Living abroad

Blood donors must have lived for at least three months in Finland, an EU or EFTA country, or the United Kingdom.

Staying abroad is considered as living abroad if it has lasted more than three months outside the EU, EFTA countries, or the UK, and if it happened within the last six months.

Travel outside of Europe may increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases that do not occur in Finland. Some of these infections can be completely asymptomatic or cause only mild symptoms in the donor, but they may still be dangerous to patients receiving blood products.

If you have been in a malaria risk area even for a short time, you must wait six months before donating blood.

Do you want more information? Please call the free information number for blood donors at 0800 0 5801 (Mon to Fri from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm).