Stiffen criteria for childcare allowance to enter into force on Jan 1

The new law, which tightened the criteria for childcare allowance will enter into force on January 1, 2027, said the national social insurance institution- Kela in a press release on Thursday.

According to the new law, Kela will pay child home care allowance only to recipients who have lived in Finland or another EU or EEA country for at least 3 years.

The period of residence will be calculated starting from the date when the person who applies for the allowance turned 16.

The changes will not affect periods of child home care allowance that Kela has already granted or grants before the changes enter into force.

The residency requirement will also apply to Finnish citizens. However, the requirement will not apply to persons who have moved to Finland before 1 January 2027 or to persons under the age of 19.

In addition, Kela will pay the allowance only to a parent who looks after their child themselves.

Currently, Kela can pay the allowance even if someone else who is not the child’s parent looks after the child.

Earlier in February 2026, the four-party alliance government led by conservative Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) took the initiative to tighten the home care and private childcare allowances for the women with an immigrant background.

In October 2025, the government prepared the first draft to bring amendments to the Act on Child Home Care Allowances and Private Childcare Allowances.