Denmark’s positive list (shortage occupations list) is divided into skilled workers and highly qualified professionals. Separate lists help both types of foreigners to find a job and apply for a work visa. The “Danish Immigration Services” updates these lists every year twice, in January and July.
Denmark like many other EU countries is also facing issues of professionals and skilled workers in the labor market. This is why, the government issues lists for both skilled and highly qualified workers for normally up to two years.
If a non-EU citizen finds a job for the occupations mentioned in any of the lists mentioned below, they can apply for a work visa in Denmark under different schemes.
Positive List for Skilled Work in Denmark
If you are a skilled worker and are offered a job for any of the following occupations mentioned in the list, you can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark. The positive list for skilled work includes professions that have a labor shortage in the country.
The professions included in the list generally do not require a worker to have a university degree. Instead, a diploma, training, or associate qualification is good enough for the job acceptance.
If you are one of these and have a valid job offer, you can apply for a Danish work visa under the scheme with a processing time of one month against a visa fee of DKK6,290.
| Profession Category | Code | Job or Occupation Title |
| Science and Engineering Associate Professionals | 311110 | Laboratory Technician |
| 311200 | Foreman | |
| 311300 | Electrical Contractor | |
| 311590 | Production Manager | |
| 311900 | Production Technician | |
| 311900 | Production Technologist | |
| 311800 | Draughtsman | |
| 313900 | Quality Assistant | |
| 314200 | Agricultural Technician | |
| Health Professionals | 325730 | Inspection Technician, food |
| 325800 | Paramedic | |
| Business and Administration Associate Professionals | 331300 | Bookkeeping and Accounting Clerk |
| 331300 | Bookkeeper | |
| 331300 | Accountant Assistant | |
| 332200 | Sales Consultant | |
| 332200 | Sales and Account Manager | |
| 332300 | Buyer | |
| 332300 | Logistic Assistant, sales and purchasing | |
| 333110 | Forwarding Agent | |
| 333190 | Forwarding Agent, other (not shipping) | |
| 334200 | Legal Secretary | |
| 334310 | Managing Clerk | |
| 334400 | Medical Secretary | |
| Legal, Social, Cultural and Related Associate Professionals (including Head Chef Work) | 341300 | Parish Clerk |
| 341300 | Parish Helper | |
| 343400 | Deputy Manager, Kitchen | |
| 343400 | Head Chef | |
| 343400 | Canteen Manager | |
| Information and Communication Technician Work | 351200 | IT Supporter |
| 351400 | Webmaster | |
| General and Secretary Clerks | 411000 | Senior Clerk |
| 411000 | Office Assistant | |
| 412000 | Secretary | |
| 412000 | School Secretary | |
| Office and Customer Service Clerks | 431100 | Finance Assistant |
| 431100 | Sales Support Assistant | |
| Office and Customer Service Clerks | – | No professions |
| Personal Services Workers | 512000 | Chef |
| Sales Workers (excluding Agent Workers) | – | No professions |
| Personal Care Workers | 532110 | Social and Health Care Workers, private homes (including nursing homes)* |
| 532120 | Social and Health Care Assistants, institutions, and hospitals (excluding nursing homes) Requirement: Danish authorization | |
| 532210 | Social and Health Care Worker, private homes (including nursing homes)* | |
| 532220 | Social and Health Care Assistant, private homes (including nursing homes) Requirement: Danish authorisation | |
| Market-oriented Skilled Agricultural and Nursery Workers | 611320 | Landscape Gardener |
| Building and Related Trades Workers (excluding Electricians) | 711210 | Bricklayer |
| Metal, Machinery, and Related Trades Workers | 721200 | Welder |
| 721300 | Auto Body Technician | |
| 722100 | Blacksmith | |
| 722200 | Sheet Metal Worker | |
| 722300 | Industrial Technician | |
| 722300 | CNC-operator | |
| 723110 | Auto Mechanic, passenger cars and vans | |
| 723110 | Mechanic, passenger cars and vans | |
| 723120 | Mechanic, lorries | |
| 723190 | Mechanic, other fields | |
| 723300 | Service Technician, Iron and Metal | |
| 723300 | Construction Equipment Mechanic | |
| Precision and Graphic Workers | – | No professions |
| Electrical and Electronic Trades Workers | 741100 | Electrician |
| Food processing, Woodworking, Garment and Other Craft and Related Trades Workers | 751200 | Baker |
| Operator Work at Stationary Plants and Machines | 818290 | Process Operator, other operator work at steam engine plants and boiler plants |
| 818910 | Process Operator, operator work at stationary plants within water supply and incineration plants and wastewater treatment plants | |
| Chauffeur Work and Drivers of Vehicles and Mobile Machines | 831100 | Engine Driver |
| Manual Labour in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery | 921200 | Agricultural Assistant, manual labor in livestock breeding |
The Positive List for Foreigners with Higher Education in Denmark
If you are highly qualified and find a job in Denmark for any of the occupations and job titles below, you can apply for a residence and work permit in this country. Your qualification must be proven through an educational background. In this case, the visa application is processed in one and the work permit fee is charged DKK6,290.
| Occupational Group | Code | Job Title | Required Education | List Expiration Date |
| Military work | 011000 | Officer | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 |
| Senior Managers in the field of legislative authorities, companies and organisations | 111200 | Head of Public Administration | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 |
| 112020 | Department Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 112020 | Operations Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 112020 | Area Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 112020 | Head of Operations | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Managers in the field of administration and business-oriented functions | 121100 | Head of Accounting | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 |
