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Read original in Finnish →Yleistuki 2026 — the new Kela unemployment benefit
Guide · Updated 2.5.2026
Yleistuki 2026 — the new Kela unemployment benefit
Yleistuki replaced the basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy on 1 May 2026. In this guide, we explain what changed, how much support you receive, how means testing works, and how to apply.
Yleistuki in brief
- Amount: 37,21 €/day (~800 €/month)
- Payer: Kela — apply in OmaKela
- Means-tested: capital income over 311 €/month reduces the benefit
- In force: from 1.5.2026 — replaces the basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy
- Earnings-related allowance: unchanged — members of unemployment funds still apply through their fund
- Registration: first register with Työmarkkinatori, then submit the application to Kela within 7 days
Contents
- What is yleistuki?
- Yleistuki vs earnings-related allowance vs the old system
- How much do you receive?
- Means testing — what affects the benefit and what does not
- Applying step by step
- How long is it paid?
- What changed on 1.5.2026?
- Entrepreneurs and yleistuki
- Frequently asked questions
1. What is yleistuki?
Yleistuki is basic unemployment security paid by Kela, which entered into force on 1 May 2026. It combines two previous benefits — the basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy — into one clearer benefit.
Yleistuki is available to an unemployed person who meets the employment condition (26 weeks of work during the previous 28 months) but is not a member of a trade union or its unemployment fund — or whose earnings-related allowance period has ended.
The aim of the reform was to simplify the system: previously, the same people could move between the basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy in different life situations. Now both have been replaced by one benefit.
2. Yleistuki vs earnings-related allowance vs the old system
| Yleistuki | Earnings-related allowance | Old basic unemployment allowance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payer | Kela | Unemployment fund | Kela |
| Requirement | Employment condition (26 weeks) | 26 weeks of fund membership + employment condition | Employment condition (26 weeks) |
| Amount | 37,21 €/day (~800 €/month) | ~60 % of salary (max ~2 800 €/month) | 37,21 €/day |
| Means testing | Yes — capital income >311 €/month | No | No |
| Spouse’s income | Does not affect | Does not affect | Did not affect |
| In force | 1.5.2026 → | Unchanged | Ended 30.4.2026 |
Earnings-related allowance for unemployment fund members remained completely unchanged — the reform did not apply to it.
3. How much do you receive?
37,21 €
daily (5 days/week)
~800 €
per month (gross)
300 days
maximum payment period
The basic amount is the same as the former basic unemployment allowance — 37,21 €/weekday. Payment is made in four-week periods. Yleistuki is not paid for weekends or for the waiting period (the first 5 weekdays).
The effect of wage income is 50 cents for every euro earned — the same as before. A side job or part-time work therefore does not completely remove the right to yleistuki, but it reduces it.
4. Means testing — what affects the benefit and what does not
The newest feature of yleistuki is means testing of capital income. This is the only significant difference compared with the former basic unemployment allowance.
| Reduces the benefit | Does not affect the benefit |
|---|---|
| ✗ Dividends over 311 €/month | ✓ Spouse’s or cohabiting partner’s income |
| ✗ Rental income over 311 €/month | ✓ Child benefit |
| ✗ Interest income over 311 €/month | ✓ Housing allowance |
| ✗ Other capital income over 311 €/month | ✓ Capital income under 311 €/month |
| ✗ Wage income (50 cents/euro) | ✓ Inheritance (one-off payment) |
Calculation example
You have rental income of 500 €/month.
Limit: 311 €/month → excess: 189 €
Reduction: 189 € × 50 % = 94,50 €/month
Yleistuki: ~800 € − 94,50 € = ~705,50 €/month
Kela calculates capital income for means testing on an annual basis and divides it across months. Make exact calculations in OmaKela or contact Kela.
5. Applying step by step
-
Register with Työmarkkinatori — on day 1
Register as a jobseeker at Työmarkkinatori (tyomarkkinatori.fi) on your first day of unemployment or at the latest on the next weekday. This is a mandatory requirement for all unemployment benefits — without registration there is no benefit.
-
Apply for yleistuki in OmaKela — within 7 days
Log in to OmaKela (oma.kela.fi) and complete the yleistuki application. Apply within 7 days of the end of your employment relationship — a late application does not accumulate retroactive payments. You need: employment certificate, bank account number, salary information.
-
Waiting period — 5 days
Yleistuki is not paid for the first five weekdays. The waiting period starts when you have registered as a jobseeker. If you were dismissed for production-related reasons, the waiting period is the same — it is not removed.
-
Wait for the decision — about 2 weeks
Kela usually processes applications within 1–2 weeks. You receive the decision in OmaKela. When the decision is positive, the first payment arrives within about one week of the decision.
