Settling in Finland: Benefits, School Enrollment, and Essential Services
Bonuses and Benefits for Spouse and Children
Your spouse and children also receive several benefits after moving to Finland.
Spouses and partners of specialists are eligible for:
To qualify for these benefits, your spouse must attend integration and language courses. Additionally, you may be eligible for support from Kela, Finland’s social insurance institution.
In Finland, education is free for all residents, including international families. This includes primary and secondary education, as well as kindergarten. You don’t need to choose private institutions, as the governmental schools and kindergartens provide excellent quality education and care. Public education is highly valued, and you can be assured that your children will receive a top-notch education without the need to pay for private alternatives.
Spouses and partners of specialists are eligible for:
- Free education
- The right to seek employment
To qualify for these benefits, your spouse must attend integration and language courses. Additionally, you may be eligible for support from Kela, Finland’s social insurance institution.
In Finland, education is free for all residents, including international families. This includes primary and secondary education, as well as kindergarten. You don’t need to choose private institutions, as the governmental schools and kindergartens provide excellent quality education and care. Public education is highly valued, and you can be assured that your children will receive a top-notch education without the need to pay for private alternatives.
Spouse’s Allowance Process in Finland
Navigating the spouse’s allowance process in Finland involves several administrative steps, from updating residency information to securing financial and employment-related documents.
- Registering Your Spouse’s InformationIf your spouse was initially registered with a temporary address, the first step is to update their information at the DVV with a permanent address. Additionally, your spouse must obtain a tax card and a document from the tax office confirming that they have not paid taxes in Finland in previous years.
Tax consultations are available at the International House Helsinki (open from 9 AM to 12 PM, no appointment needed), even for those without an employment contract. More details on this process can be found in our previous guide. - Opening a Bank AccountBefore applying for KELA benefits, your spouse will need a bank account. We recommend opening one at S-Pankki, as they provide a straightforward process without requiring an appointment.
- Employment Services RegistrationNext, your spouse must visit the TE Service office. Service locations can be found here. At the TE office, your spouse will need to complete a detailed questionnaire and can receive consultation in Russian. They will then be invited for an interview and assigned a caseworker. Together, they will develop an integration plan and be enrolled in their first course — an introduction to Finland, available in Russian or English. This course is conducted online with a few in-person meetings. After completing it, your spouse will move on to a Finnish language course.
- Applying for Unemployment Benefits at KELATo apply for unemployment benefits, your spouse must visit KELA and schedule an appointment, possibly with an interpreter. During the meeting, they will complete the application, and KELA will confirm that TE Services will notify them regarding benefit eligibility.
- The unemployment benefit starts accruing one week after registration.
- The first payment covers two weeks, with subsequent payments issued every four weeks.
- Every payment cycle, your spouse must submit a report on KELA’s website via strong authentication, detailing their activities for each day
- Working While Receiving BenefitsPart-time work is allowed but affects the benefit amount. For every €1 earned, the unemployment benefit decreases by €0.50. For example, if your spouse earns €300, the benefit will be reduced by €150, and this must be reported in the KELA form.
After tax deductions, the unemployment benefit is approximately €650 for a four-week period, helping to offset household expenses. - Additional BenefitsOther benefits are not available if household income exceeds the eligibility threshold.
There is an option for a childcare allowance for children under three, but this amount is deducted from the unemployment benefit
Health Checkups for Children After Arrival
After moving to Finland, it is recommended to schedule an initial health checkup for your child. This includes measuring growth, discussing vaccinations, and general health assessments.
To book an appointment, you can call the Maternity and Child Health Center (Neuvola) in your area. In Helsinki, for example, you can contact the Kamppi Maternity and Child Health Center for scheduling.
An alternative way to manage appointments is through the Maisa app, which allows online booking using strong identification. The app provides an overview of available services and enables you to book appointments for both yourself and your children. However, not all types of medical visits can be scheduled through Maisa, so calling the health center may still be necessary.
To book an appointment, you can call the Maternity and Child Health Center (Neuvola) in your area. In Helsinki, for example, you can contact the Kamppi Maternity and Child Health Center for scheduling.
An alternative way to manage appointments is through the Maisa app, which allows online booking using strong identification. The app provides an overview of available services and enables you to book appointments for both yourself and your children. However, not all types of medical visits can be scheduled through Maisa, so calling the health center may still be necessary.
Guide to Child Benefit in Finland
The child benefit is a tax-free allowance provided by KELA, regardless of the parents’ income. It does not count as taxable income and does not affect income-based calculations, such as daycare fees.
- Child Benefit Amounts (from January 1, 2025)
- First child: €94.88/month
- Second child: €104.84/month
- Third child: €133.79/month
- Fourth child: €173.24/month
- Fifth and additional children: €192.69/month
- Children under 3 years old receive an additional €26/month.
- How to Apply
- You can apply for the benefit immediately after opening a bank account in Finland.
- Applications can be submitted online via KELA’s website (requires strong identification) or at any KELA office.
- At International House Helsinki, staff can assist with completing the application.
- The application requires personal identification numbers of the children and your bank account details for payment.
- When Does the Benefit Start?
- The benefit is paid from the first full month after moving to Finland.
- Payments are made at the end of each month (usually on the 26th or earlier).
- Additional Notes
- If you arrived in Finland earlier (even on paper), you may be eligible for payments from previous months.
- The child benefit can help offset taxes and administrative costs associated with relocation.
Applying for School or Kindergarten Placement in Finland
You can apply for a nearby municipal school or kindergarten based on your registered address.
- Applying through ASTIThe application process for municipal schools and kindergartens in Helsinki is done through ASTI. After logging in with a bank ID, you can view your child’s information and submit an application. Children are eligible to attend the nearest school or kindergarten based on their place of residence.
- When to ApplyApplications can be submitted as soon as you have a registered address in Finland. In some cases, applications may be submitted even before relocation, especially for private schools or specific institutions.
- School Enrollment for 6-Year-OldsChildren who turn six during the current academic year are eligible for a preparatory class before starting school. The preparatory class runs until the end of May, followed by summer break before the child begins school. If ASTI registration does not work for some reason, applications for school can be submitted through Wilma.
- Kindergarten Enrollment for Younger ChildrenFor children under six, there is typically a four-month waiting period unless urgent circumstances apply (e.g., both parents working or studying). If one parent is participating in an integration program, it may be possible to request priority placement by submitting supporting documents, such as an integration plan or employment contract.
- Kindergarten Fees & Income DeclarationMunicipal kindergarten fees in Finland are based on family income. The maximum fee applies to households with a gross income exceeding €5600 per month, while lower-income families may qualify for reduced or free daycare.
If no automatic fee decision is received, parents must submit a gross income declaration form, including all earnings and benefits, both domestic and international.
More details on the daycare fee structure are available on the City of Helsinki website.
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