Äitiysraha and vanhempainraha: parental benefits in Finland
Äitiysraha is the former name of the maternity allowance. Since September 2022, it has been replaced by two benefits: pregnancy allowance (raskausraha) and parental allowance (vanhempainraha). Thus, äitiysraha and vanhempainraha today effectively mean one path: first a benefit for the pregnant parent, then a benefit for both parents.
Vanhempainraha is paid by Kela. For one child, it amounts to 320 working days, 160 days for each parent. Up to 63 days may be transferred to another person who cares for the child. The days may be used flexibly, until the child’s second birthday.
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that most questions arise not about entitlement to the benefit, but about the allocation of days, application deadlines, and work during leave. Below we explain how to obtain vanhempainraha in Finland and not lose a single day.
Äitiysraha, raskausraha, and vanhempainraha: what has changed
Before the reform, Kela paid maternity allowance, paternity allowance, and parental allowance separately. The system is now simpler, and the names in older texts can be confusing. A comparison will help you find your way.
| Former name | New name | For whom |
| Äitiysraha (maternity allowance) | Raskausraha (pregnancy allowance) | For the parent who gives birth to the child |
| Isyysraha (paternity allowance) | Vanhempainraha (parental allowance) | For the other parent, after the child’s birth |
| Vanhempainraha (former parental allowance) | Vanhempainraha (320 days per child) | For both parents, 160 days each |
There are no longer separate “maternity” and “paternity” quotas based on gender. Each parent has an equal personal share, and family structure does not affect entitlement to the benefit. We wrote about the pregnancy period itself in the article on benefits during pregnancy and after the child’s birth.
Who is entitled to vanhempainraha
Vanhempainraha is received by the child’s guardian or by a person to whom part of the days has been transferred. The child must be under two years of age, or have been adopted less than two years ago. In addition, the person must leave work or be unemployed, a student, or a pensioner.
Entitlement to the benefit requires permanent residence in Finland or work there. Citizens of countries outside the EU and the EEA, including Ukrainians, also need a residence permit. For Ukrainians under temporary protection, we examined this issue in the article on Kela benefits.
- You are the child’s guardian, or days of the other parent have been transferred to you.
- The child has not yet turned two.
- You care for the child at home and do not work full time.
- You live in Finland permanently or work there, and, if required, you have a residence permit.
- Parenthood has been established during visits to the neuvola or at the child welfare authority.
If parenthood was established at the neuvola before birth or at the child welfare authority after it, Kela may pay the allowance for up to four months, even when the DVV has not yet confirmed parenthood. Therefore, it is better not to postpone the establishment of parenthood.
How many days of the benefit the family is entitled to
The basic entitlement is 320 working days per child, and working days are considered to be Monday through Saturday. Below is how the number changes depending on the family’s composition.
| Situation | Number of days |
| Two parents, one child | 320 days, 160 each |
| One father or mother, and the other is absent or not entitled | All 320 days, of which up to 126 may be transferred |
| Twins | 404 days (320 + 84), 202 for each parent |
| Triplets | 488 days (320 + 84 + 84), 244 each |
| The family moved to Finland with a child older than one year | 160 days for both, 80 each |
If you moved to Finland with a child under one year of age, you have a total of 320 days. Days already paid by another EU or EEA country are deducted from your share. Therefore, families that arrived during leave need an individual calculation.
How to divide days between parents and transfer them
Each parent has 160 days, and up to 63 days may be transferred to another guardian. This may be the other parent, their partner, or another person who cares for the child. The parent who gives birth may transfer days even before childbirth, while the other parent may do so only after the birth.
The parent who gives birth may start vanhempainraha immediately after the raskausraha period ends. The other parent may start from the child’s date of birth. The last day of the benefit is the day the child turns two.
- Days may be taken as one period or split into several parts.
- Even individual days may be taken, for example one day a week.
- The employer may limit leave to four periods of at least 12 working days, unless the contract provides otherwise.
- Leave may be agreed with the employer even before Kela’s decision, and leave may begin immediately after the agreement.
Simultaneous leave of both parents
Both parents may receive the allowance at the same time for a maximum of 18 working days. This applies when both take vanhempainraha, or one has raskausraha and the other vanhempainraha. It is also possible if one takes the full allowance and the other a partial allowance.
