Denmark
Denmark · Europe (EU) · updated 06.09.2026
A high standard of living, safety and strong social protection, against high taxes and expensive rent. Work visas (Pay Limit, Positive List, Fast-track) are quick; the Pay Limit salary threshold is DKK 552,000 gross a year (~€74,000). Dual citizenship is allowed, but the route to citizenship is long (9 years) and requires Danish. Parent reunification is essentially not provided for.
Some descriptions for this country are still Russian only: 89% translated. Numbers, prices and timelines are complete.
Entry
Entry rules depend on citizenship. Choose a passport to see the requirement for that one.
Work and visas
- Visa speed
- SIRI publishes a separate standard for each scheme and updates it twice a year: Pay Limit and the Positive List for people with a higher education — 1 month (up to 3 if further information is needed), Fast-track — 1 month (up to 2), the Positive List for skilled work — 3 months (up to 4), the Supplementary Pay Limit scheme — 2 months (up to 5), researcher and service provider — 1 month (up to 2). Quick Job Start under Fast-track gives a provisional permit on the day of filing, and a visa-required applicant a decision in about 10 days. For family grounds the Immigration Service states 'up to 10 months', and for permanent residence 'up to 12'.
- Degree required
- no
- Language at work
- English is the working language in international tech teams; Danish is usually not needed for work
- Changing employer
- Changing employer requires a new permit; within the same company the role can change without a new application
Visa types: Pay Limit / Supplementary Pay Limit · Positive List (higher education and skilled work) · Fast-track (five tracks within a certified company) · Start-up Denmark · EU residence document
Employers: Novo Nordisk, Maersk, Unity, Zendesk, Trustpilot, Netcompany, SimCorp, Danske Bank, LEGO
Denmark splits its routes between two agencies: work, study, internships, au pair, Working Holiday, accompanying family and all EU-rules documents are handled by the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), while family reunification, religious workers, humanitarian grounds and permanent residence are handled by the Immigration Service; their tariff is shared and is revised on 1 January each year. The fee must be paid and the Case order ID created in the same calendar year in which the application is filed. Citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden need neither a visa nor a residence permit under the Nordic agreement — this is not recorded as a separate route, because no permit exists. Permanent residence is granted after eight years of continuous lawful residence (four if all four supplementary conditions are met), and permits under §§ 7–9f, 9i–9n, 9p and 9q(1)–(2) of the Aliens Act count towards that term, including study and au pair, but a permit under the special act for people displaced from Ukraine does NOT. EU citizens have their own path — permanent residence under the EU rules after five years. The maintenance thresholds on the guest researcher and Start-up Denmark pages are at 2025 levels, whereas the salary thresholds, the social benefit rate and the student threshold are at 2026 levels. When a fee paid is refunded, SIRI withholds 1,040 kroner (2026 level), and the deduction is taken not from every refund but in three named cases: filing from within Denmark while staying unlawfully, refusing to give biometrics, and filing off-line where online filing is required — this is printed on the page https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Words-and-concepts/SIRI/Fee---Refund-of-fee-paid-to-SIRI, not on the pages of the routes themselves. The same page reveals a general property of the Danish tariff: the rates for extensions and neighbouring categories are NOT printed on the pages of the routes, which is why the records name them in words rather than in figures. Greenland and the Faroe Islands run their own immigration: their routes live in the same SIRI catalogue as a separate branch and are not included in this list. The page for the Cities of Refuge (ICORN) programme exists in the catalogue but is empty — it has no content at all.
