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Support and benefits The Finnish social protection system includes various forms of financial support and benefits designed to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to take part in working life and society in general. Children and parentho...

Unemployment security In brief Unemployment security consists of a general social security benefit and an earnings-related unemployment allowance. In order to be eligible for unemployment security, you must register with the employment authority a...

General social security benefit The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is preparing a general social security benefit. The benefit would include a basic allowance for living, an allowance for housing costs and a discretionary allowance as last-...

15.1.2026 | In the first stage, the general social security benefit will be a new social security benefit for unemployed jobseekers, replacing the existing labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance. The legislation on the general social security benefit is scheduled to enter into force on 1 May 2026.

22.9.2025 | The Government has submitted a proposal to Parliament for an act on general social security benefit. In the first stage, the general social security benefit would be a new social security benefit for unemployed jobseekers, replacing labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance. The legislation concerning the general social security benefit is scheduled to enter into force on 1 May 2026.

9.5.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft government proposal concerning the general social security benefit by 19 June 2025. This is the first stage of the extensive social security reform where different basic social security benefits will be gradually combined into a single general social security benefit.

14.4.2026 | Sosiaaliturvakomitean arviointi- ja selvitysryhmä Selvitys yhdestä perusturvaetuudesta Näkökulmina rahoitus ja suhde ansioturvaan SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2026:1 Selvitys yhdestä perusturvaetuudesta Näkökulmina rahoitus ja suhde ansioturva...

9.3.2026 | EU ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 March. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

Legislation concerning income security The Finnish Constitution guarantees the right of all people living in Finland to Adequate social and health services Basic income security Essential subsistence and care. There is a range of legislation gover...

Finnish social security system The Finnish social security system includes benefits and support that protect people’s livelihoods, as well as the provision of health and social services and employment services. Social security provides income secu...

Income security A central feature of welfare and social security is to provide support to people in vulnerable situations. Legislation » Legislation concerning income security. Finnish social security system » The Finnish social security system in...

Appealing income security decisions The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health does not process requests for a review, objections or complaints. Instead, it drafts legislation on appeal boards and this way ensures the legal protection of people whe...

Statutory insurance A significant part of social security in Finland is provided through statutory insurances. This package is called social insurance. The insurance-based forms of social security include earnings-related pension, occupational acc...

Social security reform Social security will be reformed during the ongoing parliamentary term through government projects and the work of the Social Security Committee. The aim of the social security reform is to make the social security system sm...

The Ministry The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH) is one of the 12 ministries in the Government. The Ministry's tasks promote the good health and functional capacity of people promote healthy living and working environments secure suff...

Department for Insurance and Social Security The Department for Insurance and Social Security directs and steers insurance policy and is responsible for drafting social insurance and other insurance legislation. The Department handles issues that ...

11.6.2020 | The exempt amount of the unemployment benefit will be temporarily raised. Eligibility for commuting and relocation allowance for full-time work will be temporarily amended by decreasing the distance required for daily commuting.

Social insurance contribution Contributions in 2017–2026 Table: Social insurance contributions, % of salary. Employers 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Health insurance all employers 1,08 0,86 0,77 1,34 1,53 1,34 1,53 1,16 1,87 1,...

19.12.2019 | The age limit for the extension on unemployment benefit will rise by one year for those born in or after 1961. In future, unemployed persons born in or after 1961 will be entitled to extended unemployment allowance at the age of 62 instead of 61, as is currently the case.

20.5.2020 | The Government proposes a temporary increase in the exempt amount of the unemployment benefit. Eligibility for commuting and relocation allowance for full-time work would be amended temporarily by decreasing the distance required for daily commuting.

Earnings-related pension Earnings-related pension is paid to a person who has accrued pension according to his or her earnings either in an employment relationship or as an entrepreneur. The size of the earnings-related pension is determined accor...

Social security and services for people applying for and receiving international protection in Finland People applying for international protection leave their home countries for various reasons, for example, to escape war, persecution or insecuri...

Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle laeiksi työttömyysturvalain ja eräiden muiden lakien muuttamisesta ESITYKSEN PÄÄASIALLINEN SISÄLTÖ Esityksessä ehdotetaan muutettavaksi työttömyysturvalakia, työttömyysturvalain muuttamisesta annettua lakia, työvoim...

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen The National Coalition Party Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen is responsible for matters covered by the Department for Insurance and Social Secu...

