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Family doctors (GPs): what they do and how to find one

A family doctor (general practitioner) is your first point of contact for almost any health problem: everyday illness, long-term conditions, prescriptions, referrals to specialists and preventive check-ups.

Always confirm that a provider is currently licensed and registered with the official national register — the Health Board (Terviseamet) in Estonia, or Valvira and the Kanta service in Finland — before you book. The guidance here is general information, not a referral, endorsement or medical advice.

When to see one

See your family doctor for new or ongoing symptoms, repeat prescriptions, vaccinations and anything you are unsure about. They decide when a specialist referral is needed.

How to find and register

In Estonia everyone has the right to register with a family doctor (perearst); you can join a doctor's list through the Health Board or the state patient portal, and change doctor with a simple application. In Finland, care is organised through your wellbeing services county (hyvinvointialue) and health station; register there and use the Kanta service to see your records. If a list is full, ask to be placed with another doctor in the same practice.

City-by-city directories are being added from the official register. The guidance above applies wherever you live.

Source: General guidance; confirm any provider with the official national register (Terviseamet in Estonia, Valvira / Kanta in Finland). · checked 2026-09-04