Denmark How to Get a Denmark Residence Permit for Work, Study, or Business

EU Schengen

Capital: Copenhagen
Currency: DKK
Languages: Danish
Official fee: 0 – 70,199 DKK

Denmark is an EU and Schengen member but has opted out of the EU Blue Card and has no digital nomad or investor/golden visa. Third-country immigration is governed by the Danish Aliens (Consolidation) Act, with work and study handled by SIRI and asylum/family by the Danish Immigration Service. Citizenship is by Act of Parliament under the Nationality Act.

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Immigration Pathways

(21) Last updated: Jun 19, 2026 3 months ago

19 of 21 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 17 to permanent residence, 19 to citizenship.

21 of 21 pathways are backed by official government sources.

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Work / Employment High confidence

Pay Limit Scheme

Residence and work permit for any job offer meeting a salary threshold, with no field or education restriction.

Processing time: About 1 month (up to 3 months if more information is needed)
Validity: 4 years (or contract length + 6-month jobseeking period), renewable
Language requirement: None
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Concrete job offer in Denmark
Annual salary at least DKK 552,000 (2026)
Minimum 30 hours/week
Salary paid into a Danish bank account within 180 days of permit issuance
Pay and employment conditions match Danish market standards

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages (including blank pages) required
Employment contract/job offer stating salary and hours required
Fee payment receipt required
Form AR1 (employer part + applicant part), or AR6 for fast-track required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID

Create a case order ID online and pay the fee of DKK 6,810.
2
Employer completes AR1 part 1

The Danish employer completes their part of form AR1, generating a reference code.
3
Applicant completes part 2

The applicant completes their part of the application online.
4
Submit

Submit the application.
5
Biometrics

Record facial photo and fingerprints within 14 days at a Danish mission, VFS centre, or SIRI/Citizen Service branch.
6
Decision

Await the decision (typically about 1 month).

Official Sources

Work / Employment Medium confidence

Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme

Work permit at a lower salary threshold than the standard Pay Limit Scheme, with additional conditions.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: Up to 5 years, renewable
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Concrete job offer in Denmark
Annual salary around DKK 446,000 (lower threshold)
Additional conditions including Danish bank account requirement and supplementary checks

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Employment contract required
Fee payment receipt required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay DKK 6,810.
2
Employer and applicant complete forms

Employer completes their part; applicant completes the applicant part.
3
Submit and biometrics

Submit and record biometrics within 14 days.
4
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Work / Employment Medium confidence

Positive List for People with a Higher Education

Work permit for a job offer in a tertiary-education shortage profession on the official Positive List.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: Tied to contract, renewable
Language requirement: None
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Job offer in a profession on the Positive List for Higher Education
Profession requires tertiary education
Pay and conditions match Danish market standards

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Employment contract required
Documentation of qualifications required
Fee payment receipt required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Confirm profession on Positive List

Verify the profession appears on the current Positive List for Higher Education.
2
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay DKK 6,810.
3
Complete forms, submit, biometrics

Employer and applicant complete forms; submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
4
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Work / Employment Medium confidence

Positive List for Skilled Work

Work permit for a job offer in a skilled-trade shortage occupation on the official Positive List.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: Tied to contract, renewable
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Job offer in a skilled-trade occupation on the Positive List for Skilled Work
Pay and conditions match Danish market standards

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Employment contract required
Fee payment receipt required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Confirm occupation on Positive List

Verify the occupation appears on the current Positive List for Skilled Work.
2
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay DKK 6,810.
3
Complete forms, submit, biometrics

Employer and applicant complete forms; submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
4
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Work / Employment High confidence

Fast-Track Scheme

Scheme for employees of SIRI-certified companies allowing quick work start across five tracks.

