Denmark Sets New Salary Requirements for Work Permits

Are you considering living and working in Denmark? The Danish government has revised the wage requirements for people applying for a work visa and residence permit, so be ready to meet the requirements.

The revised guidelines require that job offers made to applicants match the pay ranges that are typical in Denmark. This post offers a thorough how-to for anyone looking to live and work in Denmark, with a special emphasis on the important topic of pay expectations.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) plays a key role in assessing applications. They utilize income statistics from the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) to determine if a job offer aligns with the standard salary range for that specific position in Denmark. Here’s how the timing of your application affects the assessment:

• Applications after June 30, 2024: SIRI will consider salary statistics from the first quarter of 2024.
• Applications between April 1 and June 30, 2024: The assessment will be based on salary statistics from the 4th quarter of 2023.
• Salary Statistics and Updates

• SIRI regularly updates salary statistics, ensuring a fair and current assessment process. The next update is anticipated for October 1, 2024, and will be applied to applications submitted from July 1, 2024 onwards.

  Minimum Salary Requirements

  In most cases, if your application form and employment contract reflect a monthly salary of at least DKK 71,020.83 (as of 2024), SIRI will generally assume it meets the Danish standards. Remember, the salary must be paid into a Danish bank account for applications submitted after January 1, 2021.

  Salary and Terms of Employment

  Meeting the minimum salary requirement is just one hurdle. You must also demonstrate that your overall employment terms align with Danish standards. This includes receiving remuneration in line with what’s typically offered for similar positions in Denmark.

  Who Needs to Comply?

  This requirement applies to various permit schemes, including:

• Pay Limit Scheme
• Fast Track Scheme
• Researcher’s Scheme
• Positive List for People with a Higher Education
• Positive List for Skilled Work

It even extends to those applying for work permits for:

• Sideline employment
• As an accompanying family member

What’s Included in the Salary Assessment?

Only guaranteed and fixed income components are considered when evaluating if your salary meets the standards. These include:

• Fixed salary
• Payments to labour market pension schemes
• Holiday allowance

Exclusions in the Salary Assessment

Staff benefits like board and lodging offered by the employer, as well as bonuses and commissions (considered uncertain income), are not factored into the salary assessment.

Shorter Stays in Denmark: New Rules