Study Abroad in Finland: Insurance, Visa, Costs 2026

Study abroad in Finland: EHIC health cover, no visa stated by the German Foreign Office, tuition and a living-cost guide from the University of Helsinki, October 2026.

Study abroad in Finland: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary treatment under Finnish rules, but not repatriation. The German Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens, but you need a valid travel document. The University of Helsinki gives a rough guide for living costs, which we adopt with reservations.

Study abroad in Finland at a glance

Item	Details (as of October 2026)	Source
Health insurance	The EHIC is valid in Finland, repatriation is not covered	German Federal Foreign Office, European Commission, German federal portal
Visa	No visa requirement stated, registration may be requested after three months	German Federal Foreign Office, Your Europe
Tuition	Erasmus+ students pay no fees for studies, enrolment or exams	University of Helsinki, European Commission
Living costs	Guide of 1,000 to 1,300 euros per month or more, undated, for students in Helsinki in general	University of Helsinki
Auslands-BAföG (German study abroad grant)	Possible, responsible office: Studentenwerk Halle	German Student Services (DSW), leaflet January 2026

All details are general information, not individual advice. The linked official pages are authoritative.

How are you insured in Finland?

EHIC and your statutory health insurer

Finland is an EU member, so the EHIC applies there. It is on the back of your German health insurance card and does not have to be applied for separately. According to the German federal portal, it entitles you to medically necessary benefits, especially emergency care and ongoing treatment of chronic conditions, on the same terms as people insured in Finland. The German Federal Foreign Office confirms that statutorily insured travellers are treated with the card or a replacement certificate, and it notes that medical care is comparable to Germany.

The card requires that you are insured or covered by a state social security system. Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing before you leave that your cover continues during your semester abroad, and check the expiry date of the card. If you have private insurance, start with our guide Krankenversicherung im Auslandssemester: Was gilt? (in German).

What does your German insurer pay?

With the card, treatment is billed under Finnish rules. Co-payments charged there follow Finnish law. If you pay for treatment yourself first, the German federal portal says your insurer reimburses at most what the treatment would have cost in the insured state, minus an administrative deduction. The portal does not name a maximum amount. Inpatient treatment in the EU and treatment that would also need approval in Germany require prior consent from your insurer. Keep all receipts.

The Finnish student health service does not apply to you

The University of Helsinki names the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) and its contribution of 35.35 euros per semester for 2026, which is paid to Kela. According to the university, exchange students are not entitled to FSHS services. The FSHS also does not cover emergency or hospital care. You therefore need your own valid cover through the EHIC and travel insurance.

Private travel health insurance and repatriation

The card does not replace travel health insurance. Repatriation to Germany is not covered, and the treating doctor does not have to provide treatment that can wait until you return. The federal portal names repatriation costs as a residual risk and recommends private travel health insurance. The German Federal Foreign Office strongly advises travel health insurance with medical evacuation cover, because costs for assistance measures can be charged. For background, see Travel health insurance for Erasmus, USA and work and travel (in German).

Do you need a visa for Finland?

The German Federal Foreign Office names for German citizens no visa requirement, no visa-free stay length and no entry fee. The accepted documents are passport, provisional passport, identity card, provisional identity card and children’s passport. Each traveller needs an own document, and copies are not sufficient. The document must be valid for the entire stay. Although passport checks have ended within the Schengen area, you must always carry a valid identity document.

For stays longer than three months, Your Europe names three conditions: enrolment at a recognised educational institution, sufficient income so that no social assistance is needed, and comprehensive health insurance. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, EU citizens must register with the Finnish immigration authority Migri and the local registry office only for stays longer than three months. Keep these documents ready:

Valid ID card or passport
Proof of enrolment at the host university
Proof of comprehensive health insurance, for statutorily insured students the European Health Insurance Card
Proof of sufficient financial means

According to the German Federal Foreign Office (page status 20.10.2026), no travel warning applies to Finland as a whole. The office strongly advises against travel to the border area with the Russian Federation. Check the current page of the office before you leave, because its notices can change.

What does a semester abroad in Finland cost?

Tuition

The University of Helsinki states: “There are no tuition fees for exchange students.” The page does not name Erasmus, but it clearly refers to exchange students in general. As an Erasmus+ student, you are therefore exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and exams at the host university. Small contributions, for example for insurance or student union membership, may still apply. Check with your host university before you accept.

Living costs

The University of Helsinki gives a guide of 1,000 to 1,300 euros per month or more for students in Helsinki. The page is undated, and the figure refers to students in general, not specifically to exchange students. We therefore use it only as orientation. The same page names student flats at about 450 to 800 euros per month. Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students and for current prices of residence hall places.

Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG

Erasmus+ is a contribution to travel and living costs. According to the European Commission, its amount depends on, among other things, the difference in living costs between your home and host country, the number of applications and the distance between the countries. Universities sign the funding agreements and apply for funding for their students. The page names no fixed amount, so ask your International Office. For more, see our guide Planning a semester abroad: application, Erasmus and funding (in German).

Auslands-BAföG is possible for a partial period of study in the EU if you have a permanent residence in Germany and the stay benefits your studies in Germany. According to the DSW leaflet (status January 2026), the Studentenwerk Halle is responsible for Finland. Funding starts at the earliest with the month of application, and the application should be submitted about six months before the start. Tuition fees are funded up to 5,600 euros for one year at most, plus a one-off travel allowance and a health insurance supplement. The six-month minimum duration does not apply within the EU. Details are in our guide Auslands-BAföG: Requirements, amounts and supplements (in German).

Worked example: A rough total is possible for Finland. Using the Helsinki guide of 1,000 euros per month as a lower limit, ten months make about 10,000 euros for living costs. Erasmus+ students pay no fees for studies, enrolment or exams in that case. Flights, travel health insurance and the semester fee of your home university are not included. The total is a guide, not a guarantee.

How to prepare before you leave

Ask your health insurer to confirm in writing how you are insured during the semester abroad, before you sign the learning agreement.
Check that your European Health Insurance Card is valid and order a new one in good time if needed.
Take out travel health and repatriation insurance, because the EHIC does not cover repatriation.
Ask your host university whether small contributions for insurance or student union membership apply.
Submit your Auslands-BAföG application to the Studentenwerk Halle about six months before the start, if you want funding.
Ask a doctor about your vaccination status under the STIKO schedule.
Ask the International Office about the amount of Erasmus+ funding, the fees at your host university and its budget for exchange students.

Frequently asked questions

Is my European Health Insurance Card valid in Finland?

Yes, for medically necessary treatment under Finnish rules. The card does not cover repatriation, and the treating doctor does not have to provide treatment that can wait until you return.

Do I need a visa for Finland?

The German Federal Foreign Office names no visa requirement for German citizens, only the accepted travel documents. After three months, registration may be requested.

Do I have to pay tuition in Finland?

According to the University of Helsinki, there are no tuition fees for exchange students. Small contributions may apply. Ask your host university what it charges.

How much are living costs in Finland?

The University of Helsinki gives 1,000 to 1,300 euros per month or more for students in Helsinki. The figure is undated and general. Ask your host university for its budget for exchange students.

Am I entitled to the FSHS in Finland?

According to the University of Helsinki, no. Exchange students are not entitled to FSHS services, and the FSHS does not cover emergency or hospital care.

Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG for Finland?

According to the DSW leaflet (status January 2026), the Studentenwerk Halle.

Sources

Sources accessed on 25.10.2026, unless stated otherwise.