Travel Insurance Requirements for the Finland Working Holiday Visa

Volare Editorial | April 2, 2026

Taking out an adequate health policy is a critical step to obtain a Working Holiday in Finland permit. Unlike other European destinations, Finnish regulations require private coverage to be maintained throughout the entire stay. For assistance in choosing your policy, you can visit Volare's Finland Working Holiday section.

Requirements by nationality

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) establishes specific criteria depending on the applicant's country of origin:

• Australia: This is the program's major exception. Due to bilateral health agreements between both countries, its citizens are legally exempt from presenting an insurance policy for the permit to be approved. Nonetheless, authorities strongly recommend traveling with private health insurance to cover contingencies not included in the agreement.

• Canada: Insurance is mandatory for the application. The policy must cover illnesses and hospital care and must mandatorily include a repatriation clause valid for the entire duration of the stay (12 months).

• Japan and New Zealand: The policy is mandatory and must offer comprehensive coverage for illness and hospital care. It must be valid uninterruptedly for the planned 12-month stay.

  
  

Universal information and policy validity

As a general rule, Migri requires applicants from Canada, Japan, and New Zealand to present a private medical insurance policy covering the entire duration of the visa. It is important to note that, unlike the system in the Netherlands—where one transitions to local insurance upon starting work—in Finland, the applicant must keep their private insurance in force throughout the entire residency period.

In addition to medical accreditation, applicants are reminded that they must meet all other essential criteria, including proof of maintenance funds and possession of a return ticket (or the additional capital to purchase one).

To ensure your application is not rejected, make sure the insurance certificate explicitly mentions the required coverages and the period of validity, matching your travel dates to Finland.