A legislative amendment will give jobseekers aged 25 and over greater opportunities to develop their skills while unemployed, without their studies affecting their entitlement to unemployment benefits.

What’s changing?

From 1 July 2026, unemployed jobseekers aged 25 and over will be able to undertake studies through open higher education without losing their entitlement to unemployment benefits. The change applies to studies offered by:

• open University programmes
• open Universities of Applied Sciences
• adult education centres
• summer universities.

Previously, the extent and duration of studies determined whether they were considered full-time, which could affect eligibility for unemployment benefits.

Under the new rules, jobseekers aged 25 and over will no longer be required to notify the employment authority about the studies listed above.

Jobseeker obligations remain unchanged

Although studying will become easier, the obligations of jobseekers will remain the same.

To continue receiving unemployment benefits, jobseekers must still:

• apply for jobs in line with their employment plan
• be available to accept full-time work
• participate in employment support services if these are offered.

The legislative amendment takes effect in early July

The new rules apply only to studies that begin on or after 1 July 2026.

In practice, this means:

• If you begin eligible open studies on or after 1 July 2026, the new legislation will apply to your studies.
• If your studies began before 1 July 2026, their impact on your unemployment benefits will continue to be assessed under the previous rules, even if your studies continue after the new legislation comes into force.

For example, if you start a module through an Open University or an Open University of Applied Sciences in June 2026, it will not fall within the scope of the new legislation, even if your studies continue into July.

The change applies only to people aged 25 and over

The current rules will continue to apply to jobseekers under the age of 25. The impact of their studies on entitlement to unemployment benefits will still be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and full-time study may continue to affect their eligibility for benefits.