1. The most advanced welfare system

Finland’s social welfare system is built on the Nordic welfare state model, designed to ensure decent living conditions and meet everyone’s basic needs. While this requires higher levels of taxation, it also offers comprehensive social security and an extensive range of public services.
For instance, the system provides disability benefits to support individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses, helping them navigate daily life with greater ease.

2. The system includes universal healthcare

In Finland, citizens have the option to choose between public and private healthcare services. Employers are also required to provide occupational healthcare. For those on extended sick leave or returning to work after illness, full or partial sickness allowances are available to support them.

The right to quality healthcare is highly valued in Finland. If you need hospital care, you won’t be hit with a massive bill. In Helsinki, healthcare fees are among the lowest in the country, ensuring that all residents can access the help they need. The best part? Healthcare costs are capped, so no one pays more than €762 in a single year.

3. Affordable childcare for all

For those dreaming of becoming parents, Finland offers loads of support. Generous parental allowance, higher level of financial support for single parents, and assistance for families adopting from abroad are just a few ways the system helps. The support continues in a form of home care allowance, and until children turn 17, families receive a child benefit. 

New parents can also choose between a maternity package, commonly known as the baby box, or a tax-free cash benefit. The baby box, introduced in the 1930s, is filled with essential items like bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, bath products, and nappies – everything new parents might need to get started.

Daycare for children is very affordable or free in Finland, but what makes Helsinki special is its bilingual early childhood education. At least 25% of the city’s daycare centres operate in a language other than Finnish or Swedish. Children can begin daycare as early as around 9 months old and continue until they start preschool at 6 years old. In Finland, elementary school starts at 7 years old.

4. Empowering student life

Finland is known for valuing education, and earning a world-class education takes time. To support full-time students, Finnish citizens have access to generous financial aid, including study grants, government-backed student loans and, in some cases, housing allowance.
But that’s not all. Students also benefit from subsidised transport and meals, making daily life more affordable. Many businesses, like restaurants and cafes, even offer student discounts on certain products as a little extra support.

5. Contributing to fair and secure working life

Minimum wages, working hours, holidays, sick pay, terms of dismissal. All these matters of working life are determined by the labour legislation and collective agreements in Finland.
These agreements ensure that every worker in Finland has the right to fair pay and a safe, healthy working environment. Joining a trade union is also common here, providing employees with additional support and representation. In case of unemployment, job seekers are able to get unemployment benefits.

6. And the journey continues after retirement

Retiring isn’t the end of the road – it’s the start of a new journey! In Finland, citizens enjoy pension benefits, including earnings-related state pensions. Depending on individual circumstances, pensioners may also receive housing benefits and a separate care allowance to support their needs.

7. A Helping hand when it’s needed the most

Finland and its cities are committed to helping those in need. People whose income doesn’t cover essential expenses can access basic social assistance – a fixed sum of money designed to cover daily living costs on an individual basis.

The system also provides a helping hand in rebuilding after hardship. Social services offer rehabilitation allowance aimed at improving individuals’ working capacity and quality of life. For those experiencing homelessness, Finland implements national programmes based on the Housing First model, which prioritises housing as a basic human right.

Whether it’s during the happiest of times or the most challenging moments, Finland’s cities and the state stand ready to support you.