Stricter Sanctions for Job Search and Employment Services from 1.1.2026

The government is proposing a legislative amendment that would extend the sanctions, that is the mandatory waiting periods, related to job searching and employment services. A sanction period means a time during which unemployment benefits are not paid due to blameworthy conduct. The amendment is intended to enter into force on 1 January 2026.

At present, the sanction system related to job searching and employment services is graded. A first failure does not result in a loss of benefits. After the amendment, a first instance of blameworthy conduct would result in a 7-day mandatory waiting period, and a second offence could lead to the loss of the right to unemployment benefits until further notice. The right to benefits could be reinstated after six weeks of employment. Currently, a sanction lasting until further notice is imposed only after the fourth failure.

Examples of situations where the change might affect you:

• you do not attend an agreed initial interview or job search discussion with the employment authority
• you refuse to prepare an employment plan
• you neglect your employment plan (for example, by not applying for jobs or refusing a service).

The aim of the reform is to emphasize the jobseeker’s responsibility to actively search for work and participate in the services offered.

The changes apply only to sanctions related to job searching and employment services. A sanction; a mandatory waiting period can also be imposed if you resign from a job or refuse to accept an offered job. The duration of these mandatory waiting periods will remain unchanged (30–45 days).

Sanctions / mandatory waiting periods are always imposed by the KEHA Centre. The unemployment fund receives information about the sanction through a labour policy statement, which is binding on the fund.

Read more about the mandatory waiting periods from JobMarket Finland.