The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is a regulation of the European Union that establishes a common framework for the use and exchange of health data in EU countries. The aim of the regulation is to strengthen citizens’ rights to their own electronic health data and to enable the secure cross-border secondary use of health data.
The EHDS regulation is similar to the current Finnish Secondary Use Act, but it also introduces changes. The regulation includes partly different purposes of use, some of which are reserved only for public or EU entities. In addition, new operating models will be introduced for processing data requests and permit applications.
The regulation entered into force in March 2025 and will be implemented gradually over the coming years. The parts concerning secondary use will begin to apply in March 2029.