Social security in Finland: Kela registration and benefits guide

Social security in Finland

Finland's social security system is one of the most comprehensive in the world, providing a safety net that covers healthcare, housing, family support, unemployment, and more. As an immigrant, understanding how to access these benefits is essential. The system is primarily administered by Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland).

Who is covered?

Your right to Finnish social security depends on your situation:

Employees

If you work in Finland and your earnings are at least EUR 800.02 per month (2026), you are generally covered by Finnish social security from the start of your employment. This applies regardless of your nationality.

EU/EEA citizens

• Covered from the start of employment in Finland
• If not working, you must have sufficient funds and comprehensive health insurance
• Students from EU/EEA countries have coverage through their home country's EHIC card initially
• After establishing permanent residence, full coverage applies

Non-EU citizens

• With a residence permit for work: Covered if your earnings from work in Finland are at least EUR 800.02 per month (2026)
• With a permanent residence permit: Full coverage
• Students: Limited coverage; private health insurance is usually required for the residence permit
• Family members: Covered if the primary permit holder is covered
• You must be registered in the Finnish population register (DVV) and have a personal identity code

Posted workers

If you are sent to Finland temporarily by a foreign employer, you may remain covered by your home country's social security under bilateral agreements or EU regulations (A1 certificate).

Kela registration process

Step 1: register with DVV

Before applying to Kela, you must register with DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) and receive your personal identity code (henkilotunnus).

Step 2: apply for social security coverage

Once you have your henkilotunnus:

• Apply online through OmaKela (requires strong authentication with Finnish bank ID or mobile certificate)
• Alternatively, visit a Kela service point in person or send the application by mail
• Use form Y77e (Application for the right to Finnish social security)

Step 3: provide supporting documents

Depending on your situation, you may need:

• Employment contract or proof of self-employment
• Residence permit decision
• Proof of address in Finland
• Family certificates (if applying for family members)
• A1 certificate (if previously insured in another EU/EEA country)

Step 4: wait for the decision

• Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks
• You will receive a written decision about your coverage
• If approved, you will receive a Kela card by mail within a few weeks

Step 5: receive your Kela card

The Kela card is proof of your right to Finnish social security:

• Present it at pharmacies for medicine reimbursements
• Show it at public healthcare facilities
• Carry it as proof of your social security coverage

What is covered

Finnish social security through Kela covers a wide range of benefits. Here are the most relevant ones for immigrants:

Healthcare reimbursements

• Partial reimbursement of private doctor visits
• Subsidized prescription medicines (after annual deductible)
• Travel cost reimbursement for medical treatment
• See the full healthcare guide for details

General housing allowance (yleinen asumistuki)

• Covers part of your rent if your income is below certain thresholds
• Amount depends on municipality, household size, and income
• Apply through OmaKela
• Housing allowance is income-tested and reviewed periodically
• Maximum coverage: approximately 70% of reasonable housing costs

Child benefits (lapsilisä)

Paid monthly for every child under 17 living in Finland:

• Single-parent supplement: 73.30 EUR per month for each child
• Children under 3 receive an extra 26 EUR per month
• No income test
• paid to all eligible families
• Not paid automatically: you must apply to Kela (OmaKela or form LL1e), within 6 months of the date you want payment to start

Parental allowances

• Pregnancy allowance: Approximately 40 working days
• Parental allowance: Approximately 320 working days shared between parents
• Amount is based on your income (minimum 31.99 EUR/day)
• Apply through OmaKela

Sickness allowance (sairauspäiväraha)

• Paid after a waiting period of the day of illness plus the following 9 working days; during the waiting period the employer pays salary according to the employment rules
• Amount based on annual income
• Maximum duration: approximately 300 working days
• Apply through OmaKela with a medical certificate

General social security benefit (yleistuki)

• Paid by Kela from 1 May 2026, replacing the former basic unemployment allowance (peruspäiväraha) and labour market subsidy (työmarkkinatuki)
• For unemployed jobseekers aged 18-64 with permanent residence in Finland who are registered with their municipality's employment services (Job Market Finland) and are not entitled to earnings-related allowance, or whose earnings-related allowance has ended
• 37.21 EUR/day, about 800 EUR/month, means-tested, with no time limit
• Check the current eligibility conditions with Kela before you apply
• See the full unemployment guide for details

Student financial aid (opintotuki)

• Available to degree students in Finnish educational institutions
• Includes a study grant, housing supplement, and government-guaranteed student loan
• Non-EU students may qualify after establishing permanent residence
• Apply through OmaKela

Personal identity code vs social security number

These are often confused but serve different purposes:

Personal identity code (henkilötunnus)

• Issued by DVV
• Format: DDMMYY-XXXC
• Used for all identification in Finland
• Required for banking, employment, healthcare, and most services
• Not the same as social security coverage
• you can have a henkilötunnus without being covered by Kela

Social security coverage

• Determined by Kela based on your residence and employment
• Having social security coverage means you are entitled to Kela benefits
• Proven by the Kela card
• You must apply separately after receiving your henkilötunnus

Important: Having a personal identity code does not automatically mean you have social security coverage. You must apply to Kela separately.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are coming from an EU/EEA country

Your home country's EHIC card covers necessary medical treatment in Finland on a temporary basis:

• Valid for tourists, short-term workers, and students
• Covers medically necessary treatment at public healthcare facilities
• You pay the same fees as Finnish residents
• Does not cover private healthcare
• Not a substitute for comprehensive health insurance for long-term stays

Getting a Finnish EHIC

Once you are covered by Finnish social security:

• Apply through OmaKela or at a Kela service point
• The Finnish EHIC is free
• Valid for travel to other EU/EEA countries
• Covers necessary medical treatment during temporary stays abroad
• Cards ordered from 15 January 2026 are valid for 5 years (earlier cards: 2 years); Kela renews the card automatically

When EHIC is not enough

EHIC does not cover:

• Private healthcare
• Repatriation costs
• Pre-planned medical treatment in another country
• Long-term care
• Non-essential treatment

For comprehensive protection abroad, consider additional travel or health insurance.

Special situations

Moving between EU countries

If you have worked in multiple EU countries, your social security rights may be coordinated under EU regulations:

• Periods of insurance in other EU countries can count toward Finnish benefit eligibility
• Request an S1 form from your previous country if you are a pensioner moving to Finland
• Contact Kela for guidance on coordination of benefits

Leaving Finland

If you leave Finland permanently:

• Notify Kela of your departure
• Social security coverage typically ends when you move abroad
• Some benefits may continue temporarily (e.g., pension rights are preserved)
• Return your Kela card

Self-employed persons

Self-employed immigrants must:

• Register with Kela for social security coverage
• Take out YEL pension insurance
• Pay health insurance contributions through the tax system
• Entitlement to sickness and parental allowances is based on confirmed YEL income

Official resources

• Kela
• Social Insurance Institution of Finland
• OmaKela: Online service for Kela applications
• DVV: Digital and Population Data Services Agency
• InfoFinland - Social security
• Official guide

Related guides

• Healthcare in Finland - Public and private healthcare system
• Taxation - How your social security contributions are collected
• Employee rights - Workplace protections and benefits
• Unemployment benefits - What to do if you lose your job

Last updated: October 2026. Benefit amounts are adjusted annually. Always verify current figures at kela.fi.