Self-motivated study subsidised with an unemployment benefit
Support for self-motivated studies allows you to study and receive unemployment benefit if the studies promote your employment.
This service is available from 1 January 2025.
In some cases, you may be able to study independently while receiving unemployment benefits. Independent studies include studies where an educational institution is responsible for the provision and student selection instead of the employment authority. During independent studies, you are obliged to apply for and accept work, and participate in services promoting employment.
You can receive unemployment benefits for short-term, part-time or full-time studies.
Short-term studies are studies that last for a maximum of six months. Short-term study with unemployment benefit is possible if you have not previously studied for a short period of time during the same unemployment.
Part-time studies are studies that are of minor scope or duration. Part-time studies may include, for instance, learning a new skill, completing basic studies at an open educational institution, or completing degree studies which have been previously interrupted. Full-time studies may also be part-time in some cases.
Full-time studies usually aim at completing a degree or other studies the extent of which is on average the minimum of 5 credits or 4.5 ECVET points per study month, or 25 hours a week. Full-time study with an unemployment benefit is possible if the employment authority estimates that you need education and that the studies significantly improve your chances of finding employment. The studies must have been agreed upon in the employment plan usually before starting the studies.
Act like this
If you are planning your studies or have already applied to study, contact the employment authority in your region immediately and ask whether it is possible for you to study independently with unemployment benefit.
To whom and under what conditions
Short-term studies
You can receive unemployment security for short-term studies if
* you are a jobseeker in the employment services of your region
* you have turned 25 before the start of your studies
* the total duration of your studies is no more than six months
* the studies provide you with professional skills or support business activities.
If your short-term studies do not last for more than three months, you will have the opportunity to complete new short-term studies immediately after your previous studies have ended. If your studies last for more than three months, the right re-emerges when you meet the minimum employment condition, and the calculation of the maximum time for earnings-related unemployment benefit restarts.
Part-time studies
You can study part-time with unemployment benefit if
* you are a jobseeker in employment services in your region
* you are entitled to unemployment benefit
* your studies are considered part-time.
Full-time studies can be considered part-time if you have worked or been employed as an entrepreneur for at least six months during your studies. In such cases, you have proved by working that your studies are part-time. Full-time studies can also be considered part-time if you have started your studies during the employment relationship and you are laid off or dismissed from work on financial or production-related grounds. In such a situation, it is not required that the employment should have lasted for at least six months during the studies.
Full-time studies supported by unemployment benefit
You can receive unemployment security for full-time studies if
* you are a jobseeker in employment services in your region
* you are entitled to unemployment benefit
* the employment authority estimates that you need education, that the studies are the best way to promote your employment and that the studies significantly improve your chances of finding employment
* you have turned 25
* the studies meet the relevant criteria.
The studies may be supported for a maximum period of 24 months. However, if you are studying basic studies, the studies can be supported for 48 months.