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Work permits by salary, the simplest route in

Updated July 2026Reviewed July 2026
The one-line versionThe Pay Limit Scheme is Denmark's simplest work permit: earn over the threshold and you qualify, whatever your job. For 2026 that's DKK 552,000 a year.

The Pay Limit Scheme

This is the most-used route for non-EU professionals, and the logic is refreshingly simple: if a Danish employer offers you a salary at or above the threshold, you qualify - no occupation list, no labour-market test, no points. The salary is the proof.

There are two tracks:

Track2026 salary floorCatch
Ordinary Pay LimitDKK 552,000/yrNone - any occupation qualifies
Supplementary Pay LimitDKK 446,000/yrJob must be advertised on Jobnet/EURES first; unemployment conditions apply

Both thresholds rise every 1 January, so always check the current figure before applying.

Pension counts toward the thresholdThe salary floor includes guaranteed pension contributions from both you and your employer. Make sure your contract itemises them - it can lift a borderline base salary over the line and turn a rejection into an approval.

The Fast Track Scheme

Fast Track is for employers already certified by SIRI. Its advantage is speed: a "quick job start" can let you begin work almost immediately after appearing at SIRI and passing basic checks, rather than waiting for the full decision. If your employer is certified, ask about it - it's the closest thing Denmark has to a fast lane.

Fees and timing

  • Processing: normally about one month; up to three if SIRI needs more information.
  • SIRI fee: around DKK 6,800 for the main application (usually paid by the employer); roughly DKK 3,080 per accompanying family member.
  • Permit length: up to four years for long contracts, renewable while employment continues.
Your salary must hit a Danish bank accountA condition of the permit is that your pay lands in a Danish account in your own name, within 180 days of the permit being granted or your entry. Open one as soon as you have your CPR.

Once you're approved

Collect your residence card, travel to Denmark, then register locally: CPR number, tax card from Skattestyrelsen, bank account, MitID. Accompanying spouses get full labour-market access and should register their own CPR. And check whether you qualify for the expat tax scheme - at these salary levels, many do.

Common questions

Do I need to speak Danish?
No - not for the permit itself. But Danish at PD3 level matters later for the faster route to permanent residence.
Can I change jobs on a Pay Limit permit?
You must notify SIRI if you lose or change job. On the ordinary scheme your role can change within the same company without a new permit; the supplementary scheme is stricter.
What counts toward the salary threshold?
Only guaranteed cash salary, fixed supplements, guaranteed bonuses, and pension contributions. Variable or discretionary pay generally doesn't count.
What happens if I lose my job?
Your permit may include a job-seeking period, but you generally can't work during it. Notify SIRI immediately if your situation changes.

Verified July 2026 against official sources: nyidanmark.dk (SIRI), lifeindenmark.borger.dk, cpr.dk and International House Copenhagen. General information, not legal advice - see our editorial policy.

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