If you are an international worker or expat in Denmark, finding an a-kasse that speaks your language, literally makes all the difference. Krifa a-kasse in English is exactly that: a Danish unemployment insurance fund with dedicated English-speaking advisors, English-language materials, and a team that understands the specific challenges facing internationals. This guide covers everything you need to know about Krifa a kasse: prices, dagpenge rates, eligibility, and how to join.
Artikelresumé
- ✅ Krifa offers English-speaking phone support on +45 7227 7227, weekdays 08:00–17:00 (Fri until 15:00) – a key differentiator for expats
- ✅ A-kasse full-time price: 556 DKK/month (2026); bundled with union: 706 DKK/month
- ✅ Maximum dagpenge: 22,041 DKK/month (up to 26,198 DKK/month in the first 3 months with employment supplement)
- ✅ Students join free: both a-kasse and fagforening included at no cost
- ✅ Krifa is open to all professions and industries, no specialist degree required
What is Krifa A-kasse?
Krifa (formerly Kristelig A-kasse) is one of Denmark’s largest interdisciplinary unemployment insurance funds. It is open to workers from all industries and educational backgrounds whether you work in IT, healthcare, retail, logistics, or any other sector.
As an a-kasse, Krifa’s primary job is to administer your unemployment benefits (dagpenge) if you lose your job. It also offers career guidance, wage protection insurance, and a bundled trade union (fagforening) membership. Krifa operates under Danish state regulation, which means the dagpenge rates and eligibility rules are the same regardless of which a-kasse you choose.
What sets Krifa apart is its focus on job satisfaction and well-being and, crucially for internationals, its commitment to English-language support.
Why Krifa is the Best A-kasse for Internationals in Denmark
Most a-kasses in Denmark operate entirely in Danish. For an expat navigating a new country, a new job market, and a new bureaucratic system, that language barrier can be genuinely stressful. Krifa removes it.
Krifa for internationals means you can call, ask questions, and get real answers, in English. That is not a minor convenience. When you are filing a declaration of unemployment, asking about your eligibility, or trying to understand the dimittend rules as a new graduate, being able to speak directly with an advisor in your own language is invaluable.
English-Speaking Advisors
Krifa provides dedicated English-speaking phone support. You can reach them at +45 7227 7227, Monday to Thursday 08:00–17:00 and Friday 08:00–15:00. The team can help you with:
- Joining and registering as a member
- Understanding your eligibility for dagpenge
- Filing a declaration of unemployment (ledighedserklæring)
- Navigating the graduate rule (dimittendregel) if you recently completed a degree in Denmark
- Handling PD U1 and PD U2 forms for cross-border workers transferring unemployment insurance periods from another EU/EEA country
- Switching from a foreign unemployment system to the Danish one
Krifa also maintains English-language pages on its website and provides translated materials, so you are never left guessing what a form or letter means.
Christian Values, Open to All
Krifa has roots in Christian values, its name reflects this history. In practice, this means a strong emphasis on ethics, well-being, and treating members as whole people rather than case numbers. Membership is open to everyone, regardless of religion, nationality, or profession. You do not need to share any particular belief to join or benefit fully from the membership.
Who Can Join Krifa A-kasse?
Krifa is an interdisciplinary a-kasse, which means it accepts members from all industries and professions. To join, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have more than 2 years remaining before your Danish retirement age
- Reside in Denmark or work as a cross-border (border) worker
- Have a valid right to work in Denmark (EU/EEA citizens qualify automatically; non-EU citizens need a valid work permit)
There is no requirement to work in a specific industry or hold a particular qualification. Whether you are a software developer, a nurse, a chef, or a warehouse operative, Krifa is open to you.
EU/EEA citizens can join immediately upon arriving in Denmark. If you were insured against unemployment in another EU/EEA country before moving, you may be able to transfer those insurance periods using a PD U1 form meaning you could qualify for dagpenge faster than the standard 12-month waiting period.
Non-EU citizens can also join, but your ability to receive dagpenge depends on your residence permit. If your permit is tied to a specific employer, losing that job may affect your right to stay in Denmark. If you hold an Establishment Card, permanent residency, or family reunification status, you can use the a-kasse system on equal terms with Danish citizens.
Krifa A-kasse Prices 2026
Krifa’s pricing is straightforward. All prices below are the 2026 rates.
A-kasse Only
| Membership type | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| Full-time | 556 DKK/month |
| Part-time | 418 DKK/month |
The a-kasse fee is tax-deductible in Denmark. SKAT (the Danish tax authority) typically applies the deduction automatically, so your real out-of-pocket cost is noticeably lower than the headline price.
