In the first article in our job‑search series, we encouraged jobseekers to broaden their search from their home municipality to neighbouring areas or even to the whole of Finland. When the search area expands, the number of available vacancies may increase significantly.
But what happens if a suitable job is located hundreds of kilometres away – or on the other side of Finland?
This is where many people hesitate. Long commuting distances, relocation costs and changes in everyday life may seem like a big step. Before turning down an opportunity, it is worth checking what financial support may be available. Unemployed jobseekers may receive practical support through the mobility allowance when commuting distances are long or when they relocate for work.
What is the mobility allowance?
The mobility allowance is a benefit paid by the unemployment fund or by Kela. Its purpose is to facilitate and encourage the acceptance of work when the workplace is located far from home. The allowance compensates costs caused by commuting or relocating for work.
You may receive the allowance when:
- you received unemployment benefits immediately before the job or related training began
- A suspension period (karens) imposed by the labour authority, an obligation to be in employment, or the waiting period for the earnings-related allowance does not prevent the payment of mobility allowance.
- the employment or training lasts at least 2 months
- the daily round‑trip commute in full‑time work exceeds 3 hours
- in part‑time work it exceeds 2 hours
- you relocate because of the job
- you apply for the allowance within 3 months of starting the job or training.
Travel time also includes transfers and waiting times, but for example taking children to daycare is not included. The time is assessed based on the fastest available means of transport. Travel time is calculated based on public transport if you do not have a car, or as travel by car if you use your own car.
You can also apply for the allowance if you move because of work. The condition is that, before the move, your daily commute (there and back) would take more than 3 hours per day in full-time work and more than 2 hours per day in part-time work.
What if you move closer to the workplace?
The mobility allowance does not stop even if you later move closer to your workplace. A move is considered to be due to work if the employment contract has been concluded before the move. The condition is that, before the move, your daily commute (there and back) would take more than 3 hours per day in full-time work and more than 2 hours per day in part-time work.
Accepting work even outside the country is encouraged by the fact that mobility allowance can also be paid for a job located abroad, if the conditions are met.
How much support can you receive?
The mobility allowance equals the basic unemployment allowance. In 2026 it is €37.21 per day, or about €800 per month before tax.
The duration of the allowance depends on the length of the employment:
- job lasting at least 2 months
→ allowance for up to 30 days (number of payable days 22–24) = EUR 818.62–893.04
- job lasting at least 3 months
→ up to 45 days (number of payable days 33–35) = EUR 1,227.93–1,302.35
- job lasting at least 4 months
→ up to 60 days (number of payable days 44–45) = EUR 1,637.24–1,674.45
In full-time work, the allowance is paid during the allowance period for a maximum of five days per week starting from the beginning of the employment. The length of the allowance period (30, 45 or 60 days) is calculated in calendar days, but the allowance is paid only for weekdays (Mon–Fri). Therefore, the number of payable days is smaller. The exact number of payable days varies depending on which weekday the allowance period begins and how weekends fall within the period. For this reason, during a 45-day allowance period the number of payable days is usually about 33–35.
In part-time work, working hours are at most 80% of the working hours in full-time employment, and the allowance is paid for the days worked.
It is also important to note the following:
There is no waiting period for mobility allowance; payment begins immediately when the employment starts. Mobility allowance is paid in arrears for each payment period and, like other benefits, it is taxable income.
Concrete examples
Raimo, construction sector
Raimo, construction sector
Raimo lives in Lappeenranta and receives earnings-related allowance until the end of May. He accepts a full-time job in Turku that lasts three months.Because the daily commute would take more than three hours and the employment lasts at least three months, Raimo is entitled to mobility allowance for 45 days. The allowance is paid for five days per week.
Raimo decides to move to Turku for the duration of the job – and still receives mobility allowance for the entire period.
In addition to his salary, Raimo receives EUR 1,227.93–1,302.35 in mobility allowance.
Olli, automation installer
Olli lives in Rauma and accepts a job in Oulu that lasts more than two months. The commute is long and the employment meets the minimum duration requirement. Olli receives mobility allowance for 30 days. The application must be submitted within three months from the start of the job.
In addition to his salary, Olli receives approximately EUR 818.62–893.04 in mobility allowance.
Niina, part-time actor
Niina lives in Helsinki and accepts a part-time job in Kuopio that lasts four months.
Because the employment lasts at least four months, Niina is entitled to mobility allowance for 60 days for the days she works. At the same time, she can apply for adjusted allowance – the mobility allowance does not reduce its amount.
In addition to her salary, Niina receives EUR 37.21 in mobility allowance per working day.
Frequently asked questions
- Can mobility allowance be received more than once?
Yes. There is no maximum number of times the allowance can be granted. The conditions are assessed separately for each employment relationship. - What if I have a suspension period or a waiting period?
A suspension period, waiting period, or an obligation to be in employment does not prevent the payment of mobility allowance. - When must the application be submitted?
Hakemus tulee toimittaa kolmen kuukauden kuluessa työn alkamisesta. - Maksetaanko liikkuvuusavustuksesta veroja?
The application must be submitted within three months of the start of the job.
How do you apply for mobility allowance?
The easiest and fastest way to apply for mobility allowance is through A-kassa’s eService. If you prefer, you can also send the completed form by post. Submit the application to the unemployment fund no later than three months after the work or training has started. Attach a copy of the employment contract to the application.
Mobility allowance is paid to you in four-week periods, but the first payment can already be made for two weeks. Applying for the allowance is simple because you only need to submit the application once. Mobility allowance is paid for the entire allowance period based on a single application.
5 things to remember about mobility allowance:
1. Who?
An unemployed person who accepts a job farther away that lasts at least 2 months.2. When?
The daily commute is more than 3 hours (full-time work) or more than 2 hours (part-time work).3. How much?
€37.21/day → about €800/month before taxes.4. How long?
30–60 days depending on the length of the employment, up to five days per week.5. Remember:
No waiting period. Can be received more than once. Apply within 3 months of starting the job.
Read more about mobility allowance
Also read the first part of the Job Search series: Have you considered extending the scope of your job search? You could see a vast increase in the number of vacancies available to you
Explore the job search support provided by A-kassa and Barona