Processing time: About 1 month; quick job start can begin 0-30 days after submission
Validity: Tied to track and contract, renewable
Language requirement: None
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Employer must be a SIRI-certified company
Job offer meeting the conditions of one of the five tracks

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Employment contract required
Form AR6 required
Fee payment receipt required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Employer creates case order ID

The certified employer creates a case order ID and pays the fee.
2
Employer completes AR6

The employer completes form AR6.
3
Applicant completes part

The applicant completes their part of the application.
4
Submit and biometrics

Submit; record biometrics within 14 days; arrange quick start if applicable.
5
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Fast-track scheme - New to Denmark (SIRI) · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Work / Employment Low confidence

Special Individual Qualifications

Permit for persons with unique competencies such as artists, athletes, and specialists, assessed case-by-case.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: Assessed case-by-case
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Documented unique/special qualifications
Connection to an activity or employer in Denmark

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Documentation of special qualifications required
Fee payment receipt required

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay the applicable fee.
2
Complete forms, submit, biometrics

Complete the application; submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
3
Decision

Await the case-by-case decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Work / Employment High confidence

EU/EEA, Swiss and Nordic residence (free movement)

Free-movement residence for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens via an EU registration certificate; Nordic citizens need no permit.

Processing time: Typically within weeks
Validity: Linked to continued free-movement status; EU permanent residence after 5 years
Language requirement: None
Documents: 2 required
Permanent residence: Yes · EU permanent residence after 5 years' continuous EU-law residence
Citizenship: Yes · 2 years for Nordic citizens; otherwise generally 9 years

Requirements

Citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland (Nordic citizens need no permit)
Qualify under one category: worker, self-employed, self-supporting, student, or family member
Documentation supporting the chosen category

Required Documents

Valid EU/EEA/Swiss passport or national ID required
Category documentation (e.g., employment contract, business accounts, proof of funds, enrolment) required

Official fees

EU registration fee 0 DKK

Process Steps

1
Choose category and apply

Apply to SIRI for the EU registration certificate under the relevant category.
2
Submit documentation

Submit the supporting documentation (no fee).
3
Receive registration certificate

Receive the EU residence document, typically within weeks.

Official Sources

Work / Employment High confidence

Labour Market Attachment Scheme

Allows third-country nationals who have held continuous full-time employment with the same Danish employer for at least two years, and whose previous residence permit (refugee, family reunification, or accompanying family) was revoked or denied extension, to obtain a new work-based residence permit.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: Up to 2 years (first permit); up to 4 years per subsequent renewal
Language requirement: No formal language requirement for the permit; free Danish language lessons are available
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · After 8 years of continuous legal residence in Denmark (standard track) or after 4 years under the accelerated track, subject to meeting all conditions
Citizenship: Yes · After 9 years of continuous legal residence in Denmark (standard track), subject to meeting all naturalisation conditions

Requirements

At least 2 years of continuous, full-time, unsupported employment with the same Danish employer
Previous Danish residence permit (refugee, family reunification, or accompanying family member) revoked or denied extension
Salary corresponding to Danish standards for the occupation with no wage subsidies
Salary paid to a Danish bank account in the applicant's own name
No misuse of previous permits or unlawful receipt of means-tested public benefits
Valid passport
No criminal record disqualifying residence

Required Documents

Valid passport required
Employment contract specifying salary, working hours, and terms required
Documentation of at least 2 years of employment with the same employer (e.g. pay slips, employer confirmation) required
Evidence that previous residence permit was revoked or denied extension required
Danish bank account details required
Biometric data (photograph and fingerprints) required
Documentation of family members if applying for accompanying permits

Official fees

SIRI processing fee 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Check eligibility

Confirm that you have completed at least 2 continuous years of full-time employment with the same Danish employer and that your previous permit was revoked or denied extension.
2
Pay the processing fee

Pay the DKK 6,810 processing fee online via the nyidanmark.dk payment portal before submitting your application.
3
Submit the application

Submit your application online through the New to Denmark portal (nyidanmark.dk), uploading all required documentation including your employment contract and proof of 2 years' employment.
4
Provide biometric data

Attend an appointment at a Danish diplomatic mission or SIRI service centre to provide your photograph and fingerprints.
5
Await SIRI decision

SIRI will process your application within approximately 1 month. You will be notified of the decision via the online portal or post.
6
Collect residence card

Once approved, collect your residence card from the relevant authority. The permit is tied to the specific job; any change of employer or position generally requires a new application.

Official Sources

Study / Student High confidence

Residence permit as a student (higher education)

Residence permit for admission to a state-approved Danish higher-education programme, with study work rights.