Long-term visas and residence permits
The Pay Limit Scheme
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 84 039 a yearfee $ 1 037processing 30–90 days
Fee: The SIRI fee for processing a first application under a work scheme. The fee is paid BEFORE filing and is not refunded on refusal. SIRI charges nothing separate for biometrics or for the residence card, but a Danish mission abroad may charge its own. An extension costs the same. A cross-border worker who does not settle in Denmark and asks only for a work permit pays no fee at all.
official source · read 2026-09-02
The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
Workterm 60 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 67 901 a yearfee $ 1 037processing 60–150 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Fast-Track Scheme — pay limit track
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 84 039 a yearfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: SIRI's fee for processing a Fast-Track application — the same on all five tracks. The employer pays it when filing: the application is submitted by the certified company under a power of attorney from the employee. The rate is revised every 1 January. Quick job start carries no separate charge.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Fast-Track Scheme — supplementary pay limit track
Workterm 60 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 67 901 a yearfee $ 1 037processing 60–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Fast-Track Scheme — short-term track
Workterm 3 monot renewablefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Fast-Track Scheme — researcher track
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Fast-Track Scheme — educational track
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
The Positive List for People with a Higher Education
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–90 days
Fee: The SIRI fee for processing a first application under a work scheme. The fee is paid BEFORE filing and is not refunded on refusal. SIRI charges nothing separate for biometrics or for the residence card, but a Danish mission abroad may charge its own. An extension costs the same. A cross-border worker who does not settle in Denmark and asks only for a work permit pays no fee at all.
official source · read 2026-09-02
The Positive List for Skilled Work
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Researchers
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Guest researcher
Workterm 36 mocounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 944 a monthfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Special individual qualifications — artists and performers
Talentrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Special individual qualifications — specialised chef
Talentrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Special individual qualifications — athlete or coach
Talentrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 080 a monthfee $ 1 037processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Special individual qualifications — other qualifications
Talentrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Service providers
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Herdsmen and farm managers
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Trainee
Workterm 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
The ESS Scheme
Workterm 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
The Labour Market Attachment Scheme
Workrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 180–270 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Mobile workplaces at sea
Workrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 037processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Start-up Denmark
Startupterm 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 23 330 a yearfee $ 466processing 60–120 days
Fee: The SIRI fee for processing an application at the study rate of the tariff. The fee is not refunded on refusal. An extension costs the same.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Residence permit in order to obtain a Danish authorisation
Othercounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 466processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Job seeking permit for 6 months after obtaining a Danish authorisation
Job seekingterm 6 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Volunteer
Otherterm 18 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 0,00processing 90–150 days
Fee: No fee is charged: the fact box on the page for this ground itself prints 'No fee'. Nothing is charged separately for biometrics or for the residence card either.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Sideline employment
Otherfee $ 0,00processing 60–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Work permit for accompanying family members
Otherfee $ 0,00processing 120–180 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Basic and youth study programmes
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 131 a monthfee $ 466processing 60–90 days
Fee: The SIRI fee for processing an application at the study rate of the tariff. The fee is not refunded on refusal. An extension costs the same.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Higher educational programmes
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 131 a monthfee $ 466processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Master's degree programme for working professionals
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 131 a monthfee $ 466processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Folk high schools
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 466processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Educational Attachment
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 466processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Job seeking permit for 6 months after a completed educational programme
Job seekingterm 6 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Job seeking residence permit for 3 years after a completed educational programme
Job seekingterm 36 mocounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Work permit during the job seeking period
Othercounts toward permanent residencefee $ 128processing 60–90 days
Fee: A separate line of SIRI's fee schedule for the right to work during the job seeking period — the lowest rate in the whole schedule. It is paid on top of the fee for the job seeking residence permit itself.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Work permit for study-related employment during studies
Otherfee $ 0,00processing 60–90 days
Fee: No fee is charged: the fact box on the page for this ground itself prints 'No fee'. Nothing is charged separately for biometrics or for the residence card either.
