Employment contracts, what to check before signing
What must be in it
By law, employers must give written terms covering your role, start date, pay and payment interval, working hours, holiday rights, notice periods, place of work, and any probation clause. Missing or vague terms are a red flag.
The clauses that matter most
Look for: whether you are a funktionær (strong protections), whether a collective agreement applies (often better terms), the probation clause (max 3 months, must be written), notice periods, pension contributions, and any non-compete (which requires compensation to enforce).
Pay and pension
Danish salaries are usually quoted gross per month and often stated including pension. Check the split between your and the employer's pension contribution. Model your take-home with the net salary calculator before accepting.
Before you sign
If anything is unclear, ask, and if you are unsure, your union or a lawyer can review it. For work-permit holders, make sure the terms still meet your permit's salary and job conditions.
Common questions
Does a Danish employment contract have to be written?
Yes, employers must provide written terms covering pay, hours, notice, holiday and more.
What should I check before signing?
Whether Funktionaerloven or a collective agreement applies, the probation clause, notice periods, pension split and any non-compete.
Is pension included in Danish salaries?
Often yes, salaries are frequently quoted including pension; check the contribution split.