Sairaala (Hospital)

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 approximately €41, and inpatient care costs approximately €50 per day, 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: Approximately €41 per visit

• •Inpatient daily fee: Approximately €50/day

• •Annual fee cap: Approximately €692 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