official source · read 2026-09-02
PhD studies (full degree)
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 131 a monthfee $ 466processing 30–60 days
Fee: The SIRI fee for processing an application at the study rate of the tariff. The fee is not refunded on refusal. An extension costs the same.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Guest PhD
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 131 a monthfee $ 466processing 30–60 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Internship
Workterm 18 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 655processing 90–120 days
Fee: The SIRI fee at the «Au pairs and interns» rate — a single tariff line covering interns and au pairs. The rate is revised on 1 January; it is not refunded on refusal. Not to be confused with the Trainee scheme: that has its own, dearer rate.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Au pair
Otherterm 24 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 655processing 90–120 days
Fee: SIRI's fee at the 'Au pairs and interns' rate. On top of it the host family makes a one-off payment of DKK 20,900 (2026 level) towards state Danish lessons — without that payment the permit is not granted. Pocket money, board and lodging are not fees: the family pays them to the au pair herself.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday – Argentina
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: SIRI's fee for processing a Working Holiday application. The rate is the same for every country of the agreement except Japan, where no fee is charged at all. It is revised on 1 January and is not refunded on refusal. Applicants from Argentina and Chile pay TWO fees: this one and a consular fee set by the Danish embassy itself — and both payments must be evidenced when filing.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday – Australia
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: SIRI's fee for processing a Working Holiday application. The rate is the same for every country of the agreement except Japan, where no fee is charged at all. It is revised on 1 January and is not refunded on refusal.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday – Canada
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday – Chile
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: SIRI's fee for processing a Working Holiday application. The rate is the same for every country of the agreement except Japan, where no fee is charged at all. It is revised on 1 January and is not refunded on refusal. Applicants from Argentina and Chile pay TWO fees: this one and a consular fee set by the Danish embassy itself — and both payments must be evidenced when filing.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday for Japanese citizens
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 0,00processing 90–120 days
Fee: No fee: the page's fact box prints 'No fee', and in the consolidated schedule the Working Holiday line names six countries without Japan. The exemption rests on the agreement itself, not on any concession to the applicant.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday – New Zealand
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: SIRI's fee for processing a Working Holiday application. The rate is the same for every country of the agreement except Japan, where no fee is charged at all. It is revised on 1 January and is not refunded on refusal.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Working Holiday – South Korea
Working holidayterm 12 mocounts toward permanent residencefee $ 466processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family member to an employee
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 469processing 60–90 days
Fee: SIRI's fee under the schedule line for accompanying family members of employees, researchers, Greencard holders and students — one rate for every category of accompanying family, charged for EACH family member separately. It is revised on 1 January and is not refunded on refusal. An extension costs the same.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family members to students, PhDs and authorisation applicants
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 469processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family to Greencard holders
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 469processing 60–90 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family member to a person with permanent residence
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 469processing 120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family member to an expatriate Danish citizen
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 469processing 60–90 days
Fee: SIRI's fee under the separate schedule line for accompanying family of an expatriate Dane. The rate matches ordinary accompanying family and is charged for each family member. It is revised on 1 January and is not refunded on refusal.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family of a retired employee of an international organisation
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 556processing 300 days
Fee: The Immigration Service fee under the tariff line «retired employees of international organisations, including accompanying family members». An extension in the same category costs less, but the page for this route does not print its own amount.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as a spouse or cohabiting partner
Familyterm 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 1 293processing 300 days
Fee: The Immigration Service fee under the tariff line «Family Reunification». An extension of the same route costs less, but the page for this route does not print its own amount. The fee is paid before filing and is not refunded on refusal.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as a child
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 1 293processing 300 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as an adopted child, foster child or close family member
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 1 293processing 300 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as a family member other than a spouse or child
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 1 293processing 300 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as spouse or partner of a refugee in Denmark
Familyterm 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 300 days
Fee: There is no fee either on the page for this ground or as a separate schedule line: the fact box here carries no fee row at all, whereas the same grounds outside asylum print DKK 8,490. The schedule line 'Family Reunification' exists, but the authority does not apply it on this page to reunification with a refugee — so no figure has been entered.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as the child of a refugee in Denmark
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 300 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as an adopted child etc. of a refugee
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 300 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification as the parent or sibling of an unaccompanied minor
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 300 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Residence as a parent to a minor child who is a Danish citizen
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 300 days
