Employment Voucher for Young People

The Employment Voucher for Young People is a discretionary employment subsidy that the employment authority may grant to companies, associations and foundations for hiring an unemployed jobseeker aged 18–29. The purpose of the Employment Voucher for Young People is to support young people’s access to employment in the private labour market by temporarily reducing recruitment costs. The monthly subsidy is 1500 euros at most, and is paid for three to six months.

NB! The eligibility criteria for the Employment Voucher were eased on 1 July 2026. The changes concern the required duration of a young person's unemployment and the minimum length of the employment relationship. The required minimum duration of the employment relationship for the young person being hired was reduced from six months to three months. The requirement concerning the duration of the young person's unemployment before the support could be granted was removed entirely. In addition, the grant can be provided to not only companies but also to associations and foundations.

Companies, associations and foundations may apply for the Employment Voucher for Young People when hiring a young person aged 18–29 for a minimum period of three months. The employment contract may be fixed-term or permanent; however, the maximum duration of the subsidy is six months. The subsidy may also be granted for apprenticeship training and for part-time employment, if the granting authority considers the support appropriate and if it promotes the young person’s employment.

The conditions for granting the subsidy are that

• the young person’s municipality of residence is within the Turku Employment Region, and
• the young person is unemployed

Companies, associations and foundations may apply for the Employment Voucher for Young People when hiring a young person aged 18–29 for a minimum period of three months. The employment contract may be fixed-term or permanent; however, the maximum duration of the subsidy is six months.

The Employment Voucher for Young People covers

• 50% of the young person’s wage costs for 3–6 monhts
• up to 1,500€ per month

The subsidy applies solely to wage costs and does not cover indirect employment-related costs. The grant is awarded as de minimis aid.

The Employment Region assesses the applications and grants Employment Vouchers for Young People on a discretionary basis within the limits of available appropriations. Once a suitable employee has been identified, the employment area and the employer will enter into an agreement on the use of the subsidy.

Complete the application form once the young person to be hired has been identified.

Your application will be assessed. If the employment subsidy is granted, we will send you an employment agreement. The agreement will specify the granting of the subsidy and the principles for payment.

Instructions for applying for payment of the subsidy will be provided later as an appendix to the employment agreement.

Link to the application form (webropolsurveys.com)

If you are interested in hiring a young person, but need help finding the right candidate, let us help you! Start by contacting the Employment Services of your municipality. The service is free of charge for you. You can find the links to our municipalities’ websites on the contact page of Turku Employment Region.

tukisetelit.tyollisyysalue@turku.fi

Elsewhere Online

Employment Voucher for Young People – Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (in Finnish)

Employment vouchers for young people to open doors to working life and prevent prolonged unemployment – Preparations are well underway – Finnish Government