Changes in qualifying criteria for child home care allowance as of 1 January 2027
The qualifying criteria that apply to child home care allowance will change at the beginning of 2027. This means that, starting from 1 January 2027, Kela can pay child home care allowance only to recipients who have lived in Finland or another EU or EEA country for at least 3 years. In addition, Kela will pay the allowance only to a parent who looks after their child themselves. The changes will not affect periods of child home care allowance that Kela has already granted or grants before the changes enter into force.
Parliament has approved amendments to legislation that applies to child home care allowance (kotihoidon tuki). The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2027.
New residency requirement for child home care allowance
Starting from 1 January 2027, Kela will pay child home care allowance to recipients who have lived in Finland or another EU or EEA country for at least 3 years. The period of residence will be calculated starting from the date when the person who applies for the allowance turned 16.
The residency requirement will also apply to Finnish citizens. However, the requirement will not apply to persons who have moved to Finland before 1 January 2027 or to persons under the age of 19.
Allowance paid only to a parent who looks after their child themselves
Starting from 1 January 2027, Kela will pay child home care allowance only to a parent who looks after their child themselves. Currently, Kela can pay the allowance even if someone else who is not the child’s parent looks after the child.
Allowance periods granted before 1 January 2027 paid out normally
Kela will pay out periods of child home care allowance that begin or have begun before 1 January 2027 in accordance with the earlier qualifying criteria. Kela will apply the new qualifying criteria only to new applications and follow-up applications for child home care allowance.
More information
Child home care allowance (kela.fi)