Best A-kasse for International Students in Denmark: 2026 Comparison Guide
- Mie Raarup Ceretka
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Why Your A-kasse Choice Matters as an International Student
If you are an international student in Denmark working part-time alongside your studies, joining an A-kasse (arbejdsløshedskasse) is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. An A-kasse is an unemployment insurance fund — a safety net that pays you dagpenge (daily allowances) if you find yourself without a job after graduating or between contracts. Because most A-kasser offer free student membership, the cost of waiting until graduation is simply too high.
But here is the catch: not all A-kasser are created equal for international students. Differences in English-language support, digital tools, student rates, and industry focus mean that the right choice depends on your field of study and your situation. This 2026 guide breaks down the five best A-kasse options for international students so you can make an informed decision today.
What to Look for When Choosing an A-kasse
Before diving into the providers, here are the five criteria that matter most to international students comparing A-kasser in Denmark:
Monthly fee and student rate: Most A-kasser let students join for free or at a heavily reduced rate. Confirm whether "free for students" means truly zero cost or only a reduced rate.
English-language support: Denmark is Danish-first, but several A-kasser now offer English-language websites, chat support, and onboarding materials — a huge advantage for internationals.
Online and app management: International students move frequently and have busy schedules. A solid mobile app and fully digital onboarding process saves hours of paperwork.
Benefits and career support: Beyond dagpenge, some A-kasser offer coaching, CV reviews, job-search sparring, and upskilling courses — all highly valuable for someone new to the Danish job market.
Industry fit: Some A-kasser are open to everyone; others specialise in specific sectors. Choosing one aligned with your career path can mean better-targeted advice and stronger advocacy.
Top 5 A-kasse Providers for International Students (2026)
1. ASE A-kasse — Best Low-Fee Option for Everyone
ASE A-kasse (Arbejdsmarkedets Selvstændige A-kasse) is one of Denmark's most accessible unemployment funds because it accepts members from all educational backgrounds and industries. If you are unsure which field you will end up working in after graduation — a common situation for international students — ASE's open membership policy makes it a safe choice.
Monthly fee after graduation: 560 DKK. Student rate: Free while enrolled.
Pros:
Open to all fields — no industry restrictions
One of Denmark's largest funds, with a nationwide office network across major cities
Optional salary insurance (lønsikring) available from 54 DKK/month
Solid Trustpilot rating: 4.1 stars from 4,700+ reviews
Cons:
Website and support primarily in Danish — limited dedicated English resources
Full salary-insurance cover (Super) can add up to 175 DKK/month on top of the fee
Career coaching less specialised than sector-specific A-kasser
2. CA A-kasse — Best for Business, Marketing, and Management Students
CA A-kasse positions itself as a career partner, not just an insurance fund. It is tailored for people working in business, communication, marketing, management, HR, sales, and economics — some of the most popular study fields among international students at Danish universities.
Monthly fee after graduation: 528 DKK. Student rate: Completely free.
Pros:
Completely free for students — you do not pay a single krone until you graduate
Outstanding Trustpilot score: 4.7 stars from 1,500+ reviews
Webinars, coaching, skills courses, and career sparring included as standard
Optional legal add-on (CA Advokathjælp) that acts as a mini-union
Offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, Kolding, and Odense
Cons:
Sector-focused — not ideal if you plan to work outside business/marketing/management
Post-graduation fee of 528 DKK/month sits around the middle of the pack
Website and communications are primarily in Danish
3. AJKS — Best for Journalism, Communication, and Language Students
AJKS (Arbejdsløshedskassen for Journalistik, Kommunikation og Sprog) is Denmark's dedicated A-kasse for journalism, communication, media, and language professionals, and is closely tied to the Danish Union of Journalists (Dansk Journalistforbund). If you are studying journalism, media, communication, or languages at a Danish institution, AJKS understands your industry — including its freelance and project-based work patterns — in a way a generalist fund cannot match.
Monthly fee after graduation: 514 DKK. Student rate: Free while enrolled (for students under 30).
Pros:
Deep expertise in journalism, communication, media, and language careers
Understands freelance and project-based work common in these fields
One of the lowest post-graduation fees on this list (514 DKK/month)
Backed by the Danish Union of Journalists' professional network
Cons:
Narrow sector focus — switching to an unrelated field can complicate membership
Free student membership requires being under 30 and meeting an income cap
English-language materials are limited compared to the larger funds
4. Akademikernes A-kasse (AAK) — Best for University Graduates Across Disciplines
Akademikernes A-kasse (AAK) is one of Denmark's largest A-kasser and is specifically aimed at people who hold or are working toward a medium-to-long cycle university degree. If you are studying at a Danish university at bachelor's level or above, AAK is built for people exactly like you.
