Denmark sets minimum salary for foreign workers

Denmark has established a minimum annual salary of DKK552,000 ($84,254) for foreign workers applying through its Pay Limit Scheme to obtain residence and work permits in 2026. This equates to DKK46,000 per month and is applicable for applications submitted starting January 1, 2026, as per updated guidelines from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

The threshold was raised from DKK514,000 ($78,483) in 2025, marking a DKK38,000 ($5,800) increase or approximately 7.4%. The Pay Limit Scheme enables foreign nationals who have secured high-paying jobs in Denmark to apply for residence and work permits, without requiring a specific educational background or work in a particular field.

Applicants need an employment agreement with a Danish-registered company, with some exceptions. The residence and work permit are directly linked to the qualifying employment and salary conditions. SIRI processes applications for residence permits based on work, requiring workers to apply for extensions if their contracts are renewed.

The salary must meet the pay limit and align with Danish standards for the relevant profession. Denmark has made several recent changes to its immigration and work rules, including adjustments to salary requirements for foreign workers. Job loss triggers a six-month residence permit for job-seeking, though no work is permitted during this period.

Wage rules for foreign workers have been adjusted across various permit routes, with updated wage statistics for the Positive List for Skilled Work introduced in February 2025, applicable from February 20, 2025.