Instructions and support⁠

Starting a business interests me

Would you like to become an entrepreneur? At Job Market Finland you will find information and services to help you get started in entrepreneurship.

Information about the situation

Starting a business is one way you can employ yourself. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, you should familiarise yourself with the services for beginner entrepreneurs. Information and advice are easily available.

Advice and information on entrepreneurship

The national Enterprise Finland Telephone Service will advise you on matters related to setting up a business. You will get advice in a quick and easy manner; a business advisor can advise you, map out your situation, and guide you with the next steps.

If you want to familiarise yourself with topics related to entrepreneurship, check out the Suomi.fi web service where you can find a lot of information about entrepreneurship.

In the 'Entrepreneurship tools' section of Job Market Finland you can test your business idea and suitability as an entrepreneur free of charge. In the 'My jork path' section you can create a business plan.

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Financial support for starting a business from employment services

Once you have decided to start a business, you should contact the employment official as soon as possible. As a beginner entrepreneur you may receive a start-up grant or be entitled to unemployment security.

With the help of the start-up grant, you will be able to cope better in the early stages of business operations when your company's income is still low.

If you are an unemployed job seeker and start a business, you can choose whether you apply for an unemployment benefit or a start-up grant for the first four months of entrepreneurship. This is because the employment official will not assess whether you are a full-time or part-time entrepreneur during this time. The assessment will be made once four months have passed.

Please note that you can only receive an unemployment benefit if the labour policy requirements for receiving unemployment benefits are met. This means that you must apply for and be prepared to accept full-time work and keep the job search valid as agreed with the employment official. Unemployment security may be reconciled, if necessary, with the income you receive from your business.

Light entrepreneurship

If you have a business idea but are concerned about administrative matters related to entrepreneurship, light entrepreneurship may be a suitable option for you. As a light entrepreneur, you invoice your work through a separate billing service, and you do not need to obtain your own business ID. There are different types of billing services, and some of them take care of not only invoicing but also of the entrepreneur's statutory obligations.

From entrepreneur to employer

If there is much work to do in your company and you need help, you will find information and advice on hiring your first employee in the 'Becoming an employer' section.

Lue lisää

You can also start a business in addition to your paid job. This means you are a part-time entrepreneur. Your income comes mainly from your paid job, so you can try entrepreneurship more safely. As a part-time entrepreneur, you can receive additional income or new content for your life.

As a part-time entrepreneur, you should consider the possible impacts of even small-scale business operations on taxation and unemployment security. The impact of your additional income from part-time business operations on the taxation of your income should be determined together with the Tax Administration.

If your paid job ends during your part-time entrepreneurship, you may be eligible for an adjusted unemployment benefit. In this case, the amount of unemployment benefit you receive will be adjusted according to your income from the business.

If you consider becoming an entrepreneur, plan on setting up a business, or have already set up a company, you can take part in entrepreneurial training, career coaching or labour market training.

Entrepreneurial training offers you information on the daily running of a company and helps you plan your business.

In career coaching, you can clarify your thoughts on entrepreneurship as a career option.

In training for the purposes of establishing a business, you can deepen your understanding of, for example, marketing and the risks linked with running a company. You can also familiarise yourself with procedures related to setting up a business and develop your business idea and business plan further.

You can develop your business idea and receive support in the drafting of a business plan in a short-term entrepreneurial training, which is organised as labour market training. You can complete entrepreneurial training and courses for entrepreneurs as independent studies. Training for completing the Further Qualification for Entrepreneurs or parts of it is also organised as labour market training.

You can start your business while enrolled in entrepreneurial training.

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If you are an entrepreneur or employ yourself in another way, the provisions on unemployment security are different for you than for a wage earner.

If you are an entrepreneur or otherwise employ yourself part-time, you may be entitled to adjusted unemployment security, but your income will affect its amount.

If you work as an entrepreneur or otherwise employ yourself full-time, you usually retain your right to unemployment security if your work has lasted no more than two weeks. This also usually includes, for example, work under a commission contract. The unemployment security is adjusted on the basis of your income from entrepreneurial activities or commission contracts.

