Denmark Work Visa 2026: Schemes, Salaries and Fees
Work permission in Denmark comes through separate schemes. Non-EU citizens apply for a combined residence and work permit under one of several schemes run by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), and the scheme you use depends on your salary, your job title or your employer. The salary limits are reset every 1 January, so the 2026 figures replace the ones in older guides. This page sets out each scheme with its 2026 amount, processing time and fee, as published on SIRI's website on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
The Pay Limit Scheme needs a job offer with an annual salary of at least DKK 552,000 at the 2026 level. The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme needs DKK 446,000 and has extra conditions. Jobs on one of the two Positive Lists are a separate route. Each of these applications carries a processing fee of DKK 6,810, and normal processing takes between 1 month and 3 months depending on the scheme. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens apply for an EU residence document instead of a residence and work permit.
The schemes side by side
| Scheme | Main condition | Normal processing time | Processing fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay Limit Scheme | Annual salary of at least DKK 552,000 (2026 level) | 1 month, up to 3 months if further information is needed | DKK 6,810 |
| Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme | Annual salary of at least DKK 446,000 (2026 level), plus extra conditions | 2 months, up to 5 months | DKK 6,810 |
| Positive List for People with a Higher Education | A job on the list, and an educational background that qualifies you for it | 1 month, up to 3 months | DKK 6,810 |
| Positive List for Skilled Work | A job on the list of skilled professions with a shortage | 3 months, up to 4 months | DKK 6,810 |
| Fast-Track Scheme | Employment in a company certified by SIRI | 1 month, up to 2 months. Quick job start normally takes 10 days | DKK 6,810 |
| Researchers | A paid position as a researcher at a research institute or company | 1 month, up to 2 months | DKK 6,810 |
The minimum amounts are regulated every year on 1 January.
The Pay Limit Scheme
If you have been offered a job with a high salary, you can apply under the Pay Limit Scheme. SIRI states that no specific educational background or professional field is required.
What counts towards the DKK 552,000
- Salary in the form of liquid assets, including fixed supplements that are guaranteed.
- Payments to labour market pension schemes, including contributions paid by both the employer and the applicant.
- Paid holiday allowance.
Benefits such as a paid canteen, free use of a car, a paid phone, paid internet and paid housing expenses cannot be counted.
Other conditions
- Danish standards: your salary and terms of employment must not be inferior to the standards in your professional field.
- Working hours: at least 30 hours a week.
- Danish bank account: your salary must be paid into a Danish bank account in your own name, opened within 180 days of the permit being granted or of your entry into Denmark.
- No labour conflict: a permit cannot be granted for a job covered by a legal labour conflict.
The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
SIRI describes this as a scheme on its own, with conditions that do not apply to the Pay Limit Scheme. In addition to the salary of at least DKK 446,000:
- Job posting: the job must have been posted on both Jobnet and the EURES portal for at least 2 weeks before you apply, and for no more than six months.
- Unemployment level: the seasonally adjusted gross unemployment in Denmark must not have exceeded 3,75 pct. on average in the 3 months before you apply.
- Employer's declaration: your employer must declare that the job was posted on Jobnet and the EURES portal at least 2 weeks before you applied, and SIRI runs spot-checks on these declarations.
- Danish bank account: the salary must be paid into a Danish bank account in your own name.
The Positive Lists
The Positive Lists name professions with a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. There are two.
| List | Job titles from 1 July 2026 | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Positive List for People with a Higher Education | 164 | People with an educational background that qualifies them for the job |
| Positive List for Skilled Work | 63 | People offered a job in a listed skilled profession |
- Both lists are updated twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July.
- On the higher education list, a job title can be delisted no sooner than two years after it was added.
- Each job title is listed with its classification code, so check the title and code against your job offer.
The Fast-Track Scheme
The Fast-Track Scheme is for employees of companies certified by SIRI. Your employer handles the application, using a power of attorney from you. It has five tracks:
- The pay limit track: an annual salary of at least DKK 552,000.