-
Send reports every four weeks
Yleistuki is paid in four-week periods. After each period, you send a situation report in OmaKela (whether you have been unemployed, whether you have income). This is mandatory — neglecting it stops the payments.
6. How long is it paid?
| Group | Maximum payment period | Approximate duration |
|---|---|---|
| Under 58 years old | 300 working days | about 14 months |
| Aged 58 or over | 500 working days | about 23 months — if the employment condition is met |
After the payment period, you can apply for social assistance from Kela if you do not have enough income or assets to cover basic expenses. Social assistance is a last-resort benefit and means-tested: it takes into account all income and assets, including your spouse’s income.
7. What changed on 1.5.2026?
| Before 1.5.2026 | From 1.5.2026 |
|---|---|
| → Basic unemployment allowance (Kela) — for those who met the employment condition | ✓ Yleistuki (Kela) — one benefit replaces both |
| → Labour market subsidy (Kela) — for long-term unemployed people or first-time jobseekers | ✓ One application, one decision |
| → Two different application processes, two different decisions | ✓ Same basic amount (37,21 €/day) |
| → No means testing of capital income | ✓ New: means testing of capital income (limit 311 €/month) |
Earnings-related allowance did not change
Members of a trade union and its unemployment fund still apply for earnings-related allowance directly from their fund. Earnings-related allowance is about 60 % of salary and is almost always a better option than yleistuki for a fund member.
8. Entrepreneurs and yleistuki
The yleistuki reform did not significantly change the situation of entrepreneurs. Unemployment security for entrepreneurs is still a complex whole:
- Yleistuki from Kela: possible if business activity has been ended completely or the activity is below the insurance obligation threshold. Part-time or small-scale business activity may prevent or reduce the benefit.
- Earnings-related allowance from entrepreneurs’ funds: SYT-kassa or AYT-kassa provide earnings-related allowance if you meet the YEL-based employment condition and have been a member of the fund long enough. Often better than yleistuki.
- Recommendation: Contact Kela or your own fund to clarify your personal situation — rules for entrepreneurs are case-specific.
9. Frequently asked questions
What did yleistuki replace?
Yleistuki replaced two separate benefits: Kela’s basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy. Both ended on 30.4.2026, and yleistuki entered into force on 1.5.2026. Earnings-related allowance for fund members did not change in any way.
Is yleistuki the same amount as the basic unemployment allowance was?
The basic amount is the same: 37,21 €/day, or about 800 €/month. What is new is means testing: if you have capital income (for example dividends or rental income) over 311 €/month, the benefit is reduced. The effect of wage income (50 cents/euro) is the same as before.
Does my spouse’s salary or income affect yleistuki?
No. The income of a spouse or cohabiting partner does not affect yleistuki at all. This is a difference from old social assistance. The income of parents of people under 18 can, however, affect it if you live with them.
Where do I apply for yleistuki and within what time?
Apply for yleistuki in OmaKela at oma.kela.fi. Before applying, you must register as a jobseeker at Työmarkkinatori (tyomarkkinatori.fi) — this is a requirement for all unemployment benefits. Apply within 7 days of the end of your employment relationship; a delayed application does not lead to retroactive payment.
What is means testing and how is it calculated?
Means testing means that capital income (such as dividends, rental income, interest income) can reduce yleistuki. The limit is 311 €/month: the benefit is reduced by 50 % of the amount exceeding the limit. Example: 500 €/month rental income → excess 189 € → benefit reduced by 94,50 €/month. Wage income affects it separately (50 cents/euro).
Can I receive both yleistuki and earnings-related allowance at the same time?
No. Yleistuki and earnings-related allowance are alternatives: a fund member applies for earnings-related allowance from their own fund, and a non-member applies for yleistuki from Kela. If you meet the fund membership condition, you should almost always apply for earnings-related allowance — it is considerably higher (about 60 % of salary vs. fixed 37,21 €/day).
How long is yleistuki paid?
The maximum payment period is 300 working days (about 14 months) for people under 58. People aged 58 or over who meet the employment condition can receive the benefit for 500 working days. After the payment period, you can apply for social assistance from Kela if your income is not enough for basic expenses.
What happens when yleistuki ends?
When the maximum payment period is reached, yleistuki ends. After this, you can apply for social assistance from Kela (a last-resort benefit) if your income or assets do not cover basic expenses. Social assistance is means-tested and takes into account all income and assets. You can find more information about social assistance at kela.fi.
Authority sources
- Kela — yleistuki
- OmaKela — apply for yleistuki
- Työmarkkinatori — register as a jobseeker
- Finlex — Työttömyysturvalaki
Related guide
Earnings-related allowance — instructions for fund members →
Fund member? Earnings-related allowance is considerably higher. Read how to apply.
Do you want a personal situation assessment?
Assess your situation for free →