Frequently asked questions about special swimming card
Why did the issuing criteria for the special swimming card change?
The primary aim of the change is to guarantee equal treatment to all city residents. The change also protects people’s privacy because they can obtain a special swimming card without having to present their personal medical data.
Why can you no longer use a certain diagnosis to prove that you are entitled to a special swimming card?
The purpose of the reform is to treat all city residents equally when granting special swimming cards, regardless of their diagnosis. The new issuing criteria make it possible to buy a special swimming card, regardless of the chronic illness or disability you have.
How can I bring my assistant with me in the future if special swimming cards 2 and 3 disappear with the reform?
A special swimming card 2 allows you to bring one assistant, and a special swimming card 3 two assistants. These cards will no longer be granted after 1 March 2024. The need for an assistant must be demonstrated upon each visit with the A symbol of the EU Disability Card or HSL’s Companion Pass. This is in line with the general practice concerning assistants.
The disappearance of special swimming cards 2 and 3 will make it more difficult for me to visit swimming halls.
The purpose of the special swimming card reform is to harmonise the practice concerning assistants and make it serve better the individual needs of those who need an assistant. The former special swimming cards (2 and 3) included strict rules concerning assistants, which did not always serve these cardholders in the best possible way. The new practice does not require an assistant to be present on each visit, and the assistant does not need to be of the same gender as the cardholder if they do not need an assistant in the shower and changing rooms. This means that the assistant practice is the same as with customers who are not special swimming card holders. Customers’ individual needs regarding where and when they need an assistant can also be better met.
The need for an assistant must be demonstrated upon entrance with the A symbol of the EU Disability Card or HSL’s Companion Pass.
I was told that my base card will be valid for 5 years. Does this mean that I can buy swimming time until my base card expires?
The base card was an arrangement whose purpose was to make it easier for special swimming card holders to use their card. It meant that we had a record in our system indicating that the special swimming card holder had presented proof of their eligibility, and that they were entitled to buy swimming time as long as the same issuing criteria applied. Thanks to this arrangement, special swimming card holders did not need to present proof of their eligibility once a year. Now that the issuing criteria have been changed altogether, the right to buy swimming time based on the old criteria also ceases to apply.
The special swimming card reform does not affect the validity of any swimming time that has already been purchased and is valid for a year. Special swimming card holders must demonstrate their eligibility based on the new criteria the next time they buy swimming time. This means that base cards will no longer be valid after the reform, and this makes the issuing criteria the same for all customers.
Why was the visual impairment card kept as a criterion even though diagnoses are no longer used as issuing criteria?
Visual impairment is not an individual diagnosis but rather a general term for a visual functional limitation that can be compared to a physical disability, which means that the person has reduced mobility.
The visual impairment card was selected as a criterion because the purpose is to grant special swimming cards to people whose functional capacity is significantly reduced by a permanent injury, disability or chronic illness. Visual impairment cards are issued to people based on a medical certificate that proves that their degree of visual impairment is at least 50%. A visual impairment of 50% is considered to be a significant functional limitation. After the reform, special swimming cards will be granted to people whose functional capacity is significantly reduced, and that is why the visual impairment card will be accepted as proof because it demonstrates the person has a significant functional limitation.
I have lost my special swimming card. How can I get a new card? Do I need to resend the application?
If the card is lost, you do not need to send a new application. You can obtain a new card at the above locations by verifying your identity. Please note that you will have to pay €4 for a new customer card. A special swimming card that has already been paid for will be updated to the new card.
From where can I check the validity period of my special swimming card?
If you are unable to check the validity period at a swimming hall, you can enquire about it by calling the special swimming card number 09 310 87509 (telephone hours Mon 14:00–16:00 and Thu 9:00–11:00) or by sending an email to erityisuimakortti(at)hel.fi. If you have applied for a special swimming card from the Sports Services using Method 2 and want to know the validity period of your base card, you can enquire about it at the cash desk of the City of Helsinki’s swimming halls (not from the halls of Urheiluhallit Oy) or by telephone or email.
My base card has expired. Do I have to resend my special swimming card application and medical report?
Yes, customers’ medical reports are not stored by the Sports Services. The base card is renewed every five years.
I received a positive response to my special swimming card application at my home. However, I did not manage to obtain the special swimming card within two months of the date of the response. What should I do?
Please email us at erityisuimakortti(at)hel.fi. In your message, mention that you were not able to obtain your special swimming card within the deadline. In addition, indicate your name and the date mentioned in the response you received. We will send you a response with a new date. If you are unable to send email, you can call the special swimming card service number 09 310 87509 (telephone hours Mon 14:00–16:00 and Thu 9:00–11:00). You will receive a new response to your home address within 2–3 weeks of contacting us.
How long will it take to receive a response to a special swimming card application?
The processing time for applications is about 2–3 weeks, after which the response to the application is sent by post to the customer’s home address. The delivery time has not been taken into account in the processing time, so it may take longer to receive a response. If you have not received a response to your application within four (4) weeks, please contact us by email at erityisuimakortti(at)hel.fi or by calling the special swimming card service number 09 310 87509 (telephone hours Mon 14:00–16:00 and Thu 9:00–11:00).
I have a valid special swimming card with an assistant, but my need for an assistant has ended or is only occasional. Do I need to apply for a special swimming card again or can I use my special swimming card without an assistant?
When using a special swimming card to be used with an assistant, the assistant/assistants must always be present at the swimming hall. A special swimming card with an assistant may be changed to a standard special swimming card. Special swimming card 3 can also be changed to special swimming card 2 if you only need one assistant instead of two assistants. If you want to change your card type, please send an email to erityisuimakortti(at)hel.fi or call the special swimming card service number 09 310 87509 (telephone hours Mon 14:00–16:00 and Thu 9:00–11:00). You do not need to send a new application.
I have a special swimming card without the right to an assistant. However, I need an assistant to come to the swimming hall with me. What should I do?
If you have an EU Disability Card with the A symbol, HSL’s Companion Pass or a written certificate indicating your right to a personal assistant, you can show one of these documents at the swimming hall cash desk to prove that you need an assistant, and the card type does not need to be changed. Otherwise, you must submit a new application for a special swimming card to the Sports Services. The medical report attached to the application must indicate the need for an assistant.
I have a special swimming card with an assistant, but my assistant and I are of different gender. Can I go swimming with my assistant?
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 that can be used with an assistant of a different gender:
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)
I have several diseases that are mentioned under application method 1, but these are not marked on my Kela card. Am I entitled to a special swimming card?
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for a special swimming card. A special swimming card is issued to persons who have a right to special reimbursement from Kela for the diseases mentioned under application method 1. The right to special reimbursement is indicated by a numeric code on the Kela card. You can ask Kela for more information about the right to special reimbursement.
My child is eligible for a special swimming card. How can I apply for a card for the child, and how can a parent accompany the child?
Children who need special support may be issued with a special swimming card that allows an assistant to enter free of charge. In order to obtain a card with an assistant, the child must have a need for an assistant because of illness, and cards with an assistant are not issued solely on the basis of the child’s age. Applications for a special swimming card with an assistant can be submitted to the Sports Services in free format. The application must include the customer’s name and home address and be accompanied by a medical report in which the diagnosis and the need for an assistant is indicated. Please note that all children under 7 years of age swim free of charge in the City of Helsinki’s swimming halls.