How to combine Kela, statutory pathways, and international family plans for full protection
Moving to Finland for studies is exciting, but bringing your family adds a practical challenge that many students overlook at first: health insurance that actually works for spouses and children. Finland has a strong public system, but international students often discover that it is not automatically available from day one. And even when it becomes available, dependants are not always included under the student’s entitlement.
Most students expect a simple “family student health insurance” product offered locally.
Finland doesn’t really have one.
Instead, families rely on a hybrid setup.
Short stays require private insurance. Longer stays may unlock Kela coverage. Families often combine both.
This guide shows you how to do it in a way that satisfies immigration rules, remains affordable, protects your family, and avoids gaps in coverage. We’ll also look at a realistic Top 10 insurers commonly used by international student families in Finland.
Understanding the Finnish System Structure
Finland’s rules for non-EU/EEA students are clear but strict.
If you come from outside the EU or EEA, you must show private health insurance before your student residence permit can be issued.
And the sums are not small:
- EUR 120,000 minimum coverage if your studies last under 2 years.
- EUR 40,000 minimum if your studies last 2 years or longer.
These aren’t suggestions. Migri (the Finnish Immigration Service) will check these numbers carefully.
Insurance must cover:
- Medical care
- Treatment
- Medicines
- In Finland
- For the entire duration of your stay
This applies to dependants too, and each person must have their own valid insurance.
How long you stay affects everything
A short stay means full private insurance is required.
A longer stay may make you eligible for Kela, Finland’s national social security system.
The moment you become Kela-eligible, your access to healthcare becomes simpler and much cheaper. But this transition isn’t automatic, and some students only realize they could have applied earlier after months of paying for expensive private care that wasn’t necessary.
When Students Become Eligible for Kela
Kela is Finland’s national social security institution, and it plays a major role in healthcare.
If you qualify, you gain access to municipal health services and partial reimbursement for medicines.
Eligibility usually depends on:
- Length of stay (typically longer than one semester)
- Whether your studies lead to a degree
- Whether your residence in Finland is considered continuous
- Whether you intend to settle long-term
Many degree-seeking students become eligible, but the decision is case-specific.
If you get Kela coverage, your healthcare becomes significantly cheaper. You also pay the FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) fee—a very modest annual charge—for primary-level student healthcare.
However, and this is important:
Kela does NOT automatically cover your spouse and children.
They need their own residence-based entitlement or separate insurance.
This is where private international family plans come in.
Public and Statutory Options (What You Can Get in Finland)
Even though Kela and FSHS form the backbone of the student system, they cannot fully replace private insurance for international student families.
Kela Residence-Based Health Insurance
Once approved, you can:
- Access municipal healthcare
- Receive reimbursements for medicines
- Register your student status for FSHS eligibility
Family members may also qualify if their residence status supports it.
This is extremely helpful for spouses or children who plan to stay long-term.
FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service / YTHS)
If you’re a degree-seeking higher-education student with a Kela-registered study aid:
- You pay an annual healthcare fee (about EUR 71.20 in 2025)
- You receive primary-level student healthcare services
But there’s a limitation families must understand upfront:
FSHS does not cover dependants.
You still need private insurance for your spouse and children even after Kela kicks in for you.
Top International Family Health Insurance Options for Finland (Practical Top 10)
Below are international insurers whose plans can usually be configured to meet Finland’s residence-permit rules and which allow adding spouses and children. These are widely used by students globally and recognized by Finnish authorities when the coverage is adequate.
1. Swisscare – International Student Health Insurance Europe
Swisscare is popular because it is designed with students in mind.
Some products allow adding family members, especially within EU/EEA study plans. Policies can be configured to meet Finland’s EUR 120,000 or EUR 40,000 insurance thresholds. Their certificates are straightforward, which helps during visa applications.
2. Cigna Global
Cigna is known for modular international medical insurance.
You can start with core inpatient cover and add outpatient, maternity, or child preventive care. Families can be covered under one policy, and the area-of-cover can be limited to Europe to reduce premiums.
3. Allianz Care (Student or Expat Plans)
Allianz offers hospital-centric “core” coverage with optional add-ons.
Their plans are robust, widely accepted, and suitable for families that prefer strong maternity or chronic-care benefits.
4. IMG (International Medical Group)
IMG provides long-term international medical insurance and student-oriented plans such as Global Medical Insurance (GMI).
Dependants can be added, and deductibles are flexible. Their evacuation and repatriation benefits are better than average.
5. AXA Global Healthcare
AXA’s international plans work well for student families when properly configured.
They offer comprehensive inpatient options and optional outpatient or maternity benefits. Just ensure the policy clearly meets Migri’s minimum sum requirements.
6. Bupa Global
For families wanting premium coverage, Bupa Global stands out.
Its strong global network, excellent chronic-condition support, and generous maternity cover make it ideal for postgraduate and research families. The downside is the price.
7. April International
April is a European insurer offering student and expat products.
You can add a spouse and children, and plans include hospital care, outpatient visits, and assistance services.
8. SOS International / Nordic Expat Plans
These are often arranged through relocation companies or brokers in Finland.
They provide Nordic-standard medical coverage suitable for foreign families staying in the region.
9. InternationalStudentInsurance.com (Broker-Based Plans)
This platform sells a variety of student plans that meet Finnish requirements.
