Finland - Child benefit
In Finland families with children receive child benefit (lapsilisä), the size of which is determined by the number of children the family has.
Who receives child benefit?
Kela pays child benefit for children under the age of 17. You can receive child benefit from the beginning of the month following the birth of the child.
Child benefit is normally paid to the mother or the father or other adult responsible for the care of the child. Child benefit can also be paid to another person responsible for the care of the child and, in some cases, to the child him- or herself (if 15 or older).
When is the child benefit paid?
Kela pays child benefit for children under the age of 17 who live in Finland. Child benefit is paid monthly until:
- the child turns 17
- the child moves abroad, or
- the child starts to receive a disability pension.
In some cases child benefit may be paid for the children of workers who come from other EU countries, even if the children do not live in Finland. Contact Kela´s customer service for more information http://www.kela.fi/web/en/families.
How much child benefit will I receive and how do I claim it?
The amount of child benefit paid increases with the number of children a family has. The child benefit you receive will increase for every child living with you and who is eligible for child benefit.
Your child benefit will also increase if you are unmarried and are not cohabiting with anyone. You will receive the increase even if the child's parents have joint custody.
Child benefit is a tax-free benefit.
Find how much child benefit you can claim on Kela's website, www.kela.fi/web/en.
You can claim child benefit at Kela's offices. You can also claim online via Kela's website, https://www.kela.fi/web/en/e-services.
Useful forms and links
Know your rights
The Commission's publication and website:
Who should I contact?
Contact Kela's customer services: https://www.kela.fi/web/en/customer-service.