A Guide to Danish Work Permits

Summary:

Nordic citizens can work and settle in Denmark without taking additional steps. (The Nordic region consists of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland.) These citizens only need to bring their CPR number from their home country. Citizens from EU and EEA countries, as well as Switzerland, must obtain an EU residence document if staying longer than six months to continue living and working in Denmark. Citizens from countries outside the ones mentioned above must apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark before they are allowed to work in the country.

How to Obtain a Work Permit in Denmark?

People from certain countries can easily or automatically obtain a work permit in Denmark:

• If you are a Nordic citizen, you can freely live and work in Denmark.

• If you are a citizen of an EU, EEA country, or Switzerland, you can apply for an EU residence document. This document proves that you are allowed to live and work in Denmark. (The EEA, or European Economic Area, is an agreement between the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. It allows these three countries to participate in the EU’s internal market.)

• If you are a citizen of a country outside the Nordic region, the EU/EEA, or Switzerland, you must have a valid residence and work permit to live and work in Denmark.

• Ukrainians can apply and start working under a special law before receiving their residence permit.

• Students in Denmark can obtain a residence permit as a student, which grants limited work rights in Denmark.

• Asylum seekers: If you are an asylum seeker and covered by the UN Refugee Convention, you can apply for asylum and residence in Denmark. If you are recognized as a refugee, you can gain asylum and the right to work in Denmark. You must be physically present in Denmark to apply for asylum.

• Working Holiday: On a working holiday stay, you are allowed to work to a limited extent in Denmark. You may work for a certain number of months during the year you are granted a working holiday visa, and you can also participate in short-term studies during your stay. The working holiday agreement applies to citizens from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea. Citizens from Japan, Chile, and Argentina are subject to special rules—follow the link below for more information.

Working holiday agreements are designed to allow young people to experience each other’s cultures and lifestyles, fostering mutual understanding between countries. With a working holiday visa, depending on your home country, you may work for up to 6 (or 9) months, but in some cases, not for the same employer for more than three months, and you must be employed under a fixed-term contract. For certain countries, it is possible to get a six-month seasonal work permit in Denmark under a working holiday arrangement.
You can read more about working holiday visas here.

Do you need a work permit in Denmark as an EU citizen?

There are specific rules for EU citizens regarding work permits. The free movement of workers applies to all EU citizens, allowing them to live and work freely in other member states without unnecessary restrictions.

Free movement for work is one of the four fundamental freedoms in the EU internal market, along with the free movement of goods, services, and capital. It is a key principle of the EU Treaty and was established to promote economic integration, increase employment opportunities, and utilize the potential of the workforce.

In practice, free movement for work means that EU citizens have the right to seek employment in other member states under the same conditions as the nationals of that country. As an EU citizen, you can work in another EU country without needing a special work permit or visa. EU citizens also have the same social and labor rights as local workers when residing in another EU country.

Free movement of workers has significantly impacted the EU labor market, enabling people to seek jobs in other countries, leading to workforce mobility, professional exchange of expertise, and increased competition. It has also helped reduce unemployment in certain member states and address labor shortages in specific sectors and regions.

It’s important to note that free movement for work does not mean unrestricted travel between countries. Certain requirements and conditions, such as registration with national authorities and compliance with labor and tax laws, must be met in the country of employment.
Additionally, there is a distinction between free movement for work and free access to welfare benefits. While workers have the right to work and reside in another country, access to social benefits and welfare schemes may vary between countries.

Citizens from EU, EEA countries, or Switzerland can freely enter and stay in Denmark for up to three months. If seeking employment, they may stay in Denmark for up to six months without additional documentation; if staying longer, they must apply for an EU residence document.

The EEA allows Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein to participate in the EU’s internal market. Hence, EU/EEA countries include all EU countries, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is a member of EFTA (the European Free Trade Association) and is included in certain agreements with the EU.

When you obtain a residence document, you may live and work in Denmark, and this is the basis for obtaining a Danish CPR number (which you can get by contacting the civil registry in the municipality where you live). Applications for residence documents for EU/EEA citizens and their family members are handled by SIRI – the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.

Can you get a work permit in Denmark as a non-EU citizen?

• Nordic citizens can work and live in Denmark without restrictions (Nordic region = Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden).

• Ukrainians, under a special law passed in 2022, can apply for residence permits and work even before their application is approved.

• Other foreign nationals from outside the EU must apply for residence and work permits before they can work in Denmark.

For stays in Denmark that exceed 90 days, work permits must be applied for in advance.

Requirements for work permits in Denmark include:

• Being in Denmark for the purpose of submitting a bid or tender

• Being a short-term researcher or guest researcher

• Being a Ph.D. student on a short-term stay

• Being a scientist or lecturer

• Falling under the fast-track scheme and being employed by a certified company

• Having a high-paying job (DKK 514,000 in 2025)

• Holding a job on the list of occupations with shortages of skilled or highly qualified workers

• Working as a farm manager or supervisor in the agricultural sector

You can read more here

Frequently Asked Questions about Danish Work Permits 

I have a work permit in Germany, can I use it in Denmark?

Both yes and no. If you are a German citizen, you can, like all other EU citizens, live and work in Denmark. However, if you are not from the Nordic countries, an EU country, an EEA country, or Switzerland, you do not automatically receive a work permit in Denmark and cannot automatically expect to obtain one.

I have an EU work permit—does it apply in Denmark?

An EU work permit is valid in Denmark. However, citizens from outside the Nordic countries, the EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland must obtain a separate work permit to work in Denmark.

Is it more difficult to get a work permit in Denmark than in other EU countries?

No and yes. Work permit regulations are generally similar across all EU countries.

Does a residence permit automatically grant a work permit in Denmark?

A residence permit is not the same as a work permit, and having a residence permit does not guarantee that you will also receive a work permit.

Residence permits are granted to:

• Ukrainian citizens

• Accompanying family members

• Students

• Asylum seekers, etc.

Work permits are generally granted to:

• Ukrainian citizens

• Students

• Citizens of the Nordic countries, EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland

Read more here.

Can international students get a work permit in Denmark?

If you are enrolled in a higher education program in Denmark, you can obtain a work permit. This applies whether you are completing your full education in Denmark or just part of it. You are allowed to work 20 hours per week (some only 15 hours per week) or 90 hours per month from September to May, and full-time in June, July, and August. Your residence card will indicate whether you are allowed to work 15 or 20 hours per week.

Read more here.

Is foreign labor welcomed in Denmark?

Foreign labor is a valuable asset to both Danish society and Danish businesses. Due to the significant labor shortage, new rules for foreign workers are continuously being developed so that labor from outside the EU can also come to Denmark and fill gaps in the job market.

What rights does a temporary residence permit provide?

A temporary residence permit allows you to live in Denmark for a limited period. Such a permit is typically valid for six months.

Work permit in Denmark for Americans

Americans are also subject to the rule regarding labor from outside the Nordic countries, the EU/EEA, and Switzerland. They must obtain a valid residence and work permit to live and work in Denmark.

Find employment at Just Eat if you have a work permit

You are always welcome to contact us or send us an application if you are looking for a job. We offer employment to foreigners, students, Danes, and people of all ages.

If you are from a country outside the EU (except the Nordic countries, Switzerland, or an EEA country), you need a work permit to work at Just Eat. You can obtain a work permit quickly if you are from Ukraine, and international students can also qualify for a work permit. If you are recognized as a refugee, you can obtain asylum and thus the right to work.

These requirements must be met before we can hire you, but we welcome people of all ages and from all parts of the world and look forward to hearing from you.