The legislative amendment applies to open higher education studies offered by universities, universities of applied sciences, adult education centres and summer universities. If you are aged 25 or over, you can now start these studies as an unemployed jobseeker without it affecting your entitlement to unemployment benefits.
Jobseekers are also no longer required to report open higher education studies to employment authorities, provided that the studies were started on or after 1 July 2026.
However, if you are under the age of 25, the impact of open higher education studies on your unemployment benefits is still assessed separately.
Studying does not exempt you from jobseeker responsibilities
You must keep seeking work even during open higher education studies. In other words, you must continue to apply for jobs in accordance with your employment plan, be prepared to accept full-time work and participate in employment promoting services if they are offered to you.
Keep in mind the following – folk high schools are an exception
• The change applies to unemployed jobseekers aged 25 and over.
• The studies must begin on 1 July 2026 or after.
• The change applies to open higher education studies offered by universities, universities of applied sciences, adult education centres and summer universities.
• Exception: the amendment does not apply to open higher education studies offered by folk high schools.
• Your job search obligation remains in effect during the studies.
• Studies that do not fall within the scope of the legislative amendment must still be reported to employment authorities.
You can develop your skills while unemployed
The aim of the legislative amendment is to make it easier for jobseekers to study and develop their skills during unemployment.
Open higher education studies can help you update your skills, explore a new field or improve your jobseeking capabilities.