Grant Workers

Grant work is not work under employment and the benefits based on employment legislation or regulations do not apply for grant workers. If you are currently studying in another university and are independently applying to UTA, please see more information about International visiting student.

Here some important things to take into consideration when planning research work on a grant in Finland. More information on taxation, social security etc. from the In To Finland Service.

Statutory Pension and Accident Insurance

The grant recipient (grant received from Finland) must apply for pension insurance and insurance against accidents or occupational diseases if s/he works uninterruptedly for at least four months with a grant (minimum amount 1184,31 EUR according to 2012 guidelines). The insurance application must be filed within three months from the beginning of the grant period to The Farmers' Social Insurance Institution Mela. More information about the insurance: http://www.mela.fi/, tel. 020 630 0695 or vakuutus(at)mela.fi.

Social Benefits in Finland

Researchers working on a grant are not considered as employees within the meaning of EU Regulation 1408/71, even if their grant corresponds in amount to the salary that would be paid for comparable research work. Just as with researchers from other countries, your coverage under the Finnish social security system depends on whether you are considered to move permanently to Finland. More infromation from Kela.

Health Care

Because you do not have an employment contract but your working in Finland is based on a grant, you are not entitled to occupational health care.

EU-Citizens
It is recommended to acquire a European Health Insurance Card from your home country before arriving in Finland, especially for those who are working on a grant. You do need the European Health Insurance Card in order to be treated in Finland. The European Health Insurance Card covers emergency treatment in the event of an illness or injury and other medically necessary treatment. You can also get medical treatment if you have a pre-existing chronic condition that requires medical attention while you are abroad.

Non-EU/EEA-Citizens
For those employees outside EU working on a grant, we highly recommend a medical insurance, as they are not entitled to publicly funded, economical public health care, unless they live in Finland permanently (have stayed in Finland for at least two years). Occupational health care covers basic health care, but in case e.g. specialist help/dentist/hospitalization is needed, non-EU nationals have to cover the expenses themselves, which is costly in Finland.