Working While Studying in Finland: A Guide to Employment Laws and Your Rights

Whether you’re a new arrival or a continuing student, this article is designed to help international students understand how to work legally and successfully in Finland.

Working while studying in Finland can be rewarding, but it’s important to understand the rules. Whether you’re an EU or non-EU student, this guide outlines your rights, responsibilities, and the key employment laws that help you navigate Finnish working life.

Work Rights in Finland

If you are an international student in Finland who is looking to work while studying, you’ll need to have a valid passport, residence permit, or travel document to show your right to work. You will also need to follow a few simple rules based on your residence status:

• EU/EEA students can work without any restrictions.
• Non-EU/EEA students can work up to 30 hours per week during the academic term. You may occasionally exceed 30 hours per week, as long as your total annual working hours do not exceed 1,560 (an average of 120 hours per month).

Labour Laws and Legislation in Finland

In Finland, working life is shaped by labour laws and collective agreements between employees and employers. These agreements often provide more detailed rules than legislation, especially regarding pay, working hours, and other employment conditions. Labour legislation is developed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in cooperation with employer and employee organizations, ensuring that the rules reflect the needs of both sides

Trade Unions and Unemployment Funds in Finland

In Finland, all employees can join a trade union and/or an unemployment fund. While not mandatory, joining a union can provide valuable support.

• Trade Unions represent workers, negotiate working conditions, and help with workplace disputes. They also offer legal advice, training, and other benefits. Membership costs about 1–2% of your salary and is tax-deductible. Without a union, you’re responsible for handling work issues on your own.

• Unemployment Funds provide earnings-related unemployment benefits. You need to apply and pay a fee—membership is not automatic. Many unions offer a combined membership, or you can join a fund independently.

Most unions are industry-specific, so it’s important to check what kind of job you have and join a union that matches your field. All trade unions in Finland belong to one of three main federations:

• AKAVA – Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff
• SAK – Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
• STTK – Finnish Confederation of Professionals

For more details and guidance, visit their websites or contact them directly.

Collective Agreements in Finland

As mentioned earlier, collective agreements play a key role in shaping working life in Finland. These are industry-specific contracts negotiated between trade unions and employer organizations. They define important employment conditions—like wages, working hours, overtime pay, holidays, and other rights and responsibilities at work.

Collective agreements still apply even if neither party belongs to a union, which ensures fair minimum conditions across industries.

If you’re unsure what applies to your job, you can:

• Ask your employer or union

• Check the FINLEX database (mostly in Finnish, though some agreements are available in English) A collective agreement sets industry-specific employment terms and is negotiated between trade unions and employers.

Collective agreements are updated regularly, so it’s a good idea to stay informed through your workplace or union.

Employment Contracts

Before starting work, you must receive an employment contract—written or oral—within one month. It must follow the relevant collective agreement.

Before signing, check:

• Names (yours and the employer’s)
• Job location, hours, salary, pay date
• Holiday rights and applied collective agreement

If unsure, don’t sign—ask for help from your trade union.

Trial period

In Finland, most jobs start with a trial period that allows both the employer and employee to see if the job is a good fit. It can last up to six months, or no more than half the contract length for fixed-term jobs.

The trial period must be clearly stated in the employment contract, even if mentioned in a collective agreement.

During this time, either party can end the employment immediately, but not for discriminatory or improper reasons, such as gender, pregnancy, or a short illness.

Taxes and tax card

If you work in Finland, you must pay tax on your income.

Before starting work, you need to give your employer a tax card (verokortti), which shows your personal tax rate. You can get this document from the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero)—either online or at your local Tax Office.

Employment certificate

When your job ends, you’re entitled to request an employment certificate from your employer. Employers must keep employment records for 10 years, so you can ask for the certificate at any point within that time.

There are two types:

• A basic certificate includes your job title and employment dates.
• An extended certificate can also include the reason for termination and an evaluation of your performance—useful when applying for jobs or unemployment benefits from Kela, which often requires the reason for unemployment.

This certificate is valuable when proving your experience and skills to future employers.

Unemployment

If you’re enrolled in full-time degree studies, it is unusual for you to be eligible for earnings-related unemployment benefits.

However, you can join an unemployment fund while you’re working—such as in a part-time or summer job—during your studies. 

Joining early helps you start accumulating the 12-month employment requirement needed for earnings-related benefits.

Unemployment benefits and Kela: Kela is the Finnish social security institution responsible for providing various social benefits(unemployment benefits included), it acts as a safety net for residents of Finland, but to receive support from Kela, you must have a residence permit that grants you the right to social security in Finland. Many international students do not automatically qualify for Kela benefits, so these may not apply to you.

In order to apply to any unemployment benefit in Finland, you must meet specific requirements, regardless of the type of benefit you are seeking, here are the key steps:

• Register as a full-time jobseeker with Finnish Employment Services  no later than your first day of unemployment.
• Actively apply for jobs as agreed in your employment plan.
• Meet eligibility conditions: For earnings-related benefits, this includes having sufficient work history and being a member of an unemployment fund.

If you have questions related to unemployment, consult the Finnish Employment Services or your own work union for more information.

Conclusion

Working while studying in Finland offers valuable opportunities—but it also comes with responsibilities. By understanding the rules around working hours, employment contracts, taxes, and union membership, you can protect your rights and make the most of your time in the Finnish workforce. Whether you’re just starting out or already employed, staying informed and seeking support when needed will ensure a smoother and more rewarding experience. Always remember: help is available, and knowing your rights is the first step toward success.