Doctoral position counts toward the work requirement
A doctoral position with a salary is considered regular employment and can therefore be included in the work requirement.
Study grants and teaching hours
A study grant (at least half-time) from a university is always considered studies, while the work (teaching hours) that is often combined with the grant can be counted toward the work requirement if it amounts to at least 80 hours per month.
Scholarships are not considered work
If you finance your doctoral studies with a scholarship, neither the time nor the money can be counted toward the work requirement. Time spent on a scholarship during the study period is considered studies and is therefore exempt if carried out full-time.
When is a doctoral student considered unemployed?
Completion of studies is one of the conditions for being considered unemployed
If the studies are not completed, they must be definitively discontinued in order to qualify for benefits
How the doctoral studies were funded does not affect the assessment of whether you are unemployed
No benefits during a break in dissertation work
You cannot receive unemployment benefits during a study break, as the studies are not considered completed. It does not matter whether the break is long or short. Therefore, it is not possible to receive benefits during either voluntary or involuntary interruptions in dissertation work.
If only the dissertation defense remains
Once the dissertation work is completed, you may be eligible for benefits even if the actual defense has not yet taken place
If you can prove that the dissertation work is finished and the manuscript is complete, the studies are considered completed—even if minor editorial changes remain, such as those requested by the publisher
On the day of the dissertation defense, you must report that you are not available for work
What should I submit?
The form Apply for benefits (Sök ersättning) in Mina sidor
The form Employer certificate (Arbetsgivarintyg) – request it from your employer in Mina sidor
The form Study certificate (Studieintyg) in Mina sidor