Question about Kela

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*Kristina*
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Question about Kela

Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:17 pm

Moi,

I have a question about Kela and I hope you can help me! :)

In August I'll come to Helsinki to be an Au-Pair for at least a year. I'll get a residence permit for I think at least a year.

My question is if I'll be able to get a Kela card? I've been on the Kela homepage but I didn't understand all the info..

Well, I'm also not really sure if I understand what Kela is.
On one hand it is the health insurance card but on the other hand it is (at the same time?) an identity card that you need in your everyday life in Finland? For example to open a bank account or to get a library pass?

I also read about an identity card from the police. Is that the same?
Sorry, but right now I'm really confused.. :?


Thanx in advance and best wishes, Kristina


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Question about Kela

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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:43 pm

KELA is the health insurance. You have to show intention of "moving permanantly".

The move is considered to be permanent also if you come to Finland for family reasons or you have either a permanent work contract or one for at least two years. If you move to Finland for a short period of time you are not considered to be moving permanently, nor if you are a student who is in Finland for the sole purpose of studying. This means that you would not be entitled to social security benefits from KELA.

You have to go to the police to get your resident permit registered and then to the local magistrate to make yourself a resident. People will ask for ID they want to see your personal identity number; so people need to have the police card and a kela card, if they don't have a Finnish drivers licence because the police card doesn't have the number on it. Alone the KELA card may be accepted but its not a valid ID.

But when you come you should have the international EU health card you get from the German whatever gives them, then you don't need to worry of getting sick,.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
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*Kristina*
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Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 4:56 pm

thanx Hank! :D

Is being an Au-Pair a permanent work? I mean it's no real work as I only get a "pocket money".

The problem is that I'm not out of school and I won't be able to keep the health insurance I'm having right now (as a student you are insured through your dad). So I need a new, own insurance.

Am I getting it right that the police ID card has no use and is only waste of money?
Also I read that there are 2 Kela cards. Where is the difference between those two?
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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:01 pm

*Kristina* wrote: Is being an Au-Pair a permanent work? I mean it's no real work as I only get a "pocket money".
Well, dunno. You can apply. Ihe worse they can do is say no.
Am I getting it right that the police ID card has no use and is only waste of money?
If you get a Finnish DL, then yes, it is pretty much waste of money. However if you need some ID - then its as official as they come.
Also I read that there are 2 Kela cards. Where is the difference between those two?
The other one has a picture and costs to get.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
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*Kristina*
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Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:11 pm

hmm.. and which advantage has the one with the picture?
Is there any other Finish ID Card than Kela or the Police Card (which is not accepted?! Have I got that right?)
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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:21 pm

You can look sweet.

There is also a Finnish ID card, and as said the DL.
The police card with a kela card generally does the trick.
Cheers, Hank W.
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*Kristina*
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Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:31 pm

What is the Finnish ID card? and what is DL? Is that like a German "Personalausweis"?

Puh.. this is so difficult..
Somehow I thought that the Kela card was the Finnish ID card that is accepted everywhere..
Last edited by *Kristina* on Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Wed Jun 15, 2005 5:39 pm

ID card is personalausweis
DL is führerschein
kela card is krankenverziherung
Cheers, Hank W.
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*Kristina*
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Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:03 pm

Ok, thanx for the info Hank! :D

Will I get a Finnish ID when I get a residence permission?
Is my European driving licence accepted as ID? For example if I want to create a bank account, or get a library card?

What exactly is the police ID? Id that the Personalausweis? I'm a bit confused because here in Germany you don't get your ID at the police. :wink:

Which of there cards is the magic card? Is it only Kela + Police ID?
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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Wed Jun 15, 2005 6:18 pm

*Kristina* wrote: Will I get a Finnish ID when I get a residence permission?
I think you can apply for one. The "police card" is basically the residence permit as a card form.
Is my European driving licence accepted as ID? For example if I want to create a bank account, or get a library card?
Not necessarily. What I suggest is once you get your personnummer you exchange your German DL for a finnish one (you can get the German back when and if you leave) and there is going to be a lot less stupid questions I
'm a bit confused because here in Germany you don't get your ID at the police.
Its different in every country. In Sweden you get your person ID number from the tax office and personausweis from the bank - they're more materialistic I guess :lol:
Which of there cards is the magic card?
I'd say the Finnish drivers licence
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
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Rosamunda
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Post by Rosamunda » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:41 pm

If you are coming here from Germany as a temporary visitor you may be covered under your E111... you should check with the German authorities too. It would be worthwhile getting your European E111 card anyway, you will certainly be covered for the first few months.
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*Kristina*
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Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:57 pm

Hey,

thanx for your replies! :)

Where can I get a Finnish driving licence? Do you know how much it coasts?
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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:24 pm

The police station, of course. http://www.poliisi.fi => english => licences
You don't need to change the German one, but passing as ID the Finnish is by far the easiest to use.
Cheers, Hank W.
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*Kristina*
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Post by *Kristina* » Wed Jun 15, 2005 11:57 pm

thanx a lot Hank! :D
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