Supported holidays: FAQ
Looking for information about the effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the holidays? Please see the FAQ here.
Enquiries related to holidays: contact our telephone service (9 a.m.–1 p.m. on weekdays) tel. +358 (0)10 2193 460 or send an e-mail to lomat@mtlh.fi.
We arrange supported holidays for
Who can apply?
You can apply for a holiday if you live in Finland permanently and you have no other means for going on a holiday. You can apply alone, with a friend or with your family. You must justify your need for a holiday in your application.
Matters affecting the decision to grant a holiday
- previous holiday support: applicants can be granted a supported holiday no more than every second year. Those applying for the first time are given priority.
- the applicant’s economic situation: e.g., small income, large amounts of debt, medical expenses or accommodation costs.
- social grounds: unemployment, lay-off, loneliness, family carer role, family problems or a difficult situation in life.
- health reasons: disability, physical or mental illnesses.
MTLH makes the decisions to grant holidays in line with the policies of the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations STEA.
Can I apply for a holiday together with a friend?
Yes, you can. Both applicants must fill in their own application.
Do I have to reside in the rural area in order to apply for a MTLH holiday?
No, you do not. You can reside anywhere in Finland: in a city, urban or rural area, but you have to have a permanent address in Finland. We don’t accept applications from people living abroad.
I am not an entrepreneur or an agricultural entrepreneur. Can I apply for a holiday?
Yes, you can. Choose the holiday that best suits you. We organise holidays for people of different ages and people belonging to different target groups.
Are there specific holidays for entrepreneurs or farmers?
We organise theme holidays for entrepreneurs and agricultural entrepreneurs.
Do I have to be a member of a particular organisation in order to apply for a holiday?
No, you do not. You can apply for a holiday even if you are not a member of any organisation. Membership of an organisation or association does not affect the holiday granting decision.
How to apply
Fill in the electronic form on our website or send us a filled-in paper copy of the application form. You can request a paper copy of the application form and a holiday brochure by contacting our telephone service.
We grant holidays based on the information provided in the holiday application. Make sure to justify your need for a holiday in your application. In the application, explain why you need a supported holiday.
Application periods expire 3 months prior to the holiday commencement.
If you apply together with a friend, both of you must fill in an individual application.
The main applicant must be an adult. It is not possible to fill in an application on behalf of a child.
We do not process applications that have not been completely filled in.
We process personal data in line with the section 4 of the Data Protection Act. In the holiday application, we ask for the applicant’s consent to process their personal data.
It is recommended to list three holiday wishes. We receive a large number of applications, however, we are only able to grant a holiday to some of the applicants that fulfil the selection criteria.
Large families (with more than 4 children) in particular are recommended to apply for the holidays organised in sports institutes.
Assistant
If the applicant requires an assistant during their holidays, this should be mentioned in the holiday application. The fees of the assistant depend on whether they are an assistant granted by the municipality or a close relative of the applicant.
If the applicant has employed a personal assistant, MTLH will cover the costs of the assistant’s holiday as well. If the assistant is the applicant’s relative, for example, both applicants must fill in their own application. If both applications are approved, both applicants must pay for their own contribution of EUR 100 per person. The applicant and their assistant pay for their travel expenses themselves. The assistant is responsible for providing assistance during the holiday.
Holidays for groups with special requirements
What kind of holidays do you offer for groups with special requirements?
Some of our holidays are organised in cooperation with different social and health organisations. These holidays are intended for those belonging to the particular target group as well as for their partners and children. You do not have to be a member of a particular organisation in order to apply. Example: The holidays of the Finnish Epilepsy Association are intended for those with epilepsy. However, the applicant does not have to be a member of the Finnish Epilepsy Association. Read more about holidays for groups with special requirements by clicking this link.
I want to go on a Finnish Pensioners’ Federation holiday. Which district should I choose?
If you want to go on a Finnish Pensioners’ Federation holiday, choose the district of your residence.
For example: if you live in Kainuu, choose the Kainuu district of the Finnish Pensioners’ Federation.
Do you organise rehabilitation?
MTLH organises supported holidays. We do no organise rehabilitation courses or adaptation training courses.
Cost of a holiday
How much does a supported holiday cost?
The customer’s contribution is EUR 100 for adults and young people older than 17. The customer is responsible for covering the travel expenses to the holiday destination.
The holidays of customers under 17 years of age are free of charge. In special cases, reductions may be possible.
What does the holiday include?
The holiday includes accommodation in a shared double room. Single rooms are available for an extra fee that varies according to the holiday destination. On holidays for families with children, the accommodation is arranged in a room or an apartment according to the size of the family.
All holidays are all-inclusive including breakfast, lunch and dinner. On holidays for families with children, an evening snack is also served.
All holidays include diverse, instructed, free-of-charge holiday activities in line with the holiday theme.
Granting a holiday
Has my holiday application been successful?
Applicants that have been granted a holiday receive an invitation approximately two months before the commencement of the holiday. The invitation will be sent by mail or e-mail. We do not notify applicants about negative decisions. Other applicants will be offered a holiday in the event of any cancellations.
You can enquire about the status of your application by contacting our telephone service (9 a.m.–1 p.m. on weekdays) tel. +358 (0)10 2193 460 or lomat@mtlh.fi.
Has my friend’s holiday application been successful?
We only notify the applicants themselves about any positive decisions. We cannot share this information with others.
Cancelling a holiday
Is it possible to cancel a holiday?
Yes, you can cancel a supported holiday before the commencement of the holiday. We hope that you cancel your holiday as early on as possible in order for us to be able to offer the holiday to other people.
Will the contribution I have paid be returned to me?
The contribution the customer has paid will be returned to them if they cancel the holiday at least four weeks before the commencement of the holiday.
After this time, the contribution will only be returned to the customer in a force majeure situation (such as illness).
Qualifying period
Is there a qualifying period?
If you have been granted a supported holiday in the current year or in the previous calendar year, you are in a qualifying period. You cannot be granted a new supported holiday until the qualifying period has ended. This means that you can be granted a supported holiday no more than every second year.
Last year, I was granted a supported holiday by another holiday organisation. Does this mean that I am in the qualifying period for the supported holidays of your organisation?
Yes, it does. If you have been granted a supported holiday in the current year or in the previous calendar year, you are in a qualifying period, even if the holiday would have been granted by another holiday organisation. There are several holiday organisations in Finland.
Will there be a qualifying period as a consequence of cancelling a holiday?
If you cancel your holiday well before the commencement of the holiday, there will be no qualifying period.
Pets
Can I bring my pet on a supported holiday?
Pets are allowed at only some of the holiday destinations. A fee will be charged for pets. For more information, contact the holiday destination.