| 121320 | Department Manager, Public Administration | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 121320/121990 | Head of Office | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 121320/121990 | Office Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 121910 | Facility Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 121920 | Head of Logistics | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 121990 | Head of Secretariat | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 121990 | Department Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 121990 | Project Leader | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 122100 | Head of Sales | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 122100 | Head of Marketing | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Managers in the field of production and service | 132100 | Head of Products | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 |
| 132100 | Head of Production | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 132400 | Warehouse Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2025 | |
| 133020 | Head of IT | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 134100 | Nursery Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 134400 | Assistant Manager, Institution | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 134500 | Vice Principal | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 134500 | Principal | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 134500 | Head of Education | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Hospitality, retail and other service managers | 143100 | Library Director | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 |
| Natural Science and engineering | 211300 | Chemist | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 |
| 213120 | Biologist | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 213200 | Agronomist | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 213300 | Environmental Coordinator | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 213300 | Environmental Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 214100 | Automation Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 30 June 2025 | |
| 214100/214400 | Mechanical Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 214200 | Civil Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 214300 | Environmental Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 214500 | Chemical Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 214900 | Quality Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 215100 | Electrical Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 215200 | Electronics Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 216400 | Town Planner | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 216500 | GIS Technician | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 216500 | Land Surveyor | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition | 30 June 2026 |
| Occupational Group | Code/Job Title | Required Education | List End Date |
| Healthcare | 221100: Chief Physician | Master’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 |
| 221100: Medical Doctor | Master’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 221200: Doctor with a Specialty | Master’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 222110/222120/222130: Nurse | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 222120: Nurse with a Specialty | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 222200: Midwife | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226100: Dentist | Master’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226200: Pharmacist | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226300: Work Environment Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226410: Physiotherapist | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226510/226520: Nutrition and Health Consultant | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226510: Dietary Worker | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226620: Speech Therapist | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 226700: Optician | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 31 December 2025 | |
| 226910: Occupational Therapist | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 31 December 2025 | |
| 226990: Daily Manager, Healthcare | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 226990: Daily Manager, Institution for Elderly Citizens | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Teaching and educational work | 231010: Researcher, Health Sciences | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 |
| 231010: Ph.d., Health Sciences | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 231010: Associate Professor, Natural Science and Technology | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 231010: Associate Professor, Health Sciences | Master’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 231010: Assistant Professor | Master’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 231020: Assistant Professor, University College | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 232010: Vocational Upper Secondary School Teacher | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 232010: Subject Teacher at a Vocational Upper Secondary Education | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 232010: Teacher, Social and Healthcare School | At least three years of education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 233010: Upper Secondary School Teacher | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 31 December 2025 | |
| 233010: Upper Secondary School Teacher, Natural Science and Sports | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 233010: Upper Secondary School Teacher, Humanities and Creative Subjects | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 233010: Upper Secondary School Teacher, Social Science | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 233010: Business College Teacher | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2025 | |
