Immigration and Insurance
Please note that this information may change. The most updated information on the immigration requirements on Finnish immigration service website Studying in Finland and Instructions for exchange students .
Over three months
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EU/EEA citizen
Register right of residence
Make an appointment with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) and register your stay in the country. Nordic citizens can do this at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
o After arrival in Finland.
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Non-EU/EEA citizen
Apply for residence permit for studies
Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit before arrival to Finland. A residence permit gives you a right to stay in Finland during your studies.
Before arrival in Finland.
Non-EU citizen with a valid residence permit for studies in another EU/EEA country
Mobility notication
Non-EU citizens completing their studies in another EU/EEA country, and are coming to Laurea UAS as an exchange student. With a mobility notification, you can study in Finland for up to 360 days.
Before arrival in Finland.
Less than three months
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EU/EEA citizen
No registration needed. EU/ EEA students need to register their stay in Finland only after staying over three months in Finland.
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Non-EU/EEA citizen
Depending on your citizenship you may need a visa to enter Finland. Check the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Visa requirements and travel documents accepted by Finland A Schengen visa is an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of less than 90 days in any 180-day period. Schengen visa is meant for students coming to Finland from visa-required county and staying less than three months in Finland. Students are not allowed to work with Schengen visa.
Before arrival in Finland
Finnish personal identity code
All students studying in Finland for over three months must apply for a personal identity code. Universities are obliged to collect the code for administrative purposes.
- Non EU/EEA students: the request may also be filed when applied for a residence permit
- Exchange students will get a group appointment to visit the Digital and population data service agency and get more information about the registration during the orientation days.
Registration of a foreign student in the Population Information System. Registration is registration has two-steps:
- Fill in the e-form
- Book appointment to the service location
Insurance
Laurea does not offer insurance to its students. Students who are not Finnish citizens can’t normally obtain insurances from Finland. Please, read more about seeking treatment and using health services as a foreigner in Finland on the EU-healthcare.fi -pages.
EU/EEA citizens
EU/EEA citizens must take the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them to Finland. By presenting the EHIC, you can prove the right to medically necessary treatment in Finland. The card must be valid for the whole duration of your exchange.
Students are recommended to have private travel insurance as the EHIC does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or stolen property.
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Health insurance is one of the compulsory requirements for obtaining a residence permit for studies. Health insurance must be obtained prior to applying for a residence permit. For more information, please see Migri’s website on insurance.
Students are recommended to have private travel insurance as the health insurance does not cover costs such as a return flight to your home country or stolen property.
Health care for students
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Degree students
All degree students are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). FSHS service units are open in the daytime on weekdays. If you need urgent care, contact an emergency healthcare clinic in your area of residence.
The tailor-made programme students must get required vaccinations at their own expense.
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Exchange students
EU/EEA citizens are entitled to public healthcare services with European Health Insurance Card.
- Non-EU/EEA citizens should use the private clinics and have insurance to cover their healthcare expenses.
- Social services and nursing students: Before practical training (social services and nursing) all general vaccinations (tetanus or diphtheria, polio, measles, parotitis, rubella, chicken pox, pertussis, hepatitis B) and some cases negative salmonella result need to be in order and all available certificates of vaccination need to be brought to Finland (proof of vaccination in English). It is recommended to get the necessary vaccinations already before arriving to Finland.