If you received a decision before October 1
If you received a decision about benefits before October 1, 2025 and still have benefit days left, you follow the old rules. Here you can read about the requirements you need to meet to qualify for benefits.
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The information on this page applies to those who received a decision about benefits before October 1, 2025 and still have benefit days left. If you received a decision after that date, you follow the new rules. Read more about the new rules.
You must have worked for at least 6 months
To qualify for benefits, you need to be registered with Arbetsförmedlingen and actively seeking work. You also need to have worked enough during the 12 months before becoming unemployed. This means you must fulfil one of the following work requirements:
- Worked at least 60 hours per month for six months.
- Worked a total of 420 hours over six consecutive months, with at least 40 hours per month.
If needed, we can count up to two months where you received a parental allowance or completed military service to help you meet a work requirement.
Has it been a while since you worked?
Sometimes we need to look further back in time to find enough months of work. We can do this if, for example, you were sick, on parental leave, or studying full-time before becoming unemployed. We can go back up to 60 months (a total of 5 years) to see if you have met a work requirement previously.
Other factors that can affect your right to benefits
If you are sick, on parental leave, or studying, it may affect whether you can receive unemployment benefits. Participating in a program through Arbetsförmedlingen, running your own business, or freelancing can also have an impact. Please contact us if any of this is relevant for you so we can help you further.
How much benefit can I get?
How much benefit you can get depends on how much you have worked, and your previous income. It also depends on if you are a member, and if so for how long.
I have been a member for 12 months or more
You may qualify for benefits based on your income if you have been a member for 12 consecutive months or longer. Membership with another unemployment insurance fund can count toward the 12 months. To receive income-based benefits, you need to:
- be registered at Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for work, and be ready to accept it.
- have met a work requirement during your time as a member.
How much can I receive in income-based benefits?
The amount you can receive depends on how many hours you have previously worked and your income. The maximum is 1,236 SEK per benefit day, but this decreases over time:
- Benefit days 1–100
Up to 80% of your previous income, capped at SEK 1,200 per benefit day. - Benefit days 101–200
Up to 80% of your previous income, capped at SEK 1,000 per benefit day. - Benefit days 201–300
Up to 70% of your previous income, capped at SEK 1,000 per benefit day.
I have been a member for less than 12 months
You may qualify for basic benefits if you have been a member for less than 12 months. You can receive a maximum of SEK 510 and a minimum of SEK 255 per benefit day.
To qualify for basic benefits, you need to:
- be at least 20 years old.
- be registered with Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for, and ready to accept work.
- meet a work requirement.
I am not a member of Alfa-kassan
If you are not a member of Alfa-kassan or any other unemployment insurance fund, you can still apply for basic benefits from us. You can receive a maximum of SEK 510 and a minimum of SEK 255 per benefit day. Since you are not a member, you will pay an administration fee of SEK 10 per benefit day while receiving benefits from us.
To qualify for basic benefits, you need to:
- be at least 20 years old.
- be registered at Arbetsförmedlingen, actively looking for work, and be ready to accept work.
- meet a work requirement.
If you are a member of another unemployment insurance fund, you must apply for benefits through them.
How long do I get unemployment benefits?
You can receive unemployment benefits during a benefit period of 300 benefit days, with a maximum of 5 days per week. Each period starts with 2 qualifying days, days for which you do not receive benefits. The qualifying days are not deducted from your 300 benefit days.