The Finnish Government is proposing amendments to the Act on Child Maintenance Allowance. If the government proposal passes in Parliament, Kela will be able to review the income and tax data of a person liable for the maintenance of a child and to notify the wellbeing services county if there are any changes in the person's financial situation. The changes are planned to go into effect on 1 January 2026.

Government proposes changes to the Act on Child Maintenance Allowance from 1 January 2026

The Government has proposed the adoption of a new general social security benefit with the goal of simplifying the social security system. In the first phase, the plan is for the general social security benefit to replace the existing labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance paid by Kela. The proposal foresees a further stepwise extension of the general social security benefit to cover more benefits. Parliament is expected to pass the proposal into law in late 2025. The legislation concerning the general social security benefit is expected to come into force on 1 May 2026.

Government proposes the adoption of a new general social security benefit as of 1 May 2026

The Government has proposed the adoption of stricter mandatory waiting periods for unemployment benefits. Mandatory waiting periods are periods of time during which Kela does not pay the unemployed any unemployment benefits. This change would apply to the unemployment benefits paid by both Kela and unemployment funds. If approved by Parliament, the changes will come into effect on 1 January 2026. This article answers some of the most frequently asked questions on the potential change.

Government proposes stricter mandatory waiting periods for unemployment benefits – how would the unemployed be affected?

The goal of the social assistance reform is to reduce long-term dependency on social assistance and to clarify the status of social assistance as a last-resort form of assistance. The reform also seeks to boost employment rates and reduce social assistance expenditure by EUR 74 million.

Government proposes reform of social assistance – seeks to impose stricter requirements

A new pilot study on freedom of choice in healthcare starts on 1 September 2025. During the pilot study, persons aged 65 or over can see a private general practitioner and only have to pay up to the price of the local user fee charged by public healthcare providers. This price applies if the doctor is participating in the pilot study. The pilot study will affect more than 20% of the total population in Finland.

Are you 65 or older? – See a private general practitioner at the price of a public one starting in September

Kela has confirmed the value of the National Pensions Index as of 1 January 2026. An index adjustment of 0.5 per cent will be made as of the beginning of 2026, but only to some benefits.

Upcoming index adjustment of 0.5 per cent only applies to some Kela benefits – many benefits will stay at the 2025 level

The Government is proposing a number of changes in the Health Insurance Act, which would impact special maternity allowances, special care allowances and donor allowances.

Government proposes changes to special maternity allowances, donor allowances and special care allowances from 1 January 2026

Next year will see several changes to Kela benefits, affecting both benefit rates and eligibility criteria. Many of the government proposals concerning the amendments are even now being reviewed by Parliament.

Large number of changes planned for social security in 2026

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<h1>Changes to social security benefits</h1>

<p>Kela’s task is to implement the changes to the social security legislation that Parliament approves.</p>

<p>On this page, we will gather up-to-date information on upcoming changes to the social security benefits. When the changes take effect, we will also update the information on the pages describing the individual benefits.</p>

<h1>Muutokset sosiaaliturvaan</h1>

<p>Kelan tehtävänä on toimeenpanna eduskunnan hyväksymät sosiaaliturvalainsäädännön muutokset.</p>

<p>Kokoamme tälle sivulle tietoa ajankohtaisista sosiaaliturvan muutoksista. Kun muutokset tulevat voimaan, tiedot päivitetään myös kunkin tuen sivulle.</p>

<h1>Förändringar i den sociala tryggheten</h1>

<p>FPA:s uppgift är att verkställa de ändringar i lagstiftningen gällande den sociala tryggheten som riksdagen godkänner.</p>

<p>På den här sidan sammanställer vi aktuell information om kommande förändringar i den sociala tryggheten. När förändringarna träder i kraft uppdaterar vi informationen också på webbsidorna om respektive förmån.</p>

The Government Programme A strong and committed Finland includes many changes to the social security benefits. Kela’s task is to implement the changes to the social security legislation that Parliament approves.

Hallitusohjelma sisältää monia muutoksia sosiaaliturvaan. Kelan tehtävänä on toimeenpanna eduskunnan hyväksymät sosiaaliturvalainsäädännön muutokset.

Regeringsprogrammet Ett starkt och engagerat Finland innefattar många förändringar i den sociala tryggheten. FPA:s uppgift är att verkställa de ändringar i lagstiftningen gällande den sociala tryggheten som riksdagen godkänner.

