Kela After One Year of Residence in Finland: Which Benefits You Can Claim
Kela after one year of residence in Finland opens access to most benefits: child benefit, general housing allowance and, where needed, basic social assistance. You also become entitled to apply for a Kela card and, over time, to pension benefits.
The general rule is this: most Kela benefits are available to those who work in Finland or have lived in the country for at least 12 months. You can submit an application even if you plan to return to Ukraine, and you do not necessarily need a municipality of residence to do so.
Our experience at International Law Firm "Zahist" shows that people often either apply too early or do not know what they are entitled to, and lose money for months. Below we examine each benefit, the conditions, and common mistakes.
Which Kela benefits are available to Ukrainians after one year of residence
After one year of residence, Kela usually considers you a permanent resident. This is not merely a formality: entitlement to the main social benefits depends on it.
| Type of benefit | For whom | Key condition |
| Kela card and child benefit | Families with children under 17 | Residence in Finland for about one year |
| General housing allowance | People who rent housing and have limited income | Permanent residence and a lease agreement |
| Basic social assistance | People whose income is insufficient to live on | Entitlement to other benefits is checked first |
| National pension or guarantee pension | Older people | At least three years of permanent residence after the age of 16 |
| Health insurance benefits | Employees and their families | Depend on residence or level of earnings |
The exact set of benefits depends on your situation. Therefore, before submitting applications, you should check the current rules on the kela.fi website.
Kela card and child benefit
After one year of residence, you can apply for a Kela card and child benefit at the same time. The benefit is paid for each child under 17 living in Finland and does not depend on the family’s income or assets.
According to Kela, the amount of the benefit increases with the number of children. For example, the example states about 95 euros per month for the first child and about 105 euros for the second, but the amounts may change.
Child benefit is not taxable. You can submit an application even if a municipality of residence has not yet been registered.
General housing allowance: conditions and amount
The general housing allowance covers part of rental costs. Kela may pay it if it determines that you reside in Finland permanently, and the general rule is one year of residence.
The application is submitted on form AT 1e, with the lease agreement attached. It should be submitted after the agreement is signed; otherwise, processing will be delayed.
| What affects the amount | How |
| Number of adults and children | More family members means higher maximum allowable costs |
| Household income | The higher the income, the smaller the allowance |
| Amount of rent | Taken into account only up to the set ceiling |
| Place of residence | Maximum costs differ between municipalities |
Maximum housing costs are set by law and vary by municipality. Therefore, in one city the allowance may be noticeably higher than in another, even with the same rent.
The allowance is paid into the account on the first working day of the month. If you wish, it can be paid directly to the landlord.
Basic social assistance: when you can count on it
Basic social assistance is the last line of support. It is granted if income and assets are not enough to cover essential expenses, such as food and housing.
Before applying, you must first check whether you are entitled to other Kela benefits. If you are still using the services of a reception centre for refugees, you generally cannot receive basic social assistance.
Kela may also pay basic social assistance for a rental deposit and moving costs if your own funds are insufficient. These conditions depend on whether you have a municipality of residence and on other circumstances.
Kela after one year of residence in Finland: pension and other types of benefits
The national or guarantee pension is paid to those who have lived in Finland for at least three years after reaching the age of 16. The period is counted from the date on which Kela recognised your permanent residence.
That is, if the decision was made, for example, in May 2023, entitlement to a pension may arise no earlier than May 2026. A pension from Ukraine may affect Kela benefits, so this point should be checked separately.
| Benefit | When to consider it |
| National pension | After three years of permanent residence |
| School transport allowance | For upper secondary school students with a municipality of residence |
| Health insurance benefits | If you work and earn at least the minimum level |
| Basic unemployment allowance | Through employment history or entitlement based on residence |
Kela applies its own conditions to each benefit, so do not rely on the general rules alone. This is especially true for those who combine work, studies and benefits.
Example: how much a family may receive after one year of residence
Kela itself gives a hypothetical example of a mother with four children who rents an apartment in Vantaa for 950 euros a month. For a family with no other income, child benefit is about 346 euros and housing allowance about 707 euros per month.
