TL;DR – the short answer:
✅ Cheapest trade union: Det Faglige Hus from 69 DKK/month
✅ Cheapest trade union + a-kasse combined: Det Faglige Hus 590 DKK/month (incl. income protection)
✅ Students: free trade union membership at DFH for the first 12 months, save up to 1,188 DKK
✅ Self-employed: ASE and DFH have the strongest packages
✅ All trade unions are tax-deductible, your real price is lower than the list price
✅ Neutral comparison: we compare all options and recommend the one that fits YOUR situation
The Cheapest Trade Unions in Denmark in 2026
The cheapest trade union in Denmark in 2026 is Det Faglige Hus at 69 DKK/month but that is far from the whole story. The price difference between the eight trade unions we have compared below is enormous: from 69 DKK at Det Faglige Hus to over 500 DKK at 3F and HK. The table below shows price, type, income protection, and our assessment of member satisfaction and legal assistance for each union, so you can quickly find your match.
Here are the most important trade unions, sorted cheapest to most expensive:
| # | Trade union | Price/month | Type | Income protection incl. | Member satisfaction | Legal assistance | Join |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Det Faglige Hus | 69 DKK | Yellow, cross-sector | No (add-on) | 4.2/5 | 4.0/5 | Join >> |
| 2 | ASE | 74 DKK | Yellow, cross-sector | No (add-on) | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 | Join >> |
| 3 | Frie | 139 DKK | Yellow, cross-sector | ✅ Yes, free | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 | Join >> |
| 4 | Krifa | 150 DKK | Yellow, cross-sector | Add-on | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | Join >> |
| 5 | Business Danmark | 199 DKK | Yellow, business | Add-on | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 | Join >> |
| 6 | Lederne | 468 DKK | Red, managers | Add-on | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 | Join >> |
| 7 | 3F | 501 DKK | Red, LO | Add-on | 3.9/5 | 4.5/5 | Join >> |
| 8 | HK | 510 DKK | Red, LO | Add-on | 3.8/5 | 4.2/5 | Join >> |
All prices are indicative 2026 prices. Actual price depends on your industry and employment type. Ratings based on editorial research, updated 2026.
Lederne is Denmark’s largest trade union for managers bundled with an a-kasse it costs 643 DKK/month.
Det Faglige Hus also offers free trade union membership for the first 12 months when you join with an a-kasse. This effectively brings the starting price down to 0 DKK/month in the first year.
Cheapest Trade Union and A-kasse Combined – Bundle Prices 2026
Most people choose a trade union and a-kasse together. This usually gives a discount and means one place to turn if you have problems at work or become unemployed.
Here are the cheapest packages in 2026:
| Package | Union/month | A-kasse/month | Total/month | Income protection incl. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Det Faglige Hus | 69 DKK | 521 DKK | 590 DKK | Yes (included) |
| ASE | 74 DKK | 521 DKK | 595 DKK | Yes, free |
| A&Til (a-kasse only) | 0 DKK | 521 DKK | 521 DKK | No |
| Krifa | 150 DKK | 521 DKK | 671 DKK | Add-on |
| HK | 510 DKK | 521 DKK | 1,031 DKK | Add-on |
Det Faglige Hus is the cheapest combined option: 590 DKK/month with trade union, a-kasse, and income protection included.
A&Til is one of the cheapest a-kasses on the market at just 521 DKK/month and is cross-sector, so it suits almost everyone.
Want to find the cheapest a-kasse without a trade union? Compare a-kasses on their own.
Remember that a trade union and a-kasse are often chosen together. Find the cheapest a-kasse and trade union combined with our calculator.
💡 Tax deduction: Trade union membership fees are tax-deductible up to 7,000 DKK/year, your real price is lower than the list price. See the calculation in the tax deduction section below.
Cheapest Trade Union for Students
As a student, you can get a cheap, or even free, trade union and a-kasse.
Det Faglige Hus offers free trade union membership for the first 12 months when you join as a student. That is a saving of up to 1,188 DKK in the first year.
ASE offers a student discount on the trade union, and Krifa has a student membership at a reduced price.
The cheapest solution for students looks like this:
✅ Free trade union (DFH, first 12 months)
✅ Free a-kasse for students
✅ Total price: 0 DKK/month to start
It makes sense to join as a student even if you do not expect to become unemployed. You build up your entitlement to unemployment benefits, and you are covered if you have a student job or internship.
Studying? Join Det Faglige Hus for free as a student >>
Cheapest Trade Union for Self-Employed
Self-employed people have slightly different needs from employees. You do not have a collective agreement to fall back on, and you need an a-kasse that understands your situation.
ASE is the strongest choice for self-employed people. They have a dedicated package with free income protection included and advice targeted at self-employed business owners.
Det Faglige Hus is the cheapest, trade union from 69 DKK/month, and you can add membership of Foreningen Danske Selvstændige as an add-on to the a-kasse.
Frie is a good choice for freelancers and independent agents. They include free income protection of up to 5,000 DKK/month as standard in the package.
As a self-employed person, you can deduct the trade union membership fee as a business expense – with no cap. This makes the real price even lower than for employees.
What Is the Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Trade Unions?
It comes down to yellow vs. red trade unions. It is not just a question of price, it is a question of what you actually get.
Yellow trade unions (DFH, ASE, Krifa, Frie):
✅ Lower membership fee – from 69 DKK/month
✅ Legal assistance and advice
✅ A-kasse and income protection at competitive prices
✅ Politically independent
❌ Do not negotiate their own collective agreements
❌ No strike fund
Red / traditional trade unions (HK, 3F, FOA):
✅ Negotiate collective agreements on your behalf
✅ Sector-specific advice and networks
✅ Strike fund and collective bargaining power
❌ More expensive – typically 400–600 DKK/month for the trade union alone
❌ Often only open to specific industries
When is an expensive trade union worth it?
