All you need to know about Supplemental Unemployment Insurance
Example of a supplemental payment (monthly salary of DKK 40,000)
Salary deducted from labour market contributions (AMBI) | DKK 36,800 |
90% of current salary minus AMBI | DKK 33,120 |
Unemployment insurance fund (highest rate 2026) | DKK 22,041 |
Insurance compensation | DKK 11,079 |
Recommended coverage when buying | DKK 11,079 |
Total payout per month | DKK 33,120 |
Your price for supplemental unemployment insurance per. month | DKK 287 |
What is Supplemental Unemployment Insurance?
Supplemental Unemployment Insurance provides additional financial support if you become involuntarily unemployed. As a member of a Danish unemployment fund (A-kasse), you are entitled to unemployment benefits, but for many people, these benefits may not be enough to cover their regular expenses.
Supplemental Unemployment Insurance therefore provides an additional financial safety net if you lose your job through no fault of your own.
How Supplemental Unemployment Insurance covers you
If you become unemployed and qualify for cover, you receive monthly payments from your insurance. The amount you receive depends on factors including:
- your gross salary, including commission, bonuses, company car and company phone;
- and the amount of cover you have chosen, from DKK 2,000 to DKK 60,000 per month.
Learn more about Supplemental Unemployment Insurance and your cover.
How much can I receive?
You can receive up to 90% of your current gross salary after Labour Market Contribution (AM-bidrag). Your gross salary includes commission, bonuses, company car and company phone.
There is a one-month excess period, and payments are made in arrears. This means that your first payment will be made two months after your first day of unemployment.
Remember that you can deduct the cost of your Supplemental Unemployment Insurance from your taxable income.
Does the insurance cover me if I change jobs?
You can change jobs and remain covered, as long as there is no more than a 14-day gap between jobs. If you are out of work for more than 14 days, you must have been continuously employed for at least 12 months.
This means that if you start your new job within 14 days of leaving your previous one, your insurance covers you from your first day in the new job. However, you must have been employed for at least 12 months before you can receive your first payment.
If you change jobs, contact Topdanmark Supplemental Unemployment Insurance on +45 44 74 35 50, or update your details through My Supplemental Unemployment Insurance.
Am I covered during a strike or lockout?
No. Supplemental Unemployment Insurance does not cover you during a strike or lockout.
However, a strike or lockout does not interrupt the qualifying period or employment requirement, even if you are laid off while the strike or lockout is ongoing.
How long does Supplemental Unemployment Insurance cover me?
Your cover continues until the end of the month in which:
- you turn 65, unless you became unemployed before then;
- you are granted a disability pension or move into a flexi-job;
- you retire from the labour market;
- the membership of your unemployment fund (A-kasse) ends; or
- you stop paying your insurance premium.
When does the insurance not cover me?
Supplemental Unemployment Insurance does not cover you in certain situations, including if:
- you knew or should have known that you were going to become unemployed when you took out the insurance;
- you become unemployed or are notified that you will become unemployed within the first nine months after taking out the insurance;
- you resign or become voluntarily unemployed, unless you have a valid reason under Danish unemployment legislation;'
- your employer dismisses you because of circumstances for which you are responsible;
- your employment ends because your apprenticeship contract or similar agreement expires;
- you work in a seasonal industry where unemployment occurs regularly and become unemployed before you have worked for your employer for two years; or
- you are employed on a project or fixed-term contract lasting less than two years.
When does it make sense to take out Supplemental Unemployment Insurance?
It can be difficult to know whether Supplemental Unemployment Insurance is right for you. Consider these questions:
- Could I manage financially on unemployment benefits for an extended period?
- Would unemployment benefits cover my regular monthly expenses?
- How important is it for me to maintain a stable income if I lose my job?
- Have I been continuously employed for at least 12 months? You must meet this requirement to receive payments.
Can my partner or spouse take out the insurance?
Yes. Your partner or spouse can also take out Supplemental Unemployment Insurance.
However, you and your partner must already have at least one insurance policy with IDA Forsikring.
Can I work temporarily or part-time?
If you work part-time for up to 29.6 hours per week, you may still receive payments from your Supplemental Unemployment Insurance.
However, your total payments cannot exceed 90% of the salary you received before becoming unemployed.
If your employment situation changes, contact Topdanmark Supplemental Unemployment Insurance on +45 44 74 35 50, or update your details through My Supplemental Unemployment Insurance.
Will my premium decrease if I become unemployed?
No. Your premium remains the same if you become unemployed.
Can I deduct the cost of the insurance from my taxable income?
Yes. Part of the insurance premium is tax-deductible. Our partner, Topdanmark, reports the relevant amount to the Danish Tax Agency, so you don't need to do anything.
Requirements for Supplemental Unemployment Insurance
To take out Supplemental Unemployment Insurance through IDA Forsikring, you must be a member and meet the age requirements. You must purchase and accept the insurance before you reach the age of 59 years and 11 months.
If you have received payments from a similar insurance policy within the past two years, you cannot take out the insurance with us.
Other requirements also apply, as explained below.
Do I need to be a member of an unemployment fund?
Yes. You must be a member of a Danish unemployment fund (A-kasse) to take out Supplemental Unemployment Insurance and receive cover if you become involuntarily unemployed.
How many hours do I need to work?
You must work at least 16 hours per week to qualify for cover under Supplemental Unemployment Insurance.
Can I take out the insurance if I live abroad?
You can take out Supplemental Unemployment Insurance while living abroad, but the insurance will not cover you while you live outside Denmark.
To receive payments, you must be available to the Danish labour market under your unemployment fund's rules. This means that you must live in Denmark to receive payments from the insurance.
Can I take out Supplemental Unemployment Insurance if I am self-employed?
No. To take out and be covered by Supplemental Unemployment Insurance, you must be an employee.
How to move your Supplemental Unemployment Insurance to IDA Forsikring
Moving your Supplemental Unemployment Insurance to IDA Forsikring is straightforward. However, if you already have similar insurance elsewhere, you must cancel your existing policy yourself.
If you previously had Supplemental Unemployment Insurance with another insurer, you do not need to provide details of your previous qualifying period when taking out the new insurance. However, you should keep documentation of your previous cover in case Topdanmark needs it later.
Remember to cancel your existing policy when taking out your new insurance with us. The cancellation should take effect on the same date as your new policy begins, usually on the first day of the following month.
This helps you avoid paying for two policies at the same time or losing the qualifying period you have built up under your previous policy.
Where can I see my Supplemental Unemployment Insurance?
IDA Forsikring offers Supplemental Unemployment Insurance in partnership with Topdanmark. You can therefore view and manage your insurance through My Topdanmark.