Starting a summer job? Here's how unemployment fund benefits can support you
06.05.2025
Many members of the PAM Unemployment Fund take on different types of jobs during the summer. If the job is part-time or temporary, they may be eligible for adjusted earnings-related allowance to supplement their earnings.
Additionally, the Commuting and Relocation Allowance (also known as mobility allowance) can help cover the costs of long commutes or moving, making it easier to accept job opportunities farther from home.
When are you eligible for adjusted earnings-related allowance?
You may be eligible for adjusted allowance if:
- You take on part-time work with contracted hours amounting to no more than 80 % of full-time hours
- You accept full-time work that lasts no longer than two weeks
- You begin working under a so-called zero-hour contract, where no weekly working hours are specified in the contract
To receive earnings-related allowance, you must be registered as a jobseeker and meet the general eligibility criteria for the benefit.
Wage income affects the allowance based on the payment date, meaning it reduces the allowance for the benefit period in which the wages are paid. For example, wages paid in June will affect the allowance for June. Half of the wage income is deducted from the full earnings-related allowance.
If you’re applying for adjusted earnings-related allowance, do the following:
- Submit your application through the Unemployment Fund's eService
- Report your working hours in the application,
- Attach a copy of your employment contract
The Unemployment Fund typically retrieves the necessary income information from the Income Register. You can find more information about adjusted earnings-related allowance here.
Part-time and on-call work count toward the work requirement
Work that qualifies for earnings-related allowance can also be accumulated through part-time and on-call jobs. The work requirement is determined by the calendar month in which the salary is paid.
Work months are accumulated as follows:
- If you receive a salary of at least 930 euros, one full month of employment is added to the work requirement.
- If you receive a salary of 465-929 euros, half a month of employment is added to the work requirement.
Once you have accumulated 12 months of work within a 28-month review period, your earnings-related allowance will be recalculated, and you will be eligible for a new maximum benefit period.
Read more about the accumulation of the work requirement
Commuting and Relocation Allowance covers travel and moving costs
If your daily work commute exceeds two hours for part-time work or three hours for full-time work, you may be eligible for the Commuting and Relocation Allowance.
The allowance is equal to the basic unemployment allowance and is paid for a period of 1–2 months, depending on the duration of the employment. For full-time employees, the benefit is paid for five days per week. For part-time employees, it is paid for the actual working days.
The allowance must be applied for within three months of the start of the employment.