What happens if I become unemployed as a light entrepreneur

If your work as a light entrepreneur ends and you become unemployed, register as an unemployed jobseeker immediately through Job Market Finland’s E-services or with the employment services of your municipality of residence. Register no later than your first day of unemployment, because unemployment benefit can usually only be paid from the date your jobseeker status is active.

If you have had YEL insurance through Omapaja, also notify Omapaja customer service when your work ends, so that we can help pause or terminate your YEL insurance where applicable. YEL is the statutory pension insurance for self-employed persons in Finland and affects social security benefits.

After you register as a jobseeker, employment authority will assess whether your entrepreneurial activity has ended, is full-time, or is part-time. The final decision on unemployment benefit is made by your unemployment fund or Kela. If you belong to an unemployment fund, apply for earnings-related allowance from your fund. If you do not belong to a fund, apply for unemployment benefit from Kela.

Useful links:
Register as a jobseeker — Job Market Finland
If self-employment ends — Kela
Unemployment security for entrepreneurs and self-employed persons — Job Market Finland
Omapaja customer service
YEL insurance through Omapaja