The Danish authorities have announced new rules, and stricter income and employment conditions for foreigners seeking residence and work permits through employment.
Effective January 1, 2024, these new requirements aim to ensure foreign workers earn wages and possess qualifications aligned with Danish standards.
Stringent Criteria for Residence and Work Permits
The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has outlined that, to be eligible for a residence and work permit, foreign workers must meet specific salary and employment conditions following Danish standards.
According to a statement from SIRI, prospective expatriates entering Denmark for employment purposes must receive a salary aligning with the country’s employment standards for their particular job category.
Higher Salary Threshold
A key change is the increased minimum salary requirement. To be granted a work permit under most employment schemes, foreigners must now earn at least DKK 67,812.50 per month (approximately €9,095). This represents a significant jump from the previous minimum of DKK 52,330 per month.
Impact on Different Job Schemes
The new regulations apply to various work permit schemes, including:
- Pay Limit Scheme
- Fast track Scheme
- Researchers Scheme
- Positive List for Skilled Work
- Special Individual Qualifications Scheme
- Internship Scheme
- Employment for Adaption and Training Purposes Scheme
Application Timeline
Applications submitted before January 1, 2024, will be assessed under the current regulations. However, for applications submitted after this date, the stricter requirements will come into effect.
How Does This Change Impact Applicants?
For those submitting residence and work permit applications after December 31, 2023, assessments will be based on income statistics from the third quarter of 2023. If your application falls from October 1 to December 31, 2023, evaluations will be conducted using income statistics from the second quarter of 2023.
Addressing Labor Shortages
These changes align with Denmark’s efforts to address the ongoing labour shortage, particularly for highly qualified professionals. By ensuring fair wages and adherence to established standards, the government aims to attract skilled foreign workers while protecting domestic worker rights.
Work in Denmark without a Permit!
Recently Denmark has opened doors for third-country nationals to engage in shorter-term work commitments within Denmark without the traditional hurdles of obtaining a residence and work permit.
Effective November 17, 2023, new regulations have been implemented that simplify the process for working in Denmark for shorter periods without a full work permit.
Conclusion
The upcoming changes in Denmark’s work permit regulations for foreigners represent a significant shift. For prospective foreign workers, understanding the new requirements and meeting the stricter criteria is crucial for securing a work permit and contributing to the Danish workforce.
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