Finland: Travel Requirements, Health & Medical Insurance
Finland is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, so the short-stay visa requirement depends on each traveler's passport. It has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, although English is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas.
Finland's healthcare system is public and high quality, with reciprocity for European Union citizens through the European Health Insurance Card, but those who don't qualify must pay for care or have private insurance. The emergency number is 112 nationwide.
Visa and health for travelers
Visa: Finland is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area; the short-stay visa requirement depends on the traveler's passport.
Health & travel insurance: The public healthcare system is high quality and reciprocal for European Union citizens with the European Health Insurance Card; other visitors must pay for care or have insurance.
Visa and entry requirements
Passports that require a Schengen visa must apply before the trip, with flight and accommodation bookings and travel insurance with at least 30,000 EUR of medical coverage. Those who are exempt can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area.
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after the departure date.
- Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for the stay.
- Travel insurance with the minimum coverage if your nationality requires a visa.
Health, hospitals, and medical insurance
European Union citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card to access public rates, but those without it must pay for care directly, and private costs in Finland are among the highest in Europe.
Assist-365 covers hospitalization, COVID-19, and 24-hour medical assistance in Finland; code MEDALLOADV2023 gives a discount when you get a quote for the plan.
Transportation and currency
The currency is the euro (EUR). Trains connect Helsinki with the rest of the country and with St. Petersburg, while ferries cross to Estonia and Sweden in a few hours, a common option for those touring several Baltic countries.
When to travel
Summer (June to August) brings the midnight sun in the north and pleasant temperatures in the south. The long, dark winter is the season for seeing the northern lights in Lapland, although it requires proper thermal clothing.
Travel checklist for Finland
Quick list based on this guide's real data (not generic) before traveling to Finland.
- Check the visa requirement for Finland based on your passport: Finland is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area; the short-stay visa requirement depends on the traveler's passport.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from the entry date
- Travel medical insurance arranged, keeping this in mind: The public healthcare system is high quality and reciprocal for European Union citizens with the European Health Insurance Card; other visitors must pay for care or have insurance.
- Save Finland's emergency number: 112, along with your insurer's contact
- Cash or a no-fee card in Euro (EUR)
- Physical and digital copies of passport, insurance and bookings
- Required or recommended vaccines up to date for the region
- eSIM or international data plan active on arrival
Frequently Asked Questions
Do European Union citizens need a visa for Finland?
No, but they must carry a valid ID or passport; outside the EU, the visa requirement depends on each traveler's passport.
What is the emergency number in Finland?
112, active nationwide for police, fire, and ambulance.
Is medical care free for tourists in Finland?
Only with the European Health Insurance Card for EU citizens; other visitors pay for care or use travel insurance.
What currency is used in Finland?
The euro (EUR), the same as most countries in the Schengen area of continental Europe.
