Almost all jobs are considered suitable
In principle, all jobs can be considered suitable when you are a job seeker. You must apply for all jobs referred by Arbetsförmedlingen in order to be eligible for benefits. Arbetsförmedlingen takes into account:
Education
Work experience
The current labor market
If Arbetsförmedlingen believes you are not actively seeking work, we will receive a notification and investigate whether you have fulfilled your job-seeking obligations.
The employer determines your qualifications
If an employer considers you qualified for a job and wants to hire you, the job is considered suitable.
When is it okay to decline a job?
In certain situations, it is acceptable to decline a job. Contact us and we will help ensure everything is handled correctly.
What happens if you decline a job?
If you decline a suitable job or an extension of a temporary position, you are considered to have prolonged your unemployment unnecessarily.
We receive a notification from Arbetsförmedlingen or the employer and will then collect your comments and assess whether the job was suitable. The following applies:
First time: suspended for 5 days
Second time: suspended for 10 days
Third time: suspended for 45 benefit days
Fourth time: you lose your right to benefits entirely. To regain eligibility, you must meet the work requirement again
Declining before applying for benefits
In new cases, suspension is rarely relevant, as you will usually have worked at least 5 days after declining continued employment. The timing of when you receive the offer and when you decline it is important.
Declining continued employment
In new cases, suspension is rarely relevant, as you will usually have worked at least 5 days after declining continued employment. The timing of when you receive the offer and when you decline it is important.
The salary is 10% lower than unemployment benefits
If you are offered a job where the daily salary is 10 percent lower than your daily unemployment benefit, you may decline the job without facing any sanctions. If the job would result in additional costs for maintaining dual residences, you should take that into account when comparing incomes to determine whether the offered job is suitable.
Commuting is not possible
You must be prepared to commute daily. If you are offered a job in a location that is too far for daily commuting, you are expected to arrange accommodation at the work location. If you have a family, it should be possible within a reasonable time to arrange a new family residence.
There are medical limitations
If you are unable to apply for or accept a certain job due to medical reasons, you need a medical certificate that supports your claim. The certificate must include an assessment of your ability to perform the job.
It doesn’t work for the family
Family reasons may entitle you to limit your job search area during a reasonable transition period, and you are expected to actively seek solutions to reduce your local dependency. Examples of family reasons include:
You have children who require daily supervision and support, and the household cannot be relocated
Your spouse or equivalent partner has working conditions that prevent them from managing the household alone or relocating to another area
You are a single parent and depend on support from someone else in your current location in order to be able to work
A reasonable transition period is the time needed to find new solutions for support needs. After that, a job is considered suitable if the applicant can return to the shared home once a week.