FOA - trade union (fagforening) and unemployment insurance fund (a-kasse)

"Sammen gør vi forskellen" means "Together we make the difference". Joining FOA will make you part of a large community with common interests. You will have access to legal help and expert advice about your working conditions.

How to join FOA

Use our online form (in Danish) or give us a call

Register online
Call 80 20 20 30

Instructions: How to join an unemployment insurance fund (SDG)

FOA gives you:
Trade union + unemployment insurance fund

We are close to you. With 32 local branches, you can get personal help both when you are at work or if you become unemployed.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

924 kr. per month*

Most popular
Only unemployment insurance fund

Your a-kasse secures you financially if you become unemployed.

519 kr. per month
Only trade union

Your trade union ensures your rights and you get expert advice throughout your working life.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

405 kr. per month*
Professional expertise in your field

Because many of us have the same professional background as you and help to shape the educational system, we can give you the best advice.
Legal advice

We advise you on your rights - e.g. in connection with employment contracts, workers' compensation cases, maternity rules and working time rules.

Income maintenance and help if you're unemployed

FOA's A-kasse provides income maintenance and good help, so that you get back into the labor market as quickly as possible.
Help for an effective job search

FOA's job database only contains jobs that are relevant, and with FOA Jobmatch we match employers with FOA members.
Advice on late retirement

FOA's A-kasse has in-depth knowledge of the late retirement rules and can guide you to the solution that best suits your particular situation.
Check of your salary and financiel overview

At FOA, you are guaranteed the correct salary classification upon employment - and we can check your salary so that you receive the correct payment throughout your employment.
Influence on wages and working conditions

Our 167,000 members mean that we stand strong every time we negotiate new agreements on your working conditions. Together with the other trade unions, FOA negotiates agreements that give you and your colleagues far better working conditions than if your employer simply had to comply with the law.
Help in the event of illness and work-related injuries

FOA advises you on your rights of sick leave and occupational injuries.
Negotiation of your collective agreement

We negotiate the collective agreement with your employer for you. In this way, we ensure you a fair salary and decent conditions.
Help for a good working environment

We help you find job satisfaction, for example by advising on the working environment and helping with major changes in your workplace.
Fagbladet FOA

We send you a profession-specific newsletter with stories from your work life and guides on finances that can save you money.
Extra safety in the economy with salary insurance

With the insurance FOA Lønforsikring (extra income maintenance), you are better protected (the insurance can only be taken out if you are a member of both FOA's trade union and FOA's A-kasse).
Cheap insurance and banking products

You can save a lot of money on insurance and loans through FOA Benefits in Alka Forsikring and PenSam Bank.
Discounts and experiences

With your FOA PlusKort you can save money when you shop on weekdays, weekends and holidays.
A wide selection of courses and events

FOA inspires you to strengthen your professional and personal development. Your local trade union organizes, among other things, lectures, social activities etc., while a-kassen holds job cafés.

924 kr. per month*
519 kr. per month
405 kr. per month*
Join FOA
Join FOA
Join FOA

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

See membership dues in the local FOA branch (in Danish)

Trade union + unemployment insurance fund924 kr. per month*

Most popular

We are close to you. With 32 local branches, you can get personal help both when you are at work or if you become unemployed.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

  • Professional expertise in your field

    Because many of us have the same professional background as you and help to shape the educational system, we can give you the best advice.

  • Legal advice

    We advise you on your rights - e.g. in connection with employment contracts, workers' compensation cases, maternity rules and working time rules.

  • Income maintenance and help if you're unemployed

    FOA's A-kasse provides income maintenance and good help, so that you get back into the labor market as quickly as possible.

  • Help for an effective job search

    FOA's job database only contains jobs that are relevant, and with FOA Jobmatch we match employers with FOA members.

  • Advice on late retirement

    FOA's A-kasse has in-depth knowledge of the late retirement rules and can guide you to the solution that best suits your particular situation.

  • Check of your salary and financiel overview

    At FOA, you are guaranteed the correct salary classification upon employment - and we can check your salary so that you receive the correct payment throughout your employment.

  • Influence on wages and working conditions

    Our 167,000 members mean that we stand strong every time we negotiate new agreements on your working conditions. Together with the other trade unions, FOA negotiates agreements that give you and your colleagues far better working conditions than if your employer simply had to comply with the law.

  • Help in the event of illness and work-related injuries

    FOA advises you on your rights of sick leave and occupational injuries.

  • Negotiation of your collective agreement

    We negotiate the collective agreement with your employer for you. In this way, we ensure you a fair salary and decent conditions.

  • Help for a good working environment

    We help you find job satisfaction, for example by advising on the working environment and helping with major changes in your workplace.

  • Fagbladet FOA

    We send you a profession-specific newsletter with stories from your work life and guides on finances that can save you money.

  • Extra safety in the economy with salary insurance

    With the insurance FOA Lønforsikring (extra income maintenance), you are better protected (the insurance can only be taken out if you are a member of both FOA's trade union and FOA's A-kasse).

  • Cheap insurance and banking products

    You can save a lot of money on insurance and loans through FOA Benefits in Alka Forsikring and PenSam Bank.

