Family benefits
Family benefits
When a child is born and grows up, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Kela, pays different benefits to the family if the family is covered by social insurance in Finland.
Maternity grant
You can apply for maternity grant when you have been pregnant for more than 5 months (154 days). Maternity grant is either a maternity package that includes baby clothes and child care products or EUR 140 (non-taxable).
Parental allowances
When you have become a parent you have the right to maternity or paternity leave with parental allowance from Kela. The parental allowances include
- maternity allowance (105 days)
- special maternity allowance because of risk-filled work
- paternity allowance (18 days plus the possibility of extended paternal leave) and
- parental allowance to the mother or father (158 days).
To receive a daily allowance you must have lived in Finland for 180 days immediately before the estimated date of birth of the child. Insurance periods in other Nordic countries are included in this.
Family allowance
Kela pays family allowance for children living in Finland. The allowance begins the month after the birth of the child or the month when the child is eligible for family allowance in connection with moving to Finland etc. The final family allowance payment is during the month when the child reaches the age of 17. The family allowance is graduated according to the number of children.
NOTE! On Åland, family allowance is financed by the county government and the amounts are higher than on the mainland.
Support for home care and private day care
After parental leave you can care for your child at home and be given support for home care and/or choose private day care and be given support for private care.