What is the startup grant?
Starttiraha is a discretionary benefit that helps with your income when you start full-time entrepreneurship. It is now granted by your employment region (työllisyysalue) — the municipal employment services — as the TE Office’s tasks moved to municipalities in the 2025 TE reform.
How much is the startup grant in 2026?
The startup grant equals the basic unemployment allowance (peruspäiväraha) — about €37/day, i.e. roughly €800/month in 2026. It is paid for five days a week and is taxable income subject to advance tax withholding (ennakonpidätys).
How long is the grant paid?
The startup grant is granted for up to 12 months. The first period is at most six months, after which you can apply for a continuation for a second six-month period if the conditions are still met.
Amounts and practices can change, and the grant is discretionary. Source: Työmarkkinatori (checked 6/2026). Confirm the current details with your own employment region.
Who can get the startup grant?
- You are becoming a full-time entrepreneur (including moving from employment, studies or part-time entrepreneurship).
- You have sufficient skills to run a business.
- The business is assessed to be viable.
- You have not started the full-time business before applying for the grant.
- You don’t receive other support for the same period, such as a study grant or salary.
How do you apply for the startup grant?
- Prepare a business plan and a profitability calculation.
- Apply for the startup grant via Työmarkkinatori to your employment region BEFORE starting the business.
- The grant is not paid retroactively for activity already started, so submit your application in good time before you begin.
- After a positive decision, register the business and start operating.
Tip: a good business plan is decisive
The decision is made on the basis of the business plan and the profitability calculation. A careful, realistic plan significantly improves your chances. We help prepare the plan and the calculation.
Help with applying for the startup grant
We help with the business plan, the profitability calculation and registering the company — in your language. That way you apply for the startup grant correctly and at the right time.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the startup grant?
- The startup grant equals the basic unemployment allowance (peruspäiväraha) — about €37/day, i.e. roughly €800/month in 2026. It is taxable income.
- How long is the startup grant paid?
- Up to 12 months: first a period of up to 6 months, then a possible continuation for a second 6-month period.
- Can I get the startup grant if I have already started?
- You must apply before starting the full-time business; it is not paid retroactively for activity already started. So apply in good time.
- Who grants the startup grant?
- Your employment region — the municipal employment services. The application is made via Työmarkkinatori.
Need help?
We help with setting up your business, taxes and bookkeeping — in five languages.