Denmark Introduces New Salary Thresholds for Foreign Workers from July 2026

Denmark will apply new salary benchmarks to foreign workers' residence and work permit applications from 1 July 2026 under updated rules issued by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

The revised income figures are based on first-quarter 2026 statistics and will remain in effect until the next scheduled update on 1 October. Applications submitted between April and June 2026 continue to be assessed using fourth-quarter 2025 salary data, while those lodged from July onwards will be evaluated against the latest figures.

The quarterly updates form part of Denmark's work permit system, which requires foreign workers to receive salaries that match Danish labour market standards. SIRI generally accepts the salary stated in an employment contract or application as meeting these requirements.

However, where a job is not covered by a collective agreement and the employer is not a member of an employers' organisation, SIRI carries out its own assessment. Salaries of up to about DKK 80,500 are examined to confirm that they reflect normal pay levels for similar work in Denmark.

The salary requirement applies to several residence and work permit schemes, including the Pay Limit Scheme, Fast Track Scheme, Researcher's Scheme and the Positive List for Skilled Work. It also covers sideline employment permits and work permits issued to family members.

Applicants under the Positive List, which includes occupations experiencing labour shortages, may qualify for residence and work permits if they meet the scheme's conditions. They must still be paid in line with Danish salary standards. Permits are usually granted for the duration of the employment, up to a maximum of four years, with extensions required for longer stays.

Denmark also applies strict rules to the definition of salary. Only fixed and guaranteed pay, pension contributions and holiday allowances are included when assessing income. Staff benefits such as accommodation and meals may be provided but cannot be counted towards the salary requirement. 

Variable payments, including bonuses and commissions, are excluded. Since 2021, wages have generally been required to be paid into a Danish bank account.

Applicants must also provide detailed information about their job, including the title, duties, relevant experience and the six-digit DISCO occupation code. 

This enables SIRI to compare the position with the appropriate national salary statistics.