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Did you know...
All permanent residents of Finland are issued a personal health insurance card ('Kela card').
Kela card
Kela card is sent automatically and at no cost to everyone covered under the Finnish social security system.
You will receive a new card for example if you change your name and report the change to the Finnish Digital Agency
All who are covered under the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme of Finland are issued a personal health insurance card, the Kela card. By presenting your card at the pharmacy or at many private medical clinics, you can get a direct, on-the-spot reimbursement for your costs.
If you move to Finland from another country or if you start working in Finland, you can apply for a Kela card by sending a message about this via Kela’s e-service. Also file a notification of your move to Finland via our e-service under ’Ilmoita muutoksista – Oikeus Suomen sosiaaliturvaan’. You can also apply for a Kela card on form (SV 157e, PDF). Enclose the form Moving to Finland (Y 77e, PDF). Mail your application along with the supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.
Can the right to use the Kela card end?
Moving abroad may affect the right to use the Kela card. If you move abroad on a temporary or a permanent basis, please file a notification about your stay abroad via our e-service. Kela determines your entitlement to national health insurance coverage and to Kela benefits. If you are no longer covered for health insurance benefits in Finland, you do not have the right to use the Kela card even if you visit Finland.
If you have been granted a Kela card on the basis of your work in Finland and your earnings do not reach the income limit, you are not entitled to use the Kela card.
Read more about the entitlement of employees to Kela benefits and social security.
The right to use the Kela card also ends if you need a residence permit for your stay in Finland and your residence permit is not continued or your residence permit is cancelled.
You can check the information on your right to use the Kela card and to social security coverage in Finland in our e-service under ’Oikeus Suomen sosiaaliturvaan’.