Occupational Health Care in Finland: What International Companies Need to Know
When an international company begins operations in Finland or sends employees to work there, arranging occupational health care is among the first mandatory steps. For many foreign companies, this requirement may come as a surprise – especially if health care operates differently in their home country.
Is Occupational Health Care Mandatory in Finland?
In Finland, employers are legally required to arrange preventive occupational health care for all employees, regardless of the duration of employment. This applies to:
- Permanent and fixed-term employees
- Part-time employees
- Interns
- Posted workers
Occupational health care must be in place as soon as the first employee is hired. This requirement applies to all companies operating in Finland, including branches and subsidiaries of foreign companies.
Read also other Tips for international companies entering the Finnish Market
Important to note: Even if a company provides comprehensive health insurance or occupational health services abroad, these do not replace the statutory occupational health care required in Finland. Occupational health care must also be arranged for short-term employment, such as contracts lasting only a few months.
What Does Finnish Statutory Occupational Health Care Include?
The aim of occupational health care is to ensure a healthy and safe working environment, prevent work-related illnesses, and maintain and promote employees' work ability and functional capacity.
Statutory occupational health care includes at minimum:
- Workplace assessment of how the work environment affects employee health
- Advice and guidance on maintaining health and work ability
- Health checks as needed, at the start of employment and periodically
- Promotion of workplace functionality
- Monitoring work ability and referral to rehabilitation
- Monitoring of sick leave
- Accident prevention, in cooperation with the workplace
- Participation in organising first aid
For example, if employees are exposed to constant noise, they must undergo regular hearing tests. If the work involves exposure to chemicals, occupational health care helps identify and mitigate health risks.
Statutory vs Extended Occupational Health Services
Occupational health care is divided into two parts:
- Statutory preventive occupational health care (mandatory)
- Medical care (optional)
Although medical care is not mandatory, most Finnish companies provide employees with a more comprehensive package. This is seen as an important employee benefit and a competitive advantage in recruitment. Azets is happy to help assess which service package best suits your company’s needs and budget.
Benefits of a broader package:
Quick access to care: Appointments are usually available promptly through private occupational health care—often on the same or next day—compared with significantly longer waiting times in public healthcare.
Employee well-being and work ability: Broader services support both physical and mental health, helping prevent illnesses and maintain long-term work ability.
Reduction in sick leave: Preventive care and quick access to specialists reduce both the number and duration of sick leaves, allowing employees to return to work without long delays.
Long-term cost savings: Although broader services may cost more upfront, they lead to savings through reduced absenteeism and better recruitment outcomes.
Employee satisfaction and retention: Employees highly value occupational health care benefits, and when they feel supported, their motivation and commitment to work increase.
Read also Legally Required HR Documents in Finland
How Is Occupational Health Care Arranged?
In Finland, the most common way to arrange occupational health care is to make an agreement with a private occupational health service provider. There are several national and local providers specialising in occupational health services.
Practical steps to get started:
- Tendering: Request quotes from different service providers. Azets helps with tendering both during company establishment and when renewing existing contracts.
- Contracting: Choose the right package and provider for your company.
- Implementation: The provider prepares an action plan and will conduct a workplace visit.
- Communication to staff: Inform employees about how and when to use the service.
How Much Does Occupational Health Care Cost in Finland?
The employer bears the cost of occupational health care—not the employee or the Finnish government. This may surprise companies from countries with different health care systems.
In 2023, the average cost for occupational health care per employee was approximately €545 per year. For the most comprehensive packages, the cost can be around €700 per year per employee. Costs depend on the industry and the chosen service package.
The majority of occupational health care costs are incurred when employees use the services.
There are also initial setup costs related to preparing the action plan and conducting the workplace assessment.
Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) Reimbursements
The good news is that employers can apply to Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland), for reimbursement of occupational health care costs. These reimbursements are paid under two categories:
Category 1: Preventive occupational healthcare (workplace assessments, site visits, health examinations and occupational health counselling) – reimbursement 60%
Category 2: In addition to preventive occupational health care, the costs of general practitioner-level medical care and other health care services provided through occupational healthcare – reimbursement 50%
There are annual maximum reimbursement limits per employee. Reimbursement applications must be submitted after the end of the financial year. Azets can handle the calculations and prepare the applications for you, ensuring your company receives all eligible reimbursements.
It’s important that employees know how to use occupational health care and when to contact it. An employee handbook is a good place to include contact details and usage instructions. Azets can help you develop a customised handbook for your organisation, consolidating key information into a practical, user-friendly resource.
Summary
Arranging occupational health care in Finland is mandatory and must be in place when the first employee starts. Although the system may initially seem complex, with the right partner it can be implemented smoothly.
Remember:
- Occupational health care must be arranged for all employees, including short-term contracts
- The statutory minimum does not include medical care
- A broader package is often a worthwhile investment
- Kela reimbursements are available for costs
- Employees must be clearly informed about how to use the service
Looking for support with occupational health care or broader HR matters in Finland? Azets HR Services has helped numerous international companies establish operations smoothly and stay compliant with Finnish regulations. Explore our HR Services page to learn more about our services.