If you’re unemployed, Sweden offers a solid support system to help you through tough times and get back to work.

The thing is that there are no guides that will tell you exactly how to register as unemployed in Sweden and get unemployment benefits, which is why decided to make this article.

Let’s do it.

Who Qualifies for Unemployment Benefits in Sweden?

To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Sweden, there are a few boxes you need to tick:

1. Employment History: You’ve got to have been working. Specifically, you need to have been employed 60 hours of work in six of the past 12 months or 40 hours per calendar month and 420 hours in total during a consecutive period of six months in the past 12 months
2. Membership in an Unemployment Insurance Fund (A-kassa): This is like a club for workers that you need to join to get income-related unemployment benefits. If you’re not a member, you might still get some basic help though (more on that later). Oh, and remember, you must keep on paying your membership to get access to A-kassa’s unemployment benefits (You might be interested in: Unemployment benefits in Sweden – by A-kassor).
3. Actively Seeking Work: These aren’t vacations, you need to be actively looking for a job and ready to jump on any suitable opportunities that come your way.
4. Availability for Work: You must be ready and able to take on work. If you’re offered a job, you need to be in a position to say “yes” and start working.
5. Notify your unemployment insurance fund of any changes in your employment status

Do Self Employed People Qualify Too?

If you’ve been your own boss, you too can access unemployment benefits, provided you’ve been paying into an A-kassa (unemployment insurance) that covers self-employed people.

The main requirement is that you need to have had your business for at least a year before it went under or you decided to close it.

Also, you need to demonstrate that you’ve been working in the business full-time and that you’ve shut down or sold the business completely.

How Does Unemployment Benefits Work in Sweden?

Okay, let’s say you quit with reason or you got fired during the probation period and you want to access unemployment benefits and you don’t know where to start… what do you do?

In Sweden, the unemployment benefits system is designed to provide financial support to individuals who have lost their jobs, ensuring they can maintain a reasonable standard of living while searching for new employment.

Let’s delve into how these benefits work, the eligibility criteria for each type, and any additional support available to unemployed workers in Sweden.

Types of Unemployment Benefits

There are primarily two types of unemployment benefits in Sweden:

1. Basic Unemployment Allowance (Grundförsäkring): This is a flat-rate benefit available to those who may not meet the criteria for the income-related allowance. Eligibility for the basic allowance requires that the individual has been working in Sweden, is registered as a job-seeker with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), and is actively seeking and able to take up full-time employment. Membership in an A-kassa is not required for this allowance.
2. Income-Related Unemployment Allowance (Inkomstrelaterad ersättning): This benefit is calculated based on the individual’s previous earnings and is designed to more closely match their lost income. To qualify, one must have been a member of an A-kassa for at least 12 months and have fulfilled the work requirement. This benefit is more generous than the basic allowance and reflects the income level of the individual prior to unemployment.

Eligibility Criteria

• Membership Duration: For the income-related allowance, you must have been an A-kassa member for at least 12 months.
• Work Requirement: Eligibility for both types of benefits requires meeting specific work hour criteria within a certain period before unemployment.
• Availability for Work: You must be actively seeking employment and ready to accept work offers to qualify for either type of benefit.

Additional Support for Unemployed Workers

Beyond the basic and income-related allowances, Sweden offers several other support mechanisms for unemployed individuals:

• Activity Support (Aktivitetsstöd): For those participating in programs arranged by the Swedish Public Employment Service aimed at improving their chances of finding employment, such as training courses on how to improve your CV, cover letter and interview skills.
• Development Allowance (Utvecklingsersättning): Available to individuals participating in certain educational programs.
• Starting Your Own Business: The Swedish Public Employment Service can provide support for unemployed individuals looking to start their own business, including advice, mentoring, and in some cases, financial support.

How Much Can I Claim as Unemployment Benefits in Sweden?

Just as explained before, there are two types of unemployment benefits: the basic unemployment allowance and the income related unemployment allowance.