Amended legislation on health checks for children and young adults Categories: Publication date: 22.12.2025 The timing and content of health checks at child health clinics and schools, and in student healthcare and oral healthcare will be regulate...

Allmänt stöd Social- och hälsovårdsministeriet bereder ett allmänt stöd. Målet är att det ska finnas bara ett allmänt stöd som ska omfatta en grunddel för levnadskostnader, en del för boendet och en behovsprövad del som sistahandsskydd. Det allmän...

Social assistance Shortly Social assistance is a last-resort form of social security that secures the essential livelihood for an individual or a family when they cannot support themselves with other income or assets. It is a means-tested benefit,...

Healthcare and social welfare system and responsibilities Finland’s healthcare and social welfare system is founded on public healthcare and social welfare services funded from tax revenue. Alongside the public sector, private companies provide he...

15.1.2026 | The changes to be made to social assistance will, for example, strengthen the obligations of recipients to apply for full-time work and primary benefits. The overall reform of social assistance aims to clarify the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance, prevent social exclusion among young people and strengthen general government finances.

Healthcare and social welfare system and responsibilities Finland’s healthcare and social welfare system is founded on public healthcare and social welfare services funded from tax revenue. Alongside the public sector, private companies provide he...

8.5.2020 | The processing of applications is being simplified in the situation where the number of applications is growing fast.

5.1.2026 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health invites comments on the integration support. The comments should be submitted by 16 February 2026.

12.10.2023 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal aimed at reforming unemployment security to provide more incentives for work. The proposed amendments concern the prior work requirement for an employee to be entitled to unemployment benefit, the adjusted unemployment benefit, the starting date of the right to receive unemployment benefit, and the child increments to unemployment benefits.

Preparation of EU matters Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) The EPSCO Council, which brings together ministers from all EU Member States, decides on EU cooperation in employment, social policy, health, consumer...

2.4.2020 | The proposed amendments are intended to improve the financial position of persons in need of unemployment security in the difficult economic situation caused by the coronavirus epidemic.

4.9.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft bill that aims to simplify the unemployment security system and increase employment. The proposed amendments would concern the prior work requirement for employees to be entitled to unemployment benefits, the adjusted unemployment benefit, the starting date of the right to receive unemployment benefits, and the child increments to unemployment benefits.

27.4.2020 | The Government has issued a proposal to make it easier to process unemployment benefit applications and implementation as the number of applications is growing sharply.

8.10.2020 | OECD’s research “Faces of Joblessness” identifies eight faces of joblessness in Finland. The research is acquired by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Kela. The results will give insight on the social security reform.

5.6.2020 | The proposal aims to strengthen the financial position of people in need of unemployment security in a situation where many have become unemployed or have been laid off.

22.9.2025 | The Government proposes a comprehensive reform of social assistance. The changes to be made would, for example, strengthen the obligations of recipients to apply for full-time work and primary benefits. The aim is to clarify the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance, prevent social exclusion among young people and strengthen general government finances.

22.9.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has today published three memorandums assessing the combined impacts of the Government’s changes to social security during this parliamentary term. The memorandums focus particularly on the impacts of the comprehensive reform of social assistance.

22.9.2025 | The Finnish Government proposes EUR 14.8 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 0.5 billion less than in the 2025 Budget.

16.3.2023 | The Social Security Committee’s interim report was published on Thursday 16 March 2023. The report includes 31 proposals for reforming social security under future governments and the policy guidelines for the Committee’s work during its second term.

8.8.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of EUR 14.8 billion for the Ministry and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 475 million less than in the 2025 Budget. The funding of wellbeing services counties is not included in the appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government. Instead, it falls under the main title of the Ministry of Finance.

23.4.2026 | Hallituksen esitys eduskunnalle laeiksi toimeentulotuesta annetun lain, sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon asiakastietojen käsittelystä annetun lain 64 §:n ja kuntouttavasta työtoiminnasta annetun lain 10 §:n muuttamisesta ESITYKSEN PÄÄASIALLINEN SISÄL...

9.4.2020 | Employers are now in a situation where they have to adjust their operations as the demand is weakening due to the coronavirus epidemic. The livelihood of employees will be strengthened as many of them are facing unemployment or layoffs.

17.12.2020 | Exceptions were made to the Act on Unemployment Security Act due to the coronavirus pandemic. The aim has been to ensure the livelihood of employees and entrepreneurs. Some of the exceptions will continue until the end of March 2021. The extended right of laid-off employees to study during the lay-off period will continue until the end of 2021.

