Helsinki budget boosts schools and healthcare while restraining transit fares

Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov has proposed more funding for schools and primary healthcare, while keeping public transport fares from rising in real terms. Yle reported on the proposal on Monday.

The budget plan allocates funding to reduce class sizes in the first years of primary school, add mother-tongue lessons and provide a school library in every Helsinki school.

Primary healthcare would receive 25 additional doctors and 13 nurses, on top of positions approved earlier. A pilot scheme for personal doctors and nurses would also move ahead, involving 10 self-employed personal doctors. The aim is to ensure patients can access treatment within 14 days.

The city would spend 470 million euros on public transport, 14.7 per cent more than this year. The increased funding would keep HSL ticket prices from rising in real terms.

Municipal and property tax rates would remain unchanged. The municipal tax rate would stay at 5.3 per cent, while property taxes would remain at the legal minimum.

A new grant would support neighbourhood community life and enable 1,000 local events in 2027 and 2028.