  • Discounts and experiences

    With your FOA PlusKort you can save money when you shop on weekdays, weekends and holidays.

  • A wide selection of courses and events

    FOA inspires you to strengthen your professional and personal development. Your local trade union organizes, among other things, lectures, social activities etc., while a-kassen holds job cafés.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

See membership dues in the local FOA branch (in Danish)

Only unemployment insurance fund519 kr. per month

Your a-kasse secures you financially if you become unemployed.

  • Professional expertise in your field

    Because many of us have the same professional background as you and help to shape the educational system, we can give you the best advice.

  • Legal advice

    We advise you on your rights - e.g. in connection with employment contracts, workers' compensation cases, maternity rules and working time rules.

  • Income maintenance and help if you're unemployed

    FOA's A-kasse provides income maintenance and good help, so that you get back into the labor market as quickly as possible.

  • Help for an effective job search

    FOA's job database only contains jobs that are relevant, and with FOA Jobmatch we match employers with FOA members.

  • Advice on late retirement

    FOA's A-kasse has in-depth knowledge of the late retirement rules and can guide you to the solution that best suits your particular situation.

  • Check of your salary and financiel overview

    At FOA, you are guaranteed the correct salary classification upon employment - and we can check your salary so that you receive the correct payment throughout your employment.

  • Influence on wages and working conditions

    Our 167,000 members mean that we stand strong every time we negotiate new agreements on your working conditions. Together with the other trade unions, FOA negotiates agreements that give you and your colleagues far better working conditions than if your employer simply had to comply with the law.

  • Help in the event of illness and work-related injuries

    FOA advises you on your rights of sick leave and occupational injuries.

  • Negotiation of your collective agreement

    We negotiate the collective agreement with your employer for you. In this way, we ensure you a fair salary and decent conditions.

  • Help for a good working environment

    We help you find job satisfaction, for example by advising on the working environment and helping with major changes in your workplace.

  • Fagbladet FOA

    We send you a profession-specific newsletter with stories from your work life and guides on finances that can save you money.

  • Extra safety in the economy with salary insurance

    With the insurance FOA Lønforsikring (extra income maintenance), you are better protected (the insurance can only be taken out if you are a member of both FOA's trade union and FOA's A-kasse).

  • Cheap insurance and banking products

    You can save a lot of money on insurance and loans through FOA Benefits in Alka Forsikring and PenSam Bank.

  • Discounts and experiences

    With your FOA PlusKort you can save money when you shop on weekdays, weekends and holidays.

  • A wide selection of courses and events

    FOA inspires you to strengthen your professional and personal development. Your local trade union organizes, among other things, lectures, social activities etc., while a-kassen holds job cafés.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

See membership dues in the local FOA branch (in Danish)

Only trade union405 kr. per month*

Your trade union ensures your rights and you get expert advice throughout your working life.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

  • Professional expertise in your field

    Because many of us have the same professional background as you and help to shape the educational system, we can give you the best advice.

  • Legal advice

    We advise you on your rights - e.g. in connection with employment contracts, workers' compensation cases, maternity rules and working time rules.

  • Income maintenance and help if you're unemployed

    FOA's A-kasse provides income maintenance and good help, so that you get back into the labor market as quickly as possible.

  • Help for an effective job search

    FOA's job database only contains jobs that are relevant, and with FOA Jobmatch we match employers with FOA members.

  • Advice on late retirement

    FOA's A-kasse has in-depth knowledge of the late retirement rules and can guide you to the solution that best suits your particular situation.

  • Check of your salary and financiel overview

    At FOA, you are guaranteed the correct salary classification upon employment - and we can check your salary so that you receive the correct payment throughout your employment.

  • Influence on wages and working conditions

    Our 167,000 members mean that we stand strong every time we negotiate new agreements on your working conditions. Together with the other trade unions, FOA negotiates agreements that give you and your colleagues far better working conditions than if your employer simply had to comply with the law.

  • Help in the event of illness and work-related injuries

    FOA advises you on your rights of sick leave and occupational injuries.

  • Negotiation of your collective agreement

    We negotiate the collective agreement with your employer for you. In this way, we ensure you a fair salary and decent conditions.

  • Help for a good working environment

    We help you find job satisfaction, for example by advising on the working environment and helping with major changes in your workplace.

  • Fagbladet FOA

    We send you a profession-specific newsletter with stories from your work life and guides on finances that can save you money.

  • Extra safety in the economy with salary insurance

    With the insurance FOA Lønforsikring (extra income maintenance), you are better protected (the insurance can only be taken out if you are a member of both FOA's trade union and FOA's A-kasse).

  • Cheap insurance and banking products

    You can save a lot of money on insurance and loans through FOA Benefits in Alka Forsikring and PenSam Bank.

  • Discounts and experiences

    With your FOA PlusKort you can save money when you shop on weekdays, weekends and holidays.

  • A wide selection of courses and events

    FOA inspires you to strengthen your professional and personal development. Your local trade union organizes, among other things, lectures, social activities etc., while a-kassen holds job cafés.

*The price is an average, as there may be a difference in membership dues in the local FOA branch.