9.4.2026 | 1 ADI-ROM(2025)26 Restricted Strasbourg, 9 March 2026 COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON ROMA AND TRAVELLER1 ISSUES (ADI-ROM) 13th meeting Strasbourg, 1-2 April 2026 Explanatory Memorandum Recommendation to the member States on desegregation and inclusion po...

23.2.2022 | Ansiotyön ja sosiaaliturvan yhteensovittaminen Sosiaaliturvakomitean ongelmaraportti SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2022:2 Ansiotyön ja sosiaaliturvan yhteensovittaminen Sosiaaliturvakomitean ongelmaraportti Sosiaaliturvakomitean työllisyyden ja...

23.9.2024 | The Finnish Government proposes about EUR 15.2 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2025. This is about EUR 1.1 billion less than in 2024.

16.5.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on the comprehensive reform of the Social Assistance Act by 27 June 2025. The amendments to the Act would strengthen, for example, the obligations of recipients to apply for primary benefits and full-time work. The aim is to reinforce the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance and to strengthen general government finances.

Regeringens proposition till riksdagen med förslag till lagar om ändring av lagen om utkomstskydd för arbetslösa och av vissa andra lagar PROPOSITIONENS HUVUDSAKLIGA INNEHÅLL I denna proposition föreslås det att lagen om utkomstskydd för arbetslös...

10.4.2024 | On 9 April 2024, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health appointed a working group to prepare a package of measures to facilitate immigrant integration, and a language allowance for inclusion in labour market support, as outlined in the Government Programme.

23.9.2024 | The two memorandums published on 23 September 2024 assess the combined impacts of the changes to income security that the Government is preparing or implementing for the years 2024–2025.

10.1.2023 | Different ways of organising social security have been examined as part of the preparation of the social security reform. The report on alternative ways of organising social security, which was made by a working group consisting of researchers and experts, was published on Tuesday 10 January 2023.

10.1.2023 | SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2023:1 Vaihtoehtoisten järjestämistapojen selvitystyöryhmä Selvitys sosiaaliturvan vaihtoehtoisista järjestämistavoista Selvitys sosiaaliturvan vaihtoehtoisista järjestämistavoista Vaihtoehtoisten järjestämistapoje...

26.3.2024 | Finland’s social security reform aims to streamline and simplify the social security system and to introduce more incentives for work. During this parliamentary term, the social security reform will include both government projects and the work of the Social Security Committee.

5.6.2020 | The Government wants to secure the financing of unemployment benefits under the emergency conditions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.

29.6.2020 | The financial position of people in need of unemployment security will be strengthened in a situation where many have been unemployed or laid off. The central government will temporarily contribute to the financing of earnings-related allowances.

Regeringens proposition till riksdagen med förslag till lagar om ändring av lagen om utkomststöd, 64 § i lagen om behandling av kunduppgifter inom social- och hälsovården och 10 § i lagen om arbetsverksamhet i rehabiliteringssyfte PROPOSITIONENS H...

25.11.2021 | The social security agreement between Finland and Japan will enter into force on 1 February 2022. Ville Skinnari, Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, and Takashi Murata, Japan’s Ambassador to Finland, exchanged notes on 25 November to bring the bilateral agreement into force. When the agreement enters into force, workers posted to a Contracting State will avoid double pension and unemployment insurance contributions.

23.2.2022 | Palvelujen ja etuuksien yhteensovittaminen Sosiaaliturvakomitean ongelmaraportti SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2022:4 Palvelujen ja etuuksien yhteensovittaminen Sosiaaliturvakomitean ongelmaraportti Sosiaaliturvakomitean työ- ja toimintakykyjao...

1.11.2023 | VA LT I O N E U V O S T O N J U L K A I S U J A 2 0 2 3 : 2 6 vn.fi Sosiaaliturvakomitean välimietintö Sosiaaliturvakomitea Sosiaaliturvakomitean välimietintö Sosiaaliturvakomitea Valtioneuvosto Helsinki 2023 Valtioneuvoston julkaisuja 2023:26 Val...

9.10.2020 | A People-centred Perspective on Employment Barriers and Policies FACES OF JOBLESSNESS IN FINLAND 2  This document and any map included herein are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of interna...