A-kasse + Union (Fagforening) Bundle
| Membership type | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| A-kasse + fagforening (full-time) | 706 DKK/month |
The bundled price adds Krifa’s trade union (fagforening) for 150 DKK/month on top of the a-kasse fee. The union provides legal advice on employment contracts, salary guidance, and representation in workplace disputes useful for any worker, and especially valuable if you are not yet fully confident reading Danish employment law.
Student Membership
| Membership type | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| Student (a-kasse + fagforening) | Free |
Students in Denmark can join Krifa completely free of charge both the a-kasse and the fagforening are included at no cost. This is one of the most generous student offers among Danish a-kasses. Sign up before you graduate, and you will already have your 12-month membership clock running.
Tip: If you are a student nearing graduation, join Krifa now. You must register with an a-kasse within 14 days of receiving your final grade to qualify under the graduate rule (dimittendregel) which lets you skip the standard 12-month waiting period.
Unemployment Benefits (Dagpenge) with Krifa
How Much Can You Receive?
Dagpenge rates are set by the Danish state and are the same across all a-kasses. What you receive depends on your previous salary, your employment history, and whether you are insured full-time or part-time.
| Scenario | Monthly dagpenge (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Full-time insured (standard) | Up to 22,041 DKK/month |
| Full-time insured (first 3 months with employment supplement) | Up to 26,198 DKK/month |
| Part-time insured | Proportionally lower |
Dagpenge is calculated at 90% of your previous average salary, up to the maximum cap. It is paid for up to 2 years (104 weeks). Note that dagpenge is taxable income in Denmark.
The employment supplement (beskæftigelsestillæg) applies in the first three months of unemployment for members who have worked sufficiently in the preceding period, this is why the figure can reach 26,198 DKK/month initially.
Eligibility Requirements
To receive dagpenge through Krifa, you must:
- Have been a member of an a-kasse for at least 12 months before becoming unemployed
- Have worked a minimum of 1,924 hours (approx. 1 year full-time) within the last 3 years, or earned the equivalent income threshold
- Be registered as unemployed on Jobnet.dk from your very first day without work
- Be actively seeking employment and available to start a new job at short notice
- Have the legal right to reside and work in Denmark
If you are a recent graduate, the graduate rule (dimittendregel) allows you to bypass the 12-month membership requirement provided you register within 14 days of graduation.
Krifa vs. Other A-kasses – Quick Comparison
How does Krifa stack up against the other main a-kasses for internationals in Denmark?
| A-kasse | Full-time price | English support | Open to all industries | Student membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krifa | 556 DKK/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Free |
| Det Faglige Hus | 528 DKK/mo | Partial | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| CA A-kasse | 561 DKK/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | No |
| ASE | 560 DKK/mo | Partial | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Min A-kasse | 542 DKK/mo | Limited | ✅ Yes | No |
| Lederne A-kasse | 643 DKK/mo | Partial | Managers only | No |
Krifa’s price sits in the mid-range. Its strongest competitive advantage for expats is the combination of confirmed English-speaking phone support, free student membership, and a bundled union option all under one roof. Want to have one of the cheapest A-kasses in Denmark? See more from A&Til A-kasse.
If you are in a management role, Lederne a-kasse is the specialist choice: Denmark’s only union built exclusively for leaders.
Want to see the full picture? Compare all a-kasses with our free a-kasse calculator to find the best match for your situation.
Extra Member Benefits
Wage Protection Insurance (Lønsikring)
Dagpenge covers up to 90% of your previous salary but only up to the state maximum of 22,041 DKK/month. If you earn more than that, there is a gap between what you were earning and what dagpenge pays.
Krifa’s lønsikring (wage protection insurance) fills that gap. It pays out on top of your dagpenge if you become unemployed, covering up to 21,000 DKK/month in additional income protection. The cost starts from approximately 585 DKK/month, depending on your salary level and the level of cover you choose.
Lønsikring is particularly relevant for higher earners and professionals who want to maintain their standard of living during a job search. It is an optional add-on, you do not need to take it to be a full Krifa member.
Career Guidance and Coaching
Krifa places significant emphasis on job satisfaction and career development. As a member, you get access to:
- One-to-one career coaching with trained advisors
- CV and cover letter reviews tailored to the Danish job market
- Job search workshops and webinars (note: most events are held in Danish, but advisors can support you in English individually)
- Access to the 6-week job training scheme: a fully funded training programme where you keep your full dagpenge rate throughout
- Guidance on Danish workplace culture, salary norms, and employment rights
These services are included in your membership. You do not pay extra to access career coaching.
