Denmark’s New Salary Rules for Work Permits Take Effect in April 2025

Planning a move to Denmark for work? Stay informed! Denmark’s immigration authority, SIRI, has updated its income statistics for foreign worker visa applications. These changes, effective from April 1, 2025, are crucial for anyone navigating the Danish work permit process.

Key Changes in Income Statistics

To ensure fair employment practices, Denmark requires foreign workers to receive salaries that meet Danish standards. SIRI utilizes income statistics provided by The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) to assess this. These figures are updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions.

• Effective Date: The updated income statistics apply to applications submitted from April 1, 2025.
• Quarterly Updates: Denmark updates income statistics every quarter. The next update will be effective from July 1, 2025.

Assessment Periods

Who Does This Impact?

The updated income statistics apply to the following visa schemes:

• Pay Limit Scheme
• Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
• Fast Track Scheme
• Positive List for People with Higher Education
• Positive List for Skilled Work
• Special Individual Qualifications Scheme

Salary and Employment Standards in Denmark

Foreign workers must meet Danish salary and employment standards to qualify for a residence and work permit. The assessment includes:

• Fixed and Guaranteed Salary: SIRI considers only liquid funds such as base salary, pension contributions, and holiday allowances.
• Exclusions: Bonuses, commissions, and employer-provided benefits like food and accommodation do not count toward salary calculations.

Salary Payment Requirements

How SIRI Evaluates Salaries

Denmark’s Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics from The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) to determine if a foreign worker’s salary meets Danish standards. The assessment process includes:

Collective Agreement Coverage:

• If an employer follows a collective agreement, salary compliance is assumed.
• If an employer is a member of an employer’s organization but does not follow a collective agreement, SIRI does not evaluate salary compliance.

Non-Agreement Cases:

• If an employer is not part of an agreement or organization, SIRI will review salaries for compliance.
• If a salary falls below DKK 74,958, SIRI may consult Regional Labour Market Councils (RARs) before making a decision.

Important Dates and Application Periods

• Applications from January 1 to March 31, 2025: Evaluated using the third quarter of 2024 income statistics.
• Applications from April 1, 2025, onwards: Evaluated using the fourth quarter of 2024 income statistics.
• Next Update: The next income statistics update is expected to be effective from July 1, 2025.

Conclusion

Denmark’s updated income statistics ensure that foreign workers receive fair compensation under Danish labour laws. Employers and applicants must stay informed about these updates to ensure compliance with Denmark’s work visa requirements. With quarterly updates, foreign workers should regularly check for changes that may impact their eligibility.