Finland (FI)
Finland is a Nordic parliamentary republic in Northern Europe, bordering Sweden, Norway, and Russia, with a southern coastline on the Gulf of Finland.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Finland.
Finland's family rights system is among the most comprehensive in the world, reflecting the high value placed on gender equality and child welfare. The 2022 parental leave reform (vanhempainvapaa-uudistus) fundamentally changed Finland's parental leave system — introducing an equal-share model where each parent (or legal guardian) has 160 working days of personal parental leave, with some transferability between parents. Kela administers all parental benefits (äitiysraha, vanhempainraha, isyysraha). Finland has a world-class neuvolajärjestelmä (maternity/child health clinic network) that supports families from pregnancy through school age, completely free of charge.
Raskausraha / Äitiysvapaa (Maternity allowance / Pregnancy leave)
Before birth: 40 working days before the expected due date. From 2022 reform: "Pregnancy allowance" (raskausraha) of 40 working days which must be taken before the birth.
After birth: After the 40-day pregnancy leave, both parents move into the shared vanhempainvapaa (parental leave) system. The birth parent (gestating parent) has a slightly adjusted rights structure — see parental leave details.
Job protection: Full job protection throughout pregnancy and parental leave. Dismissal on grounds of pregnancy is illegal. Return to original role (or equivalent) guaranteed after leave.
Vanhempainvapaa (Parental leave) — 2022 Reform
Max duration: Each parent receives 160 working days of personal vanhempainpäiväraha (parental allowance). Plus the 40-day pregnancy allowance for the birth parent. Total system: approximately 14 months of parental benefits between both parents.
Split rules / Elterngeld: From 2022 reform: 160 days belong to each parent personally — not freely transferable (unlike the old system where most leave could be given to the mother). Up to 63 days of each parent's quota can be transferred to the other parent. Single parents receive both quotas (320 working days total). Same-sex couples: same entitlements. Adoption: broadly equivalent rights from adoption date. All parents must register with Kela to receive benefits. Kela pays vanhempainpäiväraha at approximately 70–90% of earned income (higher percentage for lower earners) up to the maximum daily amount (€150.02/day in 2026, approximately).
Benefits
Raskausraha (Pregnancy allowance)
Approximately 70–90% of earned income (based on annual income). Minimum ~€31.81/day if no income. Maximum approximately €118/day.
Duration: 40 working days (approximately 2 months) before expected birth
Eligibility: The pregnant parent. Must have been resident in Finland for at least 180 days before due date. Must not be working during the leave (minor exceptions apply).
How to apply: Apply at kela.fi or OmaKela app at least 2 months before leave starts. Fill in employer confirmation of leave dates.
Vanhempainpäiväraha (Parental daily allowance)
Approximately 70–90% of earned income. Maximum approximately €150/day (2026). Minimum ~€31.81/day.
Duration: 160 working days per parent (from 2022 reform). Total approximately 320 working days for two-parent families.
Eligibility: Both parents entitled to 160 days each. Transferable: up to 63 days per parent can be given to the other parent.
How to apply: Apply at kela.fi. Notify employer 2 months in advance of leave start date. Employer must be informed in writing.
The Isyysraha (paternity allowance) was merged into the vanhempainpäiväraha system in 2022. Both parents now have genuinely equal leave rights.
Lapsilisä (Child benefit)
€94.88/month for the first child; €104.84/month for second child; €133.79/month for third child; €173.24/month for fourth child; €192.69/month for fifth and each subsequent child (2026). Plus 14% increase for single parents.
Duration: Paid monthly from birth until the child turns 17
Eligibility: All children resident in Finland and registered at DVV with a HETU. Paid to the person in whose care the child lives.
How to apply: Automatic — DVV notifies Kela of the birth. Kela begins payment automatically. No separate application needed for most cases.
Kotihoidontuki (Child home care allowance)
Basic amount: €341.27/month for the first child under 3 (2026). Supplement based on other children and family income. Municipal supplements available in some municipalities (Helsinki supplement is generous).
Duration: While child is under 3 years old and not in municipal daycare
Eligibility: One parent stays home to care for a child under 3. The family does not use municipal daycare. Child must be under 3.
How to apply: Apply at kela.fi. Alternative to subsidised daycare — family chooses one or the other. Some municipalities (Helsinki) pay generous additional supplements on top of Kela basic.
Contentious — critics argue it keeps mothers out of the workforce disproportionately. The 2026 Orpo government is reviewing this benefit as part of austerity measures.
Äitiysavustus (Maternity grant)
€170 cash grant OR Äitiyspakkaus (maternity package — a box of baby products including clothing, bedding, bathing items, and more, valued at approximately €170+)
Duration: One-time payment / package
Eligibility: All mothers who have been resident in Finland before the 154th day of pregnancy (approximately 4th month). Must seek prenatal healthcare before the 4th month.
How to apply: Apply at kela.fi during pregnancy. Choose cash or the iconic Finnish "baby box" (äitiyspakkaus). The baby box is a famous Finnish institution — nearly all Finnish mothers choose the box.
Asumistuki (Housing benefit) for families
Varies by income, rent, and location. Can be significant for low-income families with children in Helsinki.
Duration: Monthly — must be renewed when circumstances change
Eligibility: Low-to-moderate income families with high rent relative to income.
How to apply: Apply at kela.fi. Income and housing costs assessed. Check eligibility at kela.fi/asumistuki.
Sick child leave
Temporary child care leave (tilapäinen hoitovapaa): up to 4 working days per child per illness episode when the child is under 10 years old (or under 12 years old for children with disabilities). Kela does not pay a specific benefit for this period — most collective agreements require employer to pay full salary during temporary child care leave. Check your TES.
Birth registration
Births are registered with DVV (digi- ja väestötietovirasto) by the hospital (this happens automatically for births in Finnish hospitals). Within 2 months of birth, parents must confirm paternity/parentage (isyyden/vanhemmuuden tunnustaminen) and agree on the child's name. Contact DVV for registration. Child receives a HETU automatically.
Childcare rights
Every child has a statutory right to a municipal daycare (kunnallinen päiväkoti) place from age 9 months (after parental leave ends) — the municipality must provide a place within 4 months of application. Municipalities can also provide a voucher for private daycare (palveluseteli). Maximum fees are income-based (€0–€295/month for the first child in 2026). Subsidised daycare is one of Finland's most valued family benefits.
Family Rights
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