Sick pay in Finland (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: In Finland the employer pays full pay (50% if the job is under a month old) for the day of illness and the nine following working days. After that Kela pays sickness allowance for up to 300 weekdays. The employee must give reliable evidence of incapacity if the employer asks.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who pays sick payBeing ill and unable to work | The employer pays sick pay until the end of the ninth working day after the day the illness began (Employment Contracts Act ch. 2 s. 11). After that the sickness allowance from Kela under the Health Insurance Act applies. [1] |
| Sick pay rateBeing ill and unable to work | Full pay if the employment has lasted at least one month; 50% of pay if it has lasted less than a month. No pay if the incapacity was caused intentionally or by gross negligence. The Kela allowance after the waiting period is calculated from earnings under chapter 11 of the Health Insurance Act. [1] |
| Maximum durationBeing ill and unable to work | Employer: until the end of the ninth working day after the day of illness. Kela allowance: at most 300 weekdays; all allowance days in the two preceding years are counted, and the limit is reached at the end of the calendar month before the month in which the count would pass 300. [2] |
| Waiting daysBeing ill and unable to work | For Kela's sickness allowance the day the incapacity starts and the nine following weekdays are not paid by Kela (waiting period). The employer pays wages for this time if the employment has lasted at least one month (50% if shorter). [2] |
| Medical certificateBeing ill and unable to work | On request the employee must give the employer reliable evidence of the incapacity (Employment Contracts Act ch. 2 s. 11). [1] |
Sources
- Finlex (Oikeusministeriö): Työsopimuslaki 55/2001 (ajantasainen, konsolidoitu 29.5.2026) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
- Finlex (Oikeusministeriö): Sairausvakuutuslaki 1224/2004 (ajantasainen, konsolidoitu 9.7.2026) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.