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S t a t e Regu l a t i on s and I n s u r an ce s
last less than 2 years (“temporary employment”)
lasts longer than 2 years (“permanent
employment”), you will be covered by the
Finnish social security system from the date on
which your employment became permanent.
Employed Persons from EU/EEA -countries or
from Switzerland
Employment Relationship Lasting Less than 4
Months
If you are going to be working in Finland for
less than 4 months, normally, you will not be
covered under the Finnish social security system.
However, if contributions are being paid in your
behalf to the Finnish earnings-related pension
system, you are entitled to the child home care
allowance (basic allowance and supplement)
and to medical treatment in the public system.
Employment Relationship Lasting Between 4
Months and 2 Years
If you are going to be working in Finland
between 4 months and 2 years, you will be
entitled to health insurance benefits, the child
home care allowance and the child benefit from
the beginning of your employment as long
as the minimum requirements regarding the
weekly working hours and the wage are met.
You will also accrue rights to national pensions
and survivors’ pensions, and will be covered by
the Unemployment Security Act.
Employment Relationship Lasting at least 2 Years
You will have full coverage under the Finnish
residence-based social security system and
will be eligible for all Kela benefits either as
soon as you move to Finland or as soon as your
employment is confirmed to last more than 2
years.
Employed Persons from Countries with a
Social Security Agreement
You may have a right to social security on the
basis of a social security agreement. Finland
has such agreements with the other Nordic
countries and with the United States, Canada,
Australia, Chile, Israel and India. Further, Finland
has made a separate arrangement concerning
social security with the Province of Quebec.
With Australia, Finland also has an agreement
covering medical treatment during a temporary
stay in the other signatory country.
If you move to Finland from another Nordic
country for the purpose of employment, you will
be subject to most of the same rules that apply
to workers moving to Finland from another EU/
EEA country or from Switzerland.
Workers moving to Finland from the United States,
from Canada (including the Province of Quebec),
from Chile or from Israel are eligible for benefits
covered by the relevant bilateral social security
agreement regardless of the length of their
residence in Finland. Finnish benefits not covered
by the agreement are available to them only if they
take up permanent residence in Finland.
In Finland, the new social security agreement
between Finland and India only covers pensions
awarded under the statutory earnings-related
pension scheme. It does not cover national
pensions or any other benefits provided by Kela.
Everyone who moves to Finland for the purpose
of employment and comes from a country that
has a social security agreement with Finland
will, however, start to accrue rights towards
an earnings-related pension as soon as they
begin working, and will be insured against
employment accidents. If they work in Finland
for at least 4 months, they will also be covered
by the health insurance and unemployment
security systems.
Employed Persons from other Countries
The social security coverage of employees
moving to Finland from some other country
than an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or a
country with a social security agreement with
Finland is determined solely by reference to the
intended length of their residence. To qualify for
benefits from Kela, you must have a contract of
employment for at least 2 years. However, you
will obtain health insurance cover as soon as you
begin employment if you will work for at least 4
months and you meet the condition regarding
the terms of employment.