Denmark is an attractive destination for international talent, but navigating the permit system takes preparation. If you’re a foreign company looking to place workers in Denmark, you’ll need to understand which permit routes are available, what salary thresholds apply in 2026, and what your obligations are once a worker is in the country. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Who doesn’t need a work permit
If you’re hiring nationals from EU or EEA member states, or from Switzerland, they don’t need a work permit to work in Denmark. Free movement rights apply, so there’s no application process on your end for those hires.
For everyone else, including nationals from the UK, the US, India, and most other countries, a permit is required before work begins. All work permits in Denmark are administered by SIRI (Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration, or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration).
The pay limit scheme
The Pay Limit scheme (Beløbsordningen) is the main route for bringing non-EU workers into Denmark. It’s designed for skilled roles and doesn’t require a labour market test, which makes it one of the more straightforward paths available. Here’s what you need to know about the salary requirements and how applications work.
Salary requirements for 2026
To qualify under the Pay Limit scheme, the worker’s gross annual salary must reach at least DKK 552,000 in 2026. That’s up from DKK 514,000 in 2025. The salary also needs to meet Danish market standards for the specific role, so you can’t simply offer the threshold amount if comparable roles in Denmark typically pay more.
How to apply
Applications are submitted to SIRI. There’s no labour market test, meaning you don’t need to demonstrate that no Danish or EU worker was available for the role. Processing times for standard applications vary, but employers who want a faster route should look at the Fast Track scheme covered below.
The supplementary pay limit scheme
If the role you’re filling doesn’t reach the DKK 552,000 threshold but still commands a meaningful salary, there’s a secondary option. The Supplementary Pay Limit scheme covers workers earning at least DKK 446,000 per year gross. It’s intended for roles where the salary falls below the main threshold but still represents genuine skilled employment at a competitive Danish rate.
The fast track scheme
The Fast Track scheme is worth prioritising if you’re hiring regularly in Denmark. It’s available to employers who have obtained certification from SIRI, and it cuts processing times down to approximately one month, which is significantly faster than the standard route.
The salary thresholds mirror those of the Pay Limit scheme: DKK 552,000 for the standard Pay Limit track and DKK 446,000 for the supplementary track. The application fee is DKK 6,810 per permit.
To use this scheme, your company needs to apply separately to SIRI to become a certified employer. That certification step takes time, so if you’re planning to use the Fast Track route, it’s worth starting the certification process before you have an urgent hire to make.
The new 2026 scheme for 16 countries
From January 2026, certified employers can hire both skilled and unskilled workers from 16 specific countries under a new initiative designed to address particular labour shortages in Denmark. The minimum salary under this scheme is DKK 300,000 per year, which is considerably lower than the standard Pay Limit threshold.
This scheme is only accessible to employers who hold SIRI certification, so the same certification requirement that applies to the Fast Track scheme applies here. If your workforce needs include roles at lower salary levels, and your hiring is from one of the covered countries, this route is worth exploring once you have certification in place.
Employer obligations and permit changes
Once a worker is in Denmark on a work permit, your obligations don’t end at onboarding. There are two key rules to keep in mind.
First, if a worker holding a Pay Limit or Researcher permit is made involuntarily redundant, they’re entitled to apply for a six-month jobseeking permit. That’s a protection built into Danish law for the worker, but it’s something you should be aware of when managing headcount.
Second, if a permit holder’s employment ends before their permit expires, you’re required to notify SIRI. This isn’t optional, and failing to report early termination can create compliance issues. Make sure whoever manages your HR or payroll in Denmark has a process in place to trigger that notification promptly.
Permanent residence
Workers who build their careers in Denmark have a path to permanent residence. The standard track requires eight years of legal residence. Faster tracks exist under certain conditions, though the specific criteria vary. For long-term workforce planning, it’s worth knowing that your sponsored workers can put down roots in Denmark if they choose to.
Hiring foreign talent through an Employer of Record
If your company doesn’t have a legal entity in Denmark, you can still hire talent there through an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR acts as the legal employer in Denmark on your behalf, handling employment contracts, payroll, tax compliance, and permit sponsorship without requiring you to establish a local entity first.
If you’re not familiar with how the model works, this overview of what an EOR is covers the structure in detail. For companies comparing providers, this guide to EOR services is a useful starting point.
Book a demo to see how RemotePass supports compliant hiring in Denmark.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do a labour market test to hire through the pay limit scheme?
No. The Pay Limit scheme doesn’t require a labour market test. You don’t need to show that no Danish or EU candidate was available before sponsoring a non-EU worker under this route.
What’s the difference between the pay limit scheme and the supplementary pay limit scheme?
The standard Pay Limit scheme requires a gross annual salary of at least DKK 552,000 in 2026. The Supplementary Pay Limit scheme covers workers earning at least DKK 446,000 per year, for roles that fall below the main threshold but still meet the supplementary level.
How do we become a certified employer for the fast track scheme?
You’ll need to apply directly to SIRI for employer certification. The certification is separate from any individual permit application, so it’s worth starting the process early if you plan to use the Fast Track route or the new 2026 scheme for workers from the 16 covered countries.
What happens if we need to end a sponsored worker’s employment early?
You’re required to notify SIRI when a permit holder’s employment ends before the permit expires. Workers on Pay Limit or Researcher permits who are made involuntarily redundant are also entitled to apply for a six-month jobseeking permit in Denmark.
