KOKO unemployment fund

Being a member of an unemployment fund is an important safeguard in the working life. You can join the KOKO unemployment fund for highly educated through Ornamo. A salaried job is required when joining the KOKO fund. The job can be temporary, fixed term or part-time, and it is possible to join the fund while having a summer job or a part-time job as a student.

You cannot join an unemployment fund while you are unemployed, laid off or on childcare leave. The KOKO fund’s membership fee for 2026 is 69 euros / year.

The unemployment fund secures your livelihood if you become unemployed or are temporarily laid off. The earnings-related unemployment allowance paid by the unemployment fund is typically significantly larger than the unemployment benefits paid by Kela.

We recommend joining KOKO as soon as possible, as you are only eligible to join when you are in paid employment. If you find yourself unemployed or laid off, it will be too late to join. Students are also eligible to join the unemployment fund if they are employed, for example, working a summer or part-time job.

It is important to join as soon as possible to ensure that you meet the membership condition; you meet the membership condition if you have been a member of an unemployment fund for at least 12 months. You also need to meet the employment condition, which is a requirement for receiving a daily allowance. This means that, during your unemployment fund membership, you need to have worked at least 12 months, before becoming unemployed or being temporarily laid off. There are also conditions regarding minimum wage per month etc. Please read more from the link below.

Conditions for earnings-related allowance

KOKO is an unemployment fund for wage earners. If you are an entrepreneur, you can get unemployment security by joining the Entrepreneur Fund. If you are a freelancer or engage in business activities, check with KOKO to find out if you are considered a wage earner or entrepreneur for the purposes of the unemployment fund.

If you are employed as a wage earner and want to join KOKO, please contact: Outi Liusvaara, office(at)ornamo.fi.

Find out more at: kokokassa.fi/en

Unemployment security for entrepreneurs

KOKO Fund is an unemployment fund for employees, while entrepreneurs can insure themselves through the Entrepreneurs’ Unemployment Fund. Find out about your options for fund membership as soon as you start your business activities.

If you are employed and run a business as a side activity, you should be a member of the KOKO Fund. If you are a full-time entrepreneur, you can remain a member of the KOKO Fund for up to 18 months from the start of your business activities. After starting full-time entrepreneurship, it is advisable to consider joining the entrepreneurs’ unemployment fund to ensure uninterrupted earnings-related unemployment security.