| 234120/234130: Primary School Teacher | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 234120/234130: Independent School Teacher | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 234120: Independent Residential School (Efterskole) Teacher | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 234310: Child Care Worker/Support Worker | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 234310: Social Education Worker | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 234320/234330: Leisure-time Care Facilities Worker | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 234390: School Child Care Worker | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 234390: Daily Manager, Institution for Children | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 235100: Pedagogical Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 235100: Educational Adviser | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 235100: Education Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 235400: Music Teacher | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 235400: Music Educator | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 235710/235720/235730/235740/235750/235760/235790: Social Education Worker | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 235910: Evening School Teacher | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 235910: Education and Career Guide | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 235910: Nature Guide | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 |
| Occupational Group | Code/Job Title | Required Education | List End Date |
| Economics, administration and sales | 241100: Auditor | Master’s degree | 30 June 2025 |
| 241100: Tax Auditor | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 241100: Accounting Controller | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 241100: Business Controller | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 242100: Advisory Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 242100: Business Intelligence Manager | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 242200: Planner at a Municipality | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 242200: Analyst, Data and Analysis | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 242200: Specialist Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 242300: HR Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 242400: Staff Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 243100: Marketing Professional | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 243200: Communication Coordinator | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 243200: Fundraiser | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Information and communication technology | 251110/251120/251400/251900/252100/252200/252300/252900: IT Engineer | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 |
| 251110/251120/251220/251400/251900/252100/252200/252300/252900: Programmer and System Developer | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 251110: IT Consultant | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 251120/251210: IT Consultant | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 251120: IT Architect | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 251120/251220: Programmer and system developer | Higher educational programme | 30 September 2025 | |
| 251210: IT Project Leader | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 251120/251400/251900: Software Backend Developer | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 251220: Data Consultant | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 251300: Web Developer | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 252200: System Administrator | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 252900: IT Security Consultant | At least three years IT education at bachelor level | 30 June 2025 | |
| Law, social science and culture | 261900: Legal Counsel | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 |
| 263100/263300/335900: Administrative officer | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 263100/263300/335900: Specialist Consultant | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 263100: Economist | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 263400: Psychologist | Master’s degree + Danish official recognition* | 30 June 2026 | |
| 263500: Social Worker | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 31 December 2025 | |
| 263600: Priest | Master’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 264200: Journalist | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 264200: Communication Consultant | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 264200: Press Secretary | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 264200: Web Editor | At least three years education at bachelor level | 31 December 2025 | |
| 265200: Musician | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 265200: Singer | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Technician work in science, engineering and shipping and aviation | 311200: Construction Manager | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 |
| 311200: Architectural Technology and Construction Manager | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 311590/315100: Technology Management and Marine Engineer | Professional Bachelor’s degree | 30 June 2026 | |
| 313900: Chairman, Operations and Production | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| Technicians and assistants in healthcare | 321100: Radiographer | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 |
| 321310: Pharmacy Technician | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish official permission** | 30 June 2026 | |
| 325120: Dental Hygienist | Professional Bachelor’s degree + Danish authorisation* | 30 June 2026 | |
| Work within the field of law, social science and culture | 341200: Substance Misuse Worker | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 |
| 341200: Social Worker | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 341200: Case Worker | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 341200: Case Worker at a Municipality | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 | |
| 343200: Merchandiser | At least three years education at bachelor level | 30 June 2026 |