Unemployment benefits when working abroad

Different rules apply depending on whether you are employed locally by a foreign employer, if you are working abroad but employed by a Swedish employer, or if you are working funded by a scholarship. Whatever your case, SULF always recommends that you contact Akademikernas a-kassa in good time before your departure.

Unemployment benefit for work abroad as locally-employed staff

In the EU/EEA/Switzerland
If your work abroad is in a position with a salary from a local employer in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, as a general rule you belong to the unemployment insurance scheme in the country where you work. Once you have satisfied yourself that you have joined the foreign unemployment insurance scheme, you can exit the Swedish unemployment insurance scheme.

If you belong to the unemployment insurance scheme in your country of employment you may, after examination as concerns the rules set by the EU, be credited for the time worked in the EU/EEA country to be able to apply for unemployment benefit both the country of employment and in Sweden.

Different countries’ unemployment insurance schemes have different rules. Whether or not you qualify  depends on the country in question.

Outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
If your work abroad is in a position with a salary paid by a local employer outside the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, as a general rule you belong to that country’s unemployment insurance scheme. Once you have satisfied yourself that you have joined the foreign unemployment insurance scheme, you can exit the Swedish insurance scheme after consultations with Akademikernas a-kassa.

Different countries’ unemployment insurance schemes have different rules. Whether you qualify for benefits in that country depends on the country in question.

Contact Akademikernas a-kassa for advice if:

• You are going to work in a country where the insurance period may not be counted in Sweden.
• You will work abroad for less than six months.
• You have begun a benefit period in unemployment insurance.

You are claiming unemployment benefits for work abroad with a Swedish employer.
If you are employed by a Swedish employer and perform work abroad, your opportunities to receive unemployment benefits are affected by whether your employer in Sweden belongs to the state or public sector or if you are considered as being posted abroad. In addition, the country where you actually work also matters.

SULF recommends that you contact Akademikernas a-kassa for advice.

Return to Sweden and membership of Akademikernas a-kassa
Unless Akademikernas a-kassa tells you otherwise, when your work abroad is concluded and you return to Sweden register immediately as a jobseeker and also re-apply for membership in Akademikernas a-kassa in order to receive unemployment benefits. Akademikernas a-kassa requires that you show that you are working or last worked within their field of operations and that you are a graduate. If you are unemployed upon return to Sweden and you last job was in the EU/EEA, a special assessment will be carried out. Always contact the Akademikernas a-kassa Overseas Department in such cases.

Through a Nordic convention, you can also join an unemployment insurance scheme directly without meeting all entry criteria if, within the last five years, you have been a member of a Swedish unemployment insurance fund. This only applies when moving between the Nordic countries. Applications for membership in Akademikernas a-kassa must be made as soon as possible after return.