Let’s see how much are each one of them:

1. Basic Unemployment Allowance: Under this scheme, if you don’t qualify for the income-related benefit, you can receive a flat-rate unemployment allowance. Currently, the maximum daily benefit you can receive is SEK 510. For those who haven’t worked full time during the reference period, the minimum daily benefit is SEK 255. If you meet the work requirement through part-time employment, your benefit is adjusted proportionally but won’t fall below SEK 255
2. Income-Related Unemployment Allowance: The unemployment benefit in Sweden starts at 80% of your previous salary for the first 200 days and then reduces to 70% for the next 100 days, with a maximum payment of SEK 1,200 per day initially and SEK 1,000 thereafter. The minimum benefit is SEK 510, dropping no lower than SEK 255 for part-time workers. Benefits are paid for up to 300 days, extendable by 150 days for those with children under 18 at the limit. Additional allowances like sickness and parental benefits may also be factored into the income calculation by the unemployment insurance fund.

Calculation Example

Let’s say you were earning 30,000 SEK per month before you became unemployed. If you are a member of an A-kassa and meet the eligibility criteria:

• Your unemployment benefits for the first 200 days would be calculated at 80% of your income, capped at a daily maximum of 1,200 SEK. After 200 days, the benefit rate drops to 70% of your prior earnings, with the daily benefit further reduced to a maximum of 1,000 SEK for the next 100 days.

Health Insurance Coverage

During your period of unemployment, you remain covered by the Swedish health insurance system.

This means you have access to healthcare services under the same conditions as when you were employed, ensuring that health concerns do not add to the stress of unemployment.

For How Long Can I Receive Unemployment Benefits in Sweden?

In Sweden, the duration for which you can receive unemployment benefits is defined by a set of rules that take into account your employment history and whether you have dependents:

• The unemployment benefit period for both types of insurance is 5 days a week for a total of 300 days, which corresponds to 14 months. 
• If you have at least 1 dependent child (up to 18 years old) your benefit period will be extended with 150 days to a total period of 21 months

Part-Time Unemployment

If you’re only partially unemployed, meaning you still have some part-time work, the duration of your unemployment benefits can be extended.

In this case, your benefits are adjusted according to the amount of work you have, so they last longer but at a reduced rate, depending on your part-time income.

After the Maximum Duration

Once you’ve reached the maximum duration for receiving unemployment benefits, if you still haven’t found employment, you may be eligible for other forms of support provided by the Swedish social welfare system.

Here’s a few examples of those “other forms of support”:

• Social Assistance (Socialbidrag): This is a means-tested benefit designed to cover the basic living costs for individuals and families who have exhausted all other forms of financial support. Social assistance is considered a last-resort benefit and is tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the applicant, covering expenses such as rent, food, and utilities.
• Activity Compensation (Aktivitetsersättning): Aimed at young people under the age of 30 who are unable to work due to disability or illness, activity compensation provides financial support to those who are engaged in long-term rehabilitative activities or vocational training programs.
• Disease or Disability Benefits: If your ability to work is limited due to illness or disability that isn’t related to work, you may qualify for sickness benefits or disability pensions from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan). These benefits aim to compensate for lost income due to reduced working capacity.
• Job and Development Guarantees: The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) offers programs like the Job Guarantee for Adults, aimed at providing long-term unemployed individuals with activities, training, and support to improve their employability. Participation in such programs can also come with financial support to help cover living expenses.
• Education and Training Opportunities: For those seeking to improve their skills or retrain for a new career, there are opportunities for financial support while attending educational programs. This can include grants and loans for higher education or vocational training.
• Housing Allowance: For individuals with low income, including those who are unemployed, there may be eligibility for housing allowance to help cover rent and make housing more affordable.

These programs are designed to ensure that individuals do not fall into financial hardship while continuing to look for work.

It’s important to note that to continue receiving unemployment benefits for the full duration, you need to remain active in your job search and comply with any activities or programs recommended by the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen). This includes participating in job training programs, attending job interviews, and being willing to accept suitable job offers.

You might be interested in: How to find a job without experience Sweden?

How to Claim Unemployment Benefits in Sweden

Here’s a straightforward guide to navigating the steps to claim your unemployment benefits in Sweden:

Step 1: Register as Unemployed

Your first official action should be to register as unemployed with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), ideally on your first day of unemployment.

You can do this online through their website.

Registration is crucial as it marks the start of your unemployment period and is necessary for both job-seeking support and benefit claims.

Step 2: Apply to Your Unemployment Insurance Fund (A-kassa)

After registering with Arbetsförmedlingen, if are a member of A-kassa, you should apply for unemployment there.

