Housing benefits in Finland
The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) grants several forms of housing support in Finland, the purpose of which is to ease the everyday costs of low-income earners. General housing allowance and housing allowance for pensioners are only granted for housing expenses for a dwelling in Finland. Housing assistance for conscripts and student housing supplement can also be paid for housing expenses for a dwelling in another country.
Generally you can only receive one type of housing allowance at a time. When you apply for housing allowance from Kela, first check which is the right allowance for you and your family.
The rules for Finland also largely apply to the Åland Islands. Exceptions to this are housing allowance for students receiving AMS student financial aid and the criteria for calculating the amount of general housing allowance. If you are interested in these exceptions, please go to the page Housing allowance in Åland.
General housing allowance is intended to reduce housing costs for low-income households living in rented accommodation, right-of-occupancy housing or part-ownership housing. A household generally comprises the occupants of the dwelling, and housing allowance is granted to the household collectively. As a rule, students are eligible for student housing supplement, but families with children and students living with their parents are eligible for general housing allowance.
The amount of housing allowance granted is affected by
- your housing expenses
- the number of adults and children in the household
- the household’s combined income
- the household's total assets
- where the dwelling is located.
To get general housing allowance, you must live in Finland permanently. Residence in Finland is determined based on the Act on residence-based social security in cross-border situations. The allowance is only granted for housing expenses for a dwelling in Finland.
Read more about general housing allowance on Kela’s website.
If your home is located in Åland, read about the amount of general housing allowance in Åland on the page Housing allowance in Åland.
You can get student housing supplement if you live in rented or right-of-occupancy housing and are eligible for student financial aid. Housing supplement is only paid for months of study.
You can get housing supplement for the duration of your studies both in Finland and abroad. Read more on Kela’s website.
If you get study grant or adult study grant from the Åland Labour Market and Student Service Authority (AMS), the housing allowance is part of AMS student financial aid. Read more on the page Housing allowance in Åland.
Housing allowance for pensioners is intended to help pensioners on low incomes with their housing expenses. You are eligible for housing allowance for pensioners if you live in Finland permanently and you get a pension or payment that entitles you to housing allowance for pensioners. This housing allowance is not, however, granted to persons who get general housing allowance. You are considered to be resident in Finland if, based on the Act on residence-based social security in cross-border situations, you live in Finland.
The following can get housing allowance for pensioners
- persons living alone who qualify for housing allowance for pensioners
- married or co-habiting couples if one or both spouses/partners are eligible for housing allowance for pensioners
- households where all the occupants are eligible for housing allowance for pensioners.
Housing allowance for pensioners is affected by your housing expenses, family situation (whether you are married/co-habiting or not) and your income and assets. The allowance is only granted for housing expenses for a dwelling in Finland.
Read more about housing allowance for pensioners on Kela’s website.
Housing assistance for conscripts is intended for conscripts or their family members. Conscripts means persons in the army or non-military service. Read more about housing assistance for conscripts on Kela’s website.
More information
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NB! If you have questions regarding the processing of a specific case or application, or other personal matters, please contact the relevant authority directly.