Welcome to Unionens a-kassa - your unemployment insurance fund!
Losing your employment is always stressful, but it is easier if you have an unemployment insurance. In Sweden unemployment insurance is called arbetslöshetskassa, or simply a-kassa.
Membership
If you have a knowledge-based job, you can become a member. We have members from many different professional groups, and entrepreneurs are also welcome.
To become a member, simply apply for membership. If we receive your application before midnight on the last day of the month, your membership can begin from the first day of the same month.
You cannot become a member of an unemployment insurance fund once you turn 67. If you are already a member, your membership will automatically end the month before you turn 67.
It's easy to become a member
Use our online application to apply for membership. You need an e-identification to submit your application. If you do not have an e-identification, please contact us and we will help you.
Payment of membership fee
The membership fee is SEK 160 per month. You can pay the fee by direct debit, e-invoice, or paper invoice.
Direct debit (Autogiro)
With direct debit, you do not need to keep track of due dates or enter OCR numbers. The fee is automatically withdrawn from your bank account and credited to your membership account on the correct date. Direct debit is free of charge.
To sign up, log in to your online bank and register us as a payment recipient. Until the direct debit is registered, you need to pay the invoices we send to you.
E-invoice (E-faktura)
Log in to your online bank and register to receive e invoices from us. Until you have signed up, you need to pay the invoices we send to you.
Paper invoice
We will send a paper invoice to your postal address each month.
If you do not pay the fee your membership will end
If you do not pay the membership fee, your membership will end after three months. For example, if you do not pay the fee for January, February, and March, your membership will end on April 1.
The membership fee for the three months must still be paid, even if the membership is terminated.
Five steps to apply for unemployment benefits
Get started with your unemployment benefits application by following these five steps. We can decide and pay your benefits as soon as we have all the required information.
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Register with the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen)
Register with Arbetsförmedlingen on your first day of unemployment. Registration is done online.
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Log in and apply for unemployment benefits
Log in to Mina sidor on our website and submit your application for unemployment benefits. Once you have provided your information, you will receive a personalised to do list showing what additional information or documents are required to complete your application.
We will review your application and contact you if any information is missing.
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Register your bank account
Register your bank account to have your unemployment benefits paid directly into the account of your choice. You register your account with Swedbank’s account register.
If you do not register a bank account, your unemployment benefits will be paid via a payment notice.
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Submit your monthly application
Submit your monthly application as soon as possible after the month has ended. However, it is best to have all income details for the month before submitting your applicationt.
The earliest you can receive your first payment is on the Thursday of the week following the decision on your application. Unemployment benefits are then paid once a month, usually on a Thursday at the end of the month.
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Submit your monthly activity report to Arbetsförmedlingen
You must submit a monthly activity report to Arbetsförmedlingen by the 14th of each month. This is done through “Mina sidor” at their website.
Submitting the report on time and actively applying for enough jobs are requirements for receiving unemployment benefits.
While receiving unemployment benefits
In addition to being registered with the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), you are required to meet certain obligations while receiving unemployment benefits. You must:
- actively look for work in Sweden
- be prepared to accept suitable work when offered
- submit a monthly activity report to Arbetsförmedlingen
Rules and regulations
The rules governing unemployment insurance are set by the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag). All unemployment insurance funds in Sweden follow the same rules.
The unemployment insurance scheme applies to people working in Sweden. To receive unemployment benefits from us, you must meet specific eligibility conditions.
Eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits
To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Sweden, you must live in the country, actively seek work here, and hold a valid general work permit.
You must also meet both the basic eligibility conditions and the income requirement.
To be entitled to unemployment benefits, you must:
- be partially or completely unemployed
- be available for and willing to accept suitable work
- be registered with the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen)
- actively seek suitable employment.
You must also cooperate with Arbetsförmedlingen in developing an individual action plan for employment.
You can receive unemployment benefits from the age of 20 at the earliest.
How to meet the income requirement
To qualify for benefit you need to meet an income requirement in one of two ways - under the main rule or under the alternative rule.
The main rule
You must have earned, during your qualification period:
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at least SEK 120,000 in total, and
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at least SEK 11,000 per month for at least four months.
The alternative rule
You must have earned at least SEK 11,000 per month for at least four consecutive months during your qualification period.
What income counts?
The following types of income may count toward the income requirement:
- gross income from employment for which your employer has paid employer contributions
- income from self employment for which employer contributions have been paid
- certain benefits paid by the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), such as parental or sickness benefits.
Only income from work counts toward the SEK 11,000 monthly minimum.
How much unemployment benefit you can receive
The amount of unemployment benefit depends on how long you have been a member of an unemployment insurance fund during the qualification period. The longer your membership, the higher your potential benefit level. You must remain a member while receiving benefits.
Benefit levels
- Member for 12 months or longer: 80 % of previous income
- Member for 6–11 months: 60 % of previous income
- Member for 0–5 months: 50 % of previous income
Under the alternative rule, the benefit level is always 50 %.
Duration of unemployment benefits
Your income during the qualification period determines how long you can receive unemployment benefits.
Benefit duration under the main rule
- 11–12 months with income of SEK 11,000 or more per month = 300 days
- 8–10 months with income of SEK 11,000 or more per month = 200 days
- 4–7 months with income of SEK 11,000 or more per month = 100 days
Benefit duration under the alternative rule
You are entitled to 66 benefit days, regardless of previous income.
Waiting period
Each benefit period begins with two waiting days. No unemployment benefits are paid for these days.
At the end of your benefit period
As you approach the end of your benefit period, your eligibility will be reviewed to determine whether you qualify for a new benefit period. To start a new period, you must meet the income requirement again.