Health Emergencies in Finland
Health emergencies require immediate action, and Finland has a well-structured system to provide medical care. Knowing the correct numbers and procedures can save lives.
1. Emergency Medical Services – Call 112
📞 Number: 112
Use for: Life-threatening medical emergencies, serious accidents, heart attacks, strokes, severe injuries, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, or any condition requiring immediate ambulance.
Languages: Finnish, Swedish, and English supported.
Tips:
✔ Provide your exact location, type of emergency, and condition of the patient.
✔ Stay on the line until the operator instructs you to hang up.
✔ 112 works from any phone, even without a SIM card.
2. Non-Emergency Medical Advice – Call 116 117
📞 Number: 116 117
Use for: Non-life-threatening situations, guidance on where to seek medical care, or advice on minor injuries and illnesses.
Availability: 24/7, English support available.
3. Health Centers and Local Services
Each municipality operates a public health center (terveysasema).
They provide:
✔ Primary care consultations
✔ Minor treatments
✔ Vaccinations and preventive care
Check your local municipality website for the nearest health center and opening hours.
4. Hospitals and Specialized Care
Emergency departments (päivystys) at hospitals handle urgent medical cases.
Use 112 to reach hospitals in serious emergencies.
For non-urgent hospital care, contact your health center first.
Finnish hospital locator: https://www.hus.fi/en (hus.fi)
5. Poisoning and Toxic Exposure
Poison Information Center (Helsinki): +358 9 471 977
Provides guidance for accidental poisoning, ingestion of chemicals, or harmful substances.
Website: https://www.myc.fi/en/ (myc.fi)
6. Mental Health Emergencies
Crisis Helpline (Mieli Mental Health Services): 09 2525 0111
Available for immediate support in mental health crises.
Website: https://www.mieli.fi/en (mieli.fi)
7. COVID-19 & Infectious Diseases
For COVID-19 guidance or other contagious disease alerts:
✔ Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) – https://thl.fi/en (thl.fi)
Health centers and hospitals follow THL guidelines for testing, isolation, and treatment.
8. Tips for Health Emergencies
✔ Know your personal identity code and address; emergency services will ask for it.
✔ Keep your health insurance card or proof of coverage ready.
✔ For foreigners, Kela coverage or private insurance may determine cost and access.
✔ If unsure about severity, call 112 first — operators will assess your situation.
Official Health Emergency Resources
| Topic | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Emergency Number 112 | https://112.fi/en/ |
| Non-Emergency Medical Advice 116 117 | https://www.116117.fi/ |
| Finnish Hospitals & HUS | https://www.hus.fi/en |
| Poison Information Center | https://www.myc.fi/en |
| Mental Health Crisis – Mieli | https://www.mieli.fi/en |
| Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) | https://thl.fi/en |
⚠️ Important Reminder
Health emergency procedures, phone numbers, and coverage rules may change. Always verify all information on official websites. Translations may slightly alter meanings — refer to official English content when possible. Report outdated information on our page to ensure accuracy.