Unemployment Benefits in Denmark: Are you unemployed in Denmark? Well, you could be eligible for unemployment benefits provided you fulfill certain criteria laid down by the government.
For one, you should have been a member of an approved unemployment insurance fund for a minimum of one year and also be out of work at the time of being a member.
Here is a list of unemployment insurance funds (also called A-kasser in danish):
- Akasse kr./md. = price pr month
If you are an EU or EEA national living in Denmark, you could also be eligible for a-kasse Denmark for foreigners.
Eligibility Criteria
If you are a full-time member of the unemployment insurance fund, you should have a minimum income of DKK 233,376 during the previous three years. On the other hand, part-time members have a minimum income requirement of DKK 155,580.
A self-employed member of the fund can also be eligible for unemployment benefits in Denmark, provided their total income from self-employment and paid employment for the last three years should work out to at least DKK 233,376.
The only exception to the one-year membership is made when a person is completing their education and hence, could not pay to be a member.
Other eligibility criteria include the following:
- A resident of Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Switzerland, EU or EAA for five years in the last 12 years
- Being registered at Jobcentret or the public employment service
- Meet the employment requirement
- Fulfill the availability requirement. Remember, if you are unemployed due to your own doing, you will have to wait for three weeks before you can be eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
Registering at Jobcentret
It is mandatory to register at Jobcentret if you want to receive unemployment benefits in Denmark. This should be done on the very first day of unemployment. You can do this online on the jobnet.dk website using your NEMID.
When registering, you will have to mention at least one of the fields where you will be looking to work in. Every seventh day, you would have to check the portal to see if there are any suitable jobs for you.
In the first two weeks of being unemployed, you must create and upload your resume onto the jobnet.dk website.
This allows potential employers to see your profile. In addition, you would also have to meet the availability criterion, which is 30 hours per week for part-time employment and 37 hours per week for full-time employment. The unemployment insurance fund will be checking this.
Also, it would be best to remember that you should actively seek jobs and be ready to join a company on one day’s notice.
Once you fulfill these requirements, you will be able to receive unemployment benefits in Denmark.
How Much Can You Get Unemployment Benefits in Denmark?
There is a maximum limit to receiving unemployment benefits in Denmark. It is DKK 18,866 per month if you are a full-time insured member and DKK 12,577 per month if you are a part-time insured member of the unemployment insurance fund.
On the other hand, if you have recently completed your education or vocational training, you will be entitled to DKK 13,489 per month as a full-time insured member and DKK 8,993 each month as a part-time insured member.
If you have just completed your education and look after a child, you will receive DKK 15,470 per month as a full-time insured person and DKK 10,313 a month as a part-time insured member.
The Final Words
While a-kasse Demark for foreigners and locals is generous, you do have to show the authorities that you are actively looking for a job.
It is only then that you will receive unemployment benefits. Remember, during the entire period of your unemployment, you would have to stay registered at the Jobcentret portal to receive unemployment benefits continuously.
