Unemployment benefit

If you become unemployed, you can apply for unemployment benefit from Kela or the unemployment fund. Unemployment benefits include earnings-related daily unemployment allowance, basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy.

• Who is entitled to unemployment benefit?
• Earnings-related daily allowance
• Basic unemployment allowance
• Labour market subsidy
• Other benefits for unemployed jobseekers

If you become unemployed, if you are laid off or if your studies end and you do not have a job, register as an unemployed jobseeker at the TE Office immediately. After this, you can apply for unemployment benefit either from the unemployment fund or from Kela. You cannot receive unemployment benefit if you have not registered as an unemployed jobseeker.

You must find out yourself if you are entitled to benefits and plan your livelihood for the duration of your unemployment. You must actively apply for work and follow the instructions and deadlines given by the TE Office or your municipality’s employment services. You can find information on job opportunities and finding a job as well as tips on job search on InfoFinland’s pages Job opportunities in Finland, Find a job in Finland and Tips for job hunting.

Who is entitled to unemployment benefit?

You can register as a job seeker at a TE Office if:

• you have a residence permit, which allows you to work in Finland,
• your residence permit does not limit what kinds of employers you can work for,

• you are a citizen of an EU member state, EEA member state or Switzerland,
• you are a family member of a citizen of an EU member state, EEA member state or Switzerland and you have a right of residence in Finland.

Read more about a family member's right of residence on the InfoFinland page Registration of an EU citizen's right of residence.

When you have registered as a job seeker at the TE Office, you are entitled to receive unemployment benefits if you

• are 18–64 years old
• are unemployed and registered as a job seeker at the TE Office
• are seeking full-time work
• are able to work and prepared to accept a job
• meet the other conditions for earnings-related daily allowance, basic unemployment allowance or labour market subsidy.

The unemployment benefits are means-tested. This means that, for example, social benefits and salary reduce the amount of the unemployment benefit.

In order to receive unemployment benefit, you have to seek work actively and be prepared to accept a job. You also have to make an employment or integration plan together with the TE Office or your municipality’s employment services. In addition, you need to participate in the services and steps that the TE Office or your municipality’s employment services offer to you.

Unemployment benefits include earnings-related daily unemployment allowance, basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy. Tax must be paid on all unemployment benefits.

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Job Market Finland