Unemployment Benefits in Denmark

Unemployment benefits in Denmark

A-kasser.dk Since 2010 we have specialised ourselves in comparing all the Danish Unemployment Insurance Funds (A-kasser).

In Denmark, insurance against unemployment is voluntary. If you want to be insured against unemployment, you must become a member of an unemployment insurance fund (a-kasse).

TEXT: A-kasser.dk Unemployment Insurance A-kasser are private non-profit institutions. Payments of unemployment benefits ("dagpenge") from the A-kasser are guaranteed by the Danish State.

A-kasse membership and requirements There are 23 different A-kasser in Denmark. Membership costs approx. DKK 475 per month and the amount is tax-deductible.

Check out which A-kasser you can join and find links for online registration at www.a-kasser.dk.

Requirements to be eligible for benefits: • You must have been member of an a-kasse for at least one year • You must have earned/have had an income of at least DKK 238,512 (this amount is valid for 2020) during the last 3 years (in total). Only income from periods where you have been member of an A-kasse can be counted to meet this "income-requirement".

We generally focus on investigating in which Akasser "you get the most out of being a member" that is, we look at the price, member benefits and member satisfaction among current members.

Through our partners, we have access to statistics, studies, etc. about the Danish Unemployment Insurance funds ("Akasser"). In addition, we closely follow all A-kasser in Denmark - and therefore we are always up to date on special promotions, member offers and new products etc.

Furthermore, today we also focus on advising on legislation (rights and obligations) regarding Unemployment benefits and recently we started a blog about jobs, labor market and Unemployment Funds .

There are special favorable conditions for graduates.

How much can you get in unemployment benefits?

If you are entitled to benefits, you must do the following to actually get the benefits paid out: • Register as a job seeker on your first day of unemployment at your local job center or on jobnet.dk • Complete a declaration of unemployment with your A-kasse • As long as you receive benefits, you must be actively seeking employment and willing to accept offers of employment with one day's notice. This means that there must be no factual or legal obstacles for you to legally take work in Denmark.

It is therefore important that your residence and work permit gives you right to stay and work in Denmark, if you should lose your current job.

Your unemployment benefits (dagpenge in Danish) may not exceed 90 per cent of your previous salary and may never be higher than the maximum rate. As of January 1, 2020, the maximum rate is DKK 19,083 per month for a full-time insured member.

Transfer of acquired rights from another EU/EEA country If you come from another EU/EEA country, you can retain acquired rights (membership period and working period) from your home country's unemployment insurance scheme. Read more about transferring periods of work and insurance from another EU/EEA Country.

The basis for calculating how much you can get in benefits is your best 12 months with income within the last 24 months. If you have not had 12 months with income, your A-kasse will calculate your benefits on the basis of all months with income within the last 24-month period.

As a rule, a member has a right to unemployment benefits for a maximum of two years in total within a 3-year period. Unemployment benefits will be paid per calendar month and are granted for up to 160,33 hours a month.

Do you have questions about A-kasse?

The website www.a-kasser.dk offers guides in English and other languages. And you can ask and get answers for free in English.

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