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If you become unemployed, you can apply for unemployment benefits. If you have joined an unemployment fund in time, such as YTK Unemployment Fund, the unemployment benefit you apply for will be an earnings-related daily allowance.
Membership in an unemployment fund is an important part of an employee’s unemployment security. However, your residence permit and the associated right to work may affect when you can join an unemployment fund and when you are eligible to receive earnings-related daily allowance. On this page, you will find key information that anyone working in Finland on a residence permit should know.
When can I join an unemployment fund?
You can join an unemployment fund for employees, such as the YTK Unemployment Fund, if:
you are authorized to work in Finland (either without a residence permit or on the basis of a residence permit)
you have a valid employment relationship
you are between 18 and 67 years old
you live in Finland
Why is it a good idea to join an unemployment fund early?
To be eligible for earnings-related daily allowance, you must have been a member of an unemployment fund for at least 12 months prior to becoming unemployed or being laid off. Membership cannot be backdated. That is why it is a good idea to join an unemployment fund while your employment situation is stable.
Once your membership in an unemployment fund is in order, you are generally entitled to earnings-related daily allowance on the basis of a temporary residence permit, provided that the other requirements for receiving the allowance are met.
If your residence permit has been granted only for a specific employer, you cannot register as a job seeker with the employment authorities after your employment ends. In this case, earnings-related daily allowance cannot be paid, and membership in an unemployment fund is of no practical benefit to you.
The working condition and moving to Finland from abroad
To be eligible for earnings-related daily allowance, you must meet the working condition. The working condition is fulfilled only during your membership in an unemployment fund.
The working condition is met when:
you have accumulated 12 months of employment
your salary meets the euro-denominated limits for the employment requirement
taxes and other statutory payments have been paid on your salary
One month of the working condition is accrued when you have received at least 930 euros in wages during a calendar month. Half a month of the working condition is accrued when wages paid amount to 465–929 euros per month.
Only wages that meet or exceed the minimum set by a collective agreement or by law can be counted toward the working condition. In 2026, the minimum wage for full-time work under the Unemployment Security Act is 1 463 € per month. In addition, all statutory taxes and contributions must have been paid on the wages.
Work performed in EU and EEA countries
Periods of employment and insurance accrued in an EU or EEA country or in Switzerland can be credited in Finland if:
you join a Finnish unemployment fund
you join the fund within one month of your insurance in the previous country ending
Work performed outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland cannot be counted toward the working condition in Finland.
Amount of earnings-related daily allowance
The amount of the earnings-related daily allowance is based on the wages you received before becoming unemployed. The earnings-related daily allowance paid by the unemployment fund is often significantly higher than the general social security benefit paid by Kela. You can estimate the amount of the earnings-related daily allowance using our calculator.
Maximum duration of earnings-related daily allowance
If you become unemployed or are laid off, have met the working condition, and there are no obstacles, we can pay you earnings-related daily allowance
for up to 300 days if your work history is 3 years or less
up to 400 days if your work history is more than 3 years
up to 500 days if you have reached the age of 58 when the working condition is met and you have worked for at least five years during the previous 20 years.
In addition to work performed in Finland, work performed in EU/EEA countries and Switzerland can also be counted toward your work history.
Even if the maximum payment period has not yet expired, your entitlement to earnings-related daily allowance ends if your residence permit and right to work in Finland expire.
Good to know
Earnings-related unemployment benefits are paid only by unemployment funds.
The amount of the benefit is the same regardless of which unemployment fund you belong to.
Earnings-related unemployment benefits are not paid based on trade union membership; they always require membership in an unemployment fund.
You cannot belong to more than one unemployment fund at the same time.
