InfoFinland - Kela benefits changed in spring 2026
Kela benefits changed in spring 2026
In spring 2026, changes to the benefits paid by Kela came into force, affecting in particular people who have moved to Finland and foreign nationals. The changes concern the impact of residence permits on residence-based benefits paid by Kela, namely allowances and the general social security benefit. Residence-based benefits include general housing allowance, child benefit, reimbursement of medical expenses and the national pension.
A negative residence permit decision will result in the loss of residence-based benefits
The Aliens Act has been amended. The amended law clarifies what constitutes lawful and unlawful residence in Finland. From now on, anyone living or working in Finland who is not a national of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland must be residing in Finland legally or hold a valid residence permit in order to be eligible for residence-based benefits. If your stay is not lawful, you are not entitled to benefits based on residence.
From 1 April 2026, anyone whose application for a residence permit is refused will no longer be eligible for Kela’s residence-based benefits. Entitlement to benefits ceases immediately upon a negative decision, even if an appeal is lodged against it.
Entitlement to benefits is retained only if the person has applied for an extension of their residence permit before the expiry of their previous permit and is awaiting a decision on the outcome of the application. In such cases, the person is entitled to benefits until the Finnish Immigration Service has reached a decision on the matter.
In urgent situations, however, Kela can ensure that you have access to essential necessities, such as food or essential medicines.
The new general social security benefit will replace Kela’s unemployment benefits on 1 May 2026
Kela will introduce a new general social security benefit on 1 May 2026. At the same time, the unemployment benefits, labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance paid by Kela will cease. Most current recipients will automatically receive the general social security benefit and will not need to reapply.
The general social security benefit is intended for unemployed people who are not entitled to earnings-related daily allowance or whose entitlement to such allowance has expired.
Read more: General social security benefit during unemployment (kela.fi)
You must apply for unemployment benefit separately
In Finland, unemployment benefit is not paid automatically; you must always apply for it separately.
The first and most important step is to register as an unemployed jobseeker with your local employment services as soon as you become unemployed. You cannot receive unemployment benefit if you have not registered as an unemployed jobseeker. Unemployment benefit is paid either by Kela (general social security benefit) or by an unemployment fund (earnings-related daily allowance), depending on whether the person is a member of a fund. You must continue to look for work throughout the period of unemployment.
More information: Guide: What to do if you become unemployed after moving to Finland (kela.fi)