Who has the right to receive substance abuse treatment services?

Everyone with a permanent residence in Finland has the right to receive the same services as Finnish citizens. If you do not have a permanent residence in Finland, you are not eligible for the public services paid for by the wellbeing services county. In this case, you will have to seek help from private service providers. You are liable to pay the costs of private services.

If you have problems with alcohol, narcotics or drug abuse and want help, contact a health care centre, occupational health care services or the nearest A-clinic. The services provided by wellbeing services counties centre are subject to a slight charge in most counties. If you are employed, your employer will pay for your occupational health care. Check if substance abuse treatment is covered by your occupational health care services.

Substance abuse treatment usually takes place as outpatient care. You can seek it on your own initiative. If your situation is difficult, your need for inpatient care will be assessed. Depending on the situation, the inpatient care will be paid for by your employer, the wellbeing services county, the A-clinic or you personally. You can apply for a promissory note from the social services of your wellbeing services county or the A-clinic. Different wellbeing services counties have different payment practices.

You are entitled to public social and health care services if you are

• a Finnish citizen with a permanent residence in Finland
• an EU citizen with a permanent residence in Finland
• a non-EU citizen with a residence permit for a minimum of one year and a permanent residence in Finland or
• a refugee.

Those with a permanent residence in Finland

If you have a residence permit for a minimum of one year and your domicile is located in Finland, you are considered to have a permanent residence here. In this case, you are entitled to the same health care services as Finns. In assessing the permanence of your residence, the following matters matters are taken into account, among others:

• previous residence in Finland
• Finnish origin
• refugee status and residence permit
• relatives with a permanent residence in Finland and
• a work contract for at least two years and the European Union’s Blue Card.

EU citizens

If you are an EU citizen, you do not need a separate residence permit to have access to social and health care services. Having a permanent residence in Finland is enough. If you are staying in Finland for a shorter period and need acute medical care, you will have access to treatment with the European Health Insurance Card. If you have this card, the prices of the services will be the same for you as for Finns.

Asylum seekers

If you are an asylum seeker and have not yet been given asylum, you are not considered to have a permanent residence in Finland. In this case, your social and health care services will be provided by your reception centre. In emergencies, you can also receive treatment at health care centres and hospitals.

Students

If you have moved to Finland solely in order to study, you are not considered to have a permanent residence in Finland. You must hold valid health insurance for the entire period spent in Finland. Find out with your insurance company whether your insurance policy covers treatment for substance abuse. If it is not covered by the insurance policy, you will have to pay for the treatment yourself. However, if you are a student from a EU Member State, you will have access to health care services with the European Health Insurance Card.

Those employed for a short term

Temporary employees, interns, au pairs and others employed for a short term are entitled to social and health care services if their employment in Finland lasts for more than four months. In case of shorter employment, as an EU citizen you have access to health care services with the European Health Insurance Card. If you do not have this card, you must seek help from private service providers and pay for the treatment yourself.

Tourists

As a tourist, you must seek help from private service providers unless you have the European Health Insurance Card, with which you have access to health care services.