Entrepreneurs who are 18–67 years old and live in Finland permanently are entitled to sickness allowance for self-employed persons. The sickness allowance compensates for the loss of income due to incapacity for work lasting less than a year.
During a two-year period of examination, the allowance is paid for the same sickness for a maximum of 300 working days. Entitlement to the allowance is based on the incapacity for work due to a sickness, and at present (since 1 January, 2020), the amount of the allowance is determined based on the confirmed YEL income. For YEL-insured entrepreneurs, the waiting period is the first day of illness, after which the YEL allowance is paid for nine working days.
You apply for the sickness allowance at Kela. The entrepreneurs’ allowance is called the YEL daily allowance. If the period of incapacity for work extends, the YEL daily allowance changes into general sickness allowance. The YEL daily allowance is based on the amount of the entrepreneur’s YEL insurance and other potential income taken into account in calculating their annual income.
To get the YEL daily allowance, you need a certificate of incapacity for work signed by at least a public health nurse or a nurse. Entitlement to the general sickness allowance requires a medical certificate (from a doctor).
Entrepreneurs can also get partial sickness allowance which is meant to support the continuation of employment or returning to work.