Work visas in Denmark: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Denmark? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of visa or permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Denmark. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work visas in Denmark, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Denmark?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Denmark, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s visa and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Denmark

Who needs a work visa in Denmark?

If your employee is relocating from one of the other Nordic countries (i.e., Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden) they can start working in Denmark right away without needing a visa or work permit.

Similarly, citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland can also begin working in Denmark immediately. However, they’ll need to follow up by registering with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), which issues a registration certificate confirming their right to live and work in Denmark.

For individuals who are not from a Nordic country or an EU/EEA member state, a valid work and residence permit is required to work in Denmark. These permits can come with restrictions; for example, some are tied to a specific employer. If the employee changes jobs, they’ll need to apply for a new permit before starting their next role.

Note that, if your employee is approved, they will receive a residence card. This card clearly states whether the holder is allowed to work in Denmark and outlines any conditions or restrictions on their employment. As a result, you should always verify the details on the residence card to ensure compliance as an employer.

Types of work visas in Denmark

Denmark offers several types of work visa, including:

Long-stay work visa

For non-EU and non-EEA nationals, the most common way to live and work in Denmark is through a residence and work permit tied to long-stay employment. This application must usually be made before arriving in Denmark, and is handled by SIRI.

To qualify, your employee needs a confirmed job offer from an employer in Denmark. Some permits are job-specific, meaning the employee can only work for the sponsoring employer. If they switch jobs, they’ll need to apply for a new permit.

Therefore, as the employer, you play an active role in this process. Before your employee can apply, your company must register the position and provide supporting documents, including:

• The employment contract
• Proof that the role meets Denmark’s work and salary requirements
• Evidence that the job complies with local labor standards

Once approved, your employee is issued a residence card, which specifies their work rights and any restrictions.

The length of the permit depends on the employment contract, but it can usually be renewed as long as the employment continues.

It’s important to note that employers sponsoring this visa are responsible for ensuring compliance with Danish labor and tax laws, including proper registration, payroll contributions, and timely renewals. Without the correct visa and residence permit, both you and your employee risk fines, legal issues, and work interruptions. If you don’t yet have a local entity in Denmark, you can use an employer of record (EOR) like Remote, which acts as the official sponsor and handles compliance, making the process significantly smoother. What is an EOR and how does it work?

Working holiday visa

Denmark also offers a working holiday visa, which is designed for young people who want to combine travel with temporary work. This visa is only available to citizens of certain countries, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

The permit allows the holder to live in Denmark for up to 12 months and take on short-term employment during their stay. The main purpose of the visa is cultural exchange, giving travelers the opportunity to experience Danish life while supporting themselves financially. For this reason, work is usually limited to temporary or casual roles, rather than long-term employment with career progression.

As a result, this makes the scheme best suited for short-term or seasonal roles, rather than permanent positions.

Does Denmark offer a digital nomad visa?

Denmark does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa for remote workers.

What about the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is simply a travel authorization for those who wish to stay in a member state of the Schengen Area (such as Denmark) for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). It does not give holders legal permission to work in Denmark.

What about the EU Blue Card?

The European Union Blue Card is a residence permit that enables highly skilled professionals from outside the EU to live and work in most EU member states.

However, it's not applicable to Denmark, and individuals cannot use it as a work permit there.

What are the visa requirements in Denmark?

To hire a non-EU or non-EEA employee in Denmark, the first step is choosing the right visa scheme. Applications are managed online through SIRI, and you can apply on your employee’s behalf.

The application process generally involves the following steps:

1. Generate a case order ID through SIRI.
2. Pay the application fee online.
3. Collect all required documents as outlined in the official checklist.
4. Submit the application form along with the supporting documents.
5. Provide biometric data, if requested.

Documents required:

For most Danish work visa applications, your employee will need to provide:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages
• Proof of health insurance covering the duration of your stay
• Passport-style photos that meet Schengen standards
• Proof of payment for the visa application fee
• Power of attorney (if someone else is applying on the employee’s behalf)
• An official job offer or contract dated within 30 days of submission
• Any relevant diplomas or qualifications, if required for the role
• Danish authorization for regulated professions (where applicable)

Denmark also offers a fast-track scheme for employers certified by SIRI, making it quicker and easier to bring in international talent. Under this scheme, employers can apply directly for a residence and work permit on behalf of the employee.

This is especially useful for companies that need to move people across borders quickly, as it allows employees to start work sooner and even alternate between living abroad and working in Denmark.

The scheme includes four tracks:

• Pay Limit Scheme. This is the most common route, and is for roles with an annual salary above DKK 448,000 (around €60,000). The role doesn’t need to appear on Denmark’s list of shortage occupation, meaning you may have more flexibility when filling roles that may not be in officially designated high-demand sectors.
• Short-term track. This is for short-term roles, usually lasting up to 90 days.
• Researcher track. This is for employees coming to Denmark for research positions.
• Educational track. This is for employees in training or educational roles.
  
  

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Denmark, you’ll have to establish your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s EOR service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Denmark on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Denmark, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.