Integration‑focused Norwegian‑model home care allowance enters supplementary consultation
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is requesting comments on a proposal to amend the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances. The proposal seeks to promote the integration and employment of women with an immigrant background and to implement the so‑called Norwegian model for child home care allowance, in line with the Government Programme of Prime Minister Petter Orpo. According to the proposal, child home care allowance could in future be granted after a minimum of three years’ residence in Finland. Comments may be submitted until 3 March 2026.
A draft proposal on amendments to the home care allowance was circulated for comments at the end of 2025. Following the feedback received, the proposal has been revised and is now subject to a new consultation round. The consultation period is shorter than usual because the Ministry is requesting comments specifically on the changes made to the earlier draft.
Three‑year residence requirement for person who has primary custody of child
According to the proposal, child home care allowance could be granted only after a minimum of three years’ residence in Finland by the parent or other person who has custody of the child and who primarily looks after the child. In single-parent families, the requirement for a minimum period of residence would apply to the parent residing with the child. In practice, the allowance would not be paid if the parent or other person who has custody of the child and who primarily looks after the child has resided in Finland for less than three years after reaching the age of 16. It is also proposed that in future the allowance would always be paid to the parent or other person who has custody of the child and who primarily looks after them.
In the previous draft, the requirement also applied to any other person who has custody of the child and resides with the child, as well as the spouse or cohabiting partner of the parent or the other custodian.
The amendment would apply to situations where the move to Finland has taken place after the entry into force of the proposed act.
In addition, it is proposed that the definition of care provider in the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances be amended to reflect the amendments made to the Act on Early Childhood Education and Care.
Increased participation in early childhood education and care as the objective
The proposal aims to contribute to the faster integration of parents of small children who have recently moved to Finland and to promote children’s learning of Finnish or Swedish and their participation in society. The objective is that parents of small children who have resided in Finland for less than three years would more often choose for their children to participate in early childhood education and care. At the same time, this would encourage more parents to enter the labour market and make use of integration services.
The proposal is related to the first supplementary budget proposal for 2027 and is intended to be considered in conjunction with it.
The proposed act is scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027.
The deadline for submitting comments is 3 March 2026.
Inquiries
Henna Huhtamäki, Director, tel. +358 163 072 (absent 16–20 February 2026)
Silja Dahlgren, Legal Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 391 (absent 16–20 February 2026)
Jere Päivinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 614
Emmi Venäläinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Security, tel. +358 295 163 058
Email addresses are in the format [email protected]