Last week, the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) issued a statement to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on the Government Decree on student health care fees for higher education students in 2026.
Health care fee for higher education students
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes that the health care fee (“FSHS fee”) in calendar year 2026 would amount to EUR 70.70, or EUR 35.35 per term. This would mean a EUR 0.25 reduction from the current level per term. In 2025, the health care fee has been EUR 71.20.
SYL supported the proposal. The estimated number of students in the next year’s state budget is 308,000 higher education students, 306,000 of whom are covered by the national contribution. In SYL’s view, the estimates are realistic. SYL believes that the slight increase in the number of students is in line with the development of student numbers in recent years and the current forecast.
A small reduction in the health care fee, for example because of the increase in student numbers, is therefore worthy of support.
In previous years, SYL has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the model that links the funding for student health care to the number of students. This is particularly problematic in a situation where the actual number of students clearly exceeds the estimate drawn up for the budget (as in 2024).
In the longer term, it is essential that the total funding for FSHS is in line not only with the number of students but also with the growth in service demand. We consider it important that the resources of FSHS respond to the increase in both service needs and student numbers.
Late-payment fee
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposed that no increase be made to the late-payment fee, in which case it would remain at EUR 5.00 for next year.
SYL supported the proposal. Keeping the fee as-is would keep it in line with the EUR 5 payment reminder fee commonly used in consumer debt collection, which is laid down in section 10a of the Debt Collection Act (513/1999).
Fee for missed appointments
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposed keeping the fee for missed appointments unchanged in 2026. The fee was increased to EUR 56.70 in 2024 to correspond to the level charged in other primary health care. Before the increase in 2024, the fee for the student was EUR 40.00.
SYL opposed the proposed level and considered it unreasonable for students. Our view is based on the already weakened livelihood of students and, for example, the cuts affecting their livelihood that entered into force this autumn (transfer to housing supplement as of 1 August 2025).
SYL believes that the increase from EUR 40 to the current level of EUR 56.70 targets students who are already in a vulnerable position due to their deteriorated health.
As a result, we consider that the proposed fee could continue to cause situations for student health care where, for example, a student struggling with mental health or exhaustion is unable to pay the increased fee, in which case it may be referred to debt collection. This would impair not only the student’s current situation but also their future livelihood.
The latest results of the Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT, THL 2024) confirm that the financial situation of students has deteriorated compared to previous years. The share of students who felt that their income was very scarce and uncertain in the past year has clearly increased from 2021 (13%) to 2024 (19%).
Other KOTT results have also revealed deterioration in livelihoods. For example, the share of students who were afraid of running out of food in the past year increased between 2021 (17%) and 2024 (24%).
The critical link between low income and mental health should also be considered in the fee for unused or uncancelled appointments. In a recent report by SYL (“Will I get through this…?“, SYL 2025), 49% of students who rated their livelihood in the lowest category experienced significant psychological strain. The prevalence of the phenomenon doubled relative to the general level among higher education students (29%).
As a result, SYL proposed that the fee be reduced to EUR 40 for next year, which was the previous level in 2023.
More information
Henri Kontkin
Social Policy Specialist
henri.kontkin@syl.fi
+358 (0)40 413 4411
