Student health care
The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides general, mental and oral health care services for students of universities and other institutions of higher education. You can use student health services if you are studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a university or other institution of higher education and you have paid your student union membership fee to a student union that is affiliated to the FSHS. Those studying for a Licentiate of Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine degree are also entitled to use the FSHS’s services (www.fshs.fi).
Pay the healthcare fee to Kela if you have registered as attending and you are completing a bachelor’s or a master’s level degree in higher education at a Finnish university. In 2026, the student healthcare fee in higher education is EUR 35.35 per term. The fee is paid to Kela once per term, i.e. twice a year. You are not billed for the fee but are expected to pay it unprompted. The due date of payment is determined based on the date on which you have registered as attending. Look dates here https://www.kela.fi/student-healthcare-fee-higher-education
The healthcare fee is confirmed on a calendar year basis. However, in autumn you can only pay the fee for the autumn term, because the amount of the fee due for spring term will be decided on November/December.
The healthcare fee can be paid using a payment application in Kela's e-service or as a bank transfer. Instructions for payment of the healthcare fee are available on Kela’s website.
If you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you do not have to pay the healthcare fee. However, you can to use the FSHS’s services. Visit Kela’s website for information about how to proceed if you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom.
Familiarise yourself also with information about tuberculosis screening for degree students
For information regarding exchange students, please read: Exchange student’s health services and well-being.
Student health meeting
What happens in a student health meeting?
A student health meeting is a discussion aimed at finding practical ways to support your studies. The meeting usually lasts about an hour and can be held at FSHS premises or remotely.
In a student health meeting:
- you asses what kind of studying would be possible in your current situation
- you explore practical solutions together to support your studies and your ability to study
- you make a plan for continuing your studies or returning to your studies
- you agree on necessary further steps, responsibilities and follow-up.
You decide what you want to share about your health with University representatives. The purpose of the meeting is not to discuss your illness or treatment in any more detail than is necessary to arrange your studies and support your ability to study. Your care relationship with healthcare professionals and any information related to it remain confidential.
Who participates in a student health meeting?
People whose expertise is needed in your situation will be invited to the meeting. The participants will be agreed with you. If you wish, you can also ask a support person to join the meeting.
You are the key expert on your own situation and studies. In addition to you, a nurse, doctor or psychologist from FSHS may take part in the meeting. FSHS professionals provide healthcare expertise, particularly on how your health may affect your ability to study. From the University, an education specialist, study counsellor or study psychologist may take part in the meeting. University representatives provide information about your studies, study arrangements, guidance and the forms of support available at the University.
How can a student health meeting be initiated?
You can raise the possibility of a student health meeting with FSHS healthcare staff or University guidance staff. An FSHS or University representative may also suggest a student health meeting to you.
To arrange a student health meeting requires that you have a contact with FSHS.
- If you do not yet have an ongoing care contact at FSHS, contact the assessment of need for treatment through FSHSDigi.
- If you already have your own nurse or doctor at FSHS, you can raise the possibility of a student health meeting directly with them via FSHSDigi.
Contact information for the University's guidance staff can be found in the Student's Guide.