Moving abroad
Are you moving abroad? What applies to your membership in the unemployment insurance fund depends on your situation – whether you’re going to work, look for a job, stay home with children, or accompany a partner. Here, you’ll get help figuring out whether you should remain a member or end your membership. If you’re currently receiving benefits, you can stay in the fund for up to 12 months to protect your entitlement.
You can remain a member
I will be working for a Swedish employer with my salary paid from Sweden.
I will be studying full-time.
I will be away for less than six months.
I am currently receiving unemployment benefits. In that case, you can remain a member for up to 12 months to protect your entitlement.
If you’re unsure about your situation, don’t hesitate to call us at 08-412 33 00 – we’re here to help!
You can cancel your membership
I will be working abroad for a foreign employer.
I will be on vacation abroad for more than six months.*
I will be caring for relatives abroad for more than six months.*
I will be away for more than six months.*
*Are you currently receiving unemployment benefits? Then you should consider staying a member for up to 12 months to protect your entitlement.
If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to call us at 08-412 33 00 – we’re here to help!
Denmark and Finland
Apply for membership in a Danish or Finnish unemployment insurance fund as soon as you start working there. Otherwise, you risk being left without income-based benefits if you become unemployed.
Stay a member of Akademikernas a-kassa until your new membership begins – make sure to pay the fee so there’s no gap in coverage.
This also applies if you commute and continue living in Sweden.
EU/EEA and Switzerland
In most EU/EEA countries and in Switzerland, you are automatically covered by the unemployment insurance system of the country where you work and pay taxes. In that case, you can cancel your membership in Akademikernas a-kassa.
However, you should remain a member if you:
are posted by a Swedish employer within the EU/EEA and have an A1 certificate.
have a public Swedish position within the EU/EEA (e.g. at a university or embassy).
live and work in both Sweden and another EU/EEA country.
Avoid gaps in your insurance coverage
Stay a member of Akademikernas until you are certain that you are covered by the system in your new country of work. If you return to Sweden – apply for membership again immediately. Don’t wait until you’re back.
Outside the EU/EEA or to the United Kingdom
If you move to a country outside the EU/EEA – or to the United Kingdom – it’s usually not meaningful to remain in the Swedish unemployment insurance fund. However, there are exceptions. If you have the opportunity to protect your Swedish income, it may be wise to stay a member.
You should only remain a member if:
you are posted abroad by a Swedish employer and receive your salary from Sweden
you are doing a postdoc funded solely by a scholarship (no salary)
Taking your unemployment benefits within the EU/EEA
You can look for work in the EU/EEA or Switzerland while receiving Swedish unemployment benefits for up to 3 months. To do this, you need a U2 certificate from the Swedish Unemployment Insurance Board (IAF) – apply before you leave.
You must be fully unemployed, entitled to benefits, and have been registered with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) for at least 4 weeks.
Continue submitting your time reports as usual.
Job interview abroad?
You may be entitled to unemployment benefits during a job interview abroad – even outside the EU/EEA. The interview must be verified in advance.
You may also be eligible for travel and accommodation support from the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen).
Please contact us well in advance and upload your documentation via Mina sidor (My Pages).