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Parliament has approved the legislative amendment on general social security benefit
The general social security benefit paid based on unemployment will replace the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy currently paid by Kela. The legislative amendment will enter into force on 1 May 2026. Kela will be responsible for implementing the general social security benefit.
The aim of the reform is to introduce a single benefit – the general social security benefit – which will include a basic component for daily living, a housing component for accommodation costs, and a discretionary component as a last-resort safeguard. In the first phase of introducing the general social security benefit, the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy will be replaced by the general social security benefit paid based on unemployment.
Who will receive the general social security benefit, and how much will be paid?
The general social security benefit will be paid to an unemployed jobseeker who is not entitled to an earnings-related allowance because:
- they are not a member of an unemployment fund,
- their employment requirement or membership condition has not been met, or
- they have already received the maximum duration of earnings-related allowance.
The general social security benefit paid based on unemployment will be the same amount as the basic unemployment allowance and the labour market subsidy. In 2026, the amount will be €37.21 per day, or approximately €800 per month.
The general social security benefit is means-tested, meaning entitlement requires a need for financial support. Therefore, the general social security benefit is not the same as a basic social security.
