Government proposes new combined unemployment insurance scheme

The Government is proposing changes to unemployment security that would introduce a new earnings-related unemployment allowance for people with combined insurance, alongside the existing earnings-related allowances for employees and entrepreneurs. The reform would make it possible to accrue entitlement to an earnings-related unemployment allowance simultaneously on the basis of work carried out as both an employee and an entrepreneur.

Currently, members of an unemployment fund for employees can accrue entitlement to an earnings-related unemployment allowance only through work as an employee. Similarly, members of an unemployment fund for entrepreneurs can accrue entitlement only through work as an entrepreneur.

Employment condition for people with combined insurance

According to the Government proposal, a new employment condition for people combining different forms of work would be added to the Unemployment Security Act, alongside the existing employment conditions for employees and entrepreneurs.

The employment condition could be accrued flexibly by combining paid employment and entrepreneurial activity. In addition, a family carer’s care fee and a working grant could be taken into account when accruing the employment condition.

Unemployment funds could insure both employees and entrepreneurs

The Government is also proposing that, in future, the same unemployment fund could admit employees, entrepreneurs and people with combined insurance as members. The change would be voluntary for unemployment funds.

Offering combined insurance and extending the scope of activities of an existing unemployment fund would be voluntary for unemployment funds.

Entry into force

Unemployment funds could begin admitting people with combined insurance as members from the beginning of 2028. The first earnings-related unemployment allowances based on combined insurance could be paid in 2029.

Further information

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health: New combined insurance would provide security for people combining paid employment and entrepreneurship (in Finnish)

Parliament: Government proposal to Parliament for legislation on combined unemployment insurance (HE 144/2026 vp) (in Finnish)