DIGI CITIZEN
Navigating Finnish Social Security: My Personal Insights on Kela, EHIC, OmaKanta & Keva
Living in Finland means having access to one of the most comprehensive social security systems in the world. I’ve personally experienced many aspects of this system—through Kela, OmaKanta, EHIC and Keva—and I’d love to share a bit about what these services offer, and why understanding them is key to planning for your health and future.
What Kela Supports in My Life
Kela, Finland’s Social Insurance Institution, handles everything related to social security. For my family, it means:
- Child benefits: I receive monthly allowances for my children, which helps with everyday expenses.
- Healthcare reimbursements: When I visit private clinics for medical treatments or physiotherapy, Kela reimburses a portion of the costs.
- Sickness allowance: If my sick leave becomes prolonged, Kela offers financial support to bridge the gap.
- In addition to this, Kela also administers other vital benefits, including housing assistance, unemployment compensation, student financial aid, and even the national pension guarantee for retirees.
Travel & Health with the EHIC Card
To make cross-border healthcare easier, my whole family has an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). This card allows us to receive medical treatment in EU and EEA countries at the same cost as locals. It’s brilliant for trips abroad, but one thing to remember—it doesn’t replace travel insurance, so that’s still a must!
Waiting for OmaKanta’s Mobile App
OmaKanta is the platform that lets Finnish residents see their medical records and prescriptions online. For now, it’s available only through the website. Although an app was announced back in April 2024 and scheduled for spring 2025, it still hasn’t launched as of July 2025.
Once released, the OmaKanta mobile app should enhance data privacy and security, which is increasingly important with phishing scams targeting users through fake login pages. I’m looking forward to its launch—it’s a crucial step forward in healthcare transparency.
Planning for Retirement with Keva
Keva is the pension institution for public sector employees, and I’ve been accumulating pension benefits through it since 2007. Keva provides:
- A pension forecast through the work pension statement, which is also available for private sector employees.
- Insights into how much pension I might receive in retirement—though I must admit, it wouldn’t be enough to live on if I had to retire right now.
Currently, my retirement age is 67 years and 4 months, but due to inherited health risks, I doubt I’ll remain employed until I qualify for an old-age pension. That’s why I’ve started investing on my own to enable the possibility of partial retirement when needed.
Smart Booking & Digital Awareness: Lessons From Personal Experience
Navigating digital services—whether booking a hotel or managing dental care—requires more than just basic online skills. I’ve had a few eye-opening moments that made me realize how important it is to stay sharp, informed, and a bit skeptical when relying on digital platforms.
Why I Don’t Fully Trust Booking Platforms
I often use Booking.com to search for accommodation, but I’ve noticed that some major hotel chains in Finland, like Sokos Hotels, aren’t listed. That’s a clear limitation—I’m not seeing the full picture. Because of this, I always double-check the hotel’s official website, comparing rates and offers.
Interestingly, some hotel websites offer better packages—for example, half-board at the same price as a room-only deal on booking platforms. In some cases, booking directly with the hotel even gets you a better room than you paid for. It’s a small win for the savvy traveler!
Limited Digital Tools in Dental Care
When it comes to dental care, there’s a noticeable lack of consumer-friendly apps and services. Large companies focus mostly on selling oral care products, while existing apps are typically designed to improve self-care—like encouraging better brushing habits.
The innovation here feels narrow, and patients aren’t getting much digital support, especially when compared to other areas of healthcare.
Digital Gap: The Hidden Risk of Inequality
A growing concern is the digital gap—not everyone has the skills or access to benefit from online services. As public services move rapidly online in Finland, people who struggle with technology can end up with fewer options and often pay more for basic services.
Aging and illness can affect cognitive abilities, and even digitally capable individuals may find themselves left behind. Someone who was once tech-savvy might suddenly find modern platforms too complex or even inaccessible.
My Digital Competence Journey
I took the Digital Competence Wheel self-assessment, and it really made me reflect. While I rated myself moderately in areas like Information, Communication, and Safety, I saw that my production and technical skills need improvement.
Of course, self-evaluation is subjective, but it’s a good starting point.
Global Perspective & Reflection
Most of the course material I worked with felt familiar—except for the Digital Competence Wheel, which offered a new angle. The blog posts from international students were especially enlightening. They helped me appreciate how advanced Finland’s national digital services actually are, and how easily we become blind to that privilege.
Globally, the playing field isn’t level. In many poorer countries, access to basic internet is a challenge, meaning entire communities may be excluded from essential services.
It’s important to keep in mind that large booking sites are profit-driven. While they sometimes offer enticing deals, their prices aren’t always the lowest. In fact, some rooms may be more expensive when booked through these platforms than directly via the hotel’s site.
Final Takeaway
I’ve learned that digital skills aren’t static—they need continuous nurturing. My own parents have always been digitally capable, but even just a few years into retirement has affected their ability to navigate new services. Because of that, I’m constantly learning myself so I can support them in managing the digital landscape of today.
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