Entrepreneurial activity

Starting entrepreneurial activities during unemployment

If you are unemployed and start entrepreneurial activities lasting more than two weeks, notify the employment official of it. Your assigned service specialist will find out the start times of unemployment and entrepreneurial activities.

The full-time or part-time nature of your entrepreneurial activities will be assessed four months after the start of the entrepreneurial activities. You can receive an unemployment benefit for these four months if the conditions for receiving it are met. For example, you must apply for and be prepared to accept full-time work and keep your job search valid. Entrepreneurial activity is not a valid reason for declining a job offer or a service promoting employment. A refusal may result in a mandatory waiting period or imposing an obligation to work. The income you receive during these four months can affect the amount of your unemployment benefit. You must notify the payer of the unemployment benefit of the income you have received from your entrepreneurial activities. You may be entitled to an adjusted unemployment benefit.

If your entrepreneurial activity is estimated to be full-time after four months, your entitlement to unemployment security ends. If your entrepreneurial activity is considered to be part-time, you may be entitled to an adjusted unemployment benefit. This decision will only concern the time after the first four months, and it has no retroactive effect.

The assessment utilises information about the actual workload of your entrepreneurial activities or your own work, not the income or profit received from the entrepreneurial activities or your own work during the first four months. If no other evidence is available of the extent of work required by your business, the decision may be based on your personal report of the workload. 

A four-month trial period is not possible,

  • if you are unemployed, but you already have a company that you would like to expand into a full-time business or whose business form you would change, or
  • you would become a partner in an already operating company.

The four-month period may start from the beginning in case of starting entrepreneurial activities or self-employment, once you have met the work requirement which is the prerequisite for unemployment allowance and the maximum time for the unemployment allowance starts from the beginning.

The unemployment security advisory services of employment services will advise you on how your situation will affect your eligibility for unemployment security.

Assessment of entrepreneurial status

After four months have elapsed from the start of entrepreneurial activities or one's own work, the KEHA Centre's unemployment security area of responsibility will assess whether your business or self-employment is your main or secondary activity, or whether it has ended. The estimate may not be the same as in taxation, for example. The unemployment benefit payer, i.e. KELA or the unemployment fund, assesses the preconditions for the payment of unemployment security separately.

In the beginning of the assessment, a clarification request will usually be opened for you. You can respond to this request in the E-services at Job Market Finland or on a paper form. In the clarification request, you can describe your situation in more detail and attach the necessary documents.

When assessing your entitlement to unemployment security, among other things, the following are of significance:

  • an entrepreneur's pension insurance (YEL) or farmer's pension insurance (MYEL),
  • employment in a business or as a private entrepreneur, and
  • the share of ownership of the company.

The share of ownership applies to both the shares of family members as well as ownership through a so-called intermediary company.

Self-employment

If you are unemployed and are self-employed for more than two weeks, notify the employment official. Your assigned service specialist will determine the start times of unemployment and self-employment.

For example grant recipients, informal carers, and athletes can be considered as self-employed persons. The full and part-time nature of self-employment is also assessed four months after starting activities, similarly to starting entrepreneurial activities.

Working through a billing service cooperative 

Work undertaken via a billing service cooperative is considered to be in the context of an employment relationship if you have entered into a contract of employment with the billing service cooperative. In this case, it must be possible to consider the cooperative as an employer in general. This means that the cooperative offers in its own name the services you do for your work. The cooperative is not considered to be an employer if it only provides information on job opportunities or takes care of the billing for the work done by its members. In such situations, an employment relationship can only exist between the billing service cooperative and the person responsible for issuing invoices.  

Work done via a billing service cooperative is not generally within the context of an employment relationship. Your assigned employment service specialist will assess the impact of work other than work completed under an employment or public service relationship on your right to unemployment security on the basis of the provisions on entrepreneurs in the Unemployment Security Act.  