How much Kela pays: the amount of the allowance
The amount of vanhempainraha depends on your annual income, and it is always lower than salary. The allowance is taxable, so Kela withholds tax. For those with no income or low earnings, a minimum rate applies. Below are Kela’s indicative figures for 2026.
| Annual income | Allowance per working day |
| Up to EUR 13,712 | EUR 31.99 (minimum rate) |
| EUR 20,000 | EUR 42.66 |
| EUR 30,000 | EUR 63.99 |
| EUR 40,000 | EUR 85.33 |
| EUR 50,000 | EUR 105.65 |
For income from EUR 13,713 to EUR 45,744 per year, the allowance equals 0.7 of annual income divided by 300. For higher incomes, the coefficients decrease. This is only a guide; the exact amount is shown by the Kela calculator and the decision in your OmaKela.
The first 16 working days of vanhempainraha are paid at an increased rate if annual income exceeds EUR 10,664. It then equals approximately 0.9 of annual income divided by 300. At most, this corresponds to 90 percent of annual earnings.
Partial parental allowance
If you work part time and care for the child, you may apply for a partial allowance (osittainen vanhempainraha). The working day must then not exceed five hours. You must also agree in writing with the employer on reduced working hours.
One day of partial leave reduces your remaining days by only half. The amount of the partial allowance equals half of the full allowance. Both parents may take it at the same time, and this is not counted toward the 18 shared days.
Work, studies, and salary during leave
Vanhempainraha is not paid for days on which you work full time. Work also includes working from home, being on call, work in your own company, or a family business. If you have returned to work, cancel the application for those days in OmaKela, and the days will be preserved for later use.
Studies do not deprive you of the right to the allowance, and student financial aid does not reduce its amount. If the employer pays salary during leave, Kela pays the allowance for that period to the employer. The employer submits a separate application, and without it Kela will not issue a decision.
- Paid annual leave cannot be combined with a benefit payment for the same days.
- A paid day off likewise does not entitle you to the benefit.
- Before annual leave, it is better to interrupt the vanhempainraha period and submit a new application after the leave.
- Notify Kela of your return to work or any other changes; otherwise, the payments will have to be repaid.
How to apply for vanhempainraha
Each parent submits an application separately, via the OmaKela service or on paper form SV 15e. Logging in to OmaKela requires online banking credentials or a mobile certificate.
Common mistakes when applying for vanhempainraha
Because they are unaware of the nuances, families lose money or receive a demand to repay the benefit. These are the mistakes we see most often in practice.
- Submitting the application after the two-month period from the start of the period has expired.
- Returning to work without cancelling the days in OmaKela.
- Assuming that a benefit will also be paid for annual leave or a day off.
- Transferring days without taking the 63-day limit into account.
- Not knowing that the employer must submit a separate application if it pays a salary.
- Paternity not being recognised in time, which delays payment to the other parent.
Why it is difficult to arrange parental benefits on your own
Kela’s rules depend on status, income, and family composition. An additional barrier is language: the OmaKela interface and decisions are available only in Finnish and Swedish. That is why legal assistance is especially useful when you are planning how to divide the days and want parental benefits in Finland to be calculated in full and on time.
On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist" : a comparison
| Criterion | On your own | With International Law Firm "Zahist" |
| Calculation of days | Your own calculation based on Kela information | A calendar of days and periods tailored to the family’s situation |
| Language of documents | Finnish or Swedish; translation is required | Explanations of decisions and letters in a language you understand |
| Applications | You submit them yourself in OmaKela | Preparation of applications and supporting documents |
| Dealing with the employer | You make the arrangements yourself | Advice on leave requirements |
| Refusal or delay | You have to sort it out yourself | Preparation of an appeal and support |
We do not guarantee decisions by public authorities, as they are made by Kela. We help prepare a complete and consistent application and explain your rights.
How International Law Firm "Zahist" helps parents in Finland
We support both parents so that they understand each step and do not miss deadlines.
- Analysis of each parent’s entitlement to vanhempainraha
- Calculation of the number of days and possible transfer
- Drawing up a calendar of deadlines for applications
- Preparation of applications to Kela and documents for the employer
- Advice on work, studies, and other benefits during leave
- Preparation of appeals in the event of a refusal or a delay in payments
- 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 parents in Finland
Do not delay submitting applications: the deadlines are strict, and lost days cannot be recovered. The earlier you plan the leave, the easier it is to divide the days in a way that benefits both parents.
Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist" , and we will help you determine how to apply for äitiysraha and vanhempainraha in Finland and prepare the necessary documents.
