In Finland without a residence permit

Even if you have arrived in Finland legally, your stay may become illegal if, for example, you remain in the country even though you have not received a residence permit or the validity of your visa or residence permit has expired.

Information about how to obtain a residence permit for Finland is available on the InfoFinland page Moving to Finland.

Food assistance and accommodation

If you have no money for food or no place to stay the night, you are entitled to emergency accommodation and food assistance. Emergency accommodation is organised by municipalities, parishes and some organisations.

Legal advice

The Refugee Advice Centre provides free legal advice to undocumented immigrants. Advice is available at the number 045 237 7104 (Mondays 2 pm–4 pm). The advice is provided by a lawyer. You can also contact the centre by e-mail: paperittomat(at)pakolaisneuvonta.fi. More information is available on the website of the Refugee Advice Centre.

Medical care

If you fall ill or get injured, you are entitled to urgent medical care in public health care – for example, at a health centre or hospital. You usually need to pay the treatment costs yourself.

In Helsinki, Turku, Tampere and Espoo, children and pregnant women get all the same health services as other residents. They need to pay the same treatment fees as other residents.

If you are in Finland without a residence permit, you can get medical assistance and advice from the Global Clinic. You can go to the Global Clinic even if you do not need urgent medical care. Global Clinic operates in the following cities:

• Helsinki
• Turku
• Tampere
• Joensuu
• Lahti

You can call or send an e-mail to the Clinic. A nurse or a doctor will answer the call. You will find the contact information on the Global Clinic website.

The services of the Global Clinic are free of charge. The Global Clinic will not report its customers to the police or other authorities. The location and opening hours of the clinic are not listed publicly.