Work / Employment in Denmark
8 documented routes of this kind in Denmark, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
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
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 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
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1
Create case order ID
Create a case order ID online and pay the fee of DKK 6,810.
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2
Employer completes AR1 part 1
The Danish employer completes their part of form AR1, generating a reference code.
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3
Applicant completes part 2
The applicant completes their part of the application online.
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4
Submit
Submit the application.
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5
Biometrics
Record facial photo and fingerprints within 14 days at a Danish mission, VFS centre, or SIRI/Citizen Service branch.
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6
Decision
Await the decision (typically about 1 month).
Official Sources
- Pay Limit Scheme - New to Denmark (SIRI) Official
- Fee rates overview - New to Denmark Official
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
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 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.
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3
Submit and biometrics
Submit and record biometrics within 14 days.
-
4
Decision
Await the decision.
Official Sources
- Work schemes in SIRI - an overview Official
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
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 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.
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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.
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4
Decision
Await the decision.
Official Sources
- Work schemes in SIRI - an overview Official
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
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 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.
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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.
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4
Decision
Await the decision.
Official Sources
- Work schemes in SIRI - an overview Official
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
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 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.
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2
Employer completes AR6
The employer completes form AR6.
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3
Applicant completes part
The applicant completes their part of the application.
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4
Submit and biometrics
Submit; record biometrics within 14 days; arrange quick start if applicable.
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5
Decision
Await the decision.
Official Sources
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
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 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
- Work schemes in SIRI - an overview Official
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
- Permanent residence
- EU permanent residence after 5 years' continuous EU-law residence
- Citizenship
- 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
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1
Choose category and apply
Apply to SIRI for the EU registration certificate under the relevant category.
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2
Submit documentation
Submit the supporting documentation (no fee).
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3
Receive registration certificate
Receive the EU residence document, typically within weeks.
Official Sources
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
- Permanent residence
- 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
- 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.
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2
Pay the processing fee
Pay the DKK 6,810 processing fee online via the nyidanmark.dk payment portal before submitting your application.
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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.
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4
Provide biometric data
Attend an appointment at a Danish diplomatic mission or SIRI service centre to provide your photograph and fingerprints.
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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.
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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.