Processing time: About 1-2 months
Validity: Duration of the study programme
Language requirement: Programme-dependent (often English-taught; no general Danish requirement for the permit)
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements); study time counts with conditions
Citizenship: Yes · 5 years if substantially educated in Denmark; otherwise generally 9 years

Requirements

Admission to a state-approved higher-education programme
Proof of disposable funds (DKK 7,426/month; up to DKK 89,112 for 12 months if studying >1 year)
Proof of paid tuition where applicable

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Letter of admission required
Proof of paid tuition (if applicable)
Proof of funds required
Fee payment receipt required

Official fees

Application fee (2026, approximate) 2,170 DKK

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay the fee (approximately DKK 2,170).
2
Complete application

Complete the application; the educational institution may complete part of it.
3
Submit and biometrics

Submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
4
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Vocational Training Medium confidence

Trainee Scheme

Permit for apprenticeship/training roles, valid 1 year and renewable up to 24 months total.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: 1 year, renewable up to 24 months total
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required

Requirements

Trainee or apprenticeship agreement with a Danish company/institution

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Trainee agreement required
Fee payment receipt required

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay the applicable fee.
2
Complete forms, submit, biometrics

Complete the application; submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
3
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Job Seeker Visa Medium confidence

Jobseeking permit after employment / job change

Permit allowing a period to find new employment after a work permit ends or following a job change.

Processing time: Varies
Validity: Limited jobseeking period
Language requirement: None
Documents: 2 required

Self-employment / Freelance High confidence

Start-up Denmark (self-employment / entrepreneurship)

Residence permit for third-country entrepreneurs to establish and run an innovative growth company in Denmark.

Processing time: About 1 month (after expert-panel approval)
Validity: Up to 2 years, renewable up to 3 years per extension
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Innovative growth-company business plan approved by the expert panel under the Danish Business Authority
Individual or team of up to 3 entrepreneurs
Proof of self-support (solo approx. DKK 153,240; 2025 level, reconfirm 2026)
Company-ownership documentation

Required Documents

Fee payment receipt required
Copy of all passport pages required
Expert-panel approval required
Financial documentation required
Company-ownership documentation required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 3,060 DKK

Process Steps

1
Obtain expert-panel approval

Submit the business plan and obtain approval from the expert panel under the Danish Business Authority.
2
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay DKK 3,060.
3
Complete online form

Complete the online application (about 30 minutes).
4
Submit and biometrics

Submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
5
Decision

Await the decision (about 1 month after expert-panel approval).

Official Sources

Official Start-up Denmark - New to Denmark (SIRI) · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Family Reunification High confidence

Family reunification - spouse / registered partner / cohabiting partner

Reunification with a spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner residing in Denmark.

Processing time: Up to 10 months
Validity: Tied to sponsor's status, renewable
Language requirement: Applicant: Danish A1 within 6 months and A2 within 9 months of arrival
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · 6-8 years for spouses of Danes married at least 3 years; otherwise generally 9 years

Requirements

Both parties normally aged at least 24
Valid marriage/registered partnership, or proof of at least 18 months cohabitation
Sponsor provides independent, adequately-sized housing not in a restricted area
Sponsor is self-supporting with no specified benefits
Sponsor generally holds permanent residence (min. 3 years, with exceptions) and passes Prøve i Dansk 3
Couple meets the collective integration conditions (e.g., 4 of 6)
Financial guarantee of DKK 61,709.34 (2026) posted by the sponsor

Required Documents

Passport copies required
Marriage/partnership certificate or proof of at least 18 months cohabitation required
Proof of housing required
Financial-guarantee documentation required
Language test results required
Employment/education documentation required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 8,490 DKK

Financial guarantee/collateral (2026) 61,709.34 DKK

Estimated total 70,199.34 DKK

Process Steps

1
Create SB-ID and pay fee

Create an SB-ID and pay DKK 8,490.
2
Gather documents

Gather all required documents.
3
Complete joint application

Complete the joint application online (about 60-70 minutes).
4
Submit and biometrics

Submit at a Danish mission or Citizen Service and record biometrics.
5
Post-arrival language

After arrival, pass Danish A1 within 6 months and A2 within 9 months.

Official Sources

Official Spouse or cohabiting partner family reunification - New to Denmark · Danish Immigration Service

Family Reunification High confidence

Family reunification - children with a parent in Denmark

Reunification of a child (generally under 18) with a parent residing in Denmark.

