The name of the social health system in Finland is KELA. After obtaining your residence permit, you also apply to KELA while registering for tax.
The purpose of the social security system in Finland is to provide necessary support to people in changing life conditions. If you reside in Finland, you can receive financial support. In this article, we will provide you with information about the Finnish social security system. The Kela system provides support in areas such as;
- Public pensions,
- Child benefits,
- Basic unemployment insurance,
- Sickness benefits,
- Living support,
- Rehabilitation.
If you have health insurance in Finland, you will be issued a Kela card. The reasons for Kela’s financial support are clearly stated in the laws. When you apply for support, the institution will review your right to receive Kela’s benefits. Your rights may expand depending on your residence in Finland. KELA considers the life conditions of applicants individually when making decisions. The life conditions of each applicant vary. Therefore, the amount of financial support provided by Kela also differs. It will be beneficial for you to specify your individual situation during the application.
Starting to Use the Health System
After registering in the system, when you become ill, you must first consult your family doctor. You can find your family doctor by checking the hospital you are affiliated with online. If you wish, you also have the right to change your affiliated hospital.
After being checked by the family doctor, the doctor will refer you to the necessary specialists. No fee is charged for the family doctor.
KELA Coronavirus Support
KELA also provides necessary assistance to individuals who could not receive daily unemployment benefits after the coronavirus. If you are entitled to receive financial support from Kela, you can apply. Temporary changes have been made to Kela’s unemployment insurance payments. You can see these changes on the institution’s official website.
Kela offers a daily allowance program for infectious diseases to citizens. This daily allowance is specifically prepared for individuals under isolation and quarantine. To apply, you can obtain a report from the doctor responsible for infectious diseases and apply to your municipality.
Right to Benefit from Support
If you reside in Finland, you can receive Kela’s support.
- If you work in Finland, you can benefit from Kela’s support.
Your right to benefit from Kela supports may vary depending on the country you come from. To benefit from support;
- You must come from the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
- You can benefit from this support if you come from countries that have a social security agreement with Finland.
- Individuals living in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein outside the European Union can also benefit from KELA support.
Support programs may also vary depending on your reason for moving to Finland.
- Employee or entrepreneur,
- Student,
- Family member,
- As a posted worker, you can benefit from these support programs.
Finland has made social security agreements with some countries. These countries include;
- USA,
- India,
- China,
- South Korea,
- Canada,
- Chile,
- Israel,
- Australia.
The agreements mainly concern retirement issues. Some agreements with certain countries also include patient care. If you come from one of the countries listed above, you can receive KELA support.
Right to Live in Finland
When you move to Finland, KELA will evaluate whether you have moved to the country permanently. You also have the right to benefit from Kela’s support for work-related reasons instead of moving to Finland permanently.
To receive KELA support, you must have a residence permit. The institution will then carry out the necessary evaluations. After the evaluation, it will be assessed whether your stay is permanent. Since 2019, students coming from outside the EU and EEA regions can receive KELA support.
If you start working in another country or will be abroad for more than six months, your right to benefit from Kela’s support will end. If you do not live permanently in Finland, you may not be able to benefit from certain supports. If you come from another EU country, you can benefit from accumulated insurance months in those countries.
Right to Use an Interpreter
KELA can arrange an interpreter for you to complete the necessary procedures. You can call Kela’s phone number for the interpreter service fee.
