Insurance and Safety

Grantees are responsible for obtaining sufficient health and accident insurance coverage for themselves for their whole Fulbright term, along with adequate travel, health, and accident insurance for any accompanying dependents.

ASPE - Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges 

The U.S. Department of State provides all Fulbright grantees with supplemental accident and sickness benefit, the ASPE (Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges).

What Does ASPE Cover?

ASPE serves as a basic supplemental coverage provided for the duration of your Fulbright term in Finland. It is limited in its scope and is not an actual insurance. There are, for instance, limitations to medical expenses covered, and pre-existing conditions are not covered. For this reason, you are highly encouraged to maintain your current policy or to obtain comprehensive health insurance coverage. 

For details regarding ASPE coverage, please check the ASPE guidebook. 

With any further questions on ASPE coverage, please contact IIE.

When will I be issued ASPE?

Your ASPE benefit plan cannot be issued to you until you have received medical clearance from the U.S. Fulbright administration. If you plan to arrive in Finland earlier than in August, ensure you have received medical clearance before you depart for Finland. You will receive instructions from IIE on the medical clearance process, including the schedule.

You will receive an ASPE card once the benefit has been issued for you. Your Foundation program coordinator will send you your ASPE ID number and instructions for printing the ASPE card from an online system. The instructions are also available at us.fulbrightonline.org. 

ASPE Is Not For Family Members

The ASPE coverage is for the grantee only; it does not cover family members, luggage, etc.

It is important that you make sure that all your accompanying family members are properly insured. The U.S. Department of State has negotiated an insurance policy for purchase for dependents through Specialty Risk International. The policy is called “Liaison International”. Ask for further information from IIE. It is recommended that you research different options to find a policy most suited to your family’s needs.
 
Many former Fulbrighters have been able to keep the insurance plan from their home institution. This is recommended, especially if your plan covers your family members as well. Please make sure your plan is valid outside the United States.

When Is ASPE Valid?

The ASPE benefit is provided for the duration of the grant period stated in the Grant Authorization. The travel benefit of ASPE is valid only when the grantee travels directly to and from Finland - immediately prior to and after the grant period - and on Fulbright-related pre-approved travel, while you are a grantee. ASPE does not cover leisure traveling abroad while you are a Fulbright grantee.
 
If you are planning to have a vacation en route to or from (or while in) Finland, please make sure that you have insurance coverage for that period. ASPE does not cover damaged or lost luggage.
 
If you are planning to make short trips to the neighboring countries on holidays or weekends during your grant period, make sure to have an insurance policy under which you are covered for these trips or look into traveler’s insurance policies before you depart from the U.S. Please note that Finnish insurance companies provide traveler’s insurance policies only for permanent residents of Finland.
 
You should also check with your insurance company to determine whether or not your home-owner's policy will cover losses from damage or theft while abroad. If not, personal property insurance can be purchased locally in Finland at a relatively low cost. However, it is best to determine whether or not this is necessary before you leave the U.S.

Supplementary insurance providers, as suggested by previous grantees:

Safety and Security

Finland is widely regarded as a very safe and secure country where people trust and help one another. With its small national population, sparsely inhabited cities, low crime rates, and with citizens who share a high sense of civic responsibility, it is easy to feel comfortable visiting and living here. The police are also friendly and easy to approach.

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

You should sign up with the U.S. Embassy Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Through this program:

  • You will receive important information from the U.S. Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country which will help you in making informed decisions about your travel plans.
  • The U.S. Embassy can contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
  • Your family and friends will be able to get in touch with you in an emergency.

Read more about security, the law, and other topics concerning public services and administration in Finland at www.suomi.fi

More information about safety in Finland: