University of Helsinki - A Leading European University

Visa and residence permit

• Third-country nationals' health insurance
• Third-country nationals less than two years in Finland
• Third-country nationals two years or more in Finland
• Citizens of the Nordic Countries
• Citizens of EU/EEA countries
• Non-EU citizens
• Student's Residence Permit
• Additional information

Third-country nationals must have health insurance

Please note that citizens of third countries arriving in Finland for the purpose of studying are required to have health insurance, if the period of study lasts for more than three months. The requirement is the same for degree-seeking and for visiting/exchange students.

The term “third-country national” in this context refers to a person who is not a citizen of either one of the EU countries or a citizen of one of the following countries:  Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Students from Quebec (Canada) are also exempted from the health insurance requirement.

Health insurance is one of the obligatory requirements for obtaining a residence permit for studies. The student’s health insurance must be valid upon his/her entry to Finland.

Students applying for an extension of to their residence permit must also have valid health insurance.

The type of health insurance policy a student needs depends on his/her duration of studies in Finland that, in turn, affects the right of domicile in Finland.

Third-country nationals studying in Finland
for less than two years

A student who enters Finland to study for less than two years is not usually granted the right of domicile, i.e. a home municipality in Finland, and therefore is not entitled to municipal health care services. Consequently, the student must have private insurance which covers the cost of medical treatment up to €100 000.

Third-country nationals studying in Finland
for at least two years

A student who enters Finland to study for at least two years is usually granted the right to domicile, i.e. a home municipality in Finland and is therefore entitled to municipal health care services. Consequently, the student must have private insurance which covers the cost of medical treatment up to €30000 (primarily medication costs).

In order to be granted a home municipality in Finland, a student must register at a local population registration office (maistraatti). Requirements for the right of domicile are the following: the student has a residence permit at least for the period of one year and the duration of studies in Finland is at least two years. Documents verifying the duration of studies are available at the Student Services of the University of Helsinki.

Please note that the right to use Finnish Student Health Service - FSHS (Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiö, YTHS)does not exempt a student from having to take out health insurance.

Health insurance must be obtained prior to applying for a residence permit. The insurance must be valid for the duration of studies. The insurance policy must be issued by a reliable and financially sound company or institution. Foreign countries and international insurance companies offer a wide range of insurances. The are several international insurance companies that offer health insurance policies: check their Web sites for details and contact them directly for further information on prices and coverage.

Citizens of the Nordic Countries

Citizens of the Nordic countries (Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden) do not need a visa or a residence permit for studies in Finland.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries

EU citizens and equivalent persons can study in Finland without a residence permit if their studies in Finland last for less than three months. If the studies last for more than three months, students must register their right to reside in Finland at a local police office in Finland.

EU citizens and equivalent persons do not need a visa.

Non-EU citizens

An international student must acquire a residence permit if his/her studies in Finland last for more than three months. Residence permits must be obtained in advance from the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate (see Additional information below). The reason for entry must be clearly stated. Foreigners coming to Finland as tourists will usually not be granted a residence permit in Finland.

A visa is needed if the student is a citizen of a country that has not signed an agreement on the abolition of visa with Finland.

Student's Residence Permit

You can get a residence permit if you have been admitted to a Finnish university. A permit will also be granted for studies at an educational institution providing instruction for a specific profession or examination.

Residence permits for students are normally valid for one year from the issue date: the date of expiration is printed on the permit. If you are studying for several years, a new residence permit is required for each year.

Additional information

• Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Finnish Immigration Service
• Police
• Finnish diplomatic missions abroad