Usually, social security provided by the Social Insurance Institute, Kela, is available for applicants who have moved to Finland permanently. They have, for example, come to Finland for a permanent job or based on an employment contract of at least two years in duration.

Those coming to the country for a short fixed term are not regarded as living here permanently. Certain social security benefits may, however, be available for those working in Finland for a minimum of four months.

Those migrating to Finland must be registered at a Social Insurance Institute Office and fill in application form Y 77, based on which the Institute will issue them a decision on whether they are covered by the social security provided by the Institute. If this is the case, they will be issued a Social Insurance Institute card.

A person carrying a European medical care card is, while staying in Finland, entitled to necessary medical treatment (www.europa.eu.int/comm/employment > healthcard).  This card is not acceptable as a Social Insurance Institute card.

The basic security of those resident in Finland in various situations is provided by the Social Insurance Institute. The Social Insurance Institute is supervised by the Parliament and it serves its customers at over 260 local offices around Finland.

Those coming to Finland from another EU or EEA country

The entitlement to social security administered by the Social Insurance Institute is staggered following the duration of the working period. In case receiving a benefit is conditional to having worked or lived in a country for a certain time period, in the calculation of these times, periods spent in other member states will also be taken into account when necessary.

• Working in the country for four months to two years: The employee is entitled to a daily sickness allowance and medical care benefits as well as a children's home care benefit and children's allowance. He/she also starts accumulating national pension and survivors' pension. The employee is also covered by unemployment security.
• An employment relationship concluded indefinitely or for at least two years: The employee is regarded as living permanently in Finland and is also entitled to a childcare benefit, benefit for handicapped persons, maternity benefit and general housing subsidy.

An employee posted in Finland is considered as being within the scope of the legislation of the posting country.

Employees from other countries

The requirement of permanent living applies to an employee coming from outside the EU; in other words, an employment relationship valid indefinitely or for a fixed term of at least two years is required. He or she is, however, insured for sickness as soon as the work in Finland begins, in case the employment relationship is a minimum of four months in duration. The employee is also covered by unemployment security.  

For more information on the Internet

• Most Social Insurance Institute forms are available for printing on the web pages, and information is available in Finnish, Swedish and English (www.kela.fi > Forms or Brochures and Publications).
• In addition, these pages contain information on the coverage of the Finnish social security system (www.kela.fi > Residence in Finland).