Pension from Finland to another country
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If Kela pays you an old-age pension, a disability pension or a survivors’ pension and you move abroad, the payment of the pension may not continue. The payment is affected by which country you move to. How long you intend to stay abroad is also of significance. Always notify Kela if you move abroad.
If you receive an earnings-related pension and move abroad, your authorised pension provider will continue to pay your earnings-related pension regardless of which country you move to. However, you should contact your authorised pension provider before moving.
Payment of Finnish national pensions to other EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and the UK to ended on 1 February 2025
Kela stopped paying national pensions to recipients in countries other than Finland that apply EU regulations as from 1 February 2025. This change can also have an impact on which country is responsible for the costs of your medical treatment and on whether you can receive care allowance for pensioners from Kela. The payment of family pensions will continue as usual.
Are you moving abroad temporarily?
If you move abroad temporarily, any pensions and child increase from Kela will be paid in the normal manner during your stay abroad. However, you must notify Kela of your move abroad.
National pension, guarantee pension and housing allowance for pensioners can only be paid if your stay abroad is temporary. The housing allowance for pensioners is only paid towards the costs of a permanent home located in Finland.
Do you regularly stay abroad?
Regularly staying abroad means that, for example, you always spend four months abroad in the winter and come back to Finland in the spring.
Read more about how regular stays are determined for different countries
Are you moving abroad permanently?
If you move from Finland to another EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the United Kingdom on or after 1 January 2025, Kela will suspend the payment of your old-age pension or disability pension from the beginning of the month following your move. Survivors’ pensions will continue to be paid as usual.
Payment of Finnish national pensions to other EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and the UK ended on 1 February 2025
Kela stopped paying national pensions to recipients in countries other than Finland that apply EU regulations as from 1 February 2025. This change can also have an impact on which country is responsible for the costs of your medical treatment and on whether you can receive care allowance for pensioners from Kela.
If you move to a country other than an EU or EEA country, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or a country that has a social security agreement with Finland, Kela will suspend the payment of your pension from the beginning of the month following your move.
More information about moving abroad
Are you applying for a pension from Finland while living outside Finland?
The payment of Finnish national pensions, i.e. old-age pension and disability pension, to other EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and the United Kingdom ended on 1 February 2025. If you live in an EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the United Kingdom and you wish to apply for an earnings-related pension, please visit the tyoelake.fi website for more information.
If you permanently live in a country other than an EU or EEA country, Switzerland or a country that has a social security agreement with Finland, you cannot receive a pension from Kela.
However, if you have worked in Finland, you can apply for an earnings-related pension from Finland. For more information about earnings-related pensions, visit the työeläke.fi website.
Do you still have questions?
You can call Kela’s Centre for International Affairs.
What else is going on in your life?
Do you live abroad or dream of moving abroad?
You can find information on our website on how staying abroad affects Kela benefits and medical care in different situations.