All steps

Work

Join an unemployment fund (työttömyyskassa)

Joining an unemployment fund while employed ensures significantly higher benefits if you ever lose your job.

As soon as you start working in Finland
YTK unemployment fund

Why this matters

Earnings-related unemployment allowance pays 50 to 70 percent of your salary. Without a fund, you only get the basic Kela allowance of about 800 euros per month.

How it goes

Choose a fund relevant to your field. General funds like YTK accept members from any field and cost about 8 euros per month. After 26 weeks of membership while employed, you qualify for earnings-related benefits. Membership fees are tax-deductible.

Good to know

  • YTK is the largest general unemployment fund and accepts all fields
  • Membership costs about 8 euros per month and is tax-deductible
  • You need 26 weeks of membership while working to qualify
  • Join on day one — you cannot join after losing your job