Lower reimbursements from Kela for private healthcare appointments from 1 January 2026

As of the beginning of 2026, Kela will pay a reimbursement of EUR 8 for an appointment with a doctor in the private sector instead of the present reimbursement of EUR 30. The change will also apply to remote video appointments, for which reimbursement will be EUR 8 instead of the present EUR 25.

The decision to reduce reimbursements was made as part of the fiscal adjustment measures agreed on in the Government’s budget deliberations in 2025.

Kela reimbursements for appointments with doctors in the private sector were substantially increased from the beginning of 2024. As a consequence, spending on reimbursements almost tripled even if the use of private health services increased only slightly. The total reimbursements paid for appointments with doctors in the private sector exceeded EUR 89 million in 2024, some EUR 58 million more than the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of appointments only increased by 2%.

The reduction in reimbursements from the beginning of 2026 is part of the Government’s policy to maximise the effectiveness of public spending.

Reimbursements for appointments with gynaecologists and psychiatrists to remain unchanged

The cuts to Kela reimbursements do not apply to appointments with gynaecologists and psychiatrists. The reimbursement for an appointment with a gynaecologist is unchanged at EUR 70 and the reimbursement for an appointment with a psychiatrist is still EUR 50–60, depending on the length of the appointment.

The reimbursements extended to oral healthcare, physiotherapy and fertility treatments as of 1 May 2025 will also remain in force.

Appointments within the pilot study on freedom of choice in healthcare for persons aged 65 or over will cost EUR 30.20 in 2026

The changes in Kela reimbursements will not apply to the pilot study on freedom of choice in healthcare for persons aged 65 or over. Persons included in the pilot study still have the right to appointments with a general practitioner in the private sector at the price of the client fee in public healthcare. Three such appointments per year are available in 2026 and 2027.

The maximum amount of the client fee in public primary healthcare services will increase from EUR 28.20 to EUR 30.20 as of January 2026. The client fees are issued by Government Decree.

Read more

Reimbursements for private medical care

Freedom of choice pilot for people over 65

Slight increase in appointments with doctors in the private sector following increase in Kela reimbursements – distribution of reimbursements across different income groups(in Finnish, tietotarjotin.fi)

Maximum rates for client fees in social welfare and public healthcare will rise at the start of 2026 (in Finnish, stm.fi)