Completing assignments through a billing service cooperative in periods of up to two weeks

If you work as an entrepreneur via a billing service cooperative for a maximum of two weeks at a time, you may be entitled to unemployment security. Please note that other conditions for receiving unemployment security must also be met. When you are employed in entrepreneurial activities for a maximum of two weeks at a time, the impact of the period of work completed as an entrepreneur on your right to receive unemployment security will not be investigated, and if the entrepreneurial activity is full-time, it will not prevent you from receiving an unemployment benefit. If you have several assignments lasting up to two weeks, contact employment services.

You must inform the party paying your unemployment benefit of any new period of employment, and it will make a decision on your entitlement to unemployment security. In order to receive an adjusted unemployment benefit, you must be registered as a job seeker. If you receive a partial disability pension, you only need to look for part-time work.

Despite the fulfilment of the formal requirements governing the cessation of activities, an enterprise may be regarded as continuing, where, for example, you clearly try to cover the financial risks associated with the business by means of unemployment benefit. In that case, you may have several simultaneous or successive assignments. If the assignments follow one another uninterrupted without even a day’s break, the enterprise has not ceased its operations in a manner described in the Unemployment Security Act.

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The way that work is done is changing, opening new opportunities for you to find employment. In addition to traditional salaried work and entrepreneurship, you may also employ yourself in other ways, such as using light entrepreneurship services, working as a freelancer, working on a grant, working in a worker cooperative, or working as a family caregiver, professional athlete, or volunteer. These different ways of working offer you alternatives when preparing for changes in working life.

You can employ yourself in many different ways. You can earn your income from multiple sources, either simultaneously or in alternation. For example, you may work part-time through light entrepreneurship whilst also in paid employment or doing your studies, or your work may consist of a number of short-term job assignments. Have you ever considered that you could also earn money from your hobby? 

This may bring up questions about unemployment security. There is no unequivocal model for all self-employed people, as the amount and duration of the work you do has an impact on unemployment security. For more information, you can browse information at our 'Unemployment security' and 'Information and guidance about unemployment security' sections.

  • As an informal carer, you take care of a loved one who has a disease or disability or who otherwise needs special care and is unable to cope with their daily life on their own. At the same time, informal carers employ themselves.

  • Formal or informal volunteering involves ordinary non-profit work for which you are not paid.

Are you interested in entrepreneurship?

Explore the entrepreneurship content at Job Market Finland.

 

 

Entrepreneurship section

Business plan

With our easy-to-use tool, you can create a business plan tailored to your specific situation. The plan helps you organize your business idea and ensure that important aspects are considered when starting or developing your business. The tool is free and available in Finnish, Swedish, and English.

Siirry liiketoimintasuunnitelmatyökaluun

Private customer

Plan or develop your business as a private customer. You can log in with strong authentication or via email.

Operating business

Create a plan in the name of the company you represent. Your company must have a business ID, and you must have the right to sign on behalf of the company.

Services

The start-up grant secures your livelihood during the establishment and consolidation stage of your business.

Target Group

Citizens

The start-up grant is discretionary support for a new entrepreneur. Its purpose is to secure an entrepreneur’s livelihood at the starting phase of new full-time entrepreneurship when the income generated by the company is still low.

The start-up grant is granted for six months from the time you start as a full-time entrepreneur or expand your part-time business to full time. You may receive an extension to the start-up grant so that the total duration is no more than 12 months.

The start-up grant is equal in amount to a basic unemployment allowance. The start-up grant is paid for five days per calendar week.

To whom and on what terms

In order to receive a start-up grant, you must live in Finland and establish your business in Finland. You cannot receive the grant if you have started full-time business operations or expanded your part-time business into full-time operations before the grant application has been received by the employment authority. However, you can apply for an extension included in the maximum duration of the start-up grant.

You can receive a start-up grant to support your entrepreneurship if

  • you are an unemployed jobseeker,
  • you are not unemployed, but start as a full-time entrepreneur after doing paid work, studying or household work or
  • you are a part-time entrepreneur and you expand your business into a full-time business.

