The right of persons from the United Kingdom to receive the necessary medical care

The European Union and the United Kingdom have concluded health agreements. Individuals temporarily staying in Finland in the United Kingdom have the same right to access medically necessary medical care in the public health service as they did before the UK left the EU.

Holders of health insurance in the UK can prove that they are eligible for health services in the EU or EEA countries or in Switzerland while staying temporarily with five different health cards. Validity period is mentioned on the cards. This also applies to European health insurance cards (EHICs) issued in the interim period for Brexit issued during EU membership, but also to “civil rights” issued to persons covered by the exit agreement.

1. EHIC was issued during the EU membership. The card can be identified by the asterisk with “UK” in the middle of the top right corner. This card is issued until January 30, 2020 and is valid for five years.
2. EHIC was issued during the transition period to Brexit. The card can be identified by the combination of the letters “UK” in the upper right corner of the card. This card was issued during the period 1.2.2020–10.1.2021 and is valid for five years.
3. The “Citizens’ Rights” card can be identified by the hologram in the upper right corner of the EHIC card and the CRA text in the upper field of the card, which is the card’s unique identification number (PIN). This card is issued from November 20, 2020 and is valid for five years.
4. “Citizens’ Rights” for students EHIC. The card can be authenticated by the country code in the PIN box of the card. However, the country code does not restrict the use of the card, but all EU countries have the right to medical care that is medically necessary. This card is issued from November 20, 2020 and is valid when the person is studying abroad.
5. The new GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) identifies this card with a hologram and a combination of the words “UK” in the bottom right corner of the card, similar to the UK flag. This card is issued from January 11, 2021 and is valid for five years.

By presenting one of the above valid cards, an individual is entitled to receive medically necessary medical care in public health, for the same customer fees of the residents of the municipality.

In addition, a person with health insurance in the UK and coming to Finland can continue to prove that municipal residents are entitled to medically necessary care for the same client fee, along with the European Transitional Certificate (PRC).

From the beginning of 2021, you can no longer prove your entitlement to health services in Finland with passports issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

More info

Marika Lahdivirta, Advocate, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 02951 63605, [email protected]
Sanna Gurikowski, Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, 02951 63770, [email protected]