Benefits & support · daycare
Daycare fee calculator 2026
The municipal early childhood education fee (varhaiskasvatusmaksu, päivähoitomaksu) depends on the family gross income, the family size and the child’s care time. For full-time care the fee is 10.7 percent of the income above the threshold for the family size, but no more than 335 euros a month for the youngest child. This calculator shows an estimate of the family’s monthly fee.
Fees and thresholds are index-adjusted every two years, and these values apply from 1.8.2026. For example, in a family of four with a gross income of 7,674 euros a month, the youngest child’s fee is 136 euros. The result is indicative.
Family and care details
The family's combined monthly gross income (earned and capital income). Child benefit and housing allowance are not counted.
Adults and minor children in the same household. For example, 2 adults and 2 children = 4.
How many of the family's children are in municipal early childhood education.
Full-time is at least 35 h per week. Part-time is charged a lower fee.
Daycare fee / month
€0
The family's combined monthly fee for all children in care.
| Income threshold (family size) | €6,399 |
| Child 1 | €0 |
| Total / month | €0 |
The calculator is indicative and based on the national fees and thresholds that apply from 1.8.2026. Municipalities set fees within these limits, so a municipality's practice may differ. The calculator does not cover all special situations, such as sickness credits, temporary care, care supplementing pre-primary education, or private early childhood education. Check the final fee with your own municipality's early childhood education.
How is the daycare fee calculated?
The municipal early childhood education fee (varhaiskasvatusmaksu, päivähoitomaksu) depends on the family gross income, the family size and the child's care time. For full-time care the fee is 10.7 percent of the income above the threshold for the family size. The fee is at most 335 euros a month for the youngest child. The second youngest child pays 40 percent of the youngest child's fee, up to 134 euros, and each further child 20 percent, up to 67 euros. A fee below 32 euros a month is not collected. For part-time care the fee is 80 percent when the time is over 20 but under 35 hours a week, and 60 percent when the time is up to 20 hours a week. If the family is larger than six, the threshold is raised by 295 euros for each further minor child. Fees and thresholds are index-adjusted every two years, and these values apply from 1.8.2026. For example, in a family of four with a gross income of 7,674 euros a month, the youngest child's fee is 136 euros and the second child's 54 euros.
Income thresholds, the rate and the sibling discount
For full-time early childhood education the fee is 10.7 percent of the part of the family gross income that exceeds the threshold for the family size. The thresholds from 1.8.2026 are: a family of two 4,369 euros, three 5,635 euros, four 6,399 euros, five 7,163 euros and six 7,925 euros a month. If the family is larger than six, the threshold is raised by 295 euros for each further minor child. The family size includes adults and minor children living in the same household.
The youngest child’s full-time fee is at most 335 euros a month. A monthly fee below 32 euros is not collected at all, so for low-income families daycare can be free. The fee is rounded to the nearest euro. The family’s income includes taxable earned and capital income and tax-free income, and holiday pay is added to the gross salary; child benefit, housing allowance, student aid and the child home care allowance are not counted.
The second youngest child in care pays 40 percent of the youngest child’s fee, up to 134 euros, and each further child 20 percent, up to 67 euros a month. The youngest child in care is always the first child, whose fee is calculated in full. If a sibling’s calculated fee is below 32 euros, it is not collected.
Part-time early childhood education has a lower fee: 80 percent of the full-time fee when the care time is over 20 but under 35 hours a week, and 60 percent when it is up to 20 hours a week. The fee is charged for at most eleven months during the operating year, and July is usually free. Pre-primary education (esiopetus) is free, and care that supplements it has a separate fee. Municipalities set fees within the national limits, so it is worth checking your own municipality’s practice.
Frequently asked questions
How much does daycare cost in 2026?
Full-time municipal early childhood education costs at most 335 euros a month for the youngest child from 1.8.2026. The fee is 10.7 percent of the family gross income above the threshold for the family size. For low-income families daycare can be free.
When is daycare free?
No fee is charged if the family income is below the threshold for the family size or if the calculated monthly fee is under 32 euros. For example, for a family of two the threshold is 4,369 euros a month. Pre-primary education (esiopetus) is also free.
How are sibling fees calculated?
The youngest child in care is the first child, whose fee is calculated in full. The second youngest child's fee is 40 percent of the youngest child's fee, up to 134 euros, and each further child's fee is 20 percent, up to 67 euros a month.
What income affects the fee?
The fee is affected by the family's taxable earned and capital income and tax-free income. Holiday pay (lomaraha) is added to the gross salary. Not counted are, for example, child benefit, housing allowance, student financial aid and the child home care allowance.
How does part-time care affect the fee?
Part-time care has a lower fee. When the care time is over 20 but under 35 hours a week, the fee is 80 percent of the full-time fee. When the care time is up to 20 hours a week, the fee is 60 percent of the full-time fee.
For how many months is the fee charged?
The daycare fee is charged for at most eleven calendar months during the operating year. July is usually free if the child's care started no later than September of the previous year and the child does not need care in July.