How to claim

You must notify Kela if you move abroad or live outside Finland, even if temporarily. Persons covered by the Finnish social security system must also notify Kela immediately if their circumstances change, for example if they return to Finland, start or end work, studies or research abroad, or gain coverage under the social security system of their country of residence.

With the exception of the situations described below, anyone moving abroad, whether temporarily or permanently, must complete form Y 39e and return it to a Kela office. This can also be done in Kela´s online service which is available in Finnish and Swedish.

If you are a

  • posted worker
  • student
  • researcher
  • locally hired worker or
  • family member of any of the above

and move abroad for more than year, you must apply for coverage under the Finnish social security system. Form Y 38e should be used to file the application. The completed application must be sent to Kela's Office for International Affairs. You can also do it in Kela´s online service which is available in Finnish and Swedish.It must be filed within one year of moving abroad or of the date on which a previous decision expired. However, the application should be filed on moving from Finland if you are in receipt of any benefits from Kela.

The decision on coverage under the Finnish social security system is issued for a specifiefd period (initially for up to five years). If, after the five years are up, you continue to live outside Finland, the decision can be extended by a further five years provided you still have close ties to Finland. If you have been covered by the Finnish social security system for 10 years while living abroad, your coverage can continue if you live in Finland for at least one year before submitting a new application for coverage.

Workers posted to another EU/EEA country, Switzerland or a country that has a social security agreement with Finland can apply to the Finnish Centre for Pensions for a certificate proving their coverage under the Finnish social security system. Kela will issue a decision on coverage once it has been notified of the certificate from the Finnish Centre for Pensions.

Persons belonging to any of the following groups are automatically covered under the Finnish social security system while working abroad and need not file an application:

  • civil servants of the Finnish Government
  • other persons employed by the Finnish Government
  • diplomats
  • and persons engaged in development aid or missionary work

Their employers must provide notification of any posting abroad. The employees should also check to make sure that they continue to be entitled to benefits from Kela.

The family members of the persons listed above must apply for coverage under the Finnish social security system. The Kela form Y38 is used for this purpose. While the application need not be filed within 12 months, it is best to contact Kela as soon as possible.

Persons living abroad temporarily can get a European Health Insurance Card from Kela. The card is available at no cost and provides access to medical treatment in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland. Persons moving abroad permanently (which ends their coverage under the Finnish social security system) must return their Kela card and their European Health Insurance Card to Kela.

More information and forms

Updated 04/11/13