Many foreign nationals are free to live and work in Denmark. However, some are required to hold a residence and work permit. The specific requirements in connection with living and working in Denmark depend, first and foremost, on a person’s nationality and qualifications.
If you are a Nordic citizen, you do not need a residence permit but are free to enter, live and work in Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen, you must apply for a proof of registration at the Regional State Administration.
If you already hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or asylum, or hold a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, you do not need a work permit in order to work in Denmark.
It is your own responsibility to obtain a work permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.
Normally, professional or labour market considerations must warrant a residence and work permit, for example, if there is a lack of persons in Denmark who can carry out a specific type of work. Read general information about salaried work.
The rules also apply in the case of voluntary/unpaid work.
Special schemes
A number of schemes have been designed in order to make it easier for highly qualified professionals to get a residence and work permit in Denmark.
The Positive List is a list of the professions and fields currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. Persons who have been offered a job in one of these professions or fields have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about the Positive List.
The Pay Limit scheme gives persons who have been offered a job with an annual pay above a certain limit particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about the Pay Limit scheme.
The Corporate scheme makes it possible for employees in a company outside Denmark to be stationed in the company's Danish subsidiary, parent or sister company or similar for a period of time. Read more about the Corporate scheme.
The Greencard scheme makes it possible for highly qualified professionals to come to Denmark in order to seek work and subsequently to work in Denmark. Read more about the Greencard scheme.
Researchers have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. Read more about researchers.
Trainees can work in a Danish company for a period of time for educational and training purposes. Read more about trainees.
Athletes can work in Denmark as professional athletes or coaches. Read more about athletes.
Religious workers can come to Denmark to work for a religious order or denomination. Read more about religious workers.
Self-employed persons can come to Denmark to establish a business. Read more about self-employment.
Certain groups are exempt from the normal rules, e.g. diplomats, certain musicians and performing artists, personnel in the transport industry, and some Turkish citizens. Read more about special groups.
A person whose Danish residence permit on the grounds of, e.g., asylum or family reunification, has been revoked or denied extension can be granted a new residence permit if he/she has held a job or operated an independent business for an extended period of time. Read more about keeping foreign labour in Denmark
