The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Membership

Already a member? Questions during your membership

Here we have compiled situations you may encounter during your membership – from logging in and invoicing to changes in your life situation.

I can’t log in to Otenetti

Log in to Otenetti using your online banking credentials or mobile certificate. If you are unable to log in, send us a message via secure email and we will help you resolve the issue.

Send a secure mail

I Haven’t Received My Membership Fee Invoice

First, check whether you are an individual member of the unemployment fund or a member through a trade union, as invoices are sent differently depending on your membership type. If your membership is connected to a trade union, please contact your union.

If you are an individual member, make sure your contact details in Otenetti are up to date and check OmaPosti as well. If you still cannot find the invoice, request the details through a message in Otenetti. Invoices for individual members were sent in April 2026.

I Am Leaving My Trade Union – How Do I Continue as a Member of the Unemployment Fund?

Your membership in the fund does not end automatically, but it is important to complete a few steps in the correct order. First, fill in the form available on the fund’s website. Continue paying your trade union membership fees until your membership ends – the unemployment fund will usually send its own membership fee invoice within a few weeks. This ensures that your fund membership continues without interruption.

Tip: Order an e-invoice when paying your first invoice so you do not have to remember it separately in the future.

I’m Retiring

Congratulations on this new stage of life! Please notify us of the end of your membership well in advance by completing the “resignation notice” form. If you are also a member of a trade union, remember to notify the union of your resignation separately as well.

I Have Paid Too Much in Membership Fees

Request a refund through a message in Otenetti and include your bank account number. This is the fastest way for us to handle the matter. Please remember to request a refund within three months of the payment date. Unfortunately, we are unable to refund amounts under €10.

I Have Unpaid Membership Fees

There is no need to worry if you have not yet received a decision on termination of membership from the fund. In most cases, you can simply pay the outstanding membership fees and keep your membership active. If you are an individual member, you can ask about the status of your payments via a message. If you are a member through a trade union, please contact your union directly.

Can the Membership Fee Be Deducted Directly from My Salary?

The unemployment fund membership fee for individual members is an annual fee and therefore cannot be deducted directly from your salary. If you are a member through a trade union, the union collects the membership fee on your behalf. Please contact your union’s membership services for more information.

Member unions

I Have Been Expelled from My Trade Union – Am I Still a Member of the Unemployment Fund?

Yes, most likely. The unemployment fund always makes membership decisions independently of the trade union. If you have not received a hearing letter or a decision on termination of membership from the fund and want to ensure that your membership continues, complete the notification form available on the fund’s website.

I Am Moving or Have Moved Abroad

Please notify the fund of your move using the relevant form and describe your situation as accurately as possible. This allows us to provide guidance tailored to your circumstances. If you will be staying in another Nordic country for up to six months, it is usually advisable to keep your fund membership active.

If your stay will be longer or if you are moving to another country and are not a posted worker, membership may not be beneficial during that period. Please contact us and we will be happy to advise you further.

Are you moving abroad for work or returning to Finland?

On this page, you will find clear and up-to-date information about working abroad and how unemployment security works in different situations – before you move, while you are abroad, and when you return to Finland.

I’m moving abroad

I Am Already a Member of the Unemployment Fund but Am Joining a Trade Union

First, check with your trade union that its membership includes unemployment fund membership. If you have already paid the fund membership fee for the current year, you can request a refund of the excess amount. Please also remember to inform us of the date on which your trade union membership begins.

Considering Membership?

Here are answers to the most common questions we receive from people considering membership – about joining, eligibility requirements and membership fees.

Can I join only the unemployment fund if I am not a member of a trade union?

Yes. You can join Ote as an individual member without belonging to a trade union. The fund’s services and earnings-related unemployment benefits are the same whether you join directly or through a trade union. Trade unions also offer their own services, such as representation and employment-related advice.

When does my membership need to start for me to qualify for earnings-related unemployment allowance?

To qualify for earnings-related unemployment allowance, you must meet both the 12‑month membership requirement and the 12‑month employment requirement. Join as early as possible!

Right to earnings-related daily allowance

Eligibility for earnings-related allowance requires, for example, that your job search is active and that you meet the membership and employment condition.

Can I join as a student or while working on a grant?

Studying or working on a grant does not prevent you from joining, as long as you are also employed and receiving wages on the day you join.

Did you know that just one hour of paid work is enough to join the fund? The impact of a grant on earnings-related unemployment allowance is always assessed on a case-by-case basis.

I’m Switching from Another Unemployment Fund – Will My Membership Be Interrupted?

No, as long as you switch funds within one month. If you move from one employee unemployment fund to another while employed and join the new fund within one month, your previously accumulated membership and employment periods can generally be transferred to the new fund. This requires that the membership fees for your previous fund have been paid in full.

How Much Does Unemployment Fund Membership Cost?

You can join us either as an individual member or through a trade union. In 2026, our membership fee is €63.00 per year (€5.25 per month). If you are a member of Unemployment Fund Ote through a trade union, the unemployment fund membership fee is collected together with your trade union membership fee.

Do You Need Help with Membership-Related Matters?

Customer service