Changes to the unemployment security system 2024

Due to the Finnish government program, unemployment benefits will change significantly during 2024. We have compiled the key information about the changes on this page.

Last updated on 26 June 2024.

Legal changes 2024 in the order of entry into force

Changes that will take effect on 1 January 2024:

Changes that will take effect on 1 April 2024:

Changes that are currently expected to take effect on 1 August 2024:

Changes that are currently expected to take effect in September 2024:

Changes that will take effect on January 1 2025

Table to visualise the changes

Present After the change Entry into force / would be applied
At the beginning of unemployment, there is a 5-day waiting period during which no unemployment benefit is paid. At the beginning of unemployment, there is a 7-day waiting period during which no unemployment benefit is paid. 1 January 2024 (approved)
Holiday compensation for untaken holidays does not affect unemployment security. Holiday compensation for untaken holidays postpones the start of entitlement to earnings-related unemployment allowance. 1 January 2024 (approved)
The unemployment security rises at the turn of the year as a result of the national pension index, which is tied to consumer prices. The amount of unemployment security will not change even if prices rise. 1 January 2024 (approved)
For children under the age of 18, a child supplement of €150–€285 per month is paid. No child supplements are paid. 1 April 2024 (approved)
If you are unemployed, you can earn €300 without changing the amount of unemployment benefit. Each euro of earned income exceeding €300 reduces the unemployment benefit by 50 cents. Each euro of earned income reduces the unemployment benefit by 50 cents. 1 April 2024 (approved)
You can take a 6-month job alternation leave from work. The job alternation leave system will be abolished. 1 August 2024
(approved)
The amount of unemployment security is the same throughout the maximum duration. Unemployment security will decrease

  • to 80% of the original level after eight weeks of unemployment (approximately 2 months), and
  • to 75% of the original level after 34 weeks of unemployment (approximately 8 months).
2 September 2024 (approved)
Subsidised work accrues the right to earnings-related unemployment allowance at a rate of 75%. (Every fourth working week is ignored.) Subsidised work does not accrue the right to an earnings-related unemployment allowance. 2 September 2024 (approved)
There are various exceptions based on age which affect the duration and amount of daily allowance. Age-related exceptions will be abolished. (Note: details of the changes will be available later.) 2 September 2024 (approved)
Earnings-related benefits can be obtained after working while being a member of the fund for 6 months. Earnings-related benefits can be obtained after working while being a member of the fund for 1 year. 2 September 2024 (approved)
You can receive earnings-related unemployment allowance if you have worked 18 hours a week (for 6 months). Earnings-related unemployment allowance can be obtained when you have earned a minimum amount of euros per month (for 1 year). 2 September 2024 (approved)
Earnings-related daily allowance can be paid with an increase when a person participates in a service that promotes employment. The increase will no longer be paid. From January 1, 2025

 

Other changes

Further information

Legislative reform project: STM048:00/2023 (in Finnish)
Government proposal (in Finnish)

The legislative reform project includes an extension on the employment condition, removal of the standard entitlement, extension on the waiting period, and the restoration of the phasing of holiday compensation.

Legislative reform project: STM063:00/2023 (in Finnish)
The legislative reform project includes the staggering of the earnings-related allowance, removal of the age-related exceptions, and an amendment that would prevent the employment condition to be accrued from subsidised work.

Legislative reform project: STM049:00/2023 (in Finnish)
The legislative reform project includes the freezing of indices.

Page texts: The Federation of Unemployment Funds in Finland (TYJ)