Peruspäiväraha: basic unemployment allowance

2026 reform: On 1 May 2026, the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy were merged into a new benefit, the general social security benefit (yleistuki), paid by Kela. The daily amount (37.21 EUR) and the core eligibility principles described here carry over, but new applications are now made for yleistuki. Check kela.fi for the current rules.

Detailed explanation

The basic unemployment allowance represents the middle tier of Finland's unemployment protection system. It's designed for workers who have sufficient employment history to qualify for unemployment benefits but who didn't join an unemployment fund (työttömyyskassa) that would entitle them to the higher earnings-related allowance.

To receive peruspäiväraha, you must:

1. Meet the employment condition: Work at least 26 weeks during the past 28 months, with at least 18 hours per week 2. Register as a job seeker: With TE Services (employment office) 3. Be available for work: Willing and able to accept full-time employment 4. Not be a member of an unemployment fund: Or not have met the fund's membership requirement

The basic allowance is paid for a maximum of 300-400 days, depending on your work history. After this, you may be eligible for labor market subsidy (työmarkkinatuki).

How it affects expats

• •No fund membership required: You can receive this even if you never joined an A-kassa

• •Flat rate regardless of salary: You receive the same amount whether you earned 2,000 or 5,000 EUR/month

• •Same employment condition: You still need 26 weeks of work history

• •EU/EEA work counts: Employment in other EU countries may count toward the condition

• •Lesson learned: Many expats wish they had joined an unemployment fund to get the higher earnings-related benefit

• •Apply to Kela: Unlike earnings-related benefits, basic allowance is handled by Kela

Benefit amount

The basic daily allowance is approximately 37.21 EUR per day (2026 rate). Benefits are paid for 5 days per week, giving a monthly total of approximately:

• •37.21 EUR x 21.5 payment days = approximately 800 EUR/month

This amount is significantly less than the earnings-related allowance, which can be 1,500-2,000 EUR or more depending on your previous salary.

Additional components:

• •Child increase: Additional payment for dependent children (approximately 7-9 EUR/day per child)

• •Increased allowance: Higher rate during participation in employment services

Duration of benefits

Maximum payment days:

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

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

After exhausting these days, you transition to labor market subsidy (työmarkkinatuki), which pays a similar amount but is means-tested based on household income.

Basic allowance vs. other benefits

How to apply

• Register with TE Services on your first day of unemployment at te-palvelut.fi

• Create an employment plan with TE Services

• Apply to Kela for basic unemployment allowance via OmaKela or paper form

• Provide documentation: Employment certificate, salary information, termination details

• Submit ongoing applications: Every 4 weeks during unemployment

• Maintain job seeker status: Follow your employment plan and report to TE Services

Why join an unemployment fund instead?

The basic allowance exists as a safety net, but joining an unemployment fund is highly recommended:

• •Much higher benefits: Earnings-related allowance can be 2x or more

• •Low cost: Fund membership is only 5-20 EUR/month

• •Easy to join: Most workers can join YTK or a union-affiliated fund

• •Peace of mind: Better protection if you lose your job

Related terms

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

• •Ansiosidonnainen (Earnings-Related) — Finland's highest unemployment benefit tier, paying 50-70% of previous salary to qualified unemployment fund members

• •Työmarkkinatuki (Labor Market Subsidy) — Means-tested unemployment support from Kela for those without employment history or who've exhausted other benefits

• •Kela — Finland's Social Insurance Institution

• •TE Services — Public employment services