To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.
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As an informal carer for a loved onePersonal well-being of the carer
Where can I get support for my own well-being?
While caring for your loved one, be sure to also take care of yourself.
If you have entered into an informal care agreement, you can go to the health check-up organised by your wellbeing services county (or the City of Helsinki). Some wellbeing services counties invite you for a health check-up, and in some of them, the informal carer must book a health check-up themselves. Ask your own employee.
If you are feeling fatigue, ask for help. Talk about your situation with your own employee or with another professional, such as a public health nurse, social worker, home care instructor or physician.
Tips and excercises to support your wellbeing and vigourOpens in a new window. you can find on the Carers Finland`s website.
Do you need advice and help for managing alcohol abuse? See the content about Alcohol, drugs or gambling.
Updated: 11/2/2025
Can I have days off and holidays?
Days off are part of the informal care agreement. You are entitled to at least two days off per month. You are entitled to three days off if you are continuously or with only minor interruptions tied to the care of your loved one 24 hours a day or constantly on a daily basis.
You can have days off
- monthly
- within a longer period of time if you have accumulated enough days off for e.g. a whole week off. Agree with the wellbeing services county on this
- in multiple periods of time under 24 hours long. Agree with the municipality on this.
Statutory leave does not reduce your informal carer's compensation.
A substitute carer can take care of your loved one during your statutory time off and also otherwise if you need leave. For more information, see the section How to hire a substitute carer?
Updated: 18/2/2026
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What is an impact of leave and holidays on unemployment benefit?
If you are a jobseeker at employment services, notify them in advance if you will not be applying for full-time work during your holiday. If you interrupt your job search for your holiday, you will not receive an unemployment benefit for the time of your holiday. Applying for full-time employment is a prerequisite for receiving unemployment benefits.
You can end or temporarily suspend your job search.
- If you end your job search, you must re-register as an unemployed jobseeker after your holiday.
- If you temporarily suspend your job search, agree with employment services on how to report to them. You can already indicate the period for which you are on holiday. You can also report separately when you resume your job search after your holiday.
Updated: 2/1/2025
Peer support
Informal care can often last a long time, and its nature and the level of stress associated with it may change along the way. It is important to talk to peers about your situation and coping, so go to peer support groups or find contacts e.g. on social media.
Updated: 18/12/2025