Including basic social assistance, the total amount in this example reaches approximately 2,400 euros per month, and none of these benefits is taxable. This is only an illustration, as the amounts change every year and depend on family composition and income.
| Benefit in the example | Approximate amount per month |
| Child benefit | About 346 euros |
| General housing allowance | About 707 euros |
| Basic social assistance | The difference up to the required income level |
| Total in the Kela example | About 2,400 euros |
Your figures will be different. Therefore, rely only on the current calculator and Kela’s decision, not on examples from forums.
Less than a year in Finland: what you can receive before that period
The general rule is that, before one year of residence, most Kela benefits are unavailable unless you work. However, there are important exceptions worth knowing.
- If you work and receive sufficient earnings, entitlement to some health insurance benefits may arise earlier
- Child and pregnancy benefits may be available if there is a basis for entitlement to these benefits
- Before one year, services may be provided by a reception centre for refugees
- In some cases, Kela recognises permanent residence earlier, depending on the family’s circumstances
Therefore, “less than a year” does not always mean “nothing”. Sometimes what matters is an analysis of your situation, not the general rule.
Common mistakes when applying to Kela after one year of residence
Below are the mistakes we encounter most often. All of them can be corrected, but it is better not to make them from the outset.
- Submitting applications before the required period of residence has elapsed
- Forgetting to attach the lease agreement to the housing benefit application
- Failing to check eligibility for other benefits before applying for social assistance
- Not notifying Kela of a change in income, family composition, or address
- Using an outdated application form
- Failing to appeal a refusal within the prescribed time limit
Each of these mistakes leads to delays, refusals, or a demand to repay benefits. A careful review of the rules helps avoid this.
Why it is difficult to determine your rights with Kela on your own
At first glance, it may seem enough to submit a few applications online. However, Finland’s social security system has many nuances that depend on the residence permit, family composition, income, and time limits.
- Official instructions are in Finnish or Swedish, and translations may be outdated
- It is difficult to understand which benefits are already available and which are not yet
- Different benefits have different forms, time limits, and requirements
- An error in the form leads to a refusal or a delay in payments for months
- A change in status or income may affect the amount of all benefits at once
That is why Ukrainians are increasingly turning to lawyers. Kela after one year of residence in Finland offers many opportunities, but it is not always possible to use them without mistakes on one’s own.
On your own or with International Law Firm "Zahist": a comparison
The difference between the two approaches is best seen in a comparison.
| Parameter | On your own | With International Law Firm "Zahist" |
| Assessment of eligibility for benefits | Based on general advice | Analysis of the permit, time limits, and family composition |
| Choice of forms | Risk of using an outdated form | Current forms and correct completion |
| Documents | A translation or lease agreement may be omitted | A checklist and verification of completeness |
| Interaction with Kela | In person, often in Finnish | Support and an explanation of each step |
| Refusal | Unclear what to do next | Analysis of the decision and an application for review |
| Outcome | Depends on luck | A clear plan and oversight until the outcome |
We do not guarantee decisions by public authorities, as the final word rests with them. However, proper preparation significantly reduces the risk of refusals and delays.
How International Law Firm "Zahist" helps Ukrainians obtain Kela benefits
We work according to a clear plan so that you always understand what is happening in your case.
- Analysis of the situation: permit, date of arrival, family composition, income, and housing costs
- Identification of benefits to which entitlement has already arisen and those that will arise later
- Preparation of documents and translations, and completion of forms
- Submission of applications to Kela and monitoring of the review
- In the event of a refusal: analysis of the decision and an application for review
- Appeal of the decision where there are grounds
- Ongoing support in the event of a change in income, address, or family composition
At every stage, you know what is happening and are not left alone with the bureaucracy. This is especially valuable for families with children, where every month of delay is felt.
Legal assistance to Ukrainians on Kela matters
Do not postpone contacting us if you are already entitled to a benefit. The sooner a correct application is submitted, the sooner payments will arrive.
Contact the lawyers of International Law Firm "Zahist", and we will review your situation and advise you on exactly what you may claim once a year has passed and what steps to take. This will help you make full use of the rights provided by Kela after one year of residence in Finland.
