Lose Your Job on a Work Permit

Updated March 2026By exploringdenmark13 min read

Your Danish work permit is tied to your employer. If you lose your job – fired, made redundant, or your contract ends – your permit status changes immediately. You have a window to find new work, but you must act fast. Here’s the step-by-step.

Overview

Work permits issued under the Pay Limit, Positive List, or Fast-Track schemes are all employer-specific. When your employment ends, your permit’s basis ceases to exist. SIRI (the Danish immigration authority) must be notified, and depending on your scheme, you have a limited period to find a new job and apply for a new permit.

This is stressful but manageable if you act quickly and follow the right sequence. Thousands of work permit holders change jobs successfully every year.

Immediate steps (first 48 hours)

1. Confirm your final day with your employer in writing (email is fine). Get clarity on notice period, final salary, and any holiday pay (feriepenge).
2. Notify SIRI – or confirm your employer has done so. Contact SIRI at nyidanmark.dk or call +45 72 14 20 00.
3. Contact your A-kasse – register as unemployed on day 1 of unemployment. If you’ve been a member for 12+ months and worked 1,924+ hours, you may qualify for dagpenge. See A-kasse guide.
4. Register at Jobcenter – required for dagpenge eligibility. Do this on jobnet.dk on your first day of unemployment.
5. Start job searching immediately – your permitted stay is limited. Don’t wait.

Notifying SIRI

When SIRI learns your employment has ended, they assess your situation:

• Pay Limit / Positive List / Fast-Track: You are generally allowed a job-seeking period (typically up to 6 months from the end of employment, or until your permit expires – whichever comes first).
• During this period: You can remain in Denmark legally and search for a new job.
• You cannot work until you have a new work permit (or have applied and been granted permission to start while it’s processing).
• SIRI may contact you to confirm your situation and provide specific guidance for your permit type.

Your timeline

When	What to Do
Day 0	Last day of employment. Ensure SIRI is notified. Register at A-kasse and Jobcenter.
Week 1	Confirm SIRI has received notification. Begin active job search. Update CV and LinkedIn.
Month 1-2	Apply actively. Network. Consider broadening your search criteria (industry, location).
Month 3-4	If no offers yet, consider consulting an immigration lawyer about options.
Before 6 months	Secure a job offer and apply for a new work permit. The new employer applies to SIRI.
If no job found	You may need to leave Denmark. Deregister your address. See leaving Denmark guide.

Job-seeking period rules

• You can stay in Denmark and search for work
• You cannot start a new job until you have a new permit (or SIRI has confirmed you can start while it’s processing)
• You can attend interviews and negotiate offers
• Your new job must qualify for a work permit under one of the existing schemes (Pay Limit, Positive List, etc.)
• Your family’s permits remain valid during the job-seeking period (they’re tied to your status)

A-kasse and dagpenge

If you joined an A-kasse when you started working (as we strongly recommend), you may qualify for dagpenge:

• Requirements: 12 months A-kasse membership + 1,924 hours worked in last 3 years
• Amount: Up to ~19,728 DKK/month before tax
• Duration: Up to 2 years
• Condition: You must be actively seeking work and available to start
• Work permit complication: You can receive dagpenge during your job-seeking period, but you must demonstrate active job search. Your A-kasse and Jobcenter help coordinate this.

Getting a new work permit

1. Find a qualifying job – the new role must meet the requirements of a permit scheme (salary above Pay Limit threshold, or occupation on the Positive List)
2. New employer applies to SIRI – this is a new application, not a transfer or renewal
3. Processing time: 1-3 months depending on scheme and SIRI workload
4. Can you start work while waiting? In some cases, SIRI grants permission to begin employment while the new permit is processed. Ask your new employer’s HR to request this.
5. Your old permit expires when the job-seeking period ends. The new permit replaces it.

Family members

If your spouse/partner and children have residence permits based on your work permit (family reunification):

• Their permits remain valid during your job-seeking period
• If you secure a new permit, their permits continue or are renewed accordingly
• If you must leave Denmark, their permits also end
• Your spouse’s own work rights during the transition depend on their specific permit type – check with SIRI

Worst case: no job found

If you cannot find qualifying employment within the job-seeking period:

• You must leave Denmark before the period expires
• Deregister your address at borger.dk
• Keep your bank account open for final salary, feriepenge, and any tax refund
• Keep MitID active for access to skat.dk and e-Boks
• File your final tax return
• Consider your pension options

Common mistakes

Starting a new job before the permit is approved

Working without a valid permit is illegal and can result in deportation and a ban on re-entry. Even if SIRI is”processing” your application, you generally cannot start until you have explicit permission. Confirm with SIRI in writing.

Not notifying SIRI

If SIRI discovers your employment ended without notification, they may revoke your permit immediately – eliminating your job-seeking period. Always notify promptly.

Assuming EU rules apply

If you’re a non-EU citizen, EU free movement rules don’t apply to you. Your right to stay is entirely based on your work permit. Don’t confuse advice meant for EU citizens with your situation.

Questions and answers

Can I freelance or start a business instead?

Not on a work permit job-seeking period. Self-employment requires a different permit type (Start-up Denmark or self-employment permit). You’d need to apply separately, and it’s a different process entirely.

What if I’m fired unfairly?

Danish employment law protections (notice periods, severance under funktionærloven) still apply to you. Contact your union or an employment lawyer. But unfair dismissal doesn’t extend your work permit – you still need to find new employment within the permitted period.

Can I travel during the job-seeking period?

Generally yes – you can leave and re-enter Denmark during the job-seeking period. But extended absences may raise questions about whether you’re genuinely job-seeking. Keep evidence of your search activities.