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.
Social Security in Finland
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Finland's social security system is one of the most comprehensive in the world — administered primarily by Kela (Kansaneläkelaitos — the Social Insurance Institution of Finland). Kela covers healthcare reimbursements, sickness benefits, parental benefits, unemployment basic security, housing benefits, student grants, disability benefits, and more. The system is funded by employer and employee contributions plus general taxation. In 2026, the Orpo government's austerity programme is implementing cuts to some Kela benefits — particularly housing benefits, student grants, and unemployment support. Always check kela.fi for current eligibility rules.
HETU (Henkilötunnus)
Henkilötunnus
The HETU is assigned when you register in Finland at DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency — dvv.fi). EU citizens with the right of residence and non-EU citizens with a residence permit can register and receive a HETU. International House Helsinki (ihhelsinki.fi) provides one-stop registration. Process: present your passport and proof of address, register your right of residence or permit, and DVV assigns a HETU.
- All healthcare access (terveyskeskus, hospitals, Kela)
- Banking — required to open a Finnish bank account
- Tax administration (OmaVero)
- All Kela benefit applications
- Employment (employer tax withholding)
- Rental agreements
- Phone contracts
- Government digital services authentication (with bank credentials)
- Electoral register
- Education system
- Pharmacy (prescription reimbursements with Kela card)
Benefits & Support Payments
Sairauspäiväraha (Sickness Daily Allowance)
Sairauspäiväraha
Replaces earned income when you are unable to work due to illness for more than 9 working days (after employer-paid period ends).
Must have been resident in Finland for at least 180 days. Must be unable to work due to illness. Employer sick pay typically covers first 9 working days — Kela pays from day 10 (or later depending on TES). Apply within 2 months of becoming ill.
Apply at kela.fi or OmaKela app. Submit a medical certificate (lääkärintodistus / B-lausunto) from day 10 onwards. Employer must certify the sick period.
Työttömyysturva — peruspäiväraha (Basic Unemployment Allowance)
Kela peruspäiväraha
Basic unemployment benefit for those who have been employed but are not members of an unemployment fund (a-kassa / työttömyyskassa).
Must be registered as unemployed at TE-palvelut. Must have worked at least 26 weeks in the past 28 months (the employment condition). Must not be receiving other benefits. Must be actively seeking work.
Register as unemployed at TE-palvelut first. Then apply at kela.fi.
Ansiosidonnainen päiväraha (Earnings-related unemployment allowance)
Ansiosidonnainen päiväraha (a-kassa)
Earnings-related unemployment benefit — significantly higher than Kela basic unemployment benefit. Paid by unemployment funds (a-kassat / työttömyyskassat).
Must have been a member of an a-kassa for at least 6 months (2024 reform — previously 26 weeks). Must meet employment condition (26 weeks of work in 28 months). Must be registered as unemployed at TE-palvelut and actively seeking work.
Apply directly to your a-kassa (not Kela). Each a-kassa has its own application form. Contact your a-kassa upon becoming unemployed. Major a-kassat: AKT (transport), IAET (engineers), YTK (general), Erko (specialist).
Yleinen asumistuki (General Housing Benefit)
Yleinen asumistuki
Housing benefit for low-to-moderate income renters (and some owners). Covers a significant portion of rent based on income, family size, and location.
Available to Finnish residents with low income relative to housing costs. Not available to students (they have opintotuen asumislisä) or those receiving kotoutumistuki. Income and asset limits apply. Must reside in Finland.
Apply at kela.fi. Re-evaluate when income or housing situation changes.
Vanhempainpäiväraha (Parental Daily Allowance)
Vanhempainpäiväraha
Income replacement during parental leave (from the 2022 vanhempainvapaa reform — 160 days per parent).
Parents resident in Finland. Birth parent starts after raskausraha (pregnancy allowance) period.
Apply at kela.fi at least 2 months before leave starts.
Opintotuki (Student financial aid)
Opintoraha + asumislisä
Monthly study grant (opintoraha) plus student housing supplement (opintotuen asumislisä). For full-time students at eligible Finnish institutions.
Full-time study at a Finnish institution. Income limits apply — earning too much from work reduces the grant. EU/EEA students and some non-EU students qualify after sufficient residency.
Apply at kela.fi. Automatic for most eligible students.
Toimeentulotuki (Social Assistance / Last resort welfare)
Toimeentulotuki (Kela) + Täydentävä toimeentulotuki (municipality)
Last-resort social assistance for persons whose income is insufficient to meet basic living expenses. Kela pays the basic toimeentulotuki; municipalities pay supplementary and preventive toimeentulotuki.
All Finnish residents who cannot otherwise meet their basic needs. No minimum residency period for the right to apply. Must use up other benefits first.
Apply at kela.fi (basic toimeentulotuki). For supplementary: apply to your municipality's social services.
Contribution Overview
Finnish social security is primarily funded through employer and employee contributions: TyEL pension (employee ~7.15%, employer ~17%), health insurance (employee ~1.96%, employer ~1.53%), and unemployment insurance (employee 1.50%, employer 0.52%). These are collected automatically through payroll. Self-employed persons pay YEL (yrittäjäeläke — approximately 18.87% of YEL income). Kela's basic benefits are funded from general taxation and state transfers. The system is among the most comprehensive in the world but faces sustainability pressures from an aging population and lower birth rates.
International Social Security Agreements
Finland has bilateral social security agreements with: Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, USA, and several others. These agreements prevent double payment of social contributions when working across borders. Within the EU, EU social security coordination (Regulation 883/2004) applies — preventing double contributions and ensuring portability of benefit rights. Contact ETK (eläketurvakeskus.fi) or your country's social security authority for specific portability information.
IMPORTANT FOR 2026: The Orpo government's austerity programme has cut or tightened several Kela benefits. Changes include: reduced opintotuki (student grant), tighter asumistuki (housing benefit) eligibility, unemployment benefit waiting period changes, and cuts to some integration allowances. Always check kela.fi for current rules before relying on benefit levels quoted elsewhere. The Kela website has excellent English content.
Social Security
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