The employment authority assesses whether you have sufficient capabilities for running a business and whether the operations meet the prerequisites for a profitable business. You may also be granted other necessary conditions for receiving a start-up grant.

Do the following

When planning business operations and applying for a start-up grant, contact the employment authority in your area. Submit your grant application before starting full-time business operations or expanding your part-time business into full-time activity. You can apply for the payment of the start-up grant after receiving a decision. If you need support after the time covered by the first decision, you can submit an extension application for the start-up grant. Submit the extension application to the employment authority in your area during the valid start-up grant period.

How to apply for a start-up grant and its payment

Apply for a start-up grant and its payment primarily using an electronic form in the e-service. If you cannot use the e-service, use the printable form and submit the form to your employment authority. If you have applied for a start-up grant using a printable form instead of an e-service, use the printable form also to apply for payment.

Log into the e-service with your personal banking IDs, a mobile certificate or a certificate card. Complete the application and attach the required documents. The service’s internal instructions will help you fill in the application. In the e-service, you can submit an application, respond to requests for supplementary information concerning the application, supplement your application and receive decisions concerning your case.

The start-up grant is paid monthly and retrospectively. Apply for the payment of the start-up grant from the employment authority within two months of the end of the payment period.

You can get advice on starting a company and using the E-service from the Enterprise Finland Advisory Service.

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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.

If you need help in applying for unemployment security, read the contents of Job Market Finland or call the national Unemployment security advice.

Labour market training helps you develop your professional skills and promote your employment.

Target Group

Citizens

Labour market training develops your professional skills and promotes your employment. Labour market training is training organised by the employment authority. The employment authority and the training provider plan the training together. Employers can also participate in the organisation of labour market training.

Labour market training may be:

  • training that increases professional competence and capabilities
  • training to increase entrepreneurial skills
  • integration training.

Labour market training is free of charge, so you won’t need to pay participation or examination fees. However, card and licence training may be subject to a fee.

If you are unemployed, you are entitled to the same unemployment security during labour market training that you get when you are unemployed. 

If you incur costs from participating in the training, you can receive an expense allowance for the days of participation. If you do not receive the allowance from the provider of your unemployment benefit, that is, the unemployment fund or Kela, you can apply for a discretionary expense allowance from the employment authority in your area.

To whom and on what terms

In order to receive vocational guidance and career planning, you do not need to be registered as a jobseeker.

Do the following

You can find which labour market training is currently available in the Trainings and services online service.

How do I apply for training?

Apply for labour market training in the Job Market Finland’s e-service

If you are unable to apply online, you apply by filling in the form “Application for labour market training”.

Before submitting your application, carefully read the admission criteria of the training programme you are interested in.

If you are an unemployed jobseeker, you can apply for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses from the employment authority when you travel for an admission event or aptitude test for labour market training, or visit the educational institution before starting labour market training if your disability or illness requires familiarisation with the accessibility and suitability of the educational institution.

You can get support for using the E-service from the Job Market Finland's E-services advice.

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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.

Career coaching guides and supports you in studying different career options.

Target Group

Citizens

Career coaching might suit you if you have no vocational training, consider changing fields, are returning to employment or consider entrepreneurship.

Career coaching provides you with information, counselling and support that help you get a clearer idea of your choice of profession and career alternatives, applying for education and developing transferable skills. Coaching helps you find your strengths and a new direction for your career.

To whom and on what terms

You can participate in career coaching if

  • you have registered as a jobseeker
  • the employment authority estimates that career coaching is the best way to support your employment
  • coaching is agreed upon in your employment plan.

Do the following

Contact the employment authority in your area and ask if you can get career coaching.

The Job Market Finland's regional pages contain contact information provided by employment officials.

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You can find more detailed information and instructions in the service description published by the employment authority in your area.

The national Enterprise Finland Advisory Service provides guidance to starting entrepreneurs in matters related to establishing an enterprise.