About the compensation
As unemployed, you can receive up to 27,200 kronor from the unemployment insurance fund if you meet the requirements. On this page, you can read about the conditions for unemployment insurance compensation, and how much compensation you can receive if you become unemployed.
Did you receive your decision on benefits after 1 October 2025?
Then you’ve come to the wrong place. The information relevant to you can be found on another page.
Requirements for compensation
To qualify for unemployment benefits in Sweden, you must live in the country, actively look for work here, and hold a valid general work permit. You also need to meet both the basic conditions and the income requirement.
You must be unemployed, which is more elaborate than it may seem. According to the regulations, you need to meet the following requirements to be considered unemployed:
- You need to register your unemployment with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen).
- You have to actively be looking for work in Sweden.
- You must be prepared to accept suitable work when offered.
- You need to submit a monthly activity report to the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen).
What is qualification period?
The qualification period is the time frame we use to check whether you are eligible for benefits. It normally consists of the 12 months preceding your application. Have you been ill, on parental leave, or studying full-time, we can look further back in time when calculating your income.
How do I qualify for the compensation?
You need to meet an income requirement in one of two ways: under the main rule or the alternative rule.
The main rule
To qualify for benefits under the main rule, you need to have earned the following within your qualification period:
- At least SEK 120 000 in total.
- At least SEK 11 000 per month for at least four months.
The alternative rule
To qualify for benefits under the alternative rule, you need to have earned at least SEK 11 000 per month for at least 4 consecutive months within your qualification period.
What counts toward the income requirement?
- Gross income for which your employer has paid employer contributions.
- Income from your own business for which you have paid employer contributions.
- Benefits from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), such as parental and sickness benefits, in certain cases.
Only income from work counts toward the SEK 11 000 minimum in those months.
Join us
Unemployment insurance is one of the most important protections you can have. Join Lärarnas a-kassa and secure your income for just 150 SEK per month.
How much compensation will I get?
The amount depends on how long you have been a member of an unemployment insurance fund. The longer your membership during the qualification period, the higher your potential compensation. You also need to remain a member while receiving benefits. The compensation levels are:
| Length of membership | Level of compensation |
|---|---|
| Member for 12 months or longer | 80 percent of previous income |
| Member for 6–11 months | 60 percent of previous income |
| Member for 0–5 months | 50 percent of previous income |
Fixed compensation level under the alternative rule
When you qualify for compensation under the alternative rule the level of compensation is always 50 percent.
Time with compensation
Your income during the qualification period decides how long you can receive benefits. If you are unemployed for a full month, you can get compensation for up to 22 days that month.
Time with compensation under the main rule
| Compensation period | Income during qualification period |
|---|---|
| 300 days | 11–12 months with SEK 11 000 or more |
| 200 days | 8–10 months with SEK 11 000 or more |
| 100 days | 4–7 months with SEK 11 000 or more |
Compensation period under the alternative rule
You will receive 66 compensation days, regardless of your previous income.
At the end of your compensation period
As you approach the end of your compensation period, we will review your case to see if you qualify for a new one. To start a new period, you will need to meet the income requirement again.
Submit your monthly report
You apply for compensation on a monthly basis by completing a monthly application. In the application, you report your income and note any days you were unable to look for work. Your application must be submitted within three months.
We use your monthly application to calculate your compensation for that month. If, for example, you have earned income, been sick, or been on parental leave, your compensation for that month will be reduced accordingly.
How to apply for compensation
Extra income insurance
If you are a member of a union, such as Sveriges Lärare, you can receive additional monthly compensation.
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