Unemployment insurance funds and trade unions

Join an unemployment insurance fund
As a recent graduate you should consider joining an unemployment insurance fund. This is not a requirement, but a membership gives you advantages such as unemployment benefits and career guidance, if you need it.

Remember to register no later than 14 days after your thesis defence/last exam to be eligible for unemployment benefits one month after. If you do, you will be eligible for unemployment benefits (daily cash benefits) of DKK 14,690 per month (2015) on average, one month after, while you are unemployed and looking for jobs.

If you have more than 3 months left of your studies, you can become a member for free. If you have been a member for more than a year, you are eligible for unemployment benefits the day after you have completed your studies.

CBS cooperates with CA a-kasse and Akademikernes A-kasse.

You are not required by law to be a member of an unemployment insurance fund, but you must be a member in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

You can be a member of an unemployment insurance fund or a trade union – or both.

The Danish unemployment insurance system in short
In Denmark, unemployment insurance is based on voluntary membership of an unemployment insurance fund. Consequently, it is up to each person to take out an insurance against unemployment.

Through the membership of an unemployment insurance fund, you insure yourself against losing your income, much like you would insure yourself against theft, illness, and accidents. However, while unemployment insurance funds are privately held associations, the legislation concerning them is passed by the National Parliament. Consequently, this sets them apart from insurance companies. On that note, it is important to distinguish between a trade union and an unemployment insurance fund as they are two different types of associations.

Trade unions: A trade union deals with issues concerning the negotiation of wages, contracts, and maternity leave. Or in short, they help you, when you have a job.

Unemployment insurance funds: Unemployment insurance funds assist job seeking members economically during periods of unemployment.

You can learn more about working in Denmark and Danish working culture by visiting Work in Denmark.

Requirements
The minimum requirement for membership in CA a-kasse and Akademikernes A-kasse is a bachelor’s degree or completion of a vocational training course of at least 18 months’ duration.

You can benefit from free student membership, which is offered to all students attending university or other higher educational institutions.

To receive unemployment benefits it is a requirement that you:

•    Have had residency in Denmark no later than from the day prior to starting your education in DenmarkHave completed studies of at least 18 months’ duration (or at least 3 semesters of 6 months each)
•    Are a resident in Denmark by the time you complete your education or no later than 2 weeks after completion of your education
•    Have a work permit in Denmark for 37 hours after you graduate.

For more information about requirements and further details on membership of an unemployment insurance fund, please visit one of CBS' partners:

Akademikernes A-kasse

CA A-kasse
 
For more information about the trade union CBS collaborates with, visit Djøf’s website.

Stand on solid ground!

When you have graduated and are on your way to your first job, you should consider becoming a member of a trade union.

Trade unions can help you make sure that you get the right salary and the best work conditions. In addition to legal assistance, your trade union can help you search for a job, negotiate your salary, contracts, maternity/paternity leave, etc.

CBS work with Djøf.

You are not required by law to be a member of a trade union.

You can be a member of an unemployment insurance fund or a trade union –or both