Fee: The page for this ground names no fee at all, and the schedule has no line of its own for it: neighbouring grounds in the same branch print DKK 8,490 in their fact box, while here the fee row is absent.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Residence permit as a child born in Denmark by foreign national parents
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 90 days
Fee: The page names no fee: the ground is designed as a relaxed one, while ordinary child reunification, to which it refers repeat applicants, costs DKK 8,490.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Religious worker
Workterm 7 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 1 638processing 180 days
Fee: The Immigration Service's fee under the schedule line for religious workers, including accompanying family — the most expensive rate in the whole Danish schedule. It is the same for a first application and for an extension, and it is charged for each family member separately.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Accompanying family member of a religious worker
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 1 638processing 180 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Residence permit as a former Danish citizen, of Danish descent or Danish minority
Repatriationrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing 300 days
Fee: The page for this ground names no fee, and the schedule has no line of its own for it — unlike neighbouring Immigration Service grounds, whose fact box does print an amount.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Retired employee of an international organisation
Retirementrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 556processing 300 days
Fee: The Immigration Service fee under the tariff line «retired employees of international organisations, including accompanying family members». An extension costs less, but the page for this route does not print its own amount. Separately from the fee, the applicant must lodge security of 61,709.34 kroner by an on-demand guarantee or a deposit.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Residence permit on humanitarian grounds
Otherrenewablecounts toward permanent residenceprocessing time not published
Fee: The page names no fee at all, and this ground has no line of its own in the Immigration Service's schedule either. The ground is run not by the Immigration Service but by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, and the application goes directly to the ministry.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Temporary residence under the Special Act for displaced persons from Ukraine
Otherrenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing 35 days
Fee: The page names no fee, and this ground has no schedule line: the Special Act sits outside the ordinary procedure of the Aliens Act.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family member of a person displaced from Ukraine
Familyrenewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceprocessing time not published
Fee: The page names no fee; the ground shares the Special Act regime, which has no schedule line.
official source · read 2026-09-02
EU residence as a worker
Workrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 0–30 days
Fee: No fee: an EU residence document is issued free of charge — the page's fact box prints 'No fee'. This is not a concession but a different legal regime: Denmark issues citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland no Aliens Act permit at all, merely certifying a right of free movement they already hold.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
EU residence as a student
Studyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 0–30 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
EU residence as a self-employed person
Workrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 60–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
EU residence as a person with sufficient funds
Otherrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 0–30 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
EU residence as a posted service provider
Workrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 90–180 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
EU residence as a family member of an EU citizen
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Family reunification with a Danish citizen under EU regulations
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 0,00processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Brexit — residence as a family member of a UK citizen
Familyrenewablecounts toward permanent residencefee $ 0,00processing 90–180 days
Fee: No fee: the page's fact box prints 'No fee'. Residence under the Withdrawal Agreement is handled in the same free-of-charge regime as EU residence documents.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Brexit — cross-border worker document for a UK citizen
Workrenewablefee $ 0,00processing time not published
Fee: No fee: the page's fact box prints 'No fee'. That same box carries no processing standard at all — the 'Normal processing time' row is empty, with no figure behind it.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Permanent residence permit
Otherfee $ 1 152processing 365 days
Fee: The Immigration Service fee for permanent residence. The rate depends on the ground on which the applicant lived in Denmark: 7,570 kroner for work or study and 4,970 for family reunification, asylum or religious-worker status. The value field carries the work rate. The fee is paid before filing and is not refunded on refusal.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Permanent residence permit as an 18-year-old
Otherfee $ 1 152processing 365 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Permanent residence based on strong ties to Denmark
Otherfee $ 0,00processing time not published
Fee: The fee is zero, and this is stated outright: when creating the Case order ID one must select «A fee is not warranted in your case», and the charge will be DKK 0.00. The exemption applies to this route only: ordinary permanent residence is chargeable, and its rate appears in its own record.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Permanent residence as a retired employee of an international organisation
Otherfee $ 757processing time not published
Fee: The Immigration Service's fee under the schedule line for permanent residence on the grounds of family reunification — DKK 4,970, not the work rate of DKK 7,570.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Permanent residence in Denmark under EU regulations
Otherfee $ 0,00processing 90–180 days
Fee: No fee: an EU residence document is issued free of charge — the page's fact box prints 'No fee'. This is not a concession but a different legal regime: Denmark issues citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland no Aliens Act permit at all, merely certifying a right of free movement they already hold.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Permanent residence under EU regulations as a family member of a Danish citizen
Otherfee $ 0,00processing 90–120 days
Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Brexit — permanent residence
Otherfee $ 0,00processing 60–120 days
Fee: No fee: the page's fact box prints 'No fee'. Permanent status under the Withdrawal Agreement is handled in the free-of-charge EU regime rather than under the Immigration Service's schedule.
