Register as a job seeker
If you become unemployed or are laid off, register as a job seeker immediately. If your job search is not active, you cannot receive unemployment benefits. You can register as a job seeker in Job Market Finland, at Luotsi service point or using a paper form.
Register as a job seeker on your first day of unemployment, because you can receive unemployment benefits only from the date of registration onwards. If you already know in advance when your unemployment or layoff will begin, you may also register earlier.
Remember to register as a job seeker also when you e.g. finish your studies and do not have employment lined up.
How to register as a job seeker
The easiest way to register as a job seeker is through the Job Market Finland E-services. You can log in to Job Market Finland using online banking credentials, a mobile certificate, or an ID card with a chip.
Note! Creating only a job seeker profile in Job Market Finland is not enough — you must also submit the separate registration as a job seeker. In the Job Market Finland E-services, make sure that you have completed the registration and that your job search is active. Otherwise, you are not entitled to unemployment benefits.
If you are unable to log in to Job Market Finland, you can register as a job seeker at Luotsi service point. Check the contact details and opening hours of your municipality’s service point on the website.
If you are unable to register as a job seeker through other methods, you can print a paper form (available in Finnish language only) from Job Market Finland without logging in. Submit the form to the employment services by mail, via the secure email service, or by visiting the Luotsi service point. Please note that your job search is not active until the form has arrived at the employment services.
You cannot register as a job seeker by phone or email!
Once you have registered as a job seeker, a customer advisor from employment services will contact you within approximately one week. Together, you will agree on the services you need and on the actions required to ensure your entitlement to unemployment benefits. If you are asked to provide additional information, please respond as soon as possible.
Unemployment benefits
In addition to registering as a job seeker, you must separately apply for unemployment benefits from the institution that pays them.
- If you are a member of an unemployment fund and you meet the employment condition, apply for earnings-related allowance from your own fund.
- If you are not a member of an unemployment fund, or if you do not meet the employment condition, apply to Kela for basic unemployment allowance or labour market support.
You do not need to apply for unemployment benefits immediately — you may apply retroactively in accordance with the instructions of your unemployment fund or Kela. Please note the processing times.