Finnopedia

Sick leave in Finland - what you should know

2026-02-03 16:06 Healthcare
One of the most common questions we hear is how sick leave works in Finland and what kind of support you can receive from Kela, the national social insurance institution.
If you get sick and are unable to work, you have a legal right to stay home. In this situation, support comes from your employer and the social security system, and the process is usually quite straightforward.

💙 Employer-paid sick leave

In most cases, your employer pays your full salary for the first day of sickness and the following nine working days. This is regulated by law and collective agreements, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the details with HR or your trade union.

💙 What happens after that?

If your illness continues beyond the employer-paid period, you may be eligible for a sickness allowance from Kela, which compensates for lost income.

💙 In general:

  • the allowance starts after a waiting period (first day + 9 working days),

  • it can be paid for up to 300 working days (roughly one year),

  • the amount depends on your income,

  • the application must be submitted within two months from the first day of sickness.
💙 If you’re able to work part-time but haven’t fully recovered, there is also an option to apply for a partial sickness allowance. This allows you to reduce working hours while receiving compensation for the remaining time.

💙 How to apply

Typically, you’ll need:

  • a medical certificate confirming your incapacity for work (required for Kela),

  • an application submitted within the given timeframe.

🔗 Useful links:

☉ Kela — Sickness allowance
☉ Kela — Partial sickness allowance
☉ InfoFinland — Support during illness
☉ Suomi.fi — Information about sick leave and your rights
Understanding how sick leave works can make a big difference when you’re already not feeling well, we hope this helps 💛