Changes to social security benefits

Muutokset sosiaaliturvaan

Förändringar i den sociala tryggheten

<h2>Read more</h2>

<div class="linkkilista">
<p><a href="https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/governments/government-programme#/">Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government (valtioneuvosto.fi)</a><br>
 </p>
</div>

<h2 style="margin-bottom: 11px;">Lue lisää</h2>

<div class="linkkilista">
<p><a href="https://valtioneuvosto.fi/hallitukset/hallitusohjelma#/">Hallitusohjelma (valtioneuvosto.fi)</a><br>
<br>
 </p>
</div>

<h2>Läs mer</h2>

<div class="linkkilista">
<p><a href="https://valtioneuvosto.fi/sv/regeringar/regeringsprogrammet#/">Regeringsprogrammet (valtioneuvosto.fi)</a><br>
 </p>
</div>

Temporary increases to benefits for families with children

Hallitusohjelmamuutokset - Lue lisää

De temporära höjningarna i stöden för barnfamiljer

<h2>Sorry, page was not found!</h2>

<p>The page you were looking for was not found. Please re-check the page address. The page may have been relocated or removed.</p>

<p>Try navigating from the home page or try writing the keywords of the subject matter into the Search box.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.kela.fi/give-feedback" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Give us feedback</a></p>

<p> </p>

<h1>Pahoittelut, sivua ei löytynyt!</h1>

<p>Etsimääsi sivua ei valitettavasti löytynyt. Varmistathan, että kirjoitit osoitteen oikein. Sivu on saatettu myös siirtää tai poistaa.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Voit etsiä sisältöä navigoimalla <a href="https://www.kela.fi">etusivulta</a> tai käyttämällä <a href="https://www.kela.fi/haku">hakua</a>.</li>
	<li>Voit ottaa yhteyttä<a href="https://www.kela.fi/asiakaspalvelu"> asiakaspalveluumme</a>.</li>
	<li>Voit <a href="https://www.kela.fi/anna-palautetta">antaa palautetta</a> verkkosivuista.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Tyvärr kunde sidan inte hittas!</h2>

<p>Sidan som du sökte finns inte. Kontrollera att adressen är korrekt. Sidan kan ha flyttats eller avlägsnats.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Gå till <a href="https://www.fpa.fi/">ingångssidan</a> och sök efter önskat ämne genom att navigera i tjänsten eller med hjälp av <a href="https://www.kela.fi/sok">Sök</a>-funktionen.</li>
	<li>Ring <a href="https://www.kela.fi/kundservice">FPA:s kundtjänst</a>.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.kela.fi/ge-respons">Ge respons</a>.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Sorry, page was not found!</h2>

<p>The page you were looking for was not found. Please re-check the page address. The page may have been relocated or removed.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Try navigating from <a href="https://www.kela.fi/main-page">the home page</a> or try writing the keywords of the subject matter into the <a href="https://www.kela.fi/search">Search box</a>.</li>
	<li>Call <a href="https://www.kela.fi/customer-service">Kela's customer service</a>.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.kela.fi/give-feedback">Give us feedback</a>.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Tyvärr kunde sidan inte hittas!</h2>

<p>Sidan som du sökte finns inte. Kontrollera att adressen är korrekt. Sidan kan ha flyttats eller avlägsnats.</p>

<p>Gå till ingångssidan och sök efter önskat ämne genom att navigera i tjänsten eller med hjälp av Sök-funktionen.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.kela.fi/ge-respons" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Ge respons</a></p>

<p> </p>

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Kela’s online service for recruitment is unavailable 15 November 00:00–07:00. During the interruption it is not possible to register or log in to the recruitment system. The interruption is due to updates. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Kelan rekrytointipalvelussa on käyttökatko 15.11. klo 0.00–7.00. Katkon aikana rekrytointijärjestelmään ei voi rekisteröityä tai kirjautua. Käyttökatkon syynä ovat päivitystyöt. Pahoittelemme häiriötä.

FPA:s rekryteringstjänst kan inte användas 15.11 kl. 0.00–7.00. Under avbrottet kan man inte registrera sig eller logga in i rekryteringssystemet. Avbrottet beror på uppdateringar. Vi beklagar störningen.

Interruption in online service for recruitment 15 November 00:00–07:00

Rekrytointipalvelussa käyttökatko 15.11. klo 0.00–7.00

Avbrott i rekryteringstjänsten 15.11 kl. 0.00–7.00

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<p>When you visit a service point, bring proof of identity, such as your passport or driver’s licence. If you are acting on behalf of another person, you need a specific power of attorney from that person and proof of your identity.</p><p>If you bring your online banking credentials or a mobile certificate, you can manage your Kela-related affairs on a self-service computer at the service point.</p><p>You are permitted to bring a guide dog, an assistance dog or a government working dog to a service point.</p>

Customer service points where service is provided by Kela’s employees. You can get personal advice in all Kela-related matters.

Service points where service is provided by the municipality’s employees. You can get general guidance on Kela’s benefits and services. You can pick up forms and brochures and file applications.

<p>When you visit a Kela customer service point, bring proof of identity, such as your passport or driver’s licence. If you are acting on behalf of another person, you need a specific power of attorney from that person and proof of your identity.</p><p>If you bring your online banking credentials or a mobile certificate, you can manage your Kela-related affairs on a self-service computer at the customer service point. There are no self-service computers at the customer service points you can only visit by appointment. </p><p>You are permitted to bring a guide dog, an assistance dog or a government working dog to a customer service point.</p>

Search for service points by the name of the municipality, the name of the service point or postal code.

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