Checklist – Stop working in Denmark – What you need to know
Register with the unemployment fund and change trade union
When you work in Denmark your employment is governed by the Danish labour market regulations and unemployment insurance. However, the day you become full-time unemployed, it is the country of residence that takes over the responsibility. In other words, if you live in Sweden, it will then be the Swedish rules about unemployment insurance that apply.
If you live in Sweden and have commuted to work in Denmark and have stopped or are about to stop working in Denmark, it is important that you become a member of a Swedish unemployment fund (A-kassa) with effect from the first day you are unemployed. If you start a new job in Sweden the day after you stop working in Denmark, you must join a Swedish unemployment fund on your first day of work in Sweden. It is important that there is no gap in the membership.
You join an unemployment fund that is linked to your job in Sweden. If you are unemployed, you join the Swedish unemployment fund that matches the job you had in Denmark. You must obtain a certificate called “PD U1”, which is issued by the Danish unemployment fund. You can find an application form on the website of the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment (STAR). It is also the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment (STAR) in Denmark that issues the certificate if you haven't been a member of a Danish unemployment fund. If you need help to obtain the certificate, the Swedish unemployment fund can help you.
The Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment – (STAR) – form PD U1
Once you have received confirmation of your membership of the Swedish unemployment fund, you can proceed to cancel your membership of the Danish unemployment fund. It is important that there is no gap between your memberships of the Swedish and Danish unemployment funds. If there is a gap, you risk not being able to count the membership period you have accrued with the Danish unemployment fund, which will affect your chances of obtaining income-based unemployment benefits in the event of unemployment. If you have not been a member of a Danish unemployment fund, you can join a Swedish unemployment fund with effect from your first working day or alternatively your first day of unemployment, should you wish to do so.
You can read about the various Swedish unemployment funds on Sveriges A-kassor
Change of trade union
If you were a member of a Danish trade union while you worked in Denmark and wish to continue being a member, you must move your membership to a Swedish trade union. Are you unsure about which trade union to choose?
Click here for an overview of Swedish trade unions (in Swedish)
Register with the Swedish Public employment service if you become unemployed
If you live in Sweden and have commuted to work in Denmark and either are or will be looking for work when the job finishes, it is important that you register with the Swedish Public employment service, Arbetsförmedlingen, with effect from your first day of employment. It is a requirement that you are registered with the Swedish Public employment service and actively looking for work in order to receive unemployment benefits.
You can read more about how to register on the website of the Swedish Public Employment Service
Rules for part-time unemployment
If you become part-time unemployed, you must report this to Jobcenter, the Public Employment Service, in the country where you are working, i.e. in Denmark. If you are a member of a Danish unemployment fund, you continue with this membership and can apply for additional compensation from the unemployment fund.
Remember! If you are a cross-border worker and contact an unemployment fund in Sweden or Denmark, you should ask to talk to their EU case handler.
Check your social insurance
If your job in Denmark is terminated and you have been receiving child benefits or other benefits in Denmark, you must contact Udbetaling Danmark and tell them that your job in Denmark has been terminated.
You must also contact Försäkringskassan and tell them that you no longer work in Denmark. If you have any questions in this regard, you can contact Försäkringskassan on Øresunddirekt in Malmoe.
Contact the Danish Tax Agency
If you will no longer be working in Denmark, you must inform the Danish tax agency accordingly on tel. +45 7222 2892. You do not need to inform the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) that you have stopped working in Denmark.
Remember to tell the Danish Tax Agency if you change address in Sweden, as this is not done automatically by the Swedish authorities. You can do it by letter or e-mail.
Remember your Danish holiday account
If you stop working in Denmark, you may have money left in your holiday account. To get the money paid out, you must personally contact Feriekonto. You have to contact them within six months, or you will forfeit the money. (Feriekonto uses the money to assist Danish families who cannot afford to pay for a holiday in Denmark.) You can log onto Feriekonto with your MitID.
Keep your Danish bank account
Don't close your Danish bank account when you finish working in Denmark. You may need it in connection with payments from the Danish Tax Agency, Udbetaling Danmark or Feriekonto. If you have closed your account and money is due to you, it becomes a lengthy process and will take about three months before you receive your money.
Termination during parental leave – detailed information
If you are terminated during your parental leave, you will continue to receive parental benefits from Denmark, but you have to inform Udbetaling Danmark about the change. Read more in our article about what applies if you are terminated during your parental leave.
