Ribe, Denmark
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On February 20, 2025, Denmark will implement updated wage statistics for the Positive List for Skilled Work, a move that significantly impacts foreign workers seeking opportunities in the country.
This adjustment, announced by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), necessitates careful consideration by both job applicants and employers to ensure compliance with the new wage standards. The Positive List serves as a fundamental component of Denmark’s immigration policy, identifying professions in a critical shortage of qualified specialists. Foreign workers offered positions in these roles can apply for a Danish residence and work permit under this framework.
The list is updated biannually, on January 1 and July 1, to reflect the changing dynamics of the Danish labour market. The revised wage statistics, compiled by Statistics Denmark, will act as the standard for evaluating work permit applications submitted after February 20, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will still be assessed based on the previous wage metrics. Each profession listed is designated a DISCO-08 classification code, ensuring uniformity in job categorization.
To adhere to Danish employment standards, foreign workers applying for positions on the Positive List must fulfil specific salary and employment prerequisites. These requirements entail compliance with Danish regulations concerning wages, holiday entitlements, and notice periods. Employers must generally exclude variable salary elements, such as bonuses or commissions, from the overall salary calculations.
Furthermore, wages are required to be deposited into Danish bank accounts and must include solid financial components, such as liquid salaries, labour market pension contributions, and holiday allowances. Effective January 1, 2025, SIRI's revised income requirements stipulate that employers offering positions not encompassed by collective agreements or employer organizations must ensure that salaries meet Danish norms, with minimum monthly earnings set at approximately DKK 74,958. This requirement aims to uphold competitive compensation aligned with local market standards.
An alternative pathway exists for foreign workers with university-level qualifications through the Positive List for the Highly Educated, alongside other visa options such as the Pay Limit Scheme, Fast Track Scheme, Researcher's Scheme, and Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme. Employers are also tasked with meeting apprenticeship training obligations under the Læreplads-AUB (Employers' Training Contribution) to qualify for work permits linked to the Positive List for Skilled Work. Applicants must verify their employer's compliance with these training requirements before submitting their applications.