Denmark to Launch New Work Permit Scheme in 2027 with DKK 322,000 Minimum Salary. Apply Now!

Denmark's Collective Agreement Scheme is a new work permit route for eligible foreign nationals. It will allow workers to apply for residence and work permits for jobs covered by approved collective agreements. These agreements establish employment conditions and salary terms through arrangements between employers and trade unions. The scheme was approved by the Danish Parliament on September 3, 2026, and is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027.

Denmark's new Collective Agreement Scheme is scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2027. Employers are expected to be able to apply for certification from early December 2026. Residence and work permit applications under the scheme will be processed from January 1, 2027. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) is expected to publish dedicated application pages on its website.

Foreign workers applying through Denmark's Collective Agreement Scheme must earn at least DKK 322,000 annually, based on the 2026 salary level. Applicants must also have a job covered by an approved collective agreement. The salary requirement is one of the main eligibility conditions, and candidates should ensure that their employment agreement meets the applicable threshold before applying for a residence and work permit.

Applicants must have a job offer or employment agreement from a certified Danish employer. Their position must be covered by a collective agreement approved by the relevant minister, and their annual salary must meet the minimum threshold of DKK 322,000. They must also hold citizenship of a country included in Denmark's official list of 16 eligible countries and meet the additional unemployment-rate condition.

India's eligibility has not yet been confirmed because Denmark has not published the official list of 16 eligible countries. The list will be issued by the Minister for Immigration and Integration. Indian professionals interested in the new route must wait for this announcement before determining whether they can apply. Until then, they should not assume that Indian citizens qualify under the scheme.

Denmark may include countries based on their investment relationships with the country, negotiations to join the European Union or bilateral mobility agreements. Eligible countries may include those among the top 10 non-EU countries based on the combined value of Danish investments abroad and foreign investments in Denmark. The immigration minister can also exclude countries for specific foreign policy reasons.

Yes. Applicants must have a job offer or employment agreement with a company that has obtained certification under the Collective Agreement Scheme. The employer must confirm that the position is covered by an approved collective agreement, qualifies as full-time employment under that agreement and will be subject to ongoing compliance checks. Workers cannot apply through this route unless their employer has first secured the required certification.

Trade unions will be able to review employer declarations and raise objections if they believe the information provided is false. They will have 10 working days to object after receiving the declaration. Union representatives can also meet foreign workers and inspect relevant employment information, including pay arrangements. Where no workplace representative exists, the union must be informed and can meet workers and employers twice a year.

Yes. Employers may lose their certification if they breach the applicable collective agreement or obstruct workplace monitoring, subject to the relevant procedures. The scheme includes checks by SIRI and trade unions to ensure that employers provide the agreed employment conditions and salary arrangements. These measures are intended to prevent misuse of the work permit route and ensure that foreign workers receive the terms promised in their employment agreements.

Yes. Applications will be subject to an additional condition linked to Denmark's seasonally adjusted gross unemployment rate, calculated as an average over the previous three months. The rate must remain within the threshold established by the relevant minister. This means that even applicants who meet the salary, job offer, employer certification and nationality requirements may be affected by the unemployment condition when applying.