Processing time: Varies
Validity: Tied to the parent's status
Language requirement: None for the child at application
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after qualifying continuous residence
Citizenship: Yes · Per Nationality Act conditions

Requirements

Child generally under 18
Parent lawfully residing in Denmark on a qualifying basis
Sponsor meets applicable housing and support conditions

Required Documents

Passport copies required
Birth certificate / proof of parentage required
Fee payment receipt required

Process Steps

1
Create SB-ID and pay fee

Create an SB-ID and pay the applicable fee.
2
Complete application

Complete the family application.
3
Submit and biometrics

Submit and record biometrics.
4
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Child family reunification - New to Denmark · Danish Immigration Service

Family Reunification Medium confidence

Family reunification - other family members

Reunification of other family members (e.g., parents) granted only in exceptional circumstances.

Processing time: Varies
Validity: Case-by-case
Language requirement: Per applicable rules
Documents: 2 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after qualifying continuous residence
Citizenship: Yes · Per Nationality Act conditions

Requirements

Exceptional circumstances justifying reunification
Sponsor lawfully residing in Denmark

Required Documents

Passport copies required
Documentation of the family relationship and exceptional circumstances required

Process Steps

1
Create SB-ID and pay fee

Create an SB-ID and pay the applicable fee.
2
Complete application and submit

Complete the application, submit, and record biometrics.
3
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Other family member reunification - New to Denmark · Danish Immigration Service

Family Reunification Medium confidence

Family reunification - spouse/partner of a refugee in Denmark

Special, more favourable family reunification rules for spouses/partners of refugees in defined situations.

Processing time: Varies
Validity: Tied to the sponsor's status
Language requirement: Per applicable rules
Documents: 2 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after qualifying continuous residence
Citizenship: Yes · Per Nationality Act conditions

Requirements

Sponsor holds refugee/protection status in Denmark
Qualifying spousal/partner relationship
Defined situations under the more favourable rules

Required Documents

Passport copies (if available)
Proof of relationship required
Documentation of the sponsor's protection status required

Process Steps

1
Create SB-ID

Create an SB-ID and start the application.
2
Complete and submit

Complete the application, submit, and record biometrics.
3
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Spouse or partner of refugee in Denmark - New to Denmark · Danish Immigration Service

Research / Scientist Medium confidence

Researcher Scheme

Residence and work permit for a researcher with an offer from a Danish research institution.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: 4 years, renewable
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Offer for a research position from a Danish research institution

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Research employment contract/offer required
Fee payment receipt required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,810 DKK

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay DKK 6,810.
2
Complete forms, submit, biometrics

Institution and applicant complete forms; submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
3
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Research / Scientist Medium confidence

Guest Researcher

Permit for short-term or visiting research positions, with validity tied to the project.

Processing time: About 1 month
Validity: Tied to project, up to 3 years
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence

Requirements

Invitation or agreement for a guest/visiting research position at a Danish institution

Required Documents

Copy of all passport pages required
Documentation of the guest research position required
Fee payment receipt required

Process Steps

1
Create case order ID and pay fee

Create a case order ID and pay the applicable fee.
2
Complete forms, submit, biometrics

Complete the application; submit; record biometrics within 14 days.
3
Decision

Await the decision.

Official Sources

Official Work schemes in SIRI - an overview · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Ancestry / Descent High confidence

Citizenship by descent / ancestry

Automatic Danish citizenship at birth for a child of a Danish mother, father, or co-mother (born on/after 1 July 2014).

Processing time: Automatic at birth; retention applications processed by UIM
Validity: Permanent (citizenship), subject to the age-22 retention rule
Language requirement: None
Documents: 2 required
Citizenship: Yes · Automatic at birth

Permanent Residence High confidence

Permanent residence permit

Standard permanent residence after 8 years' continuous legal residence, reduced to 4 if all supplementary requirements are met.

