How long do I get money for?

The unemployment law determines the maximum period for which an unemployed person may receive unemployment benefits: 2 years. These 2 years are called the "framework period for receiving benefits" ("Rahmenfrist" in German). The period runs from the day you meet all the eligibility requirements.

If you become unemployed after reaching the age of 61, this framework period doubles to 4 years.

However, the number of daily allowances you are entitled to during the framework period is not fixed. The maximum number of daily allowances depends on a number of actuarial conditions: Your age plays a role, as well as whether you have children to look after and how many months you worked in the 2 years before becoming unemployed and therefore paid ALV contributions. Further rules apply to recipients of IV pensions and to so-called contribution-exempt persons3.

The maximum number of daily allowances depends:

• ALV contributions paid: 12 - 24 months / under 25 years old = max 200 daily allowances.
• ALV contributions paid: 12 - 17 months / over 25 years of age or maintenance obligation = max 260 (1) daily allowances
• ALV contributions paid: 18 - 24 months / over 25 years old or maintenance obligation = max 400 (1) daily allowances
• ALV contributions paid: 22 - 24 months / over 25 years or maintenance obligation (2) = max 520 (2) daily allowances

Exempt from contributions (3): 90 daily allowances

(1) 120 additional daily allowances if unemployment occurs in the last 4 years before AHV retirement age.

(2) Only applies to recipients of a disability pension with an IV degree of 40% or more.

(3) Anyone who was unable to work for 12 months because he or she was in education or training, gave birth to a child, or was ill or imprisoned is exempt from the ALV contribution period. Under certain circumstances, special life events may also result in an exemption from the contribution period. You can read about the reasons for exemption in detail here.