Unemployment benefits for graduates

You will be entitled to benefits based on your degree if you

• have completed a certified programme of at least 18 months (i.e. studies covered by the Danish Students' Grants and Loans Scheme - in Danish: SU.
• have resided and been present in Denmark just before you started studying and no later than 14 days after the completion of your studies
• meet a language requirement
• have informed us within 14 days of your graduation that you have graduated.

When?

You’re entitled to benefits already the day after the end of your studies if you have been a member of CA for at least one year before you complete your studies.

If you have been a member for less than a year, you will not be entitled to benefits as a new graduate until one month after the end of your studies.

Important: You’re not entitled to benefits until the day you register as unemployed at jobnet.dk and you have made yourself available for full-time paid work.

How long?

You are eligible for benefits for 1,924 hours within a period of two years. 1,924 hours correspond to full benefits for a year.

How much?

Your benefits as a new graduate depend on whether

• you are a parent with dependent children
• you have reached the age of 30.

If you are a parent with dependent children?

You will receive a monthly amount of DKK 16,694 in benefits before tax. Your rate will not drop as long as you’re a parent with dependent children.

If you are not a parent with dependent children?

You will receive a monthly amount of DKK 14,557 in benefits before tax for the first 481 hours you’re unemployed. 481 hours are equivalent to full-time benefits for a period of three months. 

The benefit rate will then be reduced to

• DKK 12,645 if you have reached the age of 30
• DKK 10,011 if you have not reached the age of 30.

If you turn 30 while you’re unemployed, your benefits will increase to DKK 12,645 from the first day of the month following your 30th birthday.

If you have a child, your monthly benefits will increase to DKK 16,694 before tax from the first day of the month after you have given birth regardless how many hours you have received benefits.

How to get a calculation of your new benefit rate

Whether or not you have dependent children, you can ask us to calculate an individual and perhaps higher benefit rate if:

you have had income from work for at least three months after the end of your studies, and
at least six months have passed since you graduated.