By showing your Kela card, you prove that you have a right to health insurance benefits from Kela. You may be asked to show your Kela card to prove your identity when using public healthcare services, but the Kela card does not prove your right to public healthcare. Your right to use public healthcare services is based on you being registered with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency as a resident of a Finnish municipality.
5 facts about Kela card
- By showing your Kela card at the pharmacy or at many private medical clinics, you can get a direct, on-the-spot reimbursement for your costs. You will then only have to pay the copayment.
- If you are entitled to special reimbursement for medicines, this information is registered on your Kela card.
- Kela will send you a new card automatically if your name changes and you have reported the change to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. You will also receive a new card automatically when your entitlement to special reimbursement for medicines changes.
- If you lose your card, you can order a new card by sending a message about this via the OmaKela e-service or by calling our customer service number 020 634 2650.
- If you move to or come to work in Finland, you should apply for the Kela card by sending a message about this via the OmaKela e-service.
