Sairaala (Hospital)
Finland's public hospital system providing specialist and emergency medical care, organized by hospital districts.
Detailed explanation
Finnish hospitals are part of the public healthcare system funded through taxation and patient fees. You generally cannot visit a hospital specialist directly - instead, you receive a referral (lähete) from a health center doctor, occupational health physician, or emergency department. This referral system ensures that hospital resources are directed to patients who need specialist-level care.
Finland has roughly 20 hospital districts, each with a central hospital. The five university hospitals - in Helsinki (HUS), Turku (TYKS), Tampere (TAYS), Oulu (OYS), and Kuopio (KYS) - provide the most specialized treatments, research, and teaching. Emergency care (päivystys) is available 24/7 at major hospitals.
Patient fees in public hospitals are regulated by law. An outpatient specialist visit costs up to €71.30, and inpatient care is charged per day at a rate that varies by wellbeing services county, with an annual cap on public healthcare costs to protect patients from excessive expenses.
How it affects expats
- Referral required: You need a referral from a doctor to see a hospital specialist
- walk-in is only for emergencies
- Care guarantee: Finland has a treatment guarantee (hoitotakuu)
- non-urgent specialist assessment within 3 months
- Language: Hospital staff typically speak Finnish and Swedish, with varying English proficiency
- interpreter services are available
- EU/EEA citizens: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers emergency hospital care for visitors
- Patient fees: Capped annually
- once you reach the limit, further public care is largely free for the rest of the year
Key details
- Outpatient visit fee: Up to €71.30 per visit
- Inpatient daily fee: Varies by wellbeing services county
- Annual fee cap: Approximately €815 per calendar year (2026) for public healthcare
- Emergency (päivystys): Available 24/7 at major hospitals, no referral needed
- Referral pathway: Health center or occupational health → hospital specialist
Related terms
- Terveyskeskus (Health Center): primary care clinics
- Päivystys (Emergency Room): urgent and emergency care
- Sairausloma (Sick Leave): sick leave rules