Denmark Work Visa Requirements

A work visa is a necessary form of official authorization sought by an individual (foreign national) to legally partake in full time employment in a country where he/she may not necessarily have the right to work/reside in.  Generally a work visa will be in the form a standard document or a stamp in your passport and the process of obtaining a visa can be a highly time consuming experience.  Some nationalities are not required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements do not stipulate that an individual must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Each jurisdiction has specific conditions which need to be satisfied in order to be approved a work visa.

Who requires a Denmark Work Visa?

In general all citizens who are from European (EFTA, EEA) Member Countries have the right to reside and take up employment in Denmark under the freedom of movement act under EU Law without the requirement of a work permit.  As Denmark is an EU member and a Schengen country which means that priority is given to all EU nationals in terms of seeking employment and residency in Denmark.

Comparatively, Non-EU citizens are required to apply to a work permit where they intend to seek employment and residency in Denmark.  Work permits are typically approved for foreign nationals who possess extensive experience or specific expertise and knowledge in a certain area.

It must be noted that the application of a Denmark work and residence permit is the responsibility of the applicant and not the sponsor company unlike many other EU countries.

Who does not require a Work permit?

You do not require a Denmark work visa if you only intend to stay in Denmark for a period of up to 3 months.  You are eligible to take up certain types of employment within these initial 3 months, such authorized activities include; teaching in Denmark, participating in meetings, business negotiations, training and course attendance, representatives on business trips, entertainers, researchers and lecturers, professional athletes and domestic housemaids/boys.

Types of Denmark Work Visas

Working Holiday Visa – Denmark has entered into a reciprocal agreement with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Chile for the purpose of allowing nationals of these countries to work in Denmark for a temporary period of time (generally seasonal work).

Denmark Work Permits – foreign nationals can obtain the necessary Denmark work permit to engage in full time employment where they satisfy several conditions.

- Firstly the applicant must be filling an employment position which can not be filled by Danish or other EU citizen.

- The foreign national must possess a high level of experience or specialist expertise sought after by a Danish company.

- A foreign national is also expected to obtain a work and residency permit before he/she can partake in either an employed or self employed position, this also is the case for any voluntary or unpaid work.

- Foreign nationals who are researchers have easier access to obtaining a Denmark work and residence permit.

- A foreign national who is a member of the Clergy of other missionaries can obtain a Denmark work and residence permit automatically

Exemptions to obtaining a work permit in Denmark

Besides EU nationals, all foreign nationals who are holders of a humanitarian residence permit are exempt from obtaining a work permit in Denmark.  It must be noted that although Denmark offers exemptions for certain groups of people with regards to work permit, there are no exception with regards to obtaining a residence visa.  Exempted categories include:

- Foreign diplomats residing in Spain

- Employees working in foreign transport in international traffic

Danish Green Card

Denmark adopted the Green car scheme in a bid to attract foreign nationals who possess sought after skills to work in Denmark.  The Danish Green Card system operates on an allocation of points basis where applicants can only qualify for residency in Denmark where they achieve a certain level of points. Under the Danish Green Card scheme the applicant is not required to have received a job offer prior to entering Denmark and is free to search for employment once he/she arrives.

Positive List System

The positive list scheme is Denmark’s work permit approval system and ensures that all people who obtain a legitimate job offer form an employer listed within the positive list will be guaranteed a work permit.  Authorisation under the positive list system allows for the individual to reside and work in Denmark for a period of up to 3 years with the option of extending the permit to 4 years. Under the positive list system, the main applicants spouse and dependants under the age of 18 are eligible to reside and work in Denmark also.

The positive list comprises of:

- Academic work

- Construction

- IT

- Telecommunications

- Management

- Hospitality

- Educational, social and religious groups

- Health Care

- Procurement and marketing

- Freight

Denmark Pay Limit Scheme

If you have received offer of employment from an employer in Denmark which pays over the threshold of DKK 375,000 (US$ 80,000) then you are eligible for a work and residence permit.

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