Membership

On 1 January 2026, the Unemployment Fund for Higher Educated Employees Erko and the Unemployment Fund for Education and Science merged to form the Unemployment Fund Ote. We are an unemployment fund for all highly educated individuals and those with specialised training. With nearly 200,000 members, we are Finland’s fourth-largest unemployment fund. Our goal is to provide our members with the best possible service experience – delivered with expertise and reliability.

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Membership

Membership fees, trade union membership, moving abroad, Otenetti – or perhaps you're still considering joining? We have compiled answers to the questions most frequently asked by our members and people considering membership. Take a look and see if you'll find answers to your own questions as well.

Do you have questions about your membership? Please contact us primarily via Otenetti’s(siirryt toiseen palveluun) messaging service.
If you belong to the unemployment fund through a trade union, you can obtain membership fee instructions from your own trade union’s member services.
If you are already a member but are unable to log in to Otenetti, please contact us by secure email(siirryt toiseen palveluun, avautuu uuteen ikkunaan). In your message, include your name, personal identity number, and the trade union through which you joined our unemployment fund.

Join us
Apply for membership in the unemployment fund either directly or through a trade union.
Notify us of changes
Report changes (resignation, joining a union, starting a business, retirement, moving abroad) and update contact…
Membership fees
In 2026, our membership fee is €63.00 per year (€5.25 per month).
Entrepreneurship and membership
For someone whose main occupation is as an entrepreneur, we are not the right fund.
Moving abroad and membership
Notify the fund when moving abroad. Contact us for advice on continuing your membership.
Expulsion from the fund
Unpaid fees can lead to expulsion. Unions cannot expel members from the fund.

The membership fee for the Unemployment Fund Ote will continue to be tax-deductible, but it will no longer appear directly on your tax card.