Ansiosidonnainen: earnings-related unemployment allowance

2026 reform: The general social security benefit (yleistuki) that replaced Kela's basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy on 1 May 2026 did not change the earnings-related allowance described here. It is still paid by unemployment funds under the same eligibility rules; the reform only affected the flat-rate benefits paid by Kela.

Detailed explanation

The earnings-related allowance is designed to help maintain your standard of living during unemployment rather than just providing basic subsistence. The amount you receive depends on your previous earnings, typically replacing 50-70% of your salary (with higher replacement rates for lower incomes and caps for very high earners).

To receive ansiosidonnainen, you must meet two main conditions:

1. Unemployment fund membership: You must be a member of an unemployment fund (työttömyyskassa, often called A-kassa) for at least 26 weeks while employed. 2. Employment condition: You must have worked at least 26 weeks (approximately 6 months) during the past 28 months, with at least 18 hours per week and earning at least the collective agreement minimum wage.

The allowance is paid by your unemployment fund, not by Kela. Each fund handles its own members' claims, though TE Services must confirm your job seeker status before benefits can be paid.

How it affects expats

• •Join a fund early: Membership only counts from when you join, so sign up when you start working

• •Previous country work: Work history from EU/EEA countries may count toward the employment condition

• •Higher benefit: Significantly more than the basic allowance, especially if you had a good salary

• •Fund membership fee: A small monthly cost (5-20 EUR) that's worth paying for this protection

• •Continuous membership: If you change jobs, maintain your fund membership without gaps

• •Language: Most funds provide service in Finnish and English

Calculating your benefit

The earnings-related allowance consists of:

Basic component: The same base amount as Kela's flat-rate benefit, yleistuki (approximately 37.21 EUR/day in 2026) Earnings-related component: A percentage of the difference between your daily wage and the basic component For the first approximately 1,160 EUR of daily wage above the basic component:

• •45% is added to your benefit

For amounts above that:

• •20% is added to your benefit

Example calculation: If your monthly salary was 3,000 EUR (daily wage approximately 139 EUR): — Basic component: 37 EUR — Earnings-related component: 45% of (139-37) = 46 EUR — Total daily allowance: approximately 83 EUR (about 1,800 EUR/month)

Maximum payment duration

The maximum number of days you can receive earnings-related benefits depends on your work history:

• •300 days: If you've worked less than 3 years total

• •400 days: If you've worked 3 or more years

• •500 days: If you're 58 or older and have worked at least 5 of the past 20 years

After exhausting your days, you may be eligible for the general social security benefit (yleistuki) from Kela, which on 1 May 2026 replaced the former labour market subsidy (työmarkkinatuki) and basic unemployment allowance.

Choosing an unemployment fund

Union-affiliated funds:

• •Automatically available when joining a trade union

• •Often seamless integration with union membership

• •May offer additional member services

General funds (like YTK):

• •Independent of any union

• •Open to workers in any field

• •Often lower membership fees

• •Good option if you don't want union membership

How to apply

• Register with TE Services immediately when you become unemployed

• Contact your unemployment fund to initiate your claim

• Provide required documents: employment certificate, salary information

• Submit ongoing applications: Typically every 4 weeks during unemployment

• Report job search activity as required by TE Services

Related terms

• •A-kassa (Unemployment Fund) — An unemployment fund you can join to potentially receive earnings-related unemployment allowance

• •Työttömyysturva (Unemployment Benefit) — Finland's unemployment protection system providing financial support during job searches through various benefit types

• •Peruspäiväraha (Basic Allowance) — Flat-rate unemployment benefit from Kela for those who meet employment conditions but aren't in an unemployment fund

• •TE Services — Public employment services