Right to medical care to remain unchanged during the Brexit transition period

The EU and the United Kingdom have negotiated an EU–UK withdrawal (Brexit) agreement, which will enter into force on 1 February 2020. The agreement includes a transition period until 31 December 2020.

You will retain your right to medical care and reimbursements for medical costs in the UK while residing temporarily or living there until the end of the Brexit transition period, i.e. until 31 December 2020. You will be able to use your Finland-issued European Health Insurance Card in the UK – for example, if you suddenly fall ill during a holiday trip, or if you are temporarily living in the UK because of your studies or a similar reason.

Correspondingly, those coming from the UK to Finland will remain entitled to medical care and reimbursements for medical costs while residing temporarily or living in Finland until the end of the transition period. A UK-issued European Health Insurance Card and passport can be used to receive treatment in Finland until the end of the transition period.

If you want to travel to the UK during the Brexit transition period to use healthcare services there, you can find general information about seeking treatment abroad on our website.

Brexit may have an impact after the transition period – please follow Kela’s page with information about Brexit

According to the current information, if you are temporarily residing in the UK after the transition period, you will no longer receive treatment there with your Finland-issued European Health Insurance Card or passport. If you are covered by Finnish social security, you can apply for reimbursement for the costs of medically necessary treatment from Kela afterwards. However, reimbursement based on the Health Insurance Act only covers part of the costs. If you travel to the UK after the transition period, it is recommended to take out travel insurance. Correspondingly, if you come to Finland from the UK after the transition period for a holiday, for instance, you cannot use your European Health Insurance Card or UK-issued passport in Finland.

If you live in the UK, you must find out from the local authorities how your medical care will be arranged.

Please note that situation may still change. Kela will also provide information on the effects after the transition period, when additional information is available.