Denmark updated the income requirements for work-based resident permits on 1 January 2025. Foreigners applying for a work visa after 31 December 2024 must meet the new salary threshold as announced by SIRI.
At SIRI, salary statistics from the Danish Employers’ Association (DA) are used to evaluate whether an offered salary meets Danish standards. This ensures that all applications are assessed fairly and consistently.
What has changed?
The latest salary statistics, reflecting data from the third quarter of 2024, have been released. Starting January 1, 2025, these updated figures will be applied to all new applications.
Key Dates to Remember:
- Applications submitted after December 31, 2024: Evaluated using the Q3 2024 salary statistics.
- Applications submitted between October 1 and December 31, 2024: Evaluated using the Q2 2024 salary statistics.
Salary statistics are updated quarterly to reflect the latest trends. The next update is expected to take effect on April 1, 2025.
Those planning to apply for a residence and work permit must check the current salary statistics to ensure their applications meet the necessary criteria.
To qualify for a residence and work permit in Denmark, your salary and employment terms must align with Danish standards.
Who Does This Apply To?
The salary requirements apply to initial applications and extensions under the following schemes:
- Pay Limit Scheme
- Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
- Fast Track Scheme (amount, supplementary amount, short-term, researcher tracks)
- Research Scheme
- Positive List for Higher Education
- Positive List for Skilled Workers
- Special Individual Qualifications Scheme
For details on specific salary rules under the Positive List for Skilled Workers, visit the scheme’s application page.
Additionally, salary requirements apply to:
- Work permits for side jobs.
- Separate work permits for accompanying family members.
How Salary Is Assessed?
When determining if your salary is customary:
- Included: Fixed and guaranteed pay, labor market pension contributions, and paid holiday pay.
- Excluded: Non-cash benefits (e.g., board, lodging), uncertain income (e.g., commissions, bonuses).
Most cases require salary payments to a Danish bank account.
When Is Salary Considered Customary?
- Covered by Collective Agreement:
If your employment follows a collective agreement for the relevant industry, SIRI typically assumes your salary is customary. The employment contract must confirm this. - Not Covered by Collective Agreement:
- If your employer is in an employer association and your salary exceeds the general amount limit, it’s usually considered customary.
- For other cases, salary is assessed based on Danish Employers’ Association (DA) salary statistics.
Using DA Salary Statistics
SIRI uses DA’s salary data to evaluate if your pay aligns with the lower quartile for your job’s six-digit DISCO code, experience, and region. Key factors include:
- Job title and description.
- Relevant work experience.
- Region where the work is performed (if different from your employer’s registered address).