Many allow adding dependants, although the options depend on the plan selected.
10. Bupa / Cigna / Allianz Regional Variants via University Links
Some Finnish universities partner with insurance brokers who curate compliant student policies.
This can simplify selection, because these brokers already know Migri’s insurance rules.
Illustrative Costs for Families (Realistic 2025 Estimates)
Insurance costs depend on age, benefits, area of cover, and deductible.
But realistic patterns help families budget.
Typical costs for a student in mid-20s with a spouse and one child:
- EUR 150–350 per month
for mid-tier Europe-only plans (Swisscare-type, IMG-type) - EUR 400–700+ per month
for premium global-coverage plans (e.g., Bupa, Allianz)
Why the big difference?
Because plans that meet only the minimum permit rules are much cheaper.
But plans that include maternity, mental health, outpatient care, and low deductibles cost more.
For families planning to have children, the difference is especially significant.
Maternity coverage often has a 10–12 month waiting period.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Kela + FSHS vs. International Family Plans
This table summarizes how public and private options complement each other in Finland:
| Aspect | Kela + FSHS (Student Only) | International Family Plan |
| Eligibility | Student must become resident; family members need their own Kela basis. | Available to most international students; dependants can be added. |
| Main Coverage | Access to public health services; FSHS covers student primary care; medicines partly reimbursed. | Inpatient care, outpatient visits, medicines, dental (sometimes), evacuation, repatriation. |
| Geographic Scope | Mainly Finland; some EU coordination. | Europe-wide or worldwide, depending on plan. |
| Cost for Student | Kela contributions + EUR 71.20 FSHS fee. | EUR 40–120 monthly for mid-tier student plans. |
| Cost for Family | Separate Kela eligibility or private insurance required. | Family premiums often EUR 150–350+ monthly. |
| Role for Residence Permit | Not enough alone for non-EU first permits; private insurance required. | Can meet Migri requirements if configured correctly. |
Practical Tips for Student Families Moving to Finland
Your insurance choices affect your finances, visa processing, and peace of mind.
These tips come from what many students wished they had known earlier.
Tip 1: Start with Migri’s insurance rules
Before buying any policy, make sure it satisfies:
- EUR 40,000 or EUR 120,000 coverage
- Medicines included
- Valid in Finland
- Covers your full intended stay
- Lists EACH family member on the certificate
If these conditions are missing, Migri may reject your permit application.
Tip 2: Plan for the transition to Kela
Many students:
- Buy a strong private plan for the first year,
- Apply for Kela once eligible,
- Switch to a cheaper top-up plan afterwards.
This reduces costs significantly over a multi-year degree.
Tip 3: Focus on family-critical benefits
Especially if you have children or plan to have more during your studies.
Look for:
- Short or reasonable maternity waiting periods
- Paediatric care and vaccinations
- Chronic disease management
- Mental health coverage
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
These can be lifesavers in a foreign country.
Tip 4: Use university guidance and brokers
Most Finnish universities list insurers known to meet permit rules.
Some also provide direct broker links.
Brokers help when:
- Policies are unclear
- You need to insure multiple family members
- You want to compare regional vs. global plans
- You need help with documentation for Migri
This saves time and avoids expensive mistakes.
Tip 5: Avoid ultra-cheap policies
If a plan seems too cheap, it usually:
- Has high deductibles
- Does not cover medicines properly
- Excludes outpatient services
- Offers only emergency care
- Lacks maternity or child-specific protection
These plans technically meet visa rules but may result in large out-of-pocket costs.
How to Build the Best Insurance Setup for Your Family
If you’re moving to Finland for studies with your family, here is the most practical approach.
Step 1: Check your study duration
- Less than 2 years → EUR 120,000 private cover required
- 2 years or more → EUR 40,000 private cover required
Step 2: Choose an international family plan for year 1
Ensure it covers:
- Medicines
- Inpatient + outpatient care
- Finland territory
- Each dependant listed
Step 3: Apply for residence permits for all family members
You will submit insurance evidence for each person.
Step 4: Once in Finland, evaluate Kela eligibility
If you or your dependants become eligible, coverage will expand.
Step 5: After Kela approval, scale down your private plan
Switch to:
- A cheaper top-up policy
- Or emergency coverage only
- Or outpatient-only bundles
This keeps your family protected without overspending.
Pro Tips:
Finland is a wonderful place to study and raise a family.
But navigating the insurance landscape can feel confusing, especially when the system blends public entitlements with private requirements.
There is no single “family student insurance” sold in Finland.
Instead, the best approach is a combination of:
- Kela (when eligible)
- FSHS for student primary care
- An international family medical plan strong enough to meet visa rules and protect dependants
This mixed strategy ensures your spouse and children stay healthy, your documents stay compliant, and your finances stay manageable.
References:
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). (2025). Health insurance requirements for students. https://migri.fi/en/health-insurance
- Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela). (2025). Health insurance and residence-based social security in Finland. https://www.kela.fi/web/en/health-insurance
- Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS/YTHS). (2025). Healthcare fee for higher education students. https://www.kela.fi/healthcare-fee-for-students
- European Commission. (2024). Coordination of social security systems in the EU. https://ec.europa.eu/social
