The qualification period
The qualification period begins the month before you register with Arbetsförmedlingen and apply for unemployment compensation. It extends a total of 12 months back in time. If there are months during that period where you earned less than SEK 11,000 and were unable to work due to, for example, illness, care of a sick child or full-time studies, the qualification period can be extended.
Main rule
The income requirement is met if you have had certain gross incomes during the qualification period. You must have earned at least SEK 11,000 in 4 of the months and had a total income of at least SEK 120,000.
Alternative rule
If you do not meet the income requirement under the main rule, the alternative rule will be assessed. This also requires at least 4 months with an income of at least SEK 11,000 per month during the qualification period. However, the four months must be consecutive.
Income information is available from Skatteverket
For the income requirement, you may include earnings from employment that are registered with Skatteverket, and when the unemployment fund assesses the income requirement, we retrieve the information directly from them.
For the monthly amount of SEK 11,000, salary and taxable salary supplements may be included, such as compensation for inconvenient working hours, company car, and lunch benefits. In the total of SEK 120,000, certain social insurance benefits may also be counted, such as parental benefit, temporary parental benefit (vabb), and sickness benefit.
Log in to Mina inkomstuppgifter at skatteverket.seSelf-employed
Self-employed individuals must meet the same income requirement as employees, that is SEK 120,000 and 4 months with SEK 11,000 in salary. For self-employed, income on which self-employment contributions are paid is counted.
At least 20 years old
You must be at least 20 years old to receive compensation from the unemployment fund.
Vad ska du göra?
Register at arbetsförmedlingen.se.
Apply in Mina sidor at akademikernasakassa.se.
Check your information in Mina inkomstuppgifter at skatteverket.se.
Submit your monthly application in Mina sidor at akademikernasakassa.se.
Submit your activity report to Arbetsförmedlingen.
Example qualification period
Kalle has worked during the past year. His qualification period for compensation will be 1 May 2025 to 30 April 2026.
Filip has been on parental leave for four months. His qualification period for compensation will be 1 January 2025 to 30 April 2026.
Anna has been on sick leave for 16 months. Her qualification period for compensation will be 1 January 2024 to 30 April 2026.