Key takeaways
- Since 1 October 2025, how long you've been a member decides how much a-kassa pays: 80%, 60% or 50% of previous pay.
- The highest monthly income that counts is 34,000 SEK.
- Leaving a job yourself without a valid reason means 45 benefit days without pay.
- A union's income insurance is a separate membership with its own rules.
On this page · 7 sections
Nobody explains the a-kassa to newcomers, and it is the one thing that is hard to fix later: since October 2025 the time you've been a member decides how much you'd get if you lost your job. Joining early is what counts.
What the a-kassa is
An a-kassa is an unemployment insurance fund. Membership is voluntary and each fund sets its own fee. Pick the one for your line of work.
How much it pays, since 1 October 2025
| Membership in the period the fund looks at | Benefit |
|---|---|
| At least 12 months | 80% of previous pay |
| 6 to 11 months | 60% |
| 5 months or less, or not a member | 50% |
The highest income that counts is 34,000 SEK a month. IAF: the new unemployment insurance
What quitting means
If you leave a job yourself without a valid reason, the a-kassa suspends you for 45 benefit days (20 if no more than 10 days of the job were left). IAF: sanctions, chapter 7
Income insurance is a second sign-up
Many unions offer an income insurance on top of the a-kassa, with its own membership and its own rules. Joining one doesn't join you to the other. Ask the union at your workplace what theirs covers.
Tip: Join in your first month. The months count from the day you join, not from your first day at work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the a-kassa pay in Sweden?
Since 1 October 2025: 80% of previous pay after at least 12 months of membership, 60% after 6 to 11, and 50% for 5 months or less or no membership, on income up to 34,000 SEK a month.
Is the a-kassa the same as union income insurance?
No. They are two separate memberships. Income insurance from a union comes on top of the a-kassa, with its own rules.
What happens if I quit my job?
Leaving a job without a valid reason means a suspension of 45 benefit days, or 20 if no more than 10 days of the job remained.
Moving for work? How Settio helps
Settio helps employers and immigration and relocation agencies run the whole move in one place, so the person moving can focus on settling in:
- Before the move: one plan for the permit and the move, with every step and deadline. A partner and children get their own steps in the same household.
- After arrival: the employee portal shows the newcomer their next steps on their phone, in their language, from registering after arrival to help for settling in.
- When the permit runs out: permit monitoring flags the extension in good time.
HR teams and agencies can start for free. Moving yourself? Try our free tools for life in Sweden.
More in our guide toSettling in SwedenRelocating to Sweden
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