Been using Office Mac for over 3 years but never used e-mail service outlook, would like to setup an email account and use Outlook (have used AOL,for paast 16 years but use outlook at work) but unable to set-up account as it is asking me to activate my account? Also asking for a subscription??

Can I not use microsoft Outlook to receive and send e-mails unless I pay a monthly charge?

I have transferred 000's of e-mails from work to home and can't read anything on my mac as i do not have outlook activated??

any help most appreciated?