General social security benefit replaces Kela’s unemployment benefits
Parliament has approved the legislative amendment under which the general social security benefit paid by Kela will replace the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy. The amendment will enter into force on 1 May 2026.
In the first phase of the introduction of the general social security benefit, Kela’s labour market subsidy and basic unemployment allowance will be replaced by a general social security benefit paid on the basis of unemployment. The aim is that, at a later stage, the general social security benefit would include a basic living component, a housing component and a discretionary component as a last-resort form of security.
Who is the general social security benefit paid to and how much is it?
The general social security benefit may be paid to an unemployed jobseeker who is not entitled to earnings-related unemployment allowance or whose maximum payment period for earnings-related allowance (300/400/500 days) has been reached.
The general social security benefit is the same amount as the current basic unemployment allowance and labour market subsidy. In 2026, the benefit amounts to €37.21 per day, which is approximately €800 per month.
Read more about the topic
Kela: Kela to begin paying new general social security benefit to the unemployed