Special swimming card

A special swimming card is granted to disabled or chronically ill Helsinki residents for the purpose of independent swimming. The swimming card is valid for all indoor and outdoor swimming pools in Helsinki and the validity period is one year, starting from the date of purchase. The special swimming card also entitles its holder to use the gyms at the Itäkeskus, Jakomäki and Pirkkola swimming halls as well as the Swimming Stadium.

The price of the card is €62 + loadable personal access control and customer card €4. The card can be used once a day at most (1 time per day). When obtaining the card, you must prove your identity and present the grounds for issuing the card. An unused card will not be redeemed, and unused time cannot be refunded. Misuse of the special swimming card will result in the cancellation of the card.

Special swimming cards are sold at the following locations:

Special swimming card issuing criteria and application instructions

As of 1 March 2024, a special swimming card can be issued to Helsinki residents with a significant functional limitation due to a chronic illness or injury. A special swimming card can be purchased at any of the service points that sell special swimming cards listed above by presenting one of the following:

a parking card for people with reduced mobility or a disabled parking permit
a taxi card granted for transport services within the meaning of the Disability Services Act
a card for the visually disabled
an EU Disability Card

Need for an assistant

Until 15 February 2024, the customer may be granted a special swimming card 2 on a discretionary basis, allowing entrance for one adult assistant. If the customer needs two assistants, a special swimming card 3 may be issued, allowing entrance for two assistants. Assistant cards are always applied for from the Sports Services (Method 2). The need for an assistant/assistants must be indicated in the medical report. The cardholder must always be accompanied at the swimming hall by an assistant when using special swimming card 2 or 3, and the assistant must provide assistance in the swimming facilities as necessary.

If the customer has a special swimming card without the right to an assistant, the need for an assistant can also be demonstrated at the swimming hall cash desk with the A symbol of the EU Disability Card, HSL’s Companion Pass or a written certificate from the social welfare or healthcare services indicating the right to a personal assistant.

The assistant receives a one-time pass from the swimming hall cash desk.

If the cardholder is of school age or older, the assistant must be of the same gender as the cardholder unless the swimming hall has a unisex changing room (= the same changing room for all genders).

The following swimming halls have a unisex changing room:

Itäkeskus swimming hall (no sauna)
Pirkkola swimming hall (only one customer + assistant at a time)
Töölö swimming hall (no sauna)
Mäkelänrinne swimming hall (no sauna)
Vuosaari swimming hall (to be booked separately)

Accessibility information for sports facilities can be found at palvelukartta.hel.fi. Accessibility information is also available directly from the swimming hall.

More information

For more information about the special swimming card or application procedures

send an email to erityisuimakortti(at)hel.fi or
contact the office secretary by telephone: 09 310 87509 (telephone hours Mon and Thu 14:00–16:00).
Read frequently asked questions about special swimming card
Read article about the criteria of the special swimming card