For citizens of certain countries only.
official source · read 2026-09-02
Programme terms change, and the final decision rests with the consulate or the country migration service. The data is collected from official sources on the date shown and is not legal advice.
Residence and citizenship
- Permanent residence after
- 8 years
- Citizenship after
- 9 years
- Language
- Danish: Prøve i Dansk 2 for permanent residence, Prøve i Dansk 3 for citizenship
- Dual citizenship
- allowed
Absence limits: Residence must be continuous; long absences break the count (the detailed limits depend on the permit type).
9 years of continuous residence, the last 2 of them with permanent residence. Danish (Prøve i Dansk 3) and the citizenship test (Indfødsretsprøven) are required. Each year of marriage to a Danish citizen shortens the period, by up to 3 years.
Dual citizenship has been allowed since 1 September 2015 — there is no need to give up the previous citizenship.
Documents
- Document certification
- apostille
The country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention: a degree or certificate is authenticated with a single apostille in the country that issued it.
Family
Partner
- Timeline
- at the same time as the main applicant (the worker's accompanying family)
- Right to work
- yes
A spouse and children under 18 accompany the holder of a work visa; the accompanying spouse gets the right to work. Separate spousal reunification through marriage (outside a work visa) is strict: both aged 24 or over, an attachment requirement, a financial bond, housing of at least 20 m² per person, and no welfare benefits.
Children
- Can be brought
- yes
- Age limit
- up to 18 years
Children under 18 accompany the holder of a work visa.
Parents
- Route
- Essentially not provided for
- Timeline
- indefinite
- Difficulty
- no route
Denmark makes no provision for parent reunification for labour migrants, except in exceptional humanitarian cases.
Partner's parents
- Difficulty
- no route
Matters: In a number of countries only a biological child can sponsor a parent, in which case the spouse files the application.
Pets
- Limit
- 5
- Quarantine
- no
- Antibody titre test
- needed
- Preparation
- ~4 months
- Cost per animal
- $ 341 – $ 910
Banned breeds: Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel, Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd, Caucasian Shepherd, South Russian Shepherd, Tornjak, Sarplaninac
EU rules: a maximum of 5 animals, no quarantine where the paperwork is in order. Coming from Russia, an unlisted third country, a rabies antibody titre after vaccination is compulsory. The Danish dog law (Hundeloven) bans 13 breeds and their crosses, which cannot be brought in. The cost is an estimate.
Safety
- Situation
- calm
A stable parliamentary democracy with strong institutions.
Crime: One of the safest countries in the world. The isolated problems are bicycle theft and rental fraud.
Natural hazards
Earthquakeslow
A seismically stable region where noticeable earthquakes are extremely rare.
Wildfireslow
Rare, a damp maritime climate.
Floodsmedium
Low-lying coastal areas; a risk of storm-surge flooding during storms off the North and Baltic seas.
Hurricanesmedium
Autumn and winter storms and strong winds off the North Sea.
