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17.09.2026 14:03

More and more people face financial challenges – help is available

Household over-indebtedness has grown, and anyone can face financial difficulties. You don’t have to handle problems alone — in most cases something can be done. In this article, experts from the Legal Services Agency and the National Enforcement Authority explain what kind of help is available for financial matters.

Household over-indebtedness has increased throughout the 2000s. In 2025 the number of debtors in enforcement exceeded 600,000 for the first time.

The amounts of debt and people’s situations are individual and cannot be compared. Financial challenges can surprise anyone. You may face circumstances beyond your control, such as sudden unemployment, relationship changes, short-term contract work, low income, cuts to social security, or serious illness.

The rise in household indebtedness is also visible as increased client numbers in the National Legal Services Authority’s ikeuspalveluvirasto’s financial and debt counselling.

Every financial situation is unique

At the end of 2025, a person in enforcement proceedings had on average just over €28,000 in enforcement debt. About one third had debts under €1,000.

Financial challenges can surprise anyone. Savings and awareness of your income and expenses help you cope with sudden changes.

Henkilökuva: Lotta Junnonaho

– When you track your income and expenses, you know which costs are essential each month and where it’s possible to cut back in a tight situation, explains Lotta Junnonaho from the National Legal Services Authority (Oikeuspalveluvirasto).

Especially when income drops suddenly, it’s important to prioritise expenses. First, take care of housing costs, such as rent and electricity bills, and essentials like food and medicine.

– In our work we often meet clients who, out of fear of a payment default record, leave for example their rent unpaid and instead pay consumer loan instalments. Failing to pay rent can lead to serious consequences, such as eviction and homelessness, emphasizes Sofia Sundman from the National Enforcement Agency (Ulosottolaitos).

Henkilökuva: Sofia Sundman

If your income falls, for example due to a temporary layoff, apply as soon as possible for payment holidays on loans. If larger bills are expected in the near future, you can negotiate postponements of due dates well in advance. Also check your eligibility for Kela benefits, such as housing allowance or basic social assistance.

– Negotiation possibilities with creditors are generally better the earlier you contact them. Discussing your financial situation with, for example, a financial and debt advisor can also provide new perspectives on balancing your finances, says Junnonaho.

Financial matters can be associated with shame and misinformation

Often shame prevents people from handling their debt issues, such as contacting creditors and arranging payment plans. People may also have outdated or incorrect information, which can prevent them from seeking help.

Often people try to solve financial problems on their own, for example by taking on more debt on top of existing debt.

Henkilökuva: Kaisa Rajaniemi

– In our work we see that many feel shame about their financial situation. Often people try to solve their money problems alone, for example by taking on more debt. One important goal of our work is to increase accurate information and lower the threshold for seeking help, says Kaisa Rajaniemi of the National Enforcement Authority.

Payment default records are removed faster than before

A payment default record can be issued for unpaid debt or an invoice whose due date has passed.

Many people have outdated information about payment default records. Nowadays the record is removed one month after the debt has been paid.

– You must request the removal of the record yourself. The credit information register is maintained by two companies: Dun & Bradstreet Oy and Suomen Asiakastieto Oy. You can check your credit information through these registers, instructs Hanna-Mari Mikkonen from Ulosottolaitos.

Henkilökuva: Hanna-Mari Mikkonen

Seek help early

You can get help for small and large financial worries, for example from a Financial Counselling Clinic or the Legal Services Authority’s financial and debt counselling. The earlier you seek help, the more options there usually are to manage your finances, and often the situation can be corrected with smaller measures.

– In our work we see that people often seek help only as a last resort. As professionals we encourage seeking help as early as possible if you start to worry about your finances, emphasizes Rajaniemi.

Talousneuvola is a service where you can get advice on your financial situation from several different professionals. The service is free, anonymous and you can use it without an appointment.

From Oikeuspalveluvirasto’s financial and debt counselling you can get guidance and advice for planning your finances and resolving debt situations. Even if the situation feels hopeless, there is usually something that can be done for every case in the longer term.

Help with financial and debt matters

Financial Counselling Clinic (Talousneuvola)

Financial Counselling Clinic is a low-threshold multi-professional service where you can discuss everyday money matters without an appointment. The service is free and confidential. If you wish, you can use it anonymously. See contact details here

Financial and debt counselling (talous- ja velkaneuvonta)
Financial and debt counselling is a free service offered by Oikeuspalveluvirasto for financial and debt matters. You can contact them by phone or via electronic services. In addition, Oikeuspalveluvirasto provides general advice in chat. See contact details here

National Enforcement Authority (Ulosottolaitos)
Most enforcement-related matters can be handled in the Enforcement Authority’s electronic service. You can also call the phone service. More information on Enforcement authority website.

Steps toward better finances – online coaching in Finnish

A free and open coaching organised by the Legal Services Authority’s financial and debt counselling that offers information and tools for managing everyday finances. The coaching is suitable for anyone interested in improving their own financial matters. Autumn coaching sessions and registration instructions can be found here.

Keywords:

economy income

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