Payslip (palkkalaskelma)

Detailed explanation

Every time you receive your salary, your employer must provide a payslip that details exactly how your pay was calculated. Finnish payslips contain essential information about your gross salary, all deductions, and the net amount deposited to your bank account. Understanding your payslip is important for verifying that you're being paid correctly and that the right amount of tax is being withheld.

Your payslip will show your gross salary (bruttopalkka) before any deductions. From this, several mandatory deductions are made: income tax based on your tax card rate, pension contributions (TyEL, typically around 7-8% of your salary), unemployment insurance (around 1.5%), and sometimes other items. The remaining amount is your net salary (nettopalkka), which is transferred to your bank account.

Most Finnish employers provide electronic payslips through a payroll system or HR portal. Some companies use third-party services that email payslips or provide a mobile app. You should keep copies of your payslips for your records, as they may be needed for various purposes like applying for loans, rental apartments, or when filing taxes.

How it affects expats

• •Verify tax rate: Ensure your tax card rate is applied correctly, especially after getting a new tax card

• •Check pension contributions: These count toward your Finnish pension, which may be transferable

• •Language barrier: Payslips are usually in Finnish; learn key terms or ask HR for explanations

• •Keep records: Save payslips for visa renewals, bank applications, or rental agreements

• •Compare to contract: Verify that salary and benefits match what was agreed

What to look for on your payslip

• •Peruspalkka: Base salary

• •Bruttopalkka: Gross salary (before deductions)

• •Ennakonpidatys: Tax withheld

• •TyEL-maksu: Pension contribution

• •Tyottomyysvakuutusmaksu: Unemployment insurance

• •Nettopalkka: Net salary (what you receive)

• •Maksettava: Amount to be paid

• •Tilille: To bank account

Practical example

For a monthly gross salary of 4,000 euros: — Income tax (~25%): -1,000 euros — Pension (TyEL): -300 euros (7.5%) — Unemployment insurance: -60 euros (1.5%) — Net salary: ~2,640 euros

Related terms

• •Tax card (Verokortti) — Shows your withholding rate

• •Palkka (Salary) — Finnish term for salary or wages

• •Employment contract (Tyosopimus) — Your agreement with an employer covering duties, pay, working time, and key terms