Conditions for Student Membership
As a free student member, you ensure you’re eligible for unemployment benefits (dagpenge). That way, you’ll have an income in case you become unemployed (ledig) after finishing your studies.
After a full year of being a member of Akademikernes A-kasse, you’re entitled to unemployment benefits from your very first day as a new graduate. That’s why becoming a free student member is a great idea.
According to Danish law, you must have been a member of an unemployment insurance fund (a-kasse) for at least twelve months before you’re eligible for unemployment benefits. That’s why Akademikernes A-kasse offers free membership while you’re still studying, so you can start earning your eligibility for unemployment benefits (dagpengeret).
If you become a member later, you’ll need to go through a one-month waiting period (a quarantine of sorts) after you get your final grade before you are eligible for unemployment benefits. This way, you can earn one month’s unemployment benefits as a new graduate by joining Akademikernes A-kasse for free right now.
You can be a student member for free for up to five years
You can be a free student member for five years. After that, you have to pay for your membership. A good tip is to sign up as early as possible – preferably at least a year before you finish your studies. That way, you get all the advantages without spending any money.
Membership pays off, even if you’ve almost finished your studies
If you become a member when there’s less than a year left of your studies, you’ll not be eligible for unemployment benefits until the one-month waiting period (karensperiode) ends.
If there’s just a short time between your final grade and your one-year membership date, your waiting period will only last for that in-between period. For instance, if your final grade is just a week before your one-year membership milestone, you’ll only need to wait that one week.
Either way, there are many advantages to becoming a member while still studying. We’ll also help you track what you must do to get unemployment benefits as a new graduate.
You’ll need to pay membership fees if you interrupt your studies
If you leave your studies or take a break without staying enrolled, you’ll no longer be eligible for a free student membership. We’ll start charging your membership fee when you’re no longer enrolled. Make sure to let us know the date when you’re no longer enrolled by sending us a message on Mit AKA.
If you’re on leave but still enrolled in your studies, you can continue your free student membership as long as you meet the requirements.
You’re allowed to earn up to DKK 305,420 a year
If you’re a free student member, you’re allowed to earn up to DKK 305,420 a year (2025) before tax, including your SU (student grant). In this case, the year runs from the date you became a member – it doesn’t follow the calendar year.
The amount is calculated as an average. This way, you can earn more in some months and less in others as long as you don’t exceed the maximum limit over the year.
All taxable income is included in the calculation from the start date of your membership. Any income you earned before your membership start date won’t count, nor will income from interest or loans.
The income limit only disappears once you’ve completed your studies. The income limit still applies if you start full-time work before finishing your studies – even if you’re a paying member. You’ll still be subject to the income limit until you finish your studies.
Make sure to let us know when you finish your studies
Make sure to update your membership from student to new graduate as soon as you complete your studies – it’s a key step to securing your unemployment benefits. Your studies are complete when you receive your final grade. Be sure to change your membership status within fourteen days of receiving your final grade. Otherwise, you risk losing your entitlement to unemployment benefits as a new graduate.
To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must’ve been a member of an unemployment insurance fund for at least a year and earned a minimum of DKK 273,504 (2025) within the past three years while holding your membership. You can include a maximum of DKK 22,792 per month (2025).
You change your membership status by filling out the form Skift fra medlemskab som studerende til nyuddannet (Switch from student membership to new graduate).
Learn more about the 14-day deadline
Go to the form Skift medlemskab fra studerende til nyuddannet on Mit AKA