- The supplementary pay limit track: an annual salary of at least DKK 446,000. Normal processing on this track is 2 months, up to 4 months.
- The short-term track: a residence and work permit for up to 90 days.
- The researcher track.
- The educational track: for highly qualified people receiving or giving high-level training in the certified company.
SIRI says the scheme also allows you to work both in Denmark and abroad.
How long the permit lasts and what it ties you to
- Duration: under the Pay Limit Scheme, if your employment is for 4 years or more, you are normally granted a permit valid for 4 years. You apply for an extension to continue after that.
- Arrival: if you apply from abroad, the permit can be valid from 1 month before you start work, provided you declare that you can support yourself in that time. Without the declaration it is valid from 14 days before.
- Linked to the job: your permit is linked to your job in Denmark, and you must always notify SIRI if you lose or change job.
- Changing job: you must submit a new application. Once it is submitted, you can start the new job before the permit is granted.
- Losing your job: the permit is revoked, but if you become unemployed through no fault of your own you can apply for an extra 6 month residence permit to look for a new job. You must apply no later than two days after your employment ends, and you may not work on it.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
Special EU regulations apply to you. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens apply for an EU residence document rather than a residence and work permit, and must do so within 3 months of entering Denmark if they plan to stay longer than 3 months. As a worker, the document has no fee and a normal processing time of 0 days. SIRI assesses whether you are a worker under EU law: you must normally work at least 10-12 hours a week, and the employment must normally be for at least 10-12 weeks. Nordic citizens are free to live, study and work in Denmark without it.
How to apply
- Get the job offer and check it against one scheme: salary, list title or certified employer.
- Check the 2026 amount. Only guaranteed cash salary, pension contributions and paid holiday allowance count.
- Pay the fee of DKK 6,810 and submit the application on SIRI's website. Under Fast-Track, your employer applies.
- Wait for the decision. Normal processing runs from 1 month to 3 months depending on the scheme.
- After arrival, register. You need a Danish address to get a CPR number, and your salary must go into a Danish bank account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary for a Denmark work visa in 2026?
DKK 552,000 a year under the Pay Limit Scheme and DKK 446,000 under the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, both at the 2026 level. The Positive Lists work on job titles, and the salary must match Danish standards.
How much does a Danish work permit cost?
The processing fee is DKK 6,810 for the Pay Limit Scheme, the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, both Positive Lists, the Fast-Track Scheme and researchers.
How long does a Denmark work visa take?
Normal processing is 1 month for the Pay Limit Scheme, the higher education Positive List, Fast-Track and researchers, 2 months for the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme and 3 months for the Positive List for Skilled Work. It can take longer if SIRI needs more information.
Do I need a degree for the Pay Limit Scheme?
No. SIRI states that it is not required that you have a specific educational background or that your job is within a specific professional field.
Can I change jobs on a Danish work permit?
Yes, but you must submit a new application for a residence and work permit. When you have submitted it, you can start working in the new job even though the permit has not yet been granted.
What happens if I lose my job in Denmark?
Your permit is revoked because it is based on that job. If you become unemployed through no fault of your own, you can apply for an extra 6 month residence permit to look for work, no later than two days after your employment ends.
Do EU citizens need a work permit in Denmark?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens come under special EU regulations. They apply for an EU residence document if they stay longer than 3 months, and there is no fee for it as a worker. Nordic citizens are free to enter, live, study and work in Denmark.
Official sources
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — The Pay Limit Scheme
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — The Positive List for People with a Higher Education
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — The Positive List for Skilled Work
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — Fast-Track Scheme
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — Researchers
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — The Positive Lists are updated as of 1 July 2026
- New to Denmark (SIRI) — EU residence as a worker
- lifeindenmark.dk — When you arrive
All amounts, fees and processing times verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Amounts are at the 2026 level and are regulated every 1 January. Information, not legal advice.