Child Benefits in Finland: lapsilisä and Other Allowances

The main benefit of all is lapsilisä, the state child benefit paid until the child turns 17. It is not taxable, and Kela pays it monthly to one of the parents. For one child in 2026, this is EUR 94.88. Child benefits in Finland do not end there, as care allowances, daycare support and maintenance assistance also apply alongside it.

Lapsilisä is not granted automatically; the application must be submitted by the applicant, in OmaKela or on form LL1e. To qualify, you must live permanently in Finland with the child. The application should be submitted within six months of the date from which you wish to receive the benefit.

Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that families often know about only one benefit and miss others because they did not submit applications in time. Below, we explain which child benefits exist in Finland, how much they amount to and how to apply for them.

Lapsilisä: who is entitled and how much the benefit is

A father, mother, guardian or other person responsible for the child is entitled to lapsilisä if the child is under 17. The child must live with you permanently in Finland. The benefit is paid from the beginning of the month after the birth and continues until the end of the month in which the child turns 17.

The amount depends on the number of children in the family. The higher rate applies only when all payments are made to one person. The amounts below are based on Kela data for 2026 for mainland Finland.

For the sixth and each subsequent child, an additional EUR 192.69 is added. For children under three, Kela pays a supplement of EUR 26 per month for each such child. Single parents may receive a separate supplement of EUR 73.30 per month for each child. This also applies to those who are divorced but have joint custody.

How to apply for child benefit

The application is submitted by one of the parents, and you decide who will receive the payment. If the parents live separately and have not agreed, Kela pays the parent with whom the child lives and who is primarily responsible for the child’s upbringing. All payments are made to one bank account.

If you apply for a child who has not yet been born, the decision will be issued after the birth, within one month. You do not need to notify Kela of the birth, as the information comes from the population register. Submit a separate application for a new child in the family.

When Kela pays lapsilisä

Payments are made at the end of the month, and the dates change depending on public holidays. The nearest dates according to the Kela schedule are shown in the table. You will see the exact date of the first payment in the decision in OmaKela.

Home care allowance: kotihoidontuki

Kotihoidontuki is granted when the child is not yet three years old and does not attend a municipal daycare centre. Care may be provided by the father, mother, grandmother or a hired nanny. Entitlement arises after 160 working days from the birth, that is, after vanhempainraha ends. Both benefits are not paid for the same days.

The supplement depends on family composition and gross income. Some municipalities add their own supplement. The benefit is not granted for a period shorter than one month and is paid on the last banking day of the month. The allowance is taxable, so take this into account in the family budget.

Important news for new residents: from 1 January 2027, Kela will pay this allowance only to those who have lived in Finland, an EU or EEA country, or Switzerland for at least three years. It will be granted only to a parent or guardian who cares for the child themselves. These changes do not apply to periods already granted.

Private daycare: private day care allowance

If the child attends a private daycare centre or is cared for by a paid nanny, Kela may pay a private care allowance. It is paid directly to the service provider, and you pay the remainder of the cost. The benefit is available from the beginning of the month in which the child turns nine months until school age.

The allowances are not granted if the child has a place in a municipal daycare centre or the daycare operates under a voucher system. Kotihoidontuki and the private care allowance are not paid at the same time for the same child. However, this is possible for different children in the family. The application must be submitted within six months of the start of care.

Maintenance support: child maintenance allowance

If the other parent does not pay child maintenance, Kela may pay a child maintenance allowance (elatustuki). According to Kela, the full amount is EUR 197.71 per month, and it is index-linked each year. It is not taxable and is paid until the child turns 18.

1. The other parent does not pay maintenance, and the arrears amount to at least one month.
2. Maintenance under a court decision or agreement is lower because of the payer’s financial situation.
3. The other parent has not been legally established.
4. The maintenance agreement has been confirmed by the child welfare authority or a court; a private written arrangement is not sufficient.

After the allowance is granted, Kela takes over collection of the debt. The child must not live with the maintenance payer or abroad. An application may be submitted retrospectively for no more than three months. It is equally important to report if the child has moved to the other parent.

What other child benefits exist

In addition to the main benefits, Kela pays a partial care allowance, a flexible care allowance and an adoption grant. Separate disability allowance for children and special care allowance are available for families with a sick child. The conditions for these benefits depend on employment, the child’s age and state of health.

We recommend checking the conditions and amounts of these benefits on the Kela website before applying. They change, and the amount depends on the individual situation. Here we only show that these options exist.

How child benefits combine with each other

Some benefits can be received together, while others exclude one another. This depends on the child’s age, daycare placement and benefits paid to the parents. Before submitting applications, it is worth drawing up a plan for the coming months so as not to lose amounts because of overlapping periods.

From our clients’ experience: the greatest confusion arises when vanhempainraha ends. That is when the family decides what to choose: home care or a private daycare centre. If the application is submitted in advance, the benefit continues without interruption.

Common mistakes when applying for child benefits

Errors in applications are most often related to deadlines and failure to report changes. Here is what we see in practice.

1. The application was submitted later than six months, and part of the benefits was lost.
2. Kela was not notified of a move abroad or to another municipality.
3. Marriage or cohabitation was not reported, so the single-parent supplement is calculated incorrectly.
4. An application for kotihoidontuki was submitted while vanhempainraha was still being paid.
5. The original maintenance agreement was not sent when the original itself is required.
6. The new kotihoidontuki rules that will apply from 2027 are not taken into account.

Late notification of changes leads to demands to repay the money. We therefore recommend checking your benefits after every change in the family.

Why it is difficult to apply for child benefits on your own

Each benefit has its own conditions and deadlines and depends on other benefits. For Ukrainians, the additional issue of permanent residence and status arises, because it is Kela that decides whether you have the right. Applying requires Finnish or Swedish in OmaKela and bank codes.

Because of this, it is difficult for families to see which benefits they are entitled to and which they are not. Legal support helps build a complete picture so that lapsilisä and other child benefits are paid in full and without interruptions.

On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist": a comparison

We do not guarantee the decisions of public authorities, as they are made by Kela. We help you submit a complete application on time and explain your rights.

How International Law Firm "Zahist" helps families with children

We support the family from the first consultation through to receipt of the benefits.

1. Analysis of entitlement to lapsilisä and other benefits
2. Drawing up a calendar of application deadlines
3. Preparation of applications to Kela and supporting documents
4. Advice on combining benefits and their effect on one another
5. Support on maintenance and assistance in the event of divorce
6. Preparation of appeals in the event of a refusal or delay in payment
7. Support until the benefits are received

At every stage, you know what is happening and are not left alone with the bureaucracy. This is especially important when the family budget depends on the benefits.

Legal assistance for families with children in Finland

Do not postpone submitting applications, because the six-month period passes quickly. The sooner you check your rights, the lower the risk of losing money to which you are entitled.

Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist" and we will help you determine which child benefits in Finland your family is entitled to and prepare the necessary documents.