Kela and special groups

Kela compensation for large accessible taxis: increase left out of the budget proposal, Taksiliitto appeals to Parliament

25 September 2026, updated 1 November 2026 · Taksiuutiset editorial team

According to Taksiliitto (the Finnish taxi federation), an increase in Kela compensation for large accessible taxis, prepared by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, is not included in the budget proposal being handled by Parliament. The federation has appealed to the Finance Committee.

What this is about

According to Taksiliitto, large accessible taxi cars are needed especially to carry customers who use an electric wheelchair or need special aids. In a larger vehicle, the customer's assistant can also, according to the federation, travel next to the customer, and the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities (Invalidiliitto) has also spoken in favour of the increase. According to the federation, the share of large cars among all accessible taxis was still 90 percent in June 2018, but under 70 percent at the end of 2025.

The federation's chair Tuomo Heino sees the cause in the current tariff structure. According to him, buying a large accessible car is not justified for a company when the compensation tariff is the same for a small and a large accessible vehicle.

What has been proposed

According to a Taksiliitto press release of 14 August 2026, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health's budget proposal included raising the compensation tariff for large accessible vehicles. According to the federation's press release of 25 September 2026, the ministry has prepared a change in which large accessible cars would be moved to tariff class II in the pricing of taxi rides reimbursed under health insurance. However, the change is not included in the budget proposal being handled by Parliament.

According to the federation's estimate, the change would increase travel compensation expenditure by 5.1 million euros in total and the state's funding share in 2027 by about 2.6 million euros.

What next

Taksiliitto said on 7 October 2026 that Heino and acting managing director Johanna Rautio met Member of Parliament Timo Heinonen in Parliament. The federation has asked the Finance Committee to assess whether about 2.6 million euros of extra funding could be allocated in the 2027 budget. According to the federation, once funding is secured, the increase could be carried out by amending a government decree.

What this means for you

• If you drive a large accessible car or are considering one, the compensation level affects whether it is worth buying or keeping the car. According to Taksiliitto, the change has not been included in the budget proposal.
• Taksiliitto encourages its member entrepreneurs to influence the matter with their own Members of Parliament.
• Taksiliitto has asked the Finance Committee to assess extra funding. The sources do not mention a decision, so follow the committee's work.

The article is based on three Taksiliitto press releases, so all the information is the federation's descriptions. The ministry's own document has not been read. Sources read on 1 November 2026.