Updates on Unemployment Insurance (A-kassa) in 2025

Starting October 1, 2025, we are facing updates on unemployment insurance (a-kassa) and significant changes, impacting how benefits are calculated and distributed. Here's what you need to know step-by-step:

Income-Based Benefits:

• Benefits will now be based on your income and the duration of your membership in an unemployment insurance fund.

• The new system allows unemployment funds to retrieve income data directly from the Swedish Tax Agency, simplifying the process for everyone involved.

Higher Maximum Compensation:

• The ceiling for income has been raised to 34,000 SEK, resulting in a maximum monthly benefit of 27,200 SEK, up from the current 26,400 SEK.

• Unlike the current system, where the ceiling drops after 100 days, the new model maintains the ceiling for 300 days before reducing it to 30,000 SEK.

Clearer Benefit Reduction:

• Currently, unemployed individuals receive 80% of their previous income for 200 days, then 70% until day 300, and 65% thereafter.

• The new model introduces a quicker reduction: 80% for the first 100 days, 70% for days 101-200, and 65% for days 201-300.

• After 300 days, continued unemployment may qualify for activity support (aktivitetstöd), which decreases by 5 percentage points every 100 days, down to a minimum of 365 SEK per day.

New Calculation Method for Broader Eligibility:

• Previously, eligibility depended on working a set amount of time in the past year and being a member of an a-kassa for at least a year.

• The new model focuses on income rather than time worked, aiming to extend coverage to more people.

• Benefits depend on meeting an income requirement of 11,000 SEK and membership duration in an a-kassa.

Income and Membership Criteria:

• Income: Earning at least 11,000 SEK over 4-7 months grants 100 days of benefits; 8-10 months earns 200 days; 11 months or more provides 300 days.

• Membership: Members for 0-6 months receive up to 50% of their previous salary; 6-11 months receive 60%; those with a year or more receive 80%, as before.

These updates aim to provide a more equitable and streamlined system, potentially benefiting a larger number of unemployed individuals.

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