Lots of different ways Maisie if you are out of work here unless you are claiming Social Security it is your Union who pays the dole money. It is paid in grades, when you are first unemployed you get your previous salary equivalent for one year, then 1/2 the next 6 months then it sits at 400€ a month after that. If you do not take jobs offered then you have to go on CPAS Social Security, means tested and your possesions are taken into account and if they think you have stuff you can sell then you must before receiving any help. You will be offered jobs in your Registered profession first, then offered re-training etc if none are available. Quite a strict system. You can also be asked to show your bank statements every month which must show you have paid all your bills before buying anything else.
I was self-employed for the last few years of my working life but seem to remember I paid about 64€ a month to the union when working. 11/12 years ago.
Like I said at the beginning it is a very complicated little country but I still love it.
Please ignore my last...