What is the startup grant?
Finland's startup grant (starttiraha) is a personal income benefit paid by the TE Office (Employment and Economic Development Office) to new full-time entrepreneurs. Its purpose is to secure your personal income during the early months of business, when revenue is still building up.
The grant is paid to you personally, not to your company. It's designed to cover your living costs — not your business expenses.
The single most important thing to know: the application must be submitted before you start full-time entrepreneurship. Apply first, start second. If you start first and apply later, you are no longer eligible.
How much is the startup grant in 2026?
The startup grant is €37.21 per day, five days a week — approximately €740 per month.
The grant is initially awarded for six months, with the possibility of applying for an extension for a further six months — a maximum of 12 months in total.
The startup grant is taxable income. It is declared in your personal tax return and taxed as earned income alongside any other income you have.
Who can receive the startup grant?
The startup grant requires that:
- You are starting a full-time business (not a side business)
- You have or are developing the necessary entrepreneurial skills — relevant experience, expertise, or education
- Your business has viable prospects for profitability — the TE Office evaluates this
- You have not already started full-time entrepreneurship before the application decision
- You are not receiving other support for the same purpose simultaneously (such as earnings-related unemployment benefit)
The startup grant is discretionary, not automatic. A TE Office official reviews your application in full.
How to apply
1. Prepare a business plan and financial projections
The TE Office wants to see that you have thought your business idea through. The business plan doesn't need to be long, but it should answer: what are you selling, who are your customers, how will you find them, and are the numbers realistic.
Financial projections show estimated income and expenses for the first months. Realism matters more than optimism.
2. Contact your regional TE Office
Get in touch with your local TE Office and explain that you want to apply for the startup grant. Most applications involve a consultation meeting where your application is discussed.
Enterprise Agencies (Uusyrityskeskus) offer free advice on preparing your application — there are 46 offices across Finland.
3. Submit the application
The application is submitted through the TE Services online portal or at the office. Attach your business plan and financial projections.
Important: the application must be submitted before you register your company as full-time or begin operating full-time. Starting before the decision is made means losing eligibility.
4. Wait for the decision
Decisions typically arrive within a few weeks. A negative decision can be appealed.
What does the TE Office evaluate?
The TE Office pays particular attention to:
Profitability prospects. Does the business idea have realistic prospects of becoming profitable? Financial projections are central here.
Entrepreneurial competence. Do you have the necessary skills, experience, or education? Relevant prior work experience counts.
Genuine need. Is the grant genuinely needed? If you have significant savings or other income sources, the grant may not be considered necessary.
Full-time nature. Is this a genuine full-time commitment to entrepreneurship?
Most common reasons for rejection
Application submitted too late. The most common mistake. Business activity has already started before the application decision.
Insufficient business plan. Unrealistic financial projections, unclear target market, or poorly justified competitive advantage.
Saturated local market. If the area already has many businesses in the same sector, the TE Office may conclude that there aren't sufficient conditions for a new entrant.
Receiving other benefits simultaneously. The startup grant cannot be received at the same time as earnings-related unemployment benefit or equivalent support.
Timing the startup grant with company registration
The startup grant and company registration need to be sequenced correctly. The general advice is:
- Prepare your business plan
- Apply for the startup grant from the TE Office
- Wait for a positive decision
- Register your company and begin full-time entrepreneurship
Registering the company before the decision can mean losing eligibility. A sole trader can be registered as part-time in advance, but full-time status is determined by the application.
Extending the grant
After the first six months, you can apply for a further six months. The extension application sets out how the business has developed and justifies continued need.
The extension is not automatic — it is assessed separately.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Finnish startup grant in 2026?Approximately €740 per month (€37.21 per working day). It is taxable income.
How long is the startup grant paid for?Initially six months, with the possibility of a further six-month extension — a maximum of 12 months in total.
When must the startup grant application be submitted?Before starting full-time entrepreneurship. Applying after starting makes you ineligible.
Is the startup grant guaranteed if you apply?No. It is a discretionary benefit. The TE Office evaluates the business plan, profitability prospects, and the applicant's entrepreneurial competence.
Can the startup grant be received for a side business?No. It is intended only for full-time entrepreneurship.
Does the startup grant appear in the company's bookkeeping?No. It is a personal benefit and is not recorded in company accounts. It is declared as personal earned income in the individual's tax return.
Where can I get help with the startup grant application?Enterprise Agencies (Uusyrityskeskus) provide free advice. There are 46 offices across Finland.
Can I register my company before applying?Registering a sole trader as a part-time business in advance is generally possible, but full-time status is determined at the point of the application decision. Starting full-time before the decision will disqualify you.
The short version
The startup grant is approximately €740/month for up to 12 months. The application must be submitted before starting full-time entrepreneurship. The TE Office evaluates your business plan, profitability prospects, and entrepreneurial skills. A realistic business plan with credible financial projections is the most important part of the application.
NoCFO helps new entrepreneurs keep bookkeeping in order from the very first day. Get started free →