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Finnish Centre for Pensions

Social security while you work abroad

  • Service
  • Nationwide
  • Public service

As a rule, if you work abroad, you no longer have a right to get social security benefits from Finland. This applies even if you still live in or pay your taxes to Finland.

However, the rule does not apply if you are:

  • a posted employee or self-employed person,
  • a public servant, or
  • an employee or self-employed person who works in several countries on a regular basis.

More details on the co ...

Do the following

Send your application to the Finnish Centre for Pensions if you go abroad to work in:

  • an EU/EEA country, Great Britain, Switzerland or
  • a social security agreement country (Australia, Canada, Quebec, Chile, China, India, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and the USA).

If you go to work elsewhere, contact Kela.

More information on how to apply for social security coverage while you work abroad: etk.fi/en > International affairs > Working abroad > Apply for an A1 certificate.

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Finnish Centre for Pensions

Responsible for the service

Finnish Centre for Pensions
Text edited by: Finnish Centre for Pensions
Updated: 16/12/2025

Basic information

Information on fees

The service is free of charge.

Area

Whole Finland

Available languages

Finnish, Swedish, English