Droughtslow
Rarely.
Extreme heatlow
Heatwaves occur but are short-lived.
Volcanoesno
No.
Tsunamislow
The risk is minimal.
Natural disasters are practically absent. The main factors are winter storms and local storm surges on the coast.
Climate
2J
3F
4M
7A
12M
15J
16J
17A
14S
10O
6N
4D
- Type
- Temperate maritime
Mild winters, cool summers. Windy and overcast, with short dark winter days and rainfall all year round.
Quality of life
Healthcare: Tax-funded universal healthcare; access through a CPR number and the yellow health card, with free GP care.
Air: Good air quality.
Cities
Copenhagen
tech hub1 363 296 residents
$ 1 775
1 bedroom, per month
The capital and main tech hub. International companies; English is widespread.
2 bedrooms $ 2 4583 bedrooms $ 3 152utilities $ 180ticket $ 3,71monthly pass $ 102
To buy, per m²: centre $ 11 390 · suburbs $ 7 705
Expensive rent, a housing shortage and rental fraud. Certain districts (Nørrebro) see episodes of gang crime. A low-lying coast.
+The most tech vacancies
+An international environment, English
+A high quality of life
+Excellent public transport and cycling infrastructure
−The most expensive rent in the country
−A housing shortage
−High taxes
−Overcast and windy
Aarhus
tech hub290 598 residents
$ 1 240
1 bedroom, per month
The second largest city, a large university, a growing tech sector.
2 bedrooms $ 1 7643 bedrooms $ 2 276utilities $ 212ticket $ 4,07monthly pass $ 67,8
To buy, per m²: centre $ 7 830 · suburbs $ 5 376
A shortage of student housing. Fewer vacancies than in Copenhagen.
+Cheaper than Copenhagen
+A university city
+A growing tech sector
−Fewer vacancies than in the capital
−An overcast climate
Odense
182 387 residents
$ 1 024
1 bedroom, per month
The third-largest city, Andersen's birthplace, a robotics cluster.
2 bedrooms $ 1 4113 bedrooms $ 1 787utilities $ 163ticket $ 2,31monthly pass $ 54,7
To buy, per m²: centre $ 4 568 · suburbs $ 2 295
A limited market for tech vacancies.
+Noticeably cheaper than the capital
+A quiet city
+A robotics cluster
−Few IT jobs
−Less of an international environment
Aalborg
120 914 residents
$ 967
1 bedroom, per month
The largest city in northern Jutland, with a university and cheap housing.
2 bedrooms $ 1 366 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 1 764utilities $ 213ticket $ 3,71monthly pass $ 75,4
To buy, per m²: centre $ 4 189 · suburbs $ 3 068
Distance from the capital and a limited market for IT jobs.
+The most affordable rent of the major cities
+University
+Relaxed pace
−Few IT jobs
−Further from the centre of the country
Esbjerg
71 921 residents
$ 967
1 bedroom, per month
A port city on the west coast, a centre for energy and the wind industry.
2 bedrooms $ 1 3203 bedrooms $ 1 684utilities $ 212ticket $ 3,88monthly pass $ 89,7
To buy, per m²: centre $ 3 036 · suburbs $ 2 318
Windy, a coastal location. The economy is tied to energy rather than tech.
+Cheap housing
+A wind energy centre
+By the sea
−Practically no IT jobs
−A windy climate
Grocery basket
- Bread, 500 g
- $ 3,65
- Milk, 1 l
- $ 2,15
- Eggs, 12
- $ 5,21
- Chicken breast, 1 kg
- $ 13,1
- Cheese, 1 kg
- $ 15,2
- Rice, 1 kg
- $ 2,53
- Potatoes, 1 kg
- $ 2,24
- Apples, 1 kg
- $ 3,33
- Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 l
- $ 3,13
- Total
- $ 50,5
The same set for every country, so the comparison is fair.
