Denmark raised its work permit salary thresholds and fees for 2026, trimmed the list of shortage jobs, and added a new route tied to collective agreements. This guide explains the latest rules for foreign workers in Denmark in plain English.

The figures change every year, so always confirm the current thresholds with the Danish authorities before you act.

The Big Picture

Citizens of the EU, the EEA, and the Nordic countries can work freely in Denmark. Other workers need a residence permit and a work permit, which are handled by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). The main routes are the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive Lists, and the Fast-track Scheme for certified employers.

New 2026 Salary Thresholds

From 1 January 2026, the salary thresholds rose:

• Pay Limit Scheme and the Fast-track salary route: DKK 552,000 per year (up from DKK 514,000).
• Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme: DKK 446,000 per year (up from DKK 415,000).

These apply to first-time applications; extensions generally use the threshold that applied when the original permit was granted, provided the job is unchanged.

Updated Positive Lists

The Positive List names shortage occupations that qualify for a permit and is updated twice a year. From 1 January 2026, the list for higher education comprises 183 job titles, and the list for skilled work comprises 57 — both slightly shorter than before. The job offer must match a listed title exactly, or the application can be refused.

A New Collective-Agreement Route

Denmark also introduced a route for certified companies covered by a Danish collective agreement, with a lower salary threshold of about DKK 300,000 per year. It is open only to nationals of 16 selected countries and operates only while unemployment remains low. Application fees also rose for 2026, with the Pay Limit Scheme fee at about DKK 6,810.

What Foreign Workers and Employers Should Do

• Check that the salary meets the right 2026 threshold for the chosen scheme.
• For Positive List routes, confirm the job title is on the current list.
• Open a Danish bank account within 180 days, as salary must be paid into it.
• Budget for the higher 2026 application fees.

Quick Summary

1. From 1 January 2026: Pay Limit Scheme: DKK 552,000; Supplementary Scheme: DKK 446,000.
2. The Positive Lists were trimmed to 183 and 57 job titles.
3. A new collective-agreement route offers about DKK 300,000 for 16 countries when unemployment is low.
4. Application fees rose, with the Pay Limit Scheme fee around DKK 6,810.