Student, join the Unemployment Fund early
It is worth building security for the future already during your studies.
Joining an unemployment fund is a simple but important step.
Why is it important to join an unemployment fund early?
Working life rarely starts in a straightforward and predictable way. First jobs are often fixed‑term or part‑time, and employment may not be found immediately after graduation. By joining an unemployment fund early, you prepare for an uncertain start and ensure that your financial security stays with you. Joining early is also important because:
-
1
Membership cannot be applied retroactively
It is advisable to join an unemployment fund before your employment situation changes. Membership can only begin from the day you join, and it is not possible to join retroactively.
-
2
The employment condition accrues only while you are a member
Earnings‑related unemployment allowance requires that you have been a member of an unemployment fund and have worked long enough. That is why it is important to join early, even if the work is initially short‑term or part‑time.
-
3
Even short periods of employment can count
Short‑term employment can also contribute to meeting the employment condition. You can work alongside your studies, and the employment periods do not need to be continuous. Several short work periods are added together.
What are the requirements for earnings‑related unemployment allowance?
The basic requirements for receiving earnings‑related unemployment allowance are:
- you have been a member of an unemployment fund for at least 12 months
- you have fulfilled the 12‑month employment condition during your period of membership
- you have registered as an unemployed jobseeker with the employment authority
What does the employment condition mean?
To be eligible for earnings‑related unemployment allowance, the member must have worked a sufficient amount before applying for the benefit. This so‑called employment condition covers 12 calendar months and must be fulfilled while being a member of an unemployment fund. Work for which wages were paid before joining the unemployment fund cannot therefore be counted toward the employment condition. The employment condition can also be fulfilled through work outside your own field. Many people meet the requirement, for example, through summer jobs or part‑time work.
The employment condition is based on wages paid for work performed. It can be fulfilled through full employment‑condition months, half months, or a combination of these. The employment condition does not need to be fulfilled through continuous work; there may be months in between during which no employment condition is accrued. However, the employment condition must be fulfilled within a 28‑month review period. This 28‑month period can be extended for acceptable reasons, such as full‑time studies, a grant period, or in connection with the birth of a child and the care of a child under three years of age.
| Wages paid during a calendar month | Employment condition accrues |
|---|---|
| at least 930€ | 1 employment‑condition month |
| less than 930€, but at least 465€ | half an employment‑condition month |
| less than 465€ | no employment condition accrues |
Example of how the employment condition is met
Olivia always receives her salary on the last banking day of the month. Her monthly salary in her summer job is €2,500. During the summer job, Olivia therefore accumulates a total of four months toward the employment condition.
In September, Olivia’s studies continue and she takes on a part‑time job as a cashier in a retail store alongside her studies. Olivia’s salary varies from month to month and is paid as follows:
- 30 September 2026: total €480 (half an employment‑condition month)
- 30 October 2026: total €990 (one employment‑condition month)
- 30 November 2026: total €680 (half an employment‑condition month)
- 31 December 2026: total €1,250 (one employment‑condition month)
- 29 January 2027: total €2,680 (one employment‑condition month)
- 26 February 2027: total €980 (one employment‑condition month)
- 31 March 2027: total €1,100 (one employment‑condition month)
- 30 April 2027: total €1,690 (one employment‑condition month)
- 31 May 2027: total €2,200 (one employment‑condition month)
Olivia completes her studies on 30 April 2027 and applies for unemployment benefit starting from 1 May 2027. At that point, however, she has accumulated only 11 months of the employment condition, and therefore the right to earnings‑related unemployment allowance has not yet arisen. The employment condition is fulfilled on 31 May 2027, which means that the right to earnings‑related unemployment allowance can begin at the earliest on 1 June 2027.
Olivia can apply for unemployment benefit from Kela for the period 1 May 2027–31 May 2027 and for earnings‑related unemployment allowance from the unemployment fund starting from 1 June 2027.
More information about the requirements for receiving earnings‑related unemployment allowance can be found via the link below:
How does earnings‑related unemployment allowance differ from the unemployment benefit paid by Kela?
The unemployment benefit paid by Kela is the same for everyone and is therefore not based on previous wage income. The amount of Kela’s unemployment benefit is €37.21 per day (in 2026).
Earnings‑related unemployment allowance, as the name suggests, is based on the wage income you earned before becoming unemployed. The average earnings‑related unemployment allowance is approximately €1,550 per month, while Kela’s unemployment benefit is about €800 per month. Below is an example table showing the level of earnings‑related unemployment allowance at different income levels.
| Monthly salary | Amount of full earnings‑related unemployment allowance per month | Amount of Kela’s unemployment benefit per month |
|---|---|---|
| 1500€ | 1090€ | 800€ |
| 2000€ | 1305€ | 800€ |
| 2500€ | 1522€ | 800€ |
| 3000€ | 1738€ | 800€ |
| 4000€ | 2093€ | 800€ |
Estimate your future unemployment allowance using the earnings‑related allowance calculator.
Who can join the Ote Unemployment Fund?
You can become a member of our fund if you
- are in paid employment (working even one hour is sufficient, as long as you join the fund on a working day),
and in addition - have completed a higher education degree or another form of specialised training, or
- are studying in order to complete such a degree or training, or
- work in a position that requires such education.
For example, if you are studying to become a teacher, you can join our unemployment fund if you work alongside your studies in an employment relationship. This may include, for example, a summer job as a cashier in a store, a one‑hour teaching substitute assignment, part‑time work as a cleaner, or temporary work in early childhood education.
How do you join an unemployment fund and what does it cost?
You can become a member either through a trade union or by applying for individual membership directly with our unemployment fund.
If you want to complement your protection with trade union services, please contact the union directly. In that case, the unemployment fund membership fee is paid together with the union membership fee. A list of our affiliated unions can be found on our website under the Membership section.
If you wish to join only the unemployment fund, you can apply for membership via the link below. The membership fee for individual members is €5.25 per month, which equals €63 per year in 2026. The membership fee of the Ote Unemployment Fund is one of the most affordable among unemployment funds.
We meet our members at various events throughout the year.
The Ote Unemployment Fund takes part in many fairs and events across different sectors.
For us, events are first and foremost about meeting people. We want to hear our members’ thoughts, share information about unemployment protection, and be present where everyday life in your field takes place. See where you can meet us next.
Do you have any questions about membership?
Unemployment security and membership can feel complicated – you’re not alone. If you would like to ask more about membership, joining, or your own situation, you can send us an email via a secure email link. You can also ask general questions through our social media channels. We’re happy to help!
Join us
Apply for membership in the unemployment fund either directly or through a trade union.
Read more about joining the fund