New job far from home? Mobility allowance can help you get started
Have you found a job in another location or are you facing a long commute? Mobility allowance is a benefit paid by the unemployment fund that can make it easier to accept a job despite a lengthy journey to work. In this article, you'll find information about the eligibility criteria, payment amount, and application process for mobility allowance.
What is mobility allowance?
Mobility allowance is a benefit paid by the unemployment fund for its members that helps you accept work further away from home. Its purpose is to make it easier to take up a job when the workplace is located far away. The allowance can help, for example, when a job is in another city and the commute is long, or when you need to move to another location because of work.
You may be eligible for mobility allowance if you start a job or work-related training that meets the eligibility requirements.
When can I receive mobility allowance?
You may be eligible for mobility allowance if you
- accept a job or start work-related training that lasts at least two months
- have received earnings-related unemployment allowance before the job or training begins
- have a daily round-trip commute that exceeds three hours per day in full-time work or two hours per day in part-time work.
If a job is located far away, a long commute does not necessarily have to prevent you from accepting it, as you may be entitled to mobility allowance. If these conditions are met, you can apply for mobility allowance from our unemployment fund when the job or training begins.
If a job is located far away, a long commute does not necessarily have to prevent you from accepting it, as you may be entitled to mobility allowance.
How is the commuting time calculated?
Commuting time is calculated from your home address to the workplace or training location. Waiting times when changing means of transport are also taken into account. However, deviations from the fastest route are not considered. Commuting time is based on the fastest available public transport connection. If you have access to a car, travel time is calculated using the car if that is a faster way to get to work than public transport.
If you move to another location because of work or work-related training, commuting time is calculated from your actual place of residence before the move. You may also apply for mobility allowance if you move abroad for work.
How much mobility allowance is paid?
In 2026, mobility allowance is EUR 37.21 per day, which is approximately EUR 800 per month (gross). Depending on the duration of the employment, the allowance period is either 30, 45 or 60 days. However, mobility allowance is not paid for every calendar day within the allowance period, as it is only paid on weekdays (Monday to Friday). The number of payment days is therefore always lower than the length of the allowance period.
If mobility allowance is granted on the basis of part-time work, it is paid only for working days.
Example: Payment days in full-time work
Kalle starts a full-time job lasting one year on 3 August 2026. The workplace is far from his place of residence, and he moves to another town because of the job. Kalle applies for mobility allowance and is granted it for 60 days starting on 3 August 2026.
- the allowance period is from 3 August 2026 to 1 October 2026 (60 days)
- mobility allowance is paid for a total of 44 days during this period because it is only paid on weekdays (Monday to Friday)
Example: Payment days in part-time work
Kalle starts a part-time job lasting one year on 3 August 2026. He works on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The workplace is far from his place of residence, and he moves to another town because of the job. Kalle applies for mobility allowance and is granted it for 60 days starting on 3 August 2026.
- the allowance period is from 3 August 2026 to 1 October 2026 (60 days)
- mobility allowance is paid for a total of 26 days during this period because it is only paid for working days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays). There are 26 working days during the allowance period.
How and when do I apply for mobility allowance?
Mobility allowance is applied for through our unemployment fund. You can submit the application before the job or work-related training begins, once the details of the upcoming work or training are known. The allowance must, however, be applied for within three months of the start of the work or training.
You can apply for mobility allowance electronically through Otenetti. A copy of the employment contract or another document confirming the terms of the employment or training must be attached to the application. The unemployment fund will process the application and pay the allowance if the eligibility requirements are met. Please note that the application can only be processed after we have processed your earnings-related unemployment allowance application for the period before the employment begins.
Read more about mobility allowance and the eligibility requirements
Mobility allowance is a benefit paid by an unemployment fund to support starting employment or work‑related training when the workplace or training location is far from home.
Mobility allowance