Finland - Health

In Finland, the healthcare system is based on public healthcare services to everyone residing in the country. The standard of care is extremely high and English is widely spoken by doctors and medical-clinic staff.

Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) are covered for emergency medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), though they still have to pay a daily or per-appointment fee as a Finn would.

Health insurance is strongly recommended for citizens from other countries.

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:

Specific travel vaccinations are not required for visitors to Finland.

Food and Water Concerns:

Finland's tap water is among the highest quality in the world and is safe to drink.

Other Diseases:

Take care to check for ticks if you are traveling in Finland as they carry two types of disease, Lyme disease and TBE (Tick-Borne Encephalitis). Lyme disease is common along the whole of the coast and Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE virus) occurs in Åland and in minor regions of southern Finland. There is a vaccine available for TBE, but Lyme disease must be treated with antibiotics immediately after a tick bite.

Other health issues to be aware of are those caused by extreme climates, such as hypothermia and frostbite, or viral infections such as influenza.