Getting work in Denmark

Often associated with H.C. Andersen and his 'Little Mermaid', Denmark is often portrayed as a fairy tale kind of place. Denmark is first and foremost a socially balanced and progressive society - and a great place to start your career. Read more about it here.

Entering the Danish labour market

Nordic citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are free to enter, reside, study and work in Denmark. You do not need a residence or work permit, and you do not need an EU residence document. If you plan to live in Denmark for more than three months, you must register your place of residence and apply for a civil registration number, known as a CPR number, through your municipality or International Citizen Service.

EU/EEA citizens and nationals of Switzerland are also free to enter, reside, study and work in Denmark. If you want to stay in Denmark for more than three months, you must apply for an EU residence document from SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration. You need this EU residence document in order to get a CPR number. Further information can be found at lifeindenmark.dk, newtodenmark.dk and workindenmark.dk.

Citizens from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland will normally need a visa, residence permit or work permit, depending on their nationality and the purpose of their stay. If you complete a state-approved higher education programme in Denmark, you may be able to get a residence permit for job seeking after graduation. For many professional bachelor, bachelor, master and PhD programmes, this can be for up to three years. Other programmes may give shorter job-seeking rights, so always check the current rules for your exact type of residence permit.

When you find a job in Denmark as a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will normally need to apply for a residence and work permit under a relevant scheme, such as the Positive List, Pay Limit Scheme, Fast-track Scheme or Researcher Scheme. Your employer will usually need to provide information or documentation, but the application is handled through SIRI.

Work while studying

As a Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you do not need a work permit, and there are no general immigration restrictions on the number of hours you can work in Denmark while you study. You should still make sure that your study programme, SU rules, tax situation and employment contract fit your situation.

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who are enrolled in a state-approved higher education programme in Denmark will normally receive a limited work permit together with their residence permit. The current rule is generally that you may work 90 hours per month and full-time in June, July and August. These rules also normally apply during the job-seeking period after graduation, unless you have been granted a different work right.

Do not work more than your permit allows. Illegal work can have serious consequences for both you and your employer. Always check the current conditions on your residence card and at newtodenmark.dk.

Even though many people in Denmark speak English, learning Danish will benefit you and increase your chances of finding employment in Denmark.

Getting your international diploma assessed

In order to work in certain professions in Denmark, so-called regulated professions, you must meet specific requirements regarding your professional qualifications. This applies, for example, to several healthcare professions and other professions where authorisation is required.

If your profession is regulated, you must apply to the relevant competent authority for recognition or authorisation before you can work in that profession in Denmark. If your profession is not regulated, you may still benefit from having your foreign qualification assessed. The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science can provide a statement explaining what your education corresponds to in the Danish education system.

You can read more about regulated professions and recognition of foreign qualifications at lifeindenmark.dk.

Learn Danish

Even though many people in Denmark speak English, some Danish will benefit you and increase your chances of finding employment in Denmark. Danish is also useful for networking, understanding workplace culture and building a social life outside the international environment.

Newly arrived adult foreigners can often take Danish language training through their municipality. The exact rules, fees, deposits and access can depend on your residence status and municipality, so contact Citizen Service or your municipality for information about courses in your area.

Many universities and language schools also offer Danish courses for international students, researchers and employees. Online Danish courses are available as well, both for beginners and for those who already have some knowledge of the language.

Danish courses and information:

Finding a job in Denmark

Workindenmark.dk is the official Danish website for international recruitment. It contains job search advice, information about Danish workplace culture and vacancies in English from different Danish job sites.

You should also use Danish job databases, company career pages, LinkedIn and professional networks. If you are already in Denmark, networking, student jobs, internships and project collaboration can be valuable ways into the labour market.

You can find jobs for students and graduates at Students Online and jobs for highly educated candidates at Jobbank.dk.

Unemployment insurance

Unemployment insurance in Denmark is optional. If you want to be insured against unemployment while working in Denmark, you need to join an unemployment insurance fund, known as an A-kasse.

You can generally become a member of an unemployment insurance fund if you are at least 18 years old, have at least two years left before reaching the old age pension age and live in Denmark, or live in another EU/EEA country and work in Denmark.

If you are studying in Denmark and plan to look for work after graduation, it can be a good idea to contact an A-kasse before you finish your studies. The rules for graduates, membership deadlines and unemployment benefits can be detailed, so check your situation early. Further information can be found at workindenmark.dk.