Cost of living across the country
- Rent, 1 bedroom
- $ 1 216 a month
- Rent, 3 bedrooms
- $ 2 269 a month
- Utility bills
- $ 185 a month
- Home internet
- $ 41,5 a month
- Monthly transport pass
- $ 84,5 a month
- Single transport ticket
- $ 3,65
- Petrol, litre
- $ 2,29
- Cold medicine
- $ 9,39 for a week
Country averages. City prices, where collected, are shown above and are more precise.
Indicators
- Life expectancy
- 82,3 years2024
- Homicides
- 0,8 per 100k2024
- Theft
- 2 623,3 per 100k2024
- Burglary
- 518,7 per 100k2024
- Robbery
- 24,4 per 100k2024
- Vehicle and vehicle-part theft
- 19,7 per 100k2024
- Road deaths
- 2,3 per 100k2021
- Unemployment
- 5,5 %2025
- Unemployment, ages 15–24
- 11,7 %2025
- Inequality (Gini)
- 29,92023
- Health spending per person
- $ 6 745 a year
- Air pollution, PM2.5
- 7,5 µg/m³2023
- Access to clean water
- 100 %2024
- Internet, fixed line
- 287,8 Mbit/s2026
- Internet, mobile
- 176,6 Mbit/s2026
Governance
- Political stability
- above average · 0,8
- Control of corruption
- high · 2,3
- Rule of law
- high · 2
- Government effectiveness
- high · 1,9
World Bank estimates on a −2.5 to +2.5 scale, higher is better.
Natural hazards
- Earthquakes
- 0,1 out of 10
- River floods
- 0 out of 10
- Coastal floods
- 7,1 out of 10
- Tropical cyclones
- 0 out of 10
- Droughts
- 2,8 out of 10
- Tsunamis
- 0 out of 10
Policy towards newcomers
- Migrant integration, overall score
- 48 out of 100 · 2019
- Family reunification
- 25 out of 100 · 2019
- Permanent residence
- 42 out of 100 · 2019
- Access to citizenship
- 41 out of 100 · 2019
- Access to the labour market
- 65 out of 100 · 2019
Measures how favourable the law is towards newcomers, not one person's chances of getting a visa.
Each value carries the year it refers to. “Data lags behind” means this country's figure was collected noticeably earlier than the rest. Natural hazards use one 0–10 scale and are meant to be compared against each other.
Pros and cons
+A high standard of living and strong social protection
+Universal healthcare
+Low crime, high safety
+Dual citizenship is allowed (since 2015)
+Fast work visas (Pay Limit ~1 month)
+English is the working language in international tech teams
−Very high taxes
−Expensive rent, Copenhagen especially
−Danish is required for permanent residence and citizenship; citizenship takes 9 years
−Parent reunification is essentially not provided for
−13 banned dog breeds that cannot be brought in
−An overcast, windy climate with dark winters
−Strict rules on spousal reunification outside a work visa (the 24-year rule, a deposit)
Compare with other countries in the region
Other countries in the region: Europe (EU)
Official sources
New to Denmark (SIRI / Danish Immigration Service)
Visas, residence, work permits
New to Denmark — Work
Pay Limit, Positive List, Fast-track. Pay Limit processing takes ~1 month
Ministry of Immigration and Integration — Citizenship
9 years of residence, Danish PD3, a citizenship test. The section on nyidanmark.dk has been removed — citizenship is now handled directly by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration (uim.dk); the current address was checked on 2 August 2026.
BoligPortal
The largest rental platform
Lejebolig
Rent
Boligsiden
Buying a home
Bilbasen
The main car listings site
Life in Denmark (borger.dk)
Exchanging and obtaining a driving licence
Fødevarestyrelsen (the veterinary service)
EU rules, bringing pets, banned breeds
Skattestyrelsen (SKAT)
Tax office. High rates, with a regime for researchers and key employees
Sundhed.dk
Universal healthcare through the CPR number and the yellow health card