See membership dues in the local FOA branch (in Danish)

Join FOA

Get to know FOA and the Danish labour market

Video billede

What is a trade union?

Video billede

What is an a-kasse?

Video billede

Who determines my pay?

Video billede

What is the Danish model?

    Why become a member of FOA?

    • There are many good reasons for becoming a member, both during and after your training. And of course, the more of us there are in FOA, the greater are the opportunities for improving conditions for everyone.

      Here is why you should become a member of FOA:

      1. Only FOA can negotiate your salary and ensure that your training and working conditions are developed and improved.

      2. FOA helps you to receive a good training and trainee period, so you avoid unfair work demands, unsatisfactory trainee supervision or uncertainty over rules. 

      3. FOA ensures you have proper working conditions and everyday security. So you always have professional backing that you can trust and go to for support.  

      4. FOA provides a professional network where you can meet others and share your specialist knowledge, questions and experience. In some branches there are also local trainee clubs.

      5.  FOA is the third largest trade union in Denmark, organizing approximately 167,000 members primarily in the public sectors. But we also organize privatized employees in the public sector.

    • FOAs A-kasse is an unemployment insurance fund for people engaged in a public sector service profession. Our most important task is to provide our members with unemployment benefit in case of job loss - and to offer job search support.

      We can help you find your next job or education

      We specialize in 4 job areas: Social & Health, Childcare & Education (pedagogical), Catering & Cleaning and Technical & Maintenance. Whether you are currently working, studying or in between jobs we offer our members professional expertise and guidance on effective job search and unemployment regulations.

      As a member of FOAs A-kasse you have access to a variety of tools and services, e.g.,

      • ‘FOA Jobmatch’ - our job portal, that contains vacant job positions within our 4 job areas
      • Inspire you on how to find your next job or write your job application & cv
      • Guidance on courses and educations
      • Webinars and job cafés for job seekers
      • A variety of subject-based pamphlets to give you an easy overview and information
      • We are always available for a talk – you can either call (every weekday from 8 am og 6 pm on 4697 3777), write in our chat or in Min post, meet us online on Teams or visit one of our 5 regional offices every weekday from 9 am og 4 pm. 

      Go to Min post

      Read more here

    • The price depends upon whether you choose to

      • join the trade union (in Danish: fagforening) and/or
      • join the unemployment insurance fund (in Danish: a-kasse) and/or whether you pay to an early-retirement scheme (in Danish: efterlønsordningen).

      Find all membership dues (in Danish)

      If you are in job training/studying, you pay a reduced price.

      You can call us at 80 20 20 30 if you want to know more or join as a member - the call is free of charge.

    • FOA is a trade union with 167,000 members and 32 branches around the country in addition to the head office in Copenhagen.

      Our members are engaged in a variety of public sector services, from fire, public transport and childcare, to nursing and caring services for the elderly, including food preparation and cleaning work.

      Our members include:

      • Social and health care workers
      • Social and health care assistants
      • Day care workers
      • Cleaning staff
      • Kindergarten assistants
      • Nursery school assistants 

      Our members work country-wide for local authorities, counties and the state.

       

      FOA is divided in four sectors:

    • Den Nordiske Offentlige Faglige Samarbejdsorganisation - NOFS

      (the Nordic Public Services Cooperative Organisation). By its membership in NOFS, FOA is a member of:

      Public Services International (PSI)

      Known as ISKA in the Nordic countries - the international organization of employees in local and state government. Its objective is to promote cooperation between public employees in international bodies and safeguard their interests.

      Public Services International (PSI)

      The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)

      This organization represents over 9 million public employees in 48 trade unions in Europe, and is at the same time a section of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

      The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)

      Nordic Municipal Workers' Federation (KNS)

      The Nordic organization for cooperation between employees in local government. The municipal workers' unions in Finland, Sweden and Norway are also members of KNS.

    Welcome to FOA!

    FOA is Denmark’s third largest trade union. Since 1899, we have been fighting for better pay and working conditions for our members.

    Our main task is to conclude collective agreements that ensure a good wage as well as modern and orderly working conditions.

    Read the flyer: "Welcome to FOA!"

    Download the flyer in other languages:

    Videos: Why join FOA?

    Video billede

    مرحبا بكم في نقابة المجال المعرفي والعمل

    (Arabic)
    Video billede

    FOA´ya hoşgeldiniz

    (Turkish)
    Video billede

    میں خوش آمدید FOA

    (Urdu)
    Video billede

    फोआमा हजूरलाई ,वागत छ।

    (Nepali)

      Ласкаво просимо до FOA

      FOA є третьою за чисельністю профспілкою Данії з приблизною кількістю 167.000 членів у 32 представництвах. Починаючи з 1899 року, ми боремося за кращу заробітну плату і гідні умови праці для наших членів. Більшість з них працевлаштовані у державному секторі та регіонах, проте ми також організовуємо працівників у приватному секторі.

      Читати далі

      Students and au pairs

      Au pair? Join FOA

      As an Au Pair in Denmark you can join FOA and receive free advice on legal rights.

      Reduced price for students

      During your education the price for being af member of FOA is reduced.