This is how much you can receive if you are a member of Akademikernas a‑kassa compared with Alfa‑kassan
In the event of unemployment, it is the unemployment fund that pays out compensation. To receive compensation, you must become a member of one of Sweden’s 24 unemployment funds. Akademikernas a‑kassa is the largest and costs 140 kronor per month. Alfa‑kassan can pay out compensation even if you are not a member, but in that case you receive at most 50% of your income and pay 10 kronor per compensation day. You can also choose to be affiliated with Alfa‑kassan for 170 kronor per month.
Members of an unemployment fund can receive more
If you lose your job and want to receive as much compensation as possible, you need to be a member of an unemployment fund. As a member, you can receive up to 27,200 kronor per month (80% of 34,000 kr).
If you choose to remain outside the unemployment fund, you can receive at most 17,000 kronor per month (50% of 34,000 kr) from Alfa‑kassan. Alfa‑kassan also charges an administrative fee of 10 kronor per compensation day. With an average of 22 compensation days, the fee is about 220 kronor per month.
There are 24 unemployment funds in Sweden. Akademikernas a‑kassa is the largest and has the lowest fee at 140 kr/month. It costs 170 kr/month to be affiliated with Alfa‑kassan.
Previous average income | Member of Akademikernas a‑kassa (maximum amount) | Not affiliated with Alfa‑kassan (maximum amount) |
50 000 sek/mon | 27 200 sek/mon | 17 000* sek/mon |
34 000 sek/mon | 27 200 sek/mon | 17 000* sek/mon |
30 000 sek/mon | 24 000 sek/mon | 15 000* sek/mon |
25 000 sek/mon | 20 000 sek/mon | 12 500* sek/mon |
20 000 sek/mon | 16 000 sek/mon | 10 000* sek/mon |
*If you receive compensation for a full month, an administrative fee of 220 kronor is deducted from the amount paid out.
All unemployment funds have the same rules
All unemployment funds in Sweden follow the same law and have exactly the same rules. What distinguishes the funds from one another is who can become a member, telephone hours, processing times, fees, customer service, etc.
Sweden’s largest unemployment fund, Akademikernas a‑kassa, is politically independent, and you do not need to be a member of any specific trade union to join. You can also choose to be a member of Akademikernas a‑kassa only and not belong to any union at all.
The unemployment fund – insurance if you lose your job
The unemployment fund is an insurance that gives you money if you become unemployed. It exists so that you can have an income even when you do not have a job to go to. To be able to receive compensation, you must be a member of an unemployment fund, and how long you have been a member affects how much you can receive.
The unemployment fund replaces part of the salary you previously had. This allows you to pay your most important expenses while you look for a new job. Akademikernas a‑kassa helps you understand the rules and how to apply, but the basic idea is simple: the unemployment fund is financial protection when your income suddenly disappears.
Who can become a member of the unemployment fund?
To join an unemployment fund, you need to be working or have worked in Sweden. This is the basis for being able to insure your income if you become unemployed. You choose yourself which unemployment fund you want to belong to, but you can only be a member of one at a time. Akademikernas a‑kassa has the lowest fee of all unemployment funds.
Membership is the insurance
As a member, you are covered by the same rules that apply to all unemployment funds, but you receive a membership tailored for academics and students.
Being insured in Sweden
Being insured in Sweden means that you are covered by the rules of the social insurance system and the unemployment insurance system. Which benefits you can receive depends, among other things, on where you live, work, or study. For those who move between countries, there are EU/EEA regulations that determine which country is responsible for the insurance.
For unemployment insurance, the country of employment normally applies. If you work in Sweden, you therefore need to be a member of a Swedish unemployment fund in order to receive compensation. If you have worked in other EU/EEA countries, certain work periods can be counted when you apply for compensation here.
In Sweden, unemployment insurance is not included in the social insurance system. Unlike in most other countries, you must become a member of an unemployment fund yourself in order to receive compensation if you become unemployed.
Insured with Akademikernas a‑kassa
It costs 140 kronor to be a member of Akademikernas a‑kassa.
Akademikernas a‑kassa is non‑political and non‑profit.
The members of Akademikernas a‑kassa are satisfied. We are one of the leading unemployment funds, with a top rating in the latest survey.
Our opening hours are every weekday 8:30–16:30. The longest in the industry.
Akademikernas a‑kassa’s goal is for payments to be made within two weeks.
If you also join one of our trade unions, income insurance is included in most membership fees.
List of all unemployment funds in Sweden
We believe that everyone who works should be a member of an unemployment fund. If you cannot join ours, there are 23 others to choose from. Here is a list of all unemployment funds in Sweden.
Vision Unemployment Fund
Akademikernas Unemployment Fund
Alfa Unemployment Fund
Byggnads Unemployment Fund
Elektrikernas Unemployment Fund
Fastighets Unemployment Fund
Finance and Insurance Industry Unemployment Fund
GS Unemployment Fund
Retail Workers’ Unemployment Fund
Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Unemployment Fund
IF Metall Unemployment Fund
Journalists’ Unemployment Fund
Municipal Workers’ Unemployment Fund
Ledarna Unemployment Fund
Food Workers’ Unemployment Fund
Teachers’ Unemployment Fund
Paper Workers’ Unemployment Fund
Seko Unemployment Fund
Small Business Owners’ Unemployment Fund
ST Unemployment Fund
Swedish Workers’ Unemployment Fund
Transport Workers’ Unemployment Fund
Unionen Unemployment Fund