18.4.2023 | VA LT I O N E U V O S T O N J U L K A I S U J A 2 0 2 3 : 2 6 vn.fi Sosiaaliturvakomitean välimietintö Sosiaaliturvakomitea Sosiaaliturvakomitean välimietintö Sosiaaliturvakomitea Valtioneuvosto Helsinki 2023 Valtioneuvoston julkaisuja 2023:26 Val...

18.4.2023 | Lasten ja perheiden sosiaaliturvan nykytila, haasteet ja tulevaisuus Lasten ja perheiden sosiaaliturva ja palvelut -työryhmän loppuraportti SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2023:2 Lasten ja perheiden sosiaaliturvan nykytila, haasteet ja tulevaisuu...

16.11.2016 | The bilateral social security agreement between Finland and China will affect the social security of persons moving between these two countries. The agreement will enter into force on 1 February 2017. The agreement concerns pensions and unemployment benefits.

20.12.2018 | SEEKING AND SEIZING – THE NORDIC WAY NOVEMBER 2-3, 2017, HELSINKI BY PEER HULL KRISTENSEN (WITH KARI LILJA AND ELI MOEN) Civilizing business enterprises in the search for a new Nordic growth and development model Civilizing and de-civilizing busin...

20.12.2018 | Gender and Nordic welfare viability in the financial crisis of 2007-2008 Eyglo Hardardottir Member of Althingi 2008-2017 Minister of Social affairs and Housing 2013-2016 Pre-2007 Financial crisis 2007-2008 By Holi-holi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, ht...

19.12.2019 | The activation model for unemployment security will be abolished as of 1 January 2020.

20.12.2018 | ICELANDIC EXPERIENCE ON ECONOMIC CRISES. LEGISLATION ON EQUAL PAY Eyglo Hardardottir Project manager for 2nd stage housing Domestic Shelter Iceland Member of Althingi 2008-2017 Minister of Social affairs and Housing 2013-2016 PRE-2007 FINANCIAL CR...

8.12.2021 | Facilitating the employment of persons with disabilities will be the focus of a virtual Nordic conference on Thursday 9 December. The conference will highlight new kinds of intermediate labour markets and successful experiences of employing people with disabilities through social enterprises. The agenda also includes good practices for supporting work ability for people with disabilities at workplaces.

5.12.2025 | Country report: ECDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessment for Finland, 2024 Under Article 8 of the Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 ASSESSMENT ECDC ASSESSMENT Country report: ECDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessment for Finland, 20...

19.12.2018 | #norden2020 In connection with the Finnish Presidency 2016 of the Nordic Council of Ministers, separate Nordic project funds were granted in order to raise themes that Finland wanted to highlight in the frame of Nordic co-operation. One of these p...

2.6.2023 | Marjaana Maisonlahti, Jukka Laaksonen, Tuomas Pulkkinen Työmarkkinatuen historia Työmarkkinatukea koskevan lainsäädännön kehitys ja tavoitteet SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2023:3 Työmarkkinatuen historia Työmarkkinatukea koskevan lainsäädännön...

20.12.2018 | Socially Sustainable Development & NWM Ralf Ekebom, Ministerial Adviser Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Finland * * Our Common Future 1987 Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ab...

22.2.2022 | Sosiaaliturvan valinnat ja perusperiaatteet Sosiaaliturvakomitean raportti SOSIAALITURVAKOMITEAN JULKAISUJA 2022:5 Sosiaaliturvan valinnat ja perusperiaatteet Sosiaaliturvakomitean raportti Sosiaaliturvakomitean tutkimus- ja arviointijaosto Sosiaa...

1.6.2018 | 1 Inkeri Tanhua Gender equality and Nordic welfare societies 2 Contents Gender equality and Nordic welfare societies Introduction.........................................................................................................................

3.5.2018 | SILLAT – BROAR 26-27.9.2016: CALLS FOR ACTION AND PROPOSALS NORDBUK and the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland organized this youth conference. The main themes were young people's access to rights, social inclusion and well-being in the ...

19.12.2018 | Nordic Future of Work Conference The Future of Work and new Forms of Work from the Global and the Nordic Perspectives Helsinki 1 Nordic Future of Work Conference I The Future of Work and new Forms of Work from the Global and the Nordic Perspective...

10.12.2018 | Nordic Future of Work Conference The Future of Work and new Forms of Work from the Global and the Nordic Perspectives Helsinki 1 Nordic Future of Work Conference I The Future of Work and new Forms of Work from the Global and the Nordic Perspective...