Understanding the Education System in Finland

Finnish education is of high quality. Preschool education, comprehensive education and upper secondary education are free of charge, and higher education is for the most part free of charge. The goal is for everyone to have an equal opportunity to receive high quality education regardless of the family's income.

The education system includes early childhood education, preschool education, comprehensive education, upper secondary education and higher education.

Early Childhood Education and Daycare

In Finland, the child's right to early childhood education begins from the beginning of the month when the child reaches the age of nine months. On average, a child starts early childhood education at the age of 1½–2 years.

Every child has the right to a place in municipal daycare. If the child's native language is not Finnish or Swedish, he or she will receive support in learning Finnish or Swedish. The child may also receive special needs education, if necessary. Suomi.fi

Costs: Municipal daycare is subsidised and fees are income-based, meaning many families pay little or nothing. If your child has a municipality of residence in Finland, you can apply for private day care allowance from Kela if you choose private daycare. The early childhood education provider must be approved by the municipality.

To apply for a daycare place, contact your local municipality directly.

Read more: InfoFinland - Early childhood education

Preschool (Age 6)

The child usually begins pre-primary education, or preschool education, in the year of their sixth birthday. The municipality of residence provides your child with free municipal pre-primary education. Preschool is compulsory and lasts one year.

Comprehensive School / Basic Education (Ages 7–16)

The child usually begins basic education in the year of their seventh birthday. Basic education lasts nine school years. It is free of charge, including meals, textbooks and transport for those living far from school.

In Finland, children have compulsory education until the age of 18. Your child can also go to a private school, but these schools may have school fees.

How to enrol: Contact the party responsible for pre-primary or basic education in your municipality and enrol your child according to the instructions you receive from the municipality.

Language Support for Immigrant Children

If the child or young person has only recently moved to Finland, he or she may receive preparatory education for comprehensive education. Preparatory education usually takes one year. After it, the student may continue to study Finnish or Swedish as a second language.

Read more: Family leaves and benefits - Having a child – Guide for those wishing for a child - Suomi.fi

A preparatory education (TUVA education) for the transition from lower secondary to upper secondary education provides students with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. It is intended for pupils of compulsory education age and for students with an immigrant background. The training lasts for a maximum of one year.

Read more: Finland: TUVA – a new preparatory option for learners | CEDEFOP

Upper Secondary Education (Ages 16–18)

After comprehensive school, students choose between:

  • General upper secondary school (lukio) — leads to the matriculation examination and university
  • Vocational education and training (VET) — practical, work-oriented qualification

Both are free of charge for residents.

Kela Support for Families with Children

Useful Links

Child benefit is money that the Finnish state pays to families for children under 17 years of age. The amount of child benefit for the first child is approximately €95 per month. Child benefit must be applied for from Kela and can be received retroactively for a maximum of six calendar months.

If you decide to stay at home to look after your child after parental leave ends, you can apply for child home care allowance from Kela. The support ends when the youngest child in the family turns three

Read more: kela.fi/child-home-care-allowance and infofinland.fi

This page was last reviewed June 2026. Education policies and Kela benefit amounts can change — always verify current information at kela.fi and suomi.fi.