Ilmarinen
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Self-employed
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Social security and pension for the self-employed
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Social security for the self-employed
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Unemployment security for the self-employed
When a self-employed person becomes unemployed
As a self-employed person, you can receive unemployment benefits if your entrepreneurial activities have ended or you no longer work in your company for another reason. If you become unemployed, you need to register as an unemployed jobseeker with the TE Office.
Unemployment benefits for the self-employed
There is one unemployment fund for self-employed persons in Finland: Yrittäjäkassa. You can join Yrittäjäkassa if your YEL income is at least equal to the so-called unemployment security lower limit. In 2026, that limit is EUR 15,481 (EUR 15,128 in 2025). It is advisable to set YEL income above the unemployment security lower limit so that YEL income does not fall below the lower limit of unemployment protection in the index Increments for future years.
If you become unemployed, your YEL income determines the size of the earnings-related allowance you receive from the fund.
If you are not a member of Yrittäjäkassa, you may be eligible for an unemployment benefit paid by Kela. The new general allowance will be introduced on 1 May 2026, at which point it will replace Kela’s previous unemployment benefits, namely the labour market subsidy and the basic unemployment allowance.
If you are not a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Unemployment Fund, you can apply for the general social security benefit from Kela starting on 1 May 2026.
If you have previously received the basic unemployment allowance or the labour market subsidy, your benefit will automatically change into the general social security benefit.
You can receive the general social security benefit if you
- are aged 18–64
- live permanently in Finland
- are registered as a jobseeker with the employment services of your municipality of residence
- are not entitled to the earnings-related unemployment allowance, or you have already received it from an unemployment fund for the maximum period.
The general allowance is also means-tested. This means that, for example, income from wages or a partial early old-age pension may reduce the amount of the general allowance. Read more about the general social security benefit on Kela’s website (kela.fi).
What should I do with my YEL insurance if I become unemployed?
When your work as an entrepreneur ends or remains below the YEL lower limit, terminate your YEL insurance. The lower limit changes annually. Report the termination of your insurance in Ilmarinen’s online service. Log in to the service using your personal online banking credentials.