Det Faglige Hus A-kasse: Denmark’s Cheapest Option for Internationals (2026)

Artikelresumé

  • Cheapest bundle in Denmark: Det Faglige Hus costs just 597 DKK/month for a-kasse + union combined, lower than every major competitor
  • Open to everyone: Any employee, student, self-employed person, job seeker, or newly graduated expat can join, no profession restrictions
  • Full unemployment protection: Dagpenge up to 21,092 DKK/month in 2026, with an employment supplement of up to 25,070 DKK/month in your first three months
  • Extra benefits included: Free legal advice, optional wage protection insurance (lønsikring), and accident insurance from just 30 DKK/month
  • Easy to switch: Transfer your seniority from any other Danish a-kasse with no waiting period reset

If price is your priority, Det Faglige Hus is the answer. No other a-kasse in Denmark offers a complete unemployment insurance and union package at this price. This guide covers everything you need to know, in English, so you can make a confident decision and get protected fast.


What is Det Faglige Hus?

Det Faglige Hus (literally “The Trade Union House”) is one of Denmark’s largest independent, cross-sector trade unions and unemployment insurance funds (a-kasse). Unlike traditional Danish unions that are tied to specific professions or political movements, Det Faglige Hus is open to all workers regardless of industry, job title, or background.

That makes it the natural first choice for a-kasse for internationals in Denmark. Whether you work in logistics, IT, healthcare, retail, or construction, you qualify. The organisation is politically independent and focuses entirely on your individual rights and financial security.

Det Faglige Hus operates both an a-kasse (the unemployment fund that pays dagpenge if you lose your job) and a fagforening (trade union that provides legal advice and employment protection). You can join one or both but the bundle is where the real value lies.


Why Det Faglige Hus is the Cheapest A-kasse in Denmark

The numbers speak for themselves. Det Faglige Hus holds the title of cheapest unemployment fund Denmark has to offer when you factor in union membership. No comparable provider comes close on price.

A-kasse + Union for 597 DKK/month – Unbeatable Value

The full-time bundle breaks down simply:

  • A-kasse (full-time): 528 DKK/month
  • Union (fagforening): 69 DKK/month
  • Total: 597 DKK/month

That is your complete safety net, unemployment insurance and legal protection, for less than the a-kasse-only price at some competitors. The billigste a-kasse title is well-earned.

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How Does It Compare to Other A-kasses?

A-kasseFull-time bundle price
Det Faglige Hus597 DKK/mo ✅ CHEAPEST
ASE~634 DKK/mo
Krifa706 DKK/mo
CA A-kasse~561 DKK/mo (a-kasse only, no union)
Lederne A-kasse643 DKK/mo (managers only)
Min A-kasse542 DKK/mo | Open to all, physical offices

Note: CA A-kasse does not include a union in its standard membership, so the Det Faglige Hus bundle still delivers more complete coverage at a comparable or lower total cost. If English-language support is your top priority, Krifa a-kasse is worth considering as an alternative but you will pay 109 DKK/month more for the bundle.

If you are in a management or leadership role, Lederne a-kasse is the specialist alternative built exclusively for managers with legal and salary support included.

Want to compare all a-kasses side by side? Use our free a-kasse calculator to find the best match for your situation. If you only want a-kasse? A&Til A-kasse is one of the cheapest a-kasses in Denmark.


Who Can Join Det Faglige Hus?

Det Faglige Hus is one of the most accessible a-kasses in Denmark. Membership is open to:

  • Employees: full-time and part-time, any industry
  • Students: free union membership while studying
  • Newly graduated: join within 14 days of graduation to avoid the standard 1-year waiting period (see the graduate rule (dimittendregel))
  • Self-employed: freelancers and sole traders are welcome
  • Job seekers: join before you find work to start your 12-month clock
  • Seniors: no upper age restriction for joining

The only hard requirements are a Danish CPR number and a valid address in Denmark. If you have those, you can sign up today.