Processing time: Up to 12 months
Validity: Permanent
Language requirement: Prøve i Dansk 2 (basic); Prøve i Dansk 3 counts as a supplementary requirement
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · This is the permanent residence permit itself
Citizenship: Yes · Permanent residence is a precondition for naturalisation

Requirements

Age 18+
8 years continuous legal residence (4 with all supplementary requirements)
Continue to meet current permit conditions
Clean criminal record (no sentence over 6 months; outside exclusion period)
No overdue public debt (excluding student/bank loans)
No specified social benefits within the prior 4 years
Employed at the time of decision (min. 15 hours/week)
Pass Prøve i Dansk 2
Sign the residence/self-support declaration
Meet at least 2 of the 4 supplementary requirements

Required Documents

Tax assessment notices (årsopgørelser) and payslips for income required
Employment documentation required
Language test certificates required
Passport copy required

Official fees

Application fee - work/study basis (2026) 7,570 DKK

Application fee - other grounds (2026) 4,970 DKK

Estimated total 12,540 DKK

Process Steps

1
Create SB-ID and pay fee

Create an SB-ID and pay the fee (DKK 7,570 on work/study basis, or DKK 4,970 other grounds).
2
Gather documents

Gather income, employment, and language documentation.
3
Submit form

Submit the form online (e.g., TU1).
4
Biometrics

Record biometrics within 6 weeks.
5
Decision

Await the decision (up to 12 months).

Official Sources

Official Permanent residence permit - New to Denmark (SIRI) · SIRI / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration

Citizenship / Naturalization High confidence

Naturalisation (citizenship by Act of Parliament)

Danish citizenship granted twice yearly via a parliamentary naturalisation bill, with residence, language, and integration conditions.

Processing time: Processed via twice-yearly naturalisation bills
Validity: Permanent (citizenship)
Language requirement: Prøve i Dansk 3 (Dansk 2 in limited cases)
Documents: 4 required
Citizenship: Yes · Generally 9 years continuous residence (8 refugees/stateless; 6-8 spouses of Danes; 5 if educated in Denmark; 2 Nordic)

Requirements

Hold a permanent residence permit
Generally 9 years continuous residence (variations apply)
Self-sufficiency (no integration-law benefits over 4 months in the past 5 years, none in the past 2 years)
Pass Prøve i Dansk 3 (Dansk 2 in limited cases)
Pass the 'Indfødsretsprøven af 2021' citizenship test
No disqualifying criminal record
Sign declaration of loyalty

Required Documents

Permanent residence permit documentation required
Language test certificate (Prøve i Dansk 3) required
Citizenship test (Indfødsretsprøven) result required
Proof of self-sufficiency and clean record required

Official fees

Application fee (2026) 6,270 DKK

Second or later re-application after refusal (2026) 3,135 DKK

Naturalisation test (Indfødsretsprøven) fee (2026, self-study) 946 DKK

Estimated total 10,351 DKK

Process Steps

1
Submit digital application

Submit the digital application (requires MitID).
2
Meet all conditions

Demonstrate that all conditions are met.
3
Placed on naturalisation bill

Name is placed on a naturalisation bill.
4
Parliament passes the bill

The Folketing passes the bill; a guidance letter follows.
5
Constitution ceremony

Attend the municipal constitution ceremony (sign declaration, handshake with the mayor) and receive the citizenship certificate.

Official Sources

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

Views of the country

Frequently asked questions

What is the Pay Limit Scheme in Denmark?

The Pay Limit Scheme allows foreign nationals with a job offer in Denmark to obtain a residence permit if their salary meets a specific threshold. It is administered by SIRI and is one of the main work routes. The job must be full-time and the salary must be paid to a Danish bank account.

How does the Positive List for Skilled Work work?

The Positive List for Skilled Work covers professions where Denmark faces a shortage of qualified labour. If your job is on the list and you have the relevant qualifications, you can apply for a residence permit. SIRI assesses the application.

Can I apply for a Denmark residence permit as a student?

Foreign students admitted to a higher education programme in Denmark can apply for a residence permit as a student. The programme must be approved and full-time. You can work part-time during your studies, but the rules are set by SIRI.

What is the Fast-Track Scheme for Danish employers?

The Fast-Track Scheme lets certified Danish companies hire foreign employees more quickly if they meet salary and education requirements. It is for companies with a special agreement with SIRI. This route streamlines the application process.

Can I start a business in Denmark as a foreigner?

Start-up Denmark is a residence permit for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and run a business in Denmark. Applications are evaluated by the Danish Business Authority and SIRI. You need a viable business idea and sufficient funds to support yourself.

Is there a jobseeking permit after employment in Denmark?

If you have had a residence permit for work in Denmark and lose your job or change employers, you may be eligible for a jobseeking permit. This allows you to stay while looking for new employment. The permit is granted under conditions set by SIRI.