Do you need travel insurance to Finland?

Finland is part of the Schengen Area. Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to enter, and a medical insurance policy is one of the mandatory documents for the application. Without suitable insurance you will not be able to apply for the visa.

It is important to understand the current situation. Since 30 September 2022 Finland has restricted the entry of Russian citizens for tourism. Entry is possible on separate grounds: for example, with a residence permit, to visit relatives and in a number of other cases. Check the exact list of grounds and required documents with the consulate before you apply.

The second point concerns the route. Land crossing points on the border with Russia are closed, so the familiar trip by car or bus across the border is not available at the moment. Check the current border-crossing procedure before you travel. If your journey goes through other countries, take this into account when choosing the territory and dates of your policy.

Policy requirements for a Schengen visa

  • Sum insured: at least 30,000 EUR.
  • Territory: all Schengen Agreement countries, not only Finland.
  • Period: the entire stay; the policy dates must cover the whole trip.
  • Cover: emergency medical care, hospitalisation, medical transportation and repatriation.
  • Deductible: in practice consulates expect a policy without a deductible; if in doubt, check the requirements before applying.

Since 7 November 2025 EU countries have, as a rule, issued single-entry Schengen visas to Russians. That is why the policy is usually bought for the exact dates of a specific trip. Read more about the documents on the pages insurance for a visa and Schengen travel insurance.

Who needs travel insurance to Finland

Today a policy for Finland is mostly bought by those travelling on permitted grounds: holders of a residence permit in Finland or another EU country, family members, people visiting relatives, going to study or to work. This page is also useful for foreigners living in Russia: entry rules may differ for them, but the medical insurance requirements for a Schengen visa are the same. A similar restriction on tourist trips applies in the Czech Republic.

What to consider in Finland: key risks

Winter and Lapland

The Finnish winter is long, snowy and frosty. Black ice, falls, hypothermia and frostbite are typical reasons why travellers see a doctor. In Lapland the distances between villages are long, and if help is needed far from a town, it matters that the policy covers medical transportation to a clinic.

Skiing and snowmobile safaris

Skiing and snowboarding, snowmobile safaris and other winter activities count as active leisure. A basic programme often does not cover injuries from such activities, so in the calculator you should select the relevant sport or the active leisure option. Skiers will benefit from the Search and rescue option and from third-party liability in case of a collision on the slope. All the details are on the page ski and snowboard insurance.

Fishing and nature

Lakes, ice fishing in winter, summer hikes through forests and national parks are common reasons to travel north. The main risks here are injuries, hypothermia and the distance to hospitals. For trips to sparsely populated areas choose a programme with transportation and evacuation.

Useful options

  • Emergency dental care: acute toothache on a trip is not unusual.
  • Accident: a payment for an injury on top of covering the treatment.
  • Chronic conditions: relief of an acute flare-up if you have existing diagnoses.
  • Baggage and flight delay: relevant for flights with connections.
  • Trip cancellation and Visa refusal: protect non-refundable costs if the trip falls through for reasons listed in the insurance rules.

How to choose the sum insured and the programme

For a visa, 30,000 EUR is enough: it is the minimum threshold. Treatment in Europe is expensive for foreigners, so for active leisure, travelling with children or if you have chronic conditions it makes sense to choose a higher sum. Build the programme around your route: a city trip to relatives and a week in Lapland with snowmobiles need different options. If you travel several times a year, consider an annual multi-trip policy, but keep in mind the consulate's requirements for the period of cover.

What to do if something happens

  1. First call the assistance company on the phone number shown in your policy and describe the situation.
  2. Agree on the clinic: the assistance company will refer you to a facility where treatment is paid under the policy.
  3. Do not pay for treatment yourself without approval, otherwise the costs may not be reimbursed.
  4. Keep all documents: doctor's reports, invoices, receipts, prescriptions.

Step-by-step guidance is in the section insured event.

How to buy travel insurance to Finland online

  1. Enter the country, dates, travellers' ages and the options you need in the calculator.
  2. Review the offers of 16 insurance companies: the selection works through the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner).
  3. Enter the travellers' details in Latin letters exactly as in the international passport.
  4. Pay for the policy online and it will be sent to your e-mail. The policy is issued by the insurance company you choose.

If you are already abroad, some insurers offer programmes for people who are already travelling; check the conditions (for example, a waiting period) in the calculator. Other destinations are in the travel insurance section, and insurer profiles are in the insurance companies catalogue.