Important: The sooner you join, the sooner your 12-month membership clock starts. You must be a member for at least one year before you can claim dagpenge. Do not wait.


Det Faglige Hus Prices 2026

A-kasse + Union Bundle

Membership typeA-kasseUnionTotal
Full-time528 DKK/mo69 DKK/mo597 DKK/mo
Part-time380 DKK/mo69 DKK/mo449 DKK/mo

Both A-kasse and union fees are tax-deductible in Denmark. Det Faglige Hus reports your payments directly to SKAT (the Danish Tax Agency), so the deduction appears automatically on your annual tax return. The effective monthly cost after tax relief is noticeably lower.

Student Membership

Students get a free union membership for 6–12 months when signing up. This is one of the smartest moves you can make as an international student in Denmark: it starts building your a-kasse seniority while you are still studying, so you are fully covered the moment you graduate.

Become a member >>


Unemployment Benefits (Dagpenge) with Det Faglige Hus

How Much Can You Receive?

If you become unemployed and meet the eligibility requirements, Det Faglige Hus pays you dagpenge, the Danish unemployment benefit. The rates for 2026 are:

  • Maximum dagpenge (full-time): 21,092 DKK/month
  • With employment supplement (first 3 months): up to 25,070 DKK/month
  • Dagpenge period: up to 2 years

The employment supplement applies during the first three months of unemployment and reflects your recent work history. After that, the standard maximum rate applies.

You receive 90% of your previous salary, up to the maximum cap. Most full-time workers in Denmark will hit the cap, meaning you receive the full 21,092 DKK/month.

Benefits are taxable but represent a substantial financial cushion while you job-search.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive dagpenge from Det Faglige Hus, you must:

  1. Have been a member for at least 12 months: this is non-negotiable. Join early.
  2. Meet the income requirement: earned at least 286,632 DKK gross within the last 3 years (full-time) or 191,088 DKK (part-time)
  3. Register as unemployed on Jobnet.dk on your first day of unemployment
  4. Be actively job-seeking and available to start work at short notice
  5. Reside in Denmark during the benefit period

Newly graduated? The graduate rule (dimittendregel) lets you skip the income requirement entirely but you must join the a-kasse within 14 days of completing your education. Miss that window and you lose the right.

EU/EEA workers: If you were insured in another EU/EEA country before moving to Denmark, you may be able to transfer your seniority using a PD U1 form. This must be done within 8 weeks of ending your previous insurance. Act quickly.

You may also be eligible for the 6-week job training scheme, which gives you access to funded training while receiving dagpenge.


Extra Member Benefits

Det Faglige Hus is the cheapest a-kasse in Denmark but cheap does not mean bare-bones. Union members get a solid package of practical extras.

Free Legal Advice

As a union member, you get free legal advice and representation on all employment matters. This includes:

  • Contract review before you sign
  • Disputes over salary, working hours, or dismissal
  • Representation in employment tribunals
  • Guidance on Danish employment law (Funktionærloven) and the Holiday Act (Ferieloven)

For international workers unfamiliar with Danish labour law, this is invaluable. You have a team of specialists on your side, at no extra cost.

Wage Protection Insurance (Lønsikring)

Dagpenge covers up to 21,092 DKK/month. If your salary is higher, you can bridge the gap with lønsikring, optional wage protection insurance from Det Faglige Hus.

  • Cost: 62–493 DKK/month depending on coverage level and your municipality
  • Coverage: up to 90% of your previous salary (on top of dagpenge)
  • Duration: payouts for 6 or 12 months (maximum 36 months total)
  • Qualification period: 6 months from sign-up before you can claim

Tip: If you sign up for lønsikring with at least 2,000 DKK/month coverage, you get 12 months of free union membership. That makes the bundle even cheaper in year one.

Accident Insurance

Add a collective accident insurance for just 30 DKK/month. It covers you 24/7: at work, at home, and during leisure activities. Simple, affordable, and worth having.