If you work in a sector covered by collective agreements such as construction, transport, or the public sector and your union actively negotiates your pay and conditions, it can be worth paying more.
When is a cheap trade union enough?
If you are a white-collar worker, self-employed, or an academic, and your salary is not set by a collective agreement, you typically get the same legal safety net from DFH or ASE at a fraction of the price.
Trade Union With or Without A-kasse: What Makes More Sense?
A trade union and an a-kasse are two different things. It is important to understand the difference before you decide.
Trade union = help if you have problems at work. Legal advice, pay checks, support in case of dismissal.
A-kasse = money if you lose your job. Unemployment benefits for up to 2 years.
You do not need both but bundling usually gives the best price.
When does it make sense to have only a trade union?
If you are already a member of an a-kasse elsewhere and simply want legal assistance and advice. Price from 69 DKK/month.
When does it make sense to have only an a-kasse?
If you are self-employed with your own network and legal advice, and you primarily want to secure unemployment benefits. A-kasse alone costs from approximately 521 DKK/month.
Comparison:
| Choice | Price/month | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Trade union only | From 69 DKK | Legal assistance, advice |
| A-kasse only | From 521 DKK | Unemployment benefits |
| Both combined | From 590 DKK | Full financial security |
Bundling is almost always the smartest choice if you do not already have one of the two.
Tax Deduction on Trade Union Membership: What Can You Deduct?
Trade union membership fees are tax-deductible. This means your real price is lower than what you pay on paper.
Employees can deduct up to 7,000 DKK/year from their taxable income. The deduction is a standard personal deduction and is not subject to the employment expense threshold.
Self-employed people can deduct the trade union membership fee as a business expense with no cap.
Concrete examples:
1. Det Faglige Hus – 69 DKK/month
- Annual price: 828 DKK
- Tax deduction value (~37%): approx. 306 DKK/year
- Real price: approx. 522 DKK/year = 43 DKK/month
2. HK – 510 DKK/month
- Annual price: 6,120 DKK
- Tax deduction value (~37%): approx. 2,264 DKK/year
- Real price: approx. 3,856 DKK/year = 321 DKK/month
The deduction applies to the trade union membership fee. The a-kasse contribution is separately tax-deductible and has no cap.
Source: skat.dk – deductions for trade union and a-kasse
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the cheapest trade union in Denmark?
Det Faglige Hus is the cheapest trade union in Denmark in 2026 at 69 DKK/month for the trade union alone. They also offer free trade union membership for the first 12 months when you join with an a-kasse.
2. What does a trade union cost per month?
It depends on which trade union you choose. Prices range from 69 DKK/month (Det Faglige Hus) to over 510 DKK/month (HK). Most yellow, cross-sector trade unions cost between 69 and 200 DKK/month.
3. Can I have a trade union without an a-kasse?
Yes. You can join a trade union without having an a-kasse. The trade union gives you legal assistance and advice, but not unemployment benefits. Trade union membership alone starts from 69 DKK/month.
4. What is the cheapest trade union and a-kasse combined?
The cheapest combined trade union and a-kasse is Det Faglige Hus at 590 DKK/month, including income protection. It is Denmark’s cheapest a-kasse and trade union in one package.
5. Are cheap trade unions just as good as expensive ones?
It depends on your needs. Cheap, yellow trade unions like DFH and ASE provide legal assistance, pay checks, and an a-kasse at a low price, they just do not negotiate their own collective agreements. If your pay is set by a collective agreement, a traditional trade union may give you more collective strength.
6. What is the difference between a yellow and a red trade union?
A yellow trade union (e.g. DFH, ASE, Krifa) is cross-sector, politically independent, and cheap but does not negotiate its own collective agreements. A red trade union (e.g. 3F, HK, FOA) is sector-specific, negotiates collective agreements, and has a strike fund but costs more.
7. Can students get a free trade union?
Yes. Det Faglige Hus offers free trade union membership for the first 12 months for students, a saving of up to 1,188 DKK. Combined with a free a-kasse for students, you can start at 0 DKK/month.
8. Can self-employed people join a trade union?
Yes. Both ASE and Det Faglige Hus are open to self-employed people. ASE has a dedicated package for the self-employed with free income protection. DFH offers the option to add membership of Foreningen Danske Selvstændige. As a self-employed person, you can deduct the membership fee as a business expense.
9. Is trade union membership tax-deductible?
Yes. Employees can deduct up to 7,000 DKK/year. Self-employed people can deduct it as a business expense with no cap. The a-kasse contribution is separately tax-deductible with no cap either. This means your real price is lower than the list price.
10. What is the notice period for a trade union?
Notice periods vary between trade unions. Most have a notice period of 1 month to the end of a calendar month. Always check your trade union’s rules before cancelling, and make sure you have a new trade union ready before you leave the old one.
11. Can I switch trade union without losing my rights?
Yes. You keep your seniority and rights in the a-kasse when you switch. Unemployment benefit entitlement, efterløn scheme, and accumulated seniority all carry over. Note, however, that insurance products such as income protection and group life insurance do not transfer automatically – you need to take these out with the new trade union yourself.
12. What does income protection cover in a trade union?
Income protection is a supplementary insurance that tops up your unemployment benefits if you become unemployed. Typical coverage is 80–90% of your previous salary for up to 6–12 months. The maximum unemployment benefit rate in 2026 is 22,041 DKK/month income protection fills the gap up to the agreed percentage. Coverage varies between providers.
