Self-employed as a secondary occupation

Combinator, part-time self-employed, self-employed as secondary occupation or self-employed and employee at the same time. You can start your life as a self-employed person in many different ways. Many people become full-time self-employed right away, while others choose to be employees and self-employed at the same time. You can choose to become self-employed next to your salaried job, or you can become self-employed and receive supplementary unemployment benefits at the same time. However, in both cases you may need approval from your employer or your unemployment insurance fund (A-kasse), respectively.

Employee and self-employed at the same time

For most people, starting a business next to their salaried job is straightforward. Nevertheless, there are certain things that you should be aware of if you choose this option. Firstly, you'll have to juggle two different work lives. Having two jobs at the same time requires self-discipline and structured planning of your working week. And when one of these jobs is your own business, you need to be extra careful not to let it steal too much time from your salaried job or your personal life. Secondly, you should always make sure that you remain loyal to your salaried job. It's obvious to start a business in a field that you're already working in. Note in this connection that there may be non-solicitation and non-competition clauses to comply with. If you're employed in the private sector, you usually have to ask your employer for permission before starting up your own business while you're an employee.

Unemployment benefits for part-time self-employed people

If you want to become self-employed as a secondary occupation, you're entitled to supplementary unemployment benefits. However, you're required to meet certain conditions. You can receive supplementary unemployment benefits from the A-kasse at Akademikernes A-kasse, if you're self-employed as a secondary occupation, i.e. if you run a business in your leisure time. There are other conditions that have to be met as well.

If you are in doubt, you should always contact Akademikernes A-kasse or another relevant A-kasse to find out about your rights in your specific situation.

Holiday for part-time employees

If you are employed part-time because you are also self-employed, you will earn the same number of holiday days as a full-time employee, i.e. 25 days, corresponding to five weeks of holiday per holiday year. When you take one week's holiday, you use up five days of your entitlement, so that a normal working week, with both working days and days off, is included proportionately in the holiday week.
Example: You work 30 hours a week, from Monday-Thursday, and Friday is a day off. When you take holiday, your days off will be included proportionally in your holiday. Of your 25 holidays, 20 days must be taken on working days, and 5 days must be taken on days off.