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How to Join Det Faglige Hus (Step by Step)

Signing up takes less than 10 minutes online. Here is how:

  1. Go to detfagligehus.dk/bliv-medlem: the sign-up page
  2. Enter your CPR number and personal details
  3. Choose your membership type: a-kasse only, or a-kasse + union (the bundle is the better deal)
  4. Select full-time or part-time coverage based on your working hours
  5. Add optional extras: lønsikring, accident insurance
  6. Confirm and pay: your membership starts immediately

Your 12-month seniority clock starts on the date you join. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you are protected.

Note: Your first meeting with the a-kasse (the CV interview, if you become unemployed) must be held in person. Subsequent meetings can be held digitally by phone or video call. Det Faglige Hus has offices in Esbjerg, Copenhagen (Brøndby), Odense, Aarhus, Aalborg, Ringsted, Kolding, Hillerød, and Herning.


How to Switch to Det Faglige Hus from Another A-kasse

Already a member of another Danish a-kasse? Switching is straightforward and you will not lose a single day of seniority.

Here is what happens:

  1. Sign up with Det Faglige Hus: they handle the rest
  2. Your seniority transfers automatically: your accumulated membership months move with you
  3. No waiting period reset: you keep your 12-month clock as-is
  4. Any prepaid contributions to your old a-kasse are refunded

There is no penalty for switching and no notice period to serve. If you are currently paying more than 597 DKK/month for your a-kasse + union bundle, switching saves you money from day one.


FAQ – Det Faglige Hus in English

Is Det Faglige Hus available in English? Yes. Det Faglige Hus provides support and guidance in English for international members. While official Danish government communications (such as Jobnet.dk) are primarily in Danish, the organisation’s advisors can assist you in English with membership questions, legal matters, and benefit claims.

What is the cheapest a-kasse in Denmark? Det Faglige Hus is the cheapest a-kasse + union bundle in Denmark at 597 DKK/month for full-time members (528 DKK a-kasse + 69 DKK union). No other provider offers a comparable combined package at a lower price.

Can I join Det Faglige Hus as a foreigner or expat? Yes. As long as you have a Danish CPR number and a valid address in Denmark, you can join regardless of nationality. Det Faglige Hus is a cross-sector union open to workers from all countries and all industries.

How long before I can receive dagpenge? You must be a member for at least 12 months and meet the income requirement (286,632 DKK gross over the last 3 years for full-time). If you are newly graduated, the graduate rule (dimittendregel) may waive the income requirement but you must join within 14 days of graduating.

Can I transfer my seniority from an EU/EEA a-kasse? Yes, in most cases. If you were insured in another EU/EEA country, submit a PD U1 form to Det Faglige Hus within 8 weeks of ending your previous insurance. Your foreign seniority can count toward the Danish 12-month requirement.

What happens to my membership if I change jobs? Nothing changes. Det Faglige Hus is a cross-sector (tværfaglig) a-kasse, meaning it covers all job types. You stay in the same a-kasse regardless of which industry or employer you move to. Your seniority continues to build uninterrupted.

Is Det Faglige Hus good for part-time workers? Yes. Part-time members pay 449 DKK/month for the full bundle (380 DKK a-kasse + 69 DKK union). The eligibility income requirement is also lower for part-time: 191,088 DKK gross over 3 years. Det Faglige Hus is one of the most affordable options for part-time workers in Denmark.


Ready to Join?

Det Faglige Hus is Denmark’s cheapest a-kasse and union bundle: 597 DKK/month for complete unemployment protection and legal support. For international workers and expats who want solid coverage at the lowest possible price, it is the clear choice.

Remember: the sooner you join, the sooner your 12-month clock starts. Every month you wait is a month you are not covered.

Become a member >>


Want to compare all options before deciding? Use our free a-kasse calculator to find the best match for your specific situation.