Bill in Finland
Long story short, about a year ago I was in Finland and had to be hospitalized (I'm from the U.S.). I Had not received a bill by the time I left. However, it seems that they sent one to the address that I was staying at and, since I was not there to receive it, it was sent to collections (Intrum Justitia). I did finally receive notification and began paying it off. I sent that majority of the payment in September but due to my own financial issues (I'm a student and very poor) I have not finished. I recently sent them an e-mail to see what my remaining balance is but my main concern here is: 1) if i don't finish paying it will I ever be able to get back into the EU? 2) Even if I do pay it off will it affect my entry? I don't know if things like that stay on your record even after you pay. Help is appreciated! Thanks.1
It will probably not give you problems to visit on the normal 3 month visa free visits unless you try to hide for the Intrum Justitia. Not even aware if the last will cause problems.Another thing is that Intrum Justitia will "hunt" you forever - they make more money the more "difficult" your case get.
BTW: IF you can afford to travel to the EU you should also be able to pay your bill IMHO - if not you set the priorietes wrong as far as I can see.
A final thought: All that need a Schengen visa or a resident permit will have to have a travel insuranc. Why isn'r that mandatory for all from any non-Schengen/non-EU country?? (i.e. for the visa free travellers?) Just wondering.
Edited by: Bjoern
2
@2 because health insurance is mandatory in some or maybe all EU countries, if you apply for a longer visa they have time to check that you have it, but with all those coming into the EU just totravel it can't be done, just think how long the lines a immigration would get.
I was never ever asked during travel if I had health insurance, even back when we needed a tourist
visa for the US it wasn't a question, nor was I asked for any proof of insurance when I applied for a
residend visa in the US.
@1 just came to mind, better pay up, a friend (US national) left a debt in Germany, after several years he came
back to Germany, my sister was going to pick him up at the airport, she waited a long time all the sudden she
her her name being called to come to immigration, there he was and he had to pay up the full ammount right there before they let him in.
Edited by: tempelton
3
Oddly enough I received an email from them today and they claimed it was paid in full. Go figure. I could swear I owed them more. As for affording to travel to the EU, I actually couldn't. It was previously done on a grant from the U.S. department of education for school and that is the only way I plan to do it again in the near future. So yes, I have little money.4
Tularemia,I would check again with the Intrum Justitia that your case is indeed closed and there are no more claims against you.
If you still have to pay them, I strongly recommend you do. These things can haunt you for years if not decades, and you never know if you want to move to Europe or get a job here, it might cause some major problems. Not worth it in my opinion....