How to Join Krifa A-kasse (Step by Step)
Joining Krifa is straightforward. Here is what to do:
- Go to krifa.dk and navigate to the English section or the membership sign-up page
- Choose your membership type: a-kasse only, a-kasse + fagforening, or student
- Complete the online form: you will need your CPR number (Danish personal ID) and MitID (Danish digital signature)
- Set up payment via Betalingsservice (direct debit) or card
- Confirm your membership: you will receive a confirmation by email
The whole process takes around 10–15 minutes online. If you have questions during sign-up, call Krifa’s English-speaking team on +45 7227 7227.
Important: Your 12-month eligibility clock starts from the day you join. Do not wait until you think you might need it, join as soon as you start working in Denmark.
How to Switch to Krifa from Another A-kasse
Already a member of another a-kasse? Switching to Krifa is simple and does not reset your eligibility clock.
- Join Krifa using the steps above, your membership starts immediately
- Notify your current a-kasse in writing that you wish to cancel. Most a-kasses require one month’s notice
- Your accumulated membership time transfers: the months you have already paid into your previous a-kasse count towards the 12-month eligibility requirement. You do not start from zero.
There is no penalty for switching. If you are mid-year, you simply pay both for the overlap period (usually one month). The transfer is seamless from an eligibility standpoint.
Contact Krifa – English Support
Krifa provides dedicated English-language support through the following channels:
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone (English) | +45 7227 7227 – Mon–Thu 08:00–17:00, Fri 08:00–15:00 |
| Online contact form | Available at krifa.dk/kontakt |
| Chatbot | Available on krifa.dk (Danish, but can direct you to English support) |
| English website | krifa.dk/om-krifa/english |
Krifa’s English-speaking advisors can help with:
- Membership questions and sign-up
- Dagpenge eligibility and calculations
- PD U1 / PD U2 forms for cross-border workers
- The graduate rule (dimittendregel) for new graduates
- Switching from a foreign unemployment system
- Filing your declaration of unemployment
It is important to note that Krifa’s events and webinars are primarily held in Danish. However, individual advisor support is available in English and that is what matters most when you need real help navigating the system.
FAQ – Krifa A-kasse in English
What is Krifa a-kasse and is it available in English?
Krifa is one of Denmark’s largest interdisciplinary unemployment insurance funds (a-kasse). It is open to workers from all industries. Yes, Krifa offers English-speaking phone support and English-language materials on its website, making it one of the most accessible a-kasses for internationals and expats in Denmark.
How much does Krifa a-kasse cost in 2026?
The full-time a-kasse membership costs 556 DKK/month. Part-time membership costs 418 DKK/month. If you add the trade union (fagforening), the bundled price is 706 DKK/month. Students can join both the a-kasse and fagforening for free.
Can I join Krifa as a foreigner or expat in Denmark?
Yes. Krifa is open to all residents of Denmark regardless of nationality. EU/EEA citizens can join immediately. Non-EU citizens can also join, but your ability to receive dagpenge depends on your residence permit type. Krifa’s English-speaking advisors can help you assess your specific situation.
How much dagpenge can I receive through Krifa?
The maximum dagpenge rate in 2026 is 22,041 DKK/month for full-time insured members. In the first three months, with the employment supplement (beskæftigelsestillæg), you can receive up to 26,198 DKK/month. Dagpenge is paid for up to 2 years and is subject to Danish income tax.
Does Krifa support the graduate rule (dimittendregel) for new graduates?
Yes. If you have recently completed a recognised higher education degree in Denmark lasting at least 18 months, you can join Krifa under the graduate rule (dimittendregel). You must register within 14 days of your final grade to qualify. This bypasses the standard 12-month membership requirement.
Can I transfer my unemployment insurance from another EU country to Krifa?
Yes. If you were insured against unemployment in another EU/EEA country immediately before moving to Denmark, you can use a PD U1 form to transfer those insurance periods to Krifa. This can significantly reduce or eliminate the 12-month waiting period before you are eligible for dagpenge. Contact Krifa’s English-speaking team for help with this process.
What is Krifa’s lønsikring (wage protection insurance)?
Lønsikring is an optional add-on that pays out on top of your dagpenge if you become unemployed. It is designed for members who earn above the dagpenge maximum cap. Krifa’s lønsikring covers up to 21,000 DKK/month in additional income and costs from approximately 585 DKK/month, depending on your salary and chosen coverage level.
Useful Sources
- krifa.dk/om-krifa/english – Krifa’s official English-language information page
- krifa.dk/priser/a-kasse – Official 2026 Krifa pricing
Not sure Krifa is the right fit? Use our free a-kasse calculator to compare all a-kasses side by side and find the one that matches your profession, salary, and situation.
