The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of students. FSHS offers affordable health and medical services to students at health centres across Finland.
If you are a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree student at UEF, you have the right to access the general, mental and oral health care services provided by FSHS throughout your studies. However, please note that there is a FSHS 2021 reform going on at the moment and this affects exchange students' right to use the FSHS in the spring semester. In addition, the payments from degree students will be collected by Kela instead of the Student Union. Read more below.
When you visit FSHS, remember to take along your student card and make sure you have a valid term sticker attached to it. The digital student card (Frank App) also works as a proof of your membership.
As an ISYY member you are entitled to use the health services at all FSHS branches across Finland. The majority of health services provided by FSHS are included in your ISYY membership fee for the autumn semester. The contact details and opening hours of FSHS health centres can be found on the FSHS website.
NB! If you need maternal health care or urgent medical care (such as for accidents, injuries or night-time/weekend medical care), please contact your local municipal health service provider.
Read more about the services provided by FSHS on the FSHS website
Self is an online student service that aims to speed up your communications with FSHS. You can use Self to book, cancel or reschedule appointments, take part in health surveys, view your laboratory test results and communicate with FSHS health professionals via chat.
This will give you access to FSHS services right from the start and you will also receive an invitation to attend a new student’s health check-up via Self. Remember to update your Self account if you move, or if there are other changes to your contact details.
NB - Both old and new students! Once you have paid your ISYY membership fee there might be a delay of a couple of days before your membership status is updated in the FSHS record. You might not be able to access your Self account during that time.
Read more about the Self service on the FSHS website
“On 1 March 2019, parliament approved the government’s proposal for an Act on healthcare for students in higher education, and on 17 May 2019, the Act was given assent by Finland’s president. The Act will take effect on 1 January 2021.
In practice, the new legislation means that in addition to university students, students at universities of applied sciences will also have access to the primary healthcare services provided by the FSHS. The specific aim of the Act is to ensure student healthcare equality between these student groups.” – FSHS
Unfortunately, this reform means some changes for students from the beginning of 2021 onwards.
The Student Union membership fee for the whole academic year includes the Finnish Student Health Service fee for the autumn semester.
However, because of the FSHS 2021 reform, the Student Union membership fee does not include the FSHS fee after the autumn semester. Instead, the FSHS fee will be paid to Kela in the future. Degree students can use the services provided by FSHS (the general, mental and oral health care services) as usual after paying Kela.
Exchanges lasting the academic year 2020-2021
For exchange students staying for the academic year 2020-2021, the Student Union membership fee includes the FSHS fee for the autumn semester, but not for the spring semester. Make sure you have a good health insurance before you begin your exchange. Starting from January 2021 the health services are organised as follows:
Exchanges lasting only the autumn semester 2020
Exchange students coming to the UEF for the autumn semester 2020, the Student Union membership includes the FSHS fee and you can use the services.
Exchanges lasting only the spring semester 2021
Exchange students coming to the UEF for the spring semester 2021, the Student Union membership does not include the FSHS fee. Make sure you have a good health insurance before you begin your exchange. Starting from January 2021 the health services are organised as follows:
Yths.fi: FSHS 2021
Kela.fi: Healthcare fee for students in higher education starting 1 January 2021
Kela.fi: How to pay the student healthcare fee in higher education
Kamu: Insurance Cover for Students
Kuopio.fi: Read about local municipal health service provides in Kuopio
Siunsote.fi: Municipal healthcare in Joensuu (in Finnish)