The shelter (turvakoti) system
Free, round-the-clock safe housing for anyone facing violence at home.
In immediate danger?
Call 112 for police or an ambulance. It is free and works even without a SIM card or credit. The 112 Suomi app shares your location.
A turvakoti is a shelter that offers a safe place to stay and support if you experience domestic violence or live under the threat of it. Shelters are defined by law, funded by the state, and coordinated nationally by THL, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
A shelter is for anyone experiencing domestic violence or living under the threat of it, with or without children. You can go on your own initiative, and you may stay anonymously. Authorities can also refer you, but no referral is needed.
You may go to any shelter, regardless of where you live. Shelters are open around the clock and provide crisis support, safe accommodation, psychosocial support and counselling.
At the end of 2025 the network had 28 shelters with 228 family places, increasing to 243 places during 2026. If a shelter near you is full, staff will help you find another place.
Key things to know
- Shelters are free of charge for you.
- No referral is needed — you can arrive on your own, also anonymously.
- You may go to any shelter, regardless of where you live.
- Shelters are open 24 hours a day and offer crisis support and counselling, not only a bed.
- If you do not know which shelter to contact, call Nollalinja on 116 016 and they will help you find a place.
Who to contact
Nollalinja
Call to find a shelter place and get guidance, day or night.
- Phone
- 116 016
- Opening hours
- 24/7, every day of the year. Free of charge.
- Languages
- Finnish, Swedish, English, with interpretation in several more languages.
- Website
- nollalinja.fi/en