Who is this guide for?
This guide is for you if you are looking for work in Finland, may become unemployed, or want to understand which service to contact. It is also for you if you know the old name TE Services, but are not sure what the system is called today.
The guide is written especially for Deaf and sign-language immigrants. The goal is to give a clear starting point: what the services do, where to begin and what usually happens next.
What are Employment Services today?
Employment Services are public services that support job search, skills development and employment. They can include registering as a job seeker, meetings with a specialist, an employment plan, training or other services that support your job search.
Employment Services are not the same as Kela. Employment Services handle job-search matters and issue labour policy statements related to unemployment security. Kela or an unemployment fund assesses and pays benefits under its own rules.
Employment Services also do not decide on residence permits. Residence permits belong to Migri. Population data, such as a personal identity code and address, belongs to DVV.
What changed after the TE Services reform?
From the beginning of 2025, responsibility for public Employment Services moved from state TE Offices to municipalities and employment areas. This means the old idea of going to one TE Office no longer describes the system accurately.
In practice, the service is more local. Your service usually depends on the municipality where you live or the employment area your municipality belongs to. In some places one municipality organises the service. In other places several municipalities organise it together.
Former TE Services
If you see the name TE Services, it may refer to the same topic using the old name. Still, always check the current guidance from Job Market Finland or your local Employment Services.
What is Job Market Finland?
Job Market Finland is the national online service for job seekers, employers and Employment Services customers. Its Finnish name is Työmarkkinatori.
At Job Market Finland you can search for vacancies, read job-search guidance and use the E-services section. In E-services you can handle official matters, such as registering as a job seeker, viewing open tasks and following obligations connected to your employment plan.
Who is responsible for services in your region?
Your local employment authority is responsible for the services. This may be a municipality, an employment area or a joint authority of several municipalities. You do not need to memorise the administrative structure. The important thing is to find your regional contact information and follow the messages you receive.
On the regional pages of Job Market Finland, you can search for local services by municipality or employment area. The pages may include contact information, events, local services and instructions on how matters are handled in your area.
How does the job seeker path usually begin?
The job seeker path usually begins by registering as a job seeker in E-services at Job Market Finland. If you are unemployed or laid off, register as soon as possible. Unemployment benefits can usually only be paid from the date when your job search is officially valid.
The beginning of the job seeker path
Step 1
Check that you can use online services
Check your situation before the next action.
Step 2
Register as a job seeker at Job Market Finland
This is the next point in the route.
Step 3
Follow messages and open tasks
Follow messages and reply to requests on time.
Step 4
Take part in the initial interview
This is the next point in the route.
Step 5
Agree on an employment plan
This is the next point in the route.
Step 6
Keep your contact details up to date
This is the next point in the route.
Online identification usually uses banking credentials, a mobile certificate or a chip-based ID card. If you cannot identify yourself in these ways, or you are not a citizen of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, check how to register at your regional Employment Services office.
What should you do next?
If you are just starting your job search, the next practical step is registering as a job seeker. In that guide, you check how to identify yourself, when to register and what happens immediately after registration.
If you do not yet have a personal identity code or address in Finland, the DVV guide may be the right previous step. If you are thinking about unemployment security or benefits, continue to Kela. If you are unsure about your right to work in Finland, check Migri guidance.
Related guides
Accessibility and help
If you need a sign language interpreter for an Employment Services appointment, arrange this in good time. If Kela has granted you the right to interpreting services, you can usually use the service for public-authority matters according to Kela guidance.
SKMY can help you understand the order of services and prepare for contact. SKMY does not make decisions for Employment Services, Kela, DVV or Migri.