Conditions for benefits

To receive benefits based on income, you must have been a member for 12 months or more. If you have been a member of a shorter period, you can get a lower amount based on working hours. It is important to register at the employment office (arbetsförmedlingen) on the first unemployed day. You can not do that retroactively.

Basic conditions for benefits

You need to meet three basic conditions to be eligible for benefits:

  1. The membership condition - been a member of a a-kassa for 12 months.
  2. The work requirement - Have worked for at least 6 months in the past year, at least 60 hours per calendar month. First we look at the past year. The time we calculate on can be extended if, for example, you have been on parental leave, completed full-time studies or been ill. The work requirement must be met during the membership period.
  3. Registered at the employment office - you have to be able to look for and take work in Sweden.

If you have not been a member for 12 months, you can still receive compensation based on your working hours. The basic benefits is maximum SEK 510 per day.

Unemployed and registered at arbetsförmedlingen

You can only get compensation when you are registered at arbetsförmedlingen - you can not register retroactively.
To be considered unemployed you must meet the following conditions:

  • Be registered with the employment office.
  • Look for work.
  • Willing to work at least 17 hours a week.
  • Be prepared to take all kinds of positions
  • Live and look for work in Sweden. There are some exceptions.

The work requirement

The work requirement means that you must have worked for at least six months, at least 60 hours per calendar month during the past twelve months. If you have not worked, for example have been studying full time, been ill or on parental leave, you can still meet the work requirement if there is work further back in time.

If you have not worked sufficiently but have have had parental allowance, you can count on a total of two such months as work time.

The alternative rule

60 hours per month for six months is the main rule. If you have worked for a total of 420 hours, at least 40 hours per month for six consecutive months, you can be entitled to compensation under the alternative rule.

Forms in English