Government’s proposal to facilitate studies during unemployment would increase study opportunities for jobseekers
The Government proposes legislative changes that would make it easier for people claiming unemployment benefits to study. According to the proposal, jobseekers aged at least 25 years could enrol for open higher education studies at universities, universities of applied sciences, community learning centres and summer universities without losing their unemployment benefit.
“We want to enhance the conditions for jobseekers to study during unemployment. For many of them, maintaining skills and acquiring new ones can be a crucial element in finding work – especially for those who have been unemployed for a long time. That is why we are increasing the opportunities of unemployed jobseekers to improve their competences. We will also reduce the bureaucracy required of jobseekers to notify of and report on their studies,” says Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen.
The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 7 May 2026. The proposal is based on a decision made by the Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in the autumn 2025 budget session.
Unemployed people would be obligated to apply for work during studies
In future, jobseekers aged 25 years or more would be able to participate in open higher education instruction without the studies affecting their unemployment security. The new rule would apply to studies at universities, universities of applied sciences, community learning centres and summer universities.
Nevertheless, jobseekers would be obligated to apply for jobs in accordance with their employment plan and be ready to accept full-time employment. In addition, jobseekers would be required to take part in employment-promoting services if such were offered.
Following the change, the effect of the studies on the right to unemployment security would become more predictable for jobseekers. The administrative burden would be reduced because jobseekers would no longer need to report their open education studies to the employment authorities. Neither would the employment authorities or the KEHA Centre be required to monitor such studies of jobseekers.
The Unemployment Security Act would be amended to reflect the above-mentioned change. As it would become possible for jobseekers aged at least 25 to enrol for open higher education studies at universities, universities of applied sciences, community learning centres and summer universities without notifying the employment authority of these studies, the current option to take part in such studies with the unemployment benefit based on the discretion of the employment authority would be removed from the Act on the Organisation of Employment Services. This change would also apply to persons under 25 who have been able to participate in open higher education instruction under the Integration Act based on the discretion of the employment authority.*
The proposed changes are intended to enter into force in autumn 2026 at the latest. Amendments would be made to the Unemployment Security Act, the Act on the Organisation of Employment Services and the Integration Act.
Inquiries:
Teresa Salminen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 318 (questions to the Minister)
Timo Meling, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 049 084
*The press release was supplemented with additional information on 8 May 2026 to specify the upcoming changes to the Act on the Organisation of Employment Services.