment.
- Public Health Nurse Pipsa Närvä
- tel. +358 40 1904408
- Booked appointments only!
- Please call and make an appointment
- Reception: Monday –Friday
- Address: Mechelininkatu 46A, 4th floor
Student Health Care provides
- Health checks according to individual needs
- Mental health and substance abuse services
- Promotion of sexual health
- Prevention of infectious diseases: vaccinations (national vaccination programme)
Instructions for visiting the center:
Mechelininkatu 46A Entrance is through A-stairs elevator to 4th floor across Post office entrance. The glass door of the 4th floor is locked, ring the doorbell and the doorman will buzz you in.
Useful information
These pages on our website give you more information about student health care and insurances.
Information about healthcare in Finland and in Helsinki: