If you have joined an unemployment fund during your summer employment, please consider remaining a fund member even when your employment ends. The right to earnings-related allowance may also be accrued with short-term employment relationships. You do not have to work continuously, but you do have to be a fund member in order to be eligible for earnings-related allowance.
You must fulfil the employment condition in order to receive earnings-related allowance.
- The employment condition is fulfilled when you have received eligible earned income of 930 euros / month, paid during a minimum of 12 months, in the previous 28 months. The employment condition becomes euro-based starting September 2nd, 2024. The employment condition is accrued by 1 month if the salary paid out during a calendar month is at least €930 and one ½ a month if the salary paid out during a calendar month is €465 to €929.99.
For instance, if you are studying, absent due to illness, in the military or in non-military service or at home caring for a child aged 0 to 3, such periods extend this reference period. The reference period may be extended by a maximum of 7 years.
After your summer employment ends: What to do if you are unemployed
If your summer job has ended and you have not found new work or a place of study, do this:
- Register as an unemployed jobseeker at Job Market Finland immediately after your employment ends.
- If you fulfil the employment condition and the membership condition set by the unemployment fund, you may apply for earnings-related allowance from the fund.
- If you do not fulfil the conditions, you may apply for daily allowance from Kela.
Why is a certificate of employment important?
The employer is obligated to provide a certificate of employment to the summer employee at the end of the employment relationship. You may also request that the employer includes an assessment of your work skills in the certificate of employment. A certificate of employment is important because it provides information on your work experience which is useful when applying for a new job.
What are final salary and holiday compensation?
Final salary is paid to the employee at the end of the employment relationship. It includes all unpaid salaries, additional compensations and holiday compensation for untaken holidays which you have earned during your summer employment. Some industries also pay out a holiday bonus.
When the amount of earnings-related allowance is calculated, your holiday period salary is accounted for in case you have taken the holiday. However, holiday bonus and holiday compensation and not included in the calculation.
If a full-time employment relationship lasting more than two weeks ends, any holiday compensation paid for unused annual leave will be allocated over time.
The allocation of holiday compensation postpones the start of your right to earnings-related allowance by the number of days that corresponds to the average daily wage the holiday compensation covers.
If you have several fixed-term employment contracts with the same employer, each lasting more than two weeks, and you agree with your employer to defer your holidays in accordance with Section 18 of the Annual Holidays Act, the unemployment fund will require a written agreement to that effect.
If no written agreement is provided, the unemployment fund must allocate the holiday compensation after the first employment relationship ends—even if the compensation is not actually paid at that time.
Under 25-year-olds must apply for a place of study
If you are under 25 years old and unemployed without vocational training, you must apply for a place of study. If you do not apply for a place of study, you decline it or discontinue studying, you may lose your right to unemployment benefits until further notice.
Your right to unemployment benefits is returned when:
- You have completed vocational training and received a degree for it.
- You have been employed for a minimum of 21 calendar weeks in a job which fulfils the employment condition.
- You have taken part in services promoting employment.
- You have studied full-time.
- You have been employed full-time as an entrepreneur.
- You are 25 years old.
The public employment services examines your study record and any related matters. Remember to always inform the public employment services of your studies if you are registered as a jobseeker.
Information on studying on earnings-related allowance
For more information, please see the following:
Kela Our services | Kela
TE Office Job Market Finland (tyomarkkinatori.fi)
The fund also supports your employment
As a member of the fund, you also get help with finding a new job – explore our employment services here.
