When you become unemployed or are laid off, there is one important thing to take care of immediately: registering as an unemployed jobseeker. You must register no later than on your first day of unemployment or lay-off – preferably in advance.
But why is this so important?
When you become unemployed, you will inevitably start thinking about how to secure your income during unemployment – in other words, where your money for living will come from. The earnings-related allowance paid by the unemployment fund provides financial security during unemployment. You can receive earnings-related allowance if you are 18–64 years old or have not yet reached the minimum retirement age, live permanently in Finland, are seeking full-time work, and are available to the labour market. However, entitlement to the benefit is not automatic; one key requirement is that your job search is valid.
Registering as a jobseeker is a requirement for unemployment benefits
You can receive unemployment benefits either from Kela (basic unemployment allowance or labour market support, and from May onwards the general social security benefit) or from an unemployment fund (earnings-related allowance), if you meet the conditions. One of these conditions is that you are registered as an unemployed jobseeker.
Register as an unemployed jobseeker as soon as you know that your unemployment or lay-off will begin. Registration is done in the Job Market Finland service.
By registering:
- you ensure your right to unemployment benefits
- you officially start your job search
- you gain access to creating an employment plan and fulfilling your job search obligation
Your entitlement to unemployment benefits begins only from the date your job search is valid. Job search cannot be activated retroactively.
Kela or an unemployment fund?
You apply for earnings-related allowance from an unemployment fund if you are a member and meet both the membership condition and the employment condition during your membership. Otherwise, you apply for the benefit from Kela. If you are not a member of an unemployment fund or do not meet the employment condition, you can apply for support from Kela.
Register in time – otherwise you may lose your benefit
If you do not register as a jobseeker by your first day of unemployment, you cannot receive unemployment benefits for that period. Benefits are paid only from the date of registration, not retroactively.
In practice, this means that:
- the waiting period cannot accrue for a period when your job search has not been valid
- the unemployment fund or Kela cannot pay benefits for a period when your job search has not been valid
- time spent unemployed does not count towards the employment condition, which may make it harder to meet the employment condition within the 28-month review period and to receive earnings-related allowance in the future
Remember to keep your job search valid at all times
Registering alone is not enough – your job search must remain valid throughout your unemployment. Follow the instructions of the employment authorities and make sure you fulfil your job search obligation.
If you are outside the labour market without an acceptable reason for more than six months, you may lose your right to earnings-related allowance entirely. Your entitlement will only be restored once you have fulfilled the employment condition again in full.
Keep your job search continuously valid also if you work part-time while unemployed.
Important to remember:
Registering as an unemployed jobseeker is the first and most important step in receiving unemployment benefits. By registering in time and keeping your job search valid, you ensure your right to benefits and smooth processing of your case. With a small but timely action, you can avoid unnecessary gaps in your income.
Read more about applying for benefits in our applying guide.