TL;DR: The calculator below finds your cheapest package in under 2 minutes. Prices start from 590 DKK/month for a-kasse + trade union combined but the right choice depends on your field and whether you want income protection insurance included.
A-kasse prices range from 521 DKK/month (A&Til) to 706 DKK/month (Krifa). Add a cheap trade union on top, for example Det Faglige Hus at 69 DKK/month, and you can keep the total under 600 DKK/month. Many people choose ASE for a combined a-kasse + union package. Use the calculator to find your personal top 3.
Find Your Cheapest A-kasse and Trade Union in 2026
Our calculator finds the cheapest combination of a-kasse (unemployment insurance fund) and trade union for your situation in just 4 questions, whether you are an employee, self-employed, or a student.
What describes you best?
What field of study do you work in?
Do you want salary security in addition to unemployment benefits?
How important are events and discounts to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does an A-kasse and Trade Union Cost in 2026?
An a-kasse (unemployment insurance fund) is a mandatory insurance that pays unemployment benefits when you lose your job. A trade union (fagforening) gives you legal assistance, professional representation, and often discounts on insurance.
2026 prices:
| A-kasse | A-kasse price/mo | Cheapest trade union | Union price/mo | Total price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&Til | 521 DKK | Det Faglige Hus* | 69 DKK | 590 DKK |
| Det Faglige Hus | 528 DKK | Det Faglige Hus (own) | 69 DKK | 597 DKK |
| Min A-kasse | 542 DKK | Det Faglige Hus* | 69 DKK | 611 DKK |
| Lederne | 542 DKK | Lederne (own, discount) | 101 DKK | 643 DKK |
| ASE | 558 DKK | ASE (own) | 74 DKK | 632 DKK |
| Krifa | 556 DKK | Krifa (own) | 150 DKK | 706 DKK |
| MA (Akademikernes) | 562 DKK | DM (Dansk Magisterforening) | 483 DKK | 1,045 DKK |
A&Til and Min A-kasse have no affiliated trade union. Det Faglige Hus (69 DKK/month) is the cheapest cross-sector alternative but check whether your sector-specific union is a better fit for your job.
Compare directly with Min A-kasse, Det Faglige Hus, or CA A-kasse.
Note: Prices vary depending on whether you are insured full-time or part-time. Some a-kasses also offer discounts for new members or for signing up digitally.
How to Use the Calculator
Our interactive package calculator makes it easy to find your cheapest option:
- Choose your work situation: Full-time, part-time, or self-employed.
- Add your preferences: Income protection insurance, legal assistance, professional representation.
- See the result: The calculator shows the three cheapest combinations and how much you save per year.
The calculator is automatically updated with the latest prices from Danish a-kasses and trade unions.
Cheapest A-kasse in 2026
DSA is the cheapest pure a-kasse in Denmark at 513 DKK per month. DSA is not affiliated with a trade union, so if you also want professional representation, you will need to join a separate union.
If you want both an a-kasse and a trade union, Det Faglige Hus is often the cheapest option at a combined price of 597 DKK per month (528 DKK a-kasse + 69 DKK union).
Top 5 cheapest a-kasses (pure a-kasse only):
- DSA – 513 DKK/month
- A&Til – 521 DKK/month
- Det Faglige Hus – 528 DKK/month
- STAR – 545 DKK/month
- HK – 560 DKK/month
Is a Cheap A-kasse Just as Good as an Expensive One?
Yes and no. A cheap a-kasse pays the same unemployment benefits as an expensive one, the rates are set by the Danish state. The maximum unemployment benefit in 2026 is 22,041 DKK per month for full-time insured members.
The differences lie in:
- Service: Some a-kasses have better customer service and faster case processing.
- Professional representation: If you are also a union member, you get legal assistance and professional support.
- Income protection insurance: Some a-kasses offer cheaper income protection than others.
- Digital tools: Some have better apps and self-service portals.
Our recommendation: Choose the cheapest a-kasse that meets your needs. If you need professional representation, choose an a-kasse affiliated with a trade union.
What Is Income Protection Insurance and Do You Need It?
Income protection insurance (lønsikring) is a voluntary insurance that pays out if you become ill or injured and cannot work. It is not the same as unemployment benefits.
Price: Income protection insurance typically costs 40–500 DKK per month, depending on the a-kasse and level of coverage.
Do you need it?
- ✅ Yes, if: You have high monthly expenses, are self-employed, or want extra financial security on top of unemployment benefits.
- ❌ No, if: You have a solid savings buffer, or you feel unemployment benefits are sufficient.
Are you a Min A-kasse member? They offer one of the cheapest income protection plans on the market. Read more about Min A-kasse income protection and what it covers.
How to Switch A-kasse
Switching is free and straightforward:
- Cancel your current a-kasse membership (normally 14 days’ notice).
- Join a new a-kasse (can be done online on their website).
- Confirm your details (working hours, salary conditions, etc.).
You do not lose your right to unemployment benefits when you switch but there may be a short waiting period (normally 1–2 weeks) while the new a-kasse processes your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an a-kasse?
Not sure what an a-kasse actually is before you choose? An a-kasse (unemployment insurance fund) is a membership organisation that pays you unemployment benefits (dagpenge) when you lose your job. Read our simple explanation of what an a-kasse is with concrete answers on what you get as a member, what it costs, and when you can receive benefits.
What is the difference between an a-kasse and a trade union?
An a-kasse is an unemployment insurance fund that pays benefits when you are out of work. A trade union (fagforening) is a membership organisation that provides legal assistance, professional representation, and often discounts. You can be a member of an a-kasse without joining a trade union but most a-kasses are affiliated with one. Not sure what an a-kasse does for you?
How much can I receive in unemployment benefits?
The maximum unemployment benefit in 2026 is 22,041 DKK per month for full-time insured members. For part-time insured members it is 14,694 DKK per month. The amount is paid before tax.
How long can I receive unemployment benefits?
You can receive unemployment benefits for up to 2 years, provided you meet the conditions. After 2 years, you may apply for early retirement (efterløn) or flexible pension (fleksydelse) if you are 55 or older.
Can I be a member of more than one a-kasse?
No, you can only be a member of one a-kasse at a time. You must have been a member for at least 1 year before you are entitled to receive unemployment benefits.
What happens if I switch a-kasse?
You do not lose your right to unemployment benefits. There may be a short waiting period (normally 1–2 weeks) while the new a-kasse processes your application.
What is a membership fee?
The membership fee (kontingent) is the monthly amount you pay to be a member of the a-kasse. It ranges from 513 DKK to over 700 DKK per month, depending on the a-kasse.
Do I pay tax on unemployment benefits?
Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable. You are responsible for paying tax on the amount you receive.
What is income protection insurance?
Income protection insurance (lønsikring) is a voluntary insurance that pays out if you become ill or injured and cannot work. It is not the same as unemployment benefits. Want income protection bundled with your a-kasse?
How much can I save by switching a-kasse?
It depends on your current a-kasse and which one you switch to. If you switch from an expensive a-kasse (700 DKK/month) to a cheap one (513 DKK/month), you save 187 DKK per month or 2,244 DKK per year.
