Parliament has approved the government’s proposed legislative amendment, which will further tighten the rules on waiting periods. The amendments concern suspension periods related to jobseeking and employment services. Amendments are not proposed to suspension periods related to improper actions in other contexts. The changes will enter into force on 1 March 2026.
A suspension period, or a period without allowance, refers to a time period during which allowance is not paid even if the person would otherwise be entitled to receive the benefit. A qualifying period for unemployment security and a suspension period are two separate things. A suspension period is set if obligations stipulated in unemployment security legislation are violated, whereas a 7-day qualifying period is always set for everyone when the employment condition is fulfilled and allowance for the maximum period resets.
How will the legislative amendment impact recipients of earnings-related allowance?
Current situation
Currently, consequences related to jobseeking and employment services are split into four tiers. A jobseeker is permitted some negligent actions before their entitlement to a benefit is withdrawn. In the current system, consequences of improper actions accrue as follows:
- 1st negligence within a year: no consequences..
- 2nd negligence: benefit is lost for 7 calendar days.
- 3rd negligence: benefit is lost for 14 calendar days.
- 4th negligence: a 12-week obligation to work is imposed on the jobseeker.
Situation after the legislative amendment
After the legislative amendment, the consequences begin to accrue starting from the first negligent action. In the new system, consequences for improper actions accrue as follows:
- 1st negligence: benefit is lost for 7 calendar days.
- 2nd negligence: a 6-week obligation to work is imposed on the jobseeker.
Instead of the current four-stage system of sanctions, the new system will have two stages.
The change emphasises the jobseeker’s own initiative in remaining active in their job search and participating in any offered employment services. With the amendment, suspension periods and obligations to work would be easier to impose on the jobseeker. On the other hand, entitlement to a benefit would recover sooner than it currently does, as the duration of the obligation to work would be shortened by 50%. In connection with the amendment, SMS reminders would be applied, helping the jobseeker to remember their deadlines and scheduled appointments.
Improper actions related to jobseeking and employment services
| Current consequence | Consequence after amendment |
| • 1st time during the year: warning | • 1st time during the year: 7-day suspension |
| • 2nd time during the year: 7-day suspension | • 2nd time during the year: obligation to work (entitlement recovered after 6 weeks of working) |
| • 3rd time during the year: 14-day suspension | |
| • 4th time during the year: obligation to work (entitlement recovered after 12 weeks of working) |
The legislative amendment will enter into force on 1 March 2026, and the new law will apply to procedures that have taken place on or after that date.
What are improper actions related to jobseeking and employment services?
Actions related to jobseeking and employment services refer to job search obligations and various mandatory actions imposed by the employment authorities that need to be taken to retain entitlement to unemployment benefits. Improper actions may include, for instance
- Failure to attend a scheduled initial interview or a job search discussion with the employment authority
- Refusal to create an employment plan
- Negligence of employment plan (e.g. the jobseeker does not apply for work or refuses an employment-promoting service)
Unchanged suspension periods
| Resigning from work (duration of employment more than 5 days) | suspension period 45 days |
| Resigning from work (duration of employment maximum 5 days) | suspension period 30 days |
| Refusal of work (duration of employment more than 5 days) | suspension period 45 days |
| Refusal of work (duration of employment maximum 5 days) | suspension period 30 days |