Unemployment Insurance and Benefits
Unemployment Insurance
In Denmark you are not automatically registered with an unemployment insurance fund (in Danish “A-Kasse”), and therefore need to apply. You do not, though, need to be a member of a trade union in order to become a member of an unemployment insurance fund.
You are entitled to apply for membership if you are between the age of 18 and 63 and live in Denmark (or another EU/EEA country and work in Denmark). You can apply to be insured part-time or full-time. Some of the additional requirements are that you must either:
- Be in paid employment in a profession which is covered by the fund.
- Be the owner of a business, or help run your spouse’s business.
Unemployment Benefits
To receive these, the first thing you need to do is register as a jobseeker at your local job centre. You will submit a declaration of unemployment to your A-Kasse. You must agree to actively seek employment and be prepared to accept job offers as long as you are unemployed and receive benefits. In order to be eligible:
- You need to have had a minimum of 52 weeks of employment within the last 3 years.
- You must have been a member of an A-Kasse for at least 1 year.
Benefits can be received for a maximum of 4 years in total, and membership ends at the age of 65. You can receive up to 90% of your income from your previous income. The benefits are paid out every 3 or 4 weeks.
For a list of all the A-Kasser click here.
When choosing your A-Kasse, it is advisable to compare the prices. For a sound comparison click here.
Unions
Most employees in Denmark are members of a "union".The unions work with representing the members interest towards the employers, and with securing them reasonable payment and terms of working. Some employers are also members in unions. They have an interest in the employees being satisfied and happy with the terms. The employers then also have stability when it comes to working hours, payments and strikes.
In Denmark, you can choose any union that fits your terms. Therefore an employer cannot hire or fire you, based on your choice of union. Your colleagues can't demand you to choose a certain kind of union either. Many employees choose the union that has an agreement with their company and employer.
Choose your union based on which education and job you have. Most unions are often founded on that manner. You have to pay contingent to be a member of a union, but in return you will have a safety-net backing you up. If you are thinking about joining a union, there is some things to consider. Some unions offers different types of courses to their members and some have a unemployment insurance. You should go after the union that suits your needs the best, and you should always compare prices before joining.
You can see the full list of unions here.
For more information: click here.
Home Insurance
A home insurance policy covers nearly all your belongings that are damaged or lost due to fire, theft or water damage. The insurance premium depends on the value of your belongings.
The insurance companies have each defined total value intervals so that you simply choose the interval relating to your personal belongings. If you own a property, fire insurance is compulsory.
Accident Insurance
There are two types of accident insurance: traditional and comprehensive. The majority of insurance companies offer one of these policies:
1. Traditional coverage in case of accidents: You can receive compensation when you suffer from sudden external events that cause damage to your person.
2. Comprehensive accident coverage: You can receive compensation when you suffer injury due to a sudden event.
It is not required that the event is the result of external causes. Contact an insurance company for more information.
Liability Insurance
It is required by law that you have a liability insurance policy if you own a car. This insurance covers damages to other persons and their property. In addition, it is possible to obtain a comprehensive insurance policy that covers damages to your car and theft. If you have a loan on the car, the insurance company will often require comprehensive insurance coverage.
The insurance covers the liability to pay compensation that you as a private person may have in case you or a member of your household, cause injury to others or damage their belongings. The Danish insurance companies have various offers and prices. Contact an insurance company for more information.
Family Insurance
All insurance companies offer family insurance which covers all family members living at the same address.
A family insurance includes contents, liability and legal aid.