Kela to stop confirming vital status for foreign pensions as of 1 January 2026 – order a life certificate from DVV instead

Kela will soon stop confirming the vital status of pension recipients to foreign pension providers. Previously, Kela would mark a pension recipient as alive on a form issued by a foreign pension provider if a customer asked Kela to do so. This practice will end on 31 December 2025. Kela’s confirmation has always been unofficial, and not all foreign pension providers would accept it. Confirming the vital status of its customers is also not one of Kela’s statutory obligations.

Foreign pension providers may periodically ask for proof that the pension recipient is still alive to continue paying their pension. Starting from 1 January 2026, customers can order a life certificate from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) as proof of the pension recipient’s vital status. The life certificate is subject to a fee. The certificate is an official document, and DVV is the only authority that can issue it in Finland.

The change in practice clarifies the division of responsibilities between different public authorities and directs customers to contact the authority that can issue an official and internationally accepted certificate. 

More information for customers  

Life certificate (dvv.fi)