Self-employed person’s social security

If you move to Finland as a self-employed person, your social security is generally determined in the same way as for those who move to Finland to work. The important question is whether your move is considered to be temporary or permanent. It will be considered permanent if your business activity is meant to last for a minimum of two years and you will be staying in Finland for most of this time.

You will be eligible for sickness insurance if you are insured under the Self-Employed Persons’ Pensions Act (YEL) or the Farmers’ Pensions Act (MEL) and your business activity has lasted a minimum of four months.

Self-employed persons moving from EU or EEA countries or Switzerland

According to EU legislation, a person who is working as self-employed in another member state is covered by the social security of the country where the business activity is being practised,

You can be insured for sickness from the start of your business activity when you have been operating as a self-employed person without interruption for a minimum of 4 months and have insurance under the Self-Employed Persons’ Pensions Act (YEL) or Farmers’ Pensions Act (MYEL).

A self-employed person who is covered by pension insurance is also covered by unemployment insurance.

Additional information:

Federation of Finnish Enterprises

Infopankki