You’ll need to provide details about your employment history, income, and the circumstances of your unemployment.

The application can usually be completed online on the A-kassa’s website.

Your A-kassa may require various documents to process your claim, such as your ID, pay slips, employment contract, and any termination notice. Ensure all documents are submitted promptly to avoid delays in your claim.

Step 3: Attend an Introduction Meeting

The Swedish Public Employment Service may invite you to an introductory meeting.

This meeting is an essential part of the process, where you’ll discuss your job-seeking plan and any support you might need, such as training or education programs.

Step 4: Keep an Activity Log

You’re required to actively seek employment and keep a log of your job-seeking activities.

This log is a critical component of remaining eligible for unemployment benefits and must be regularly updated and submitted to both Arbetsförmedlingen and your A-kassa.

Step 5: Receive Confirmation and Payment

Once your application is processed and approved, you’ll receive confirmation of your benefit amount and when you can expect payments to begin. Benefit payments are usually made monthly, in arrears.

Step 6: Keeping in Touch

You must report your employment status monthly to both Arbetsförmedlingen and your A-kassa. This includes any changes in your circumstances, such as part-time work or study. Failure to report accurately can result in a suspension of benefits.

Also, continuing eligibility for unemployment benefits requires that you remain available for work and actively apply for jobs.

You may also be required to participate in job-seeking activities or training arranged by Arbetsförmedlingen.

If your situation changes—for example, if you find a job, start studying, or move abroad—it’s important to update both Arbetsförmedlingen and your A-kassa immediately to adjust your benefits accordingly.

Unemployment Benefits with a Work Visa in Sweden

Yes, workers with a work visa in Sweden can be eligible for unemployment benefits, provided they meet certain conditions.

Be careful though, because some work visas require you to leave Sweden if you’re no longer employed. However, if you’ve gained permanent residency or if your work visa allows for periods of unemployment, you may have the right to stay and look for new employment.

Here are the requirements to get unemployment benefits in Sweden with a work visa:

• Work and Residency Status: You must have a valid work visa and have been legally residing and working in Sweden. Your work visa should cover the period for which you’re claiming unemployment benefits.
• Employment History: Similar to Swedish citizens and permanent residents, you need to have a qualifying employment history. This usually means you have worked for a certain minimum amount of time and have fulfilled the work requirement (e.g., working at least 60 hours per month for 6 of the last 12 months).
• Membership in an Unemployment Insurance Fund (A-kassa): Although not mandatory for basic unemployment allowance, being a member of an A-kassa is crucial for accessing the more substantial income-related unemployment benefits. Membership and contributions to an A-kassa should have been made during the period of employment in Sweden.
• Active Job Seeking and Availability: You must be actively seeking employment and be ready to accept suitable job offers. Registration with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) as a job seeker is also required.

You might be interested in: How to find a job in Sweden without speaking Swedish?

Unemployment Benefits as a Freelancer

Yes, freelancers in Sweden can qualify for unemployment benefits, but there are specific conditions and steps they need to take to ensure eligibility.

Here’s how freelancers can access unemployment benefits:

Voluntary Membership in an A-kassa

For freelancers, joining an unemployment insurance fund (A-kassa) that caters to their field of work is crucial.

While membership is voluntary, it is necessary for accessing income-related unemployment benefits.

How does it work?

Freelancers pay contributions to their A-kassa based on their income from freelance work. These contributions are calculated to reflect the fluctuating nature of freelance earnings, ensuring that freelancers can maintain their eligibility for benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

• Income and Work Requirements: To qualify for income-related unemployment benefits, freelancers must meet certain income and work requirements, similar to employed individuals. This typically involves demonstrating a consistent level of work and income over a specified period before applying for benefits.
• Business Closure: To claim unemployment benefits, freelancers must effectively cease their freelance business activities. This means demonstrating that you are not actively pursuing freelance work and are available for employment in the labor market.
• Active Job Seeking and Availability: Freelancers, like any other individuals claiming unemployment benefits, must be actively seeking employment and be ready to accept suitable job offers. Registration with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) as a job seeker is mandatory.

Important Links

• https://www.a-kasser.dk/unemployment-insurance-in-europe/sweden/index.html
• https://www.sverigesakassor.se/unemployment-benefits-in-sweden/