Move to Denmark

Immigration

Entry Requirements

Because Denmark is part of the Schengen Agreement, it shares travel policies with the majority of countries in the European Union and other European nations. Americans are not required to have a short-term (90-day) visa to enter the country. If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit.

Temporary Residency

Americans are not required to obtain a short-term (90-day) visa to enter Denmark. If you plan to live in Denmark for an extended period of time, you will have to apply for a residence permit. You will not be able to work during the 90-day temporary residency period.

Permanent Residency

You will need to apply for permanent residency if you wish to live in Denmark for more than 90 days. Details on applying for permanent residency can found here.

If you wish to obtain a permanent residence permit, you must have resided legally in Denmark for the past five years and must have held a residence permit for the entire period. You can find details here.

Since 2012, Denmark has issued biometric residence cards, which contain an electronic chip that stores the individual’s data, photo, fingerprints and signature. Details on biometric residence cards can be found here. You can apply for a biometric residence card at locations in the United States.

Work Permits

In order to get a work permit in Denmark, you must have a residence permit. You will need to show proof of employment through a written job contract or offer. The paperwork should specify your salary and employment conditions. Except for special circumstances, applicants for Denmark’s work permit need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

In the Danish system, there are specific schemes that make it easier for qualified professionals to obtain a work permit. The Portal for Foreigners and Integration provides more details on each work permit scheme. We have highlighted four below that may be of interest to you.

• Positive List Scheme. In Denmark, there are several professions and fields that have labor shortages. Individuals who have been offered a job in these particular fields have easier access to the labor market. For more information, read the Positive List Scheme.

• Pay Limit Scheme. A person who is offered a job with an annual pay above a certain limit qualifies for this permit. The job must have a gross annual pay of no less than about US$66,900, which is the absolute minimum. For more detailed information, read the Pay Limit Scheme.

• Corporate Scheme. If an employee works for a company that has a branch in Denmark, this permit allows the individual to move to Denmark. This permit is only for a set period of time. It also allows the employee to alternate between working in Denmark and abroad. For this particular work permit, you must show proof that you are employed full time in the foreign department of the corporation, provide documentation to verify that you will remain an employee of the company and provide specifications on the particular task or project that you will be carrying out. For more detailed information, read the Corporate Scheme.

• Greencard Scheme. This permit is for highly qualified professionals coming to Denmark to find work. Professions include administration, economy and finance, sales, engineering, IT, medical, legal and communication. Individuals are evaluated based on a point system with categories including educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability and age. You must have full health insurance (until you can get Danish National Health Insurance) and provide documentation that shows you are able to support yourself during your first year in Denmark. If you are granted residence through the Greencard Scheme, you have the right to carry out paid or unpaid work. Because this permit is processed individually, there is a non-refundable processing fee of about US$625. For more detailed information, read the Greencard Scheme.

Other work permit schemes include those for researchers, trainees, religious workers, athletes and self-employed individuals.

Denmark also has become a business hub for start-up companies in numerous areas, including research & development, testing, manufacturing, designing and distribution. In order to apply for a business permit to start your own business, you have to meet three requirements:

• Prove that your business is intended to establish trade within Denmark

• Show that you have access to sufficient financial resources to run your business

• Show proof that you will actively participate in daily operations

The Official Portal for Foreigners and Integration provides more details on the Self-Employment work permit.

Retirement

Denmark does not have a residency category specifically for retirement. Please see our Permanent Residency section above.

Additionally, the Government of Denmark provides a very useful website that provides answers to most questions about moving to Denmark.