Monthly fee after graduation: 517 DKK. Student rate: Free while enrolled.
Pros:
Cross-disciplinary: open to all academic graduates regardless of subject area
Strong focus on the transition from academic study to professional work life — very relevant for internationals entering the Danish labour market
Large member base means a robust job-search network and partnership database
Digital-first approach with a well-reviewed member app and online case management
Some English-language support available for members
Cons:
Membership requires a qualifying university-level degree — vocational or short-cycle programmes may not qualify
Large organisation means service can sometimes feel less personal
Full English-language self-service is still a work in progress
5. FTF-A (A&Til) — Most Versatile for Mixed-Sector Students
FTF-A — recently rebranded as A&Til — is a broad-based A-kasse that covers white-collar workers across public, private, and third-sector employment. It is a solid choice if you are juggling part-time work in multiple sectors during your studies, or if you are heading into a career in public administration, education, health, or social services after graduating.
Monthly fee after graduation: 521 DKK. Student rate: Free while enrolled.
Pros:
Covers both public and private sector workers — great for students with mixed employment
One of the lower-cost full-service funds (521 DKK/month)
Straightforward digital signup and member portal
Good for those who want a no-frills, reliable A-kasse without a heavy sector bias
Cons:
Career support and coaching are less extensive than CA or AAK
English-language customer support is minimal
Lower public brand awareness internationally compared to CA or AAK
Quick Comparison: A-kasse for International Students at a Glance
Every A-kasse below is free while you are a student, so the fee shown is what you pay after graduation. Provider names link straight to sign-up where available.
Provider | Fee after graduation | English support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
560 DKK/mo | Limited | Everyone, all-round coverage | |
528 DKK/mo | Partial | Business, marketing, management | |
AJKS | 514 DKK/mo | Limited | Journalism, communication, media, language |
Akademikernes (AAK) | 517 DKK/mo | Partial | All university graduates |
521 DKK/mo | Limited | Mixed public/private sectors |
Our Recommendation for Most International Students
For most international students at Danish universities, our top pick is CA A-kasse — particularly if your studies touch on business, marketing, HR, economics, or communication. Here is why: it is completely free while you study, it has the highest Trustpilot rating on this list (4.7 stars), and it provides genuine career value — not just unemployment insurance. The coaching, webinars, and CV support are genuinely useful for someone new to the Danish labour market.
If you are a university student across any discipline and want the broadest post-graduation coverage, Akademikernes A-kasse (AAK) is our runner-up. If you are on a tighter budget after graduation, AJKS (514 DKK/month) and Akademikernes (517 DKK/month) are among the most competitively priced full-service options.
How to Switch A-kasse
Switching A-kasse is generally straightforward in Denmark. Most providers handle the transfer themselves once you fill in their online sign-up form — similar to switching a mobile phone plan. The new A-kasse contacts your old one and manages the paperwork. Here is what to keep in mind:
Your membership seniority carries over — your time as a member of your old A-kasse counts toward the one-year requirement for dagpenge eligibility.
There is no penalty for switching, but some A-kasser have a short administrative processing period of up to one month.
Do not cancel your old membership until your new one is confirmed active — there should be no gap in coverage.
If you are switching because you have changed career field, check that the new A-kasse accepts your educational background before signing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be a member of two A-kasser at the same time?
No. Danish law only allows membership in one A-kasse at a time. If you sign up for a new one, you must leave your current one. Your accumulated membership time transfers across, so you will not lose your seniority.
What happens if I change jobs or switch career fields?
If you move to a new industry and your current A-kasse specialises in your old one, you may want to switch. A generalist A-kasse like ASE, AAK, or FTF-A will accept members from most fields. Sector-specific A-kasser may restrict membership if your primary job is outside their defined area.
What is the difference between a student rate and a full member rate?
As a student member you pay either nothing or a reduced fee. You build up your membership seniority but you are not yet eligible for dagpenge payouts. Once you graduate and switch to a full membership, you start paying the full monthly rate (typically 510–560 DKK). If you have been a student member for at least one year before graduating, you can claim dagpenge from your very first day of unemployment.
How do I cancel my A-kasse membership?
You can cancel by logging into your A-kasse member portal and submitting a cancellation request, or by contacting their member services. Most A-kasser require notice of one month. If you are cancelling because you are leaving Denmark permanently, inform them promptly to avoid being billed for an extra month.
Is the cheapest A-kasse always the best option?
Not necessarily. Since most A-kasser are free for students, the cost difference only becomes relevant after graduation. At that point, a slightly higher monthly fee may be worth it if it comes with career coaching, legal support, or sector-specific expertise that genuinely helps you land a job faster. The best A-kasse is the one that shortens your unemployment period — not the one with the lowest monthly sticker price.
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