On 1 October 2025, a new law on unemployment insurance will come into force. The main changes are that you will qualify on the basis of your income instead of time worked, that the length of membership will affect the level of benefits and that the number of months of income will determine the length of the benefit period you can receive.
Income requirement
In order to receive unemployment benefits (a-kassa), you must fulfil an income condition. This means that in the year before you become unemployed you must have earned a total of at least SEK 120,000 and that you must have earned at least SEK 11,000 for at least 4 of the 12 months. In case you have been ill or on parental leave, the period for which we determine your benefit may be extended.
Membership requirement
The number of days of benefits and the level of benefits you receive are based on how long you have been a member of a-kassa and how many months of income you had before becoming unemployed. The longer the membership and the more months of income – the better the conditions.
Qualifying period
The qualifying period is the 12 months that function as a basis for assessing whether you fulfil the income condition. It starts the month before you register with the Arbetsförmedlingen and apply for benefits, and extends backwards for 12 months. Illness, parental leave, etc. can extend the period.
