Search

7.5.2026 | 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.

Press releases on the Government's decisions Finland’s eastern border to remain closed until further notice 4.6.2026 14.34 Press release Charlotta Collén appointed Director of International Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Culture 4.6.2026...

9.5.2025 | The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will organise a consultation round on amending the unemployment security sanctions from 9 May to 19 June 2025. The aim is to clarify and simplify the sanctions and to make the job search of jobseekers and their participation in employment-promoting services more efficient. Another objective is to prevent prolonged unemployment and to shorten periods of unemployment.

30.4.2026 | FINNISH GOVERNMENT PO Box 23, FI-00023 Government, Finland vn.fi/en Tel. +358 295 16001 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 1(6) Measures to support economic growth, employment and households decided on in the government...

4.6.2026 | The Government is proposing a new type of integration assistance. The general social security benefit would be paid as integration assistance to immigrants registered as unemployed jobseekers who do not meet the prior work requirement or have lived in Finland for less than three years.

22.9.2025 | The Government has submitted a proposal to Parliament for an act on general social security benefit. In the first stage, the general social security benefit would be a new social security benefit for unemployed jobseekers, replacing labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance. The legislation concerning the general social security benefit is scheduled to enter into force on 1 May 2026.

22.9.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has today published three memorandums assessing the combined impacts of the Government’s changes to social security during this parliamentary term. The memorandums focus particularly on the impacts of the comprehensive reform of social assistance.

9.5.2025 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft government proposal concerning the general social security benefit by 19 June 2025. This is the first stage of the extensive social security reform where different basic social security benefits will be gradually combined into a single general social security benefit.

3.6.2026 | The Government submitted its second supplementary budget proposal for 2026 to Parliament on 3 June. The supplementary budget includes employment measures outlined in the spending limits session and investments in counter-drone capabilities and defence more broadly. The proposal also includes an increase to revenue estimates.

22.4.2026 | Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2027–2030. Both the global economy and Finland’s finances are facing challenges. In its spending limits session, the Government focused on new targeted measures to strengthen people’s confidence in the future and improve the conditions for growth and employment.

10.9.2025 | VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 STATSRÅDET PB 23, 00023 Statsrådet vn.fi/sv Tfn 0295 16001 1(2) Employment package decided on in the government budget session Employment voucher for young people • The Government will...

10.10.2025 | A new report assesses the components of the flexicurity model and its suitability for Finland. The model brings together flexible employment protection legislation, strong unemployment security and a broad, active labour market policy.

12.10.2023 | The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal aimed at reforming unemployment security to provide more incentives for work. The proposed amendments concern the prior work requirement for an employee to be entitled to unemployment benefit, the adjusted unemployment benefit, the starting date of the right to receive unemployment benefit, and the child increments to unemployment benefits.

22.9.2025 | Employment services and the service process for jobseekers will be reformed to better meet individual needs, in line with the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government. The aim is that more people would find employment quicker. The Government proposes amendments to the legislation on the service process of jobseekers and the jobseeker profiles. At the same time, the sanctions system for unemployment security will be overhauled.

4.9.2023 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health requests comments on a draft bill that aims to simplify the unemployment security system and increase employment. The proposed amendments would concern the prior work requirement for employees to be entitled to unemployment benefits, the adjusted unemployment benefit, the starting date of the right to receive unemployment benefits, and the child increments to unemployment benefits.

22.9.2025 | The Government proposes a comprehensive reform of social assistance. The changes to be made would, for example, strengthen the obligations of recipients to apply for full-time work and primary benefits. The aim is to clarify the role of social assistance as a last-resort and temporary form of assistance, prevent social exclusion among young people and strengthen general government finances.

22.9.2025 | The Finnish Government proposes EUR 14.8 billion in appropriations for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its branch of government for 2026. This is about EUR 0.5 billion less than in the 2025 Budget.

23.10.2025 | The requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship will be tightened in accordance with the Government Programme. The new amendments concern the integrity requirement, the requirement for sufficient financial resources and the establishment of identity. In its session on 23 October, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Citizenship Act on 24 October. The amendments will enter into force on 17 December 2025.

10.9.2025 | FINNISH GOVERNMENT PO Box 23, FI-00023 Government, Finland vn.fi/en Tel. +358 295 16001 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 1(4) Budget session of Prime Minister Orpo’s Government on 1–2 September 2025 Entries in the mee...

23.9.2024 | The two memorandums published on 23 September 2024 assess the combined impacts of the changes to income security that the Government is preparing or implementing for the years 2024–2025.