The mobility allowance is a benefit for which you can apply from your unemployment fund if you are unemployed and have accepted a job or are starting training related to an employment relationship that lasts at least two months. To receive the allowance, the daily commute must take at least 3 hours for full-time work and at least 2 hours for part-time work at the beginning of the employment or training, and the employment relationship must last at least 2 months.
The mobility allowance is available for both commuting and moving expenses
The purpose of the mobility allowance is to encourage people to accept jobs outside their own local commuting area. To receive the allowance, the daily commute must be over three hours in full-time work and over two hours in part-time work (commute to and from work including transfer times). The travel time is calculated based on the fastest mode of transport available.
Conditions for receiving a mobility allowance
As with other benefits, there are certain conditions you must meet to qualify for the mobility allowance. The mobility allowance can be paid when the applicant has received an unemployment benefit right before the employment or training starts. However, the mobility allowance can also be paid for special reasons even if the applicant did not receive an unemployment benefit before the start of employment or training. Such reasons include:
- an unpaid suspension period (karenssi)
- a vocational education restriction for people under 25
- an obligation to work
- the waiting period of an earnings-related daily allowance
To receive a mobility allowance, the job or training in question must last at least two months, and the allowance application must have been submitted within three months of the beginning of the employment or training. The duration of the mobility allowance depends on how long the employment contract is.
Amount of mobility allowance
The amount of the mobility allowance is the same as the basic unemployment allowance: €37.21 per day in 2025. In full-time work, the mobility allowance is paid for five days a week during the allowance period. In part-time work, the working hours are no more than 80% of the working hours of full-time work, and the allowance is paid for the actual days worked. The mobility allowance has no waiting period, so it will be paid right from the beginning of the employment relationship or training. No allowance is paid for days when working and payment of wages have been interrupted. Like other benefits, the mobility allowance is taxable income.
Applying and payment
The quickest and easiest way to apply for a mobility allowance is online via A-kassa’s eService. If you want to, you can also send the application form by post. The mobility allowance application must be submitted to the unemployment fund within three months of the beginning of the employment or training. The application must include a copy of your employment contract.
The mobility allowance is paid to the applicant every four weeks, but you can receive the first payment after the first two weeks. Applying for the mobility allowance is easy because you only need to submit the application once. The mobility allowance is paid for the entire allowance period based on a single application.
Example from the construction industry
Chris, who lives in Lappeenranta, has been unemployed. He received earnings-related allowance from a fund until May 31, 2025. He now accepts a full-time work offer from Turku for the three summer months, from June 1 to August 31, 2025.
Chris decides to move to Turku because he thinks that it is easier to find employment there in the future as well. Because his daily commute would take more than 3 hours total and he moves for a new job, Chris is entitled to mobility allowance for a 45-day period (paid for 5 days a week).
Example of a theatre director
Danny, an unemployed jobseeker, received daily allowance until May 2, 2025. Danny lives in Rauma and now accepts an offer to work full-time as a director in a summer theatre production in Oulu from May 3 to July 15, 2025. Because the employment relationship lasts over 2 months and requires a long commute, Danny is entitled to mobility allowance for a 30-day period (paid for 5 days a week).
Danny has to apply for the allowance within three months of starting the work.
Example of an actress
Anna received unemployment benefits until August 14, 2025. She lives in Helsinki and now accepts a part-time employment offer for acting in Kuopio from August 15 to December 31, 2025. The employment relationship lasts 4 months at minimum. Anna commutes to Kuopio for rehearsals and shows as specified in her employment agreement. As her employment relationship lasts at least 4 months, she is entitled to mobility allowance for any working days for a 60-day period (paid for a maximum of 5 days a week).
Because Anna works part-time and is still a jobseeker, she is also entitled to apply for adjusted daily allowance. The mobility allowance does not affect the amount of daily allowance.
Example from the industrial sector
Claire was entitled to unemployment benefits until May 2, 2025. Claire lives in Espoo and now receives a full-time work offer from Tampere. The employment relationship begins on May 3 and ends on July 15, 2025. Because the employment relationship lasts over 2 months and the daily commute exceeds 3 hours, Claire is entitled to mobility allowance for a 30-day period (5 days/week).
Claire considers moving to Tampere. Even in that case, she could apply for mobility allowance to cover her moving costs.
For more information about the mobility allowance, please visit our website at a-kassa.fi
