Understanding Denmark's work permit threshold: What qualifies as a salary.
Work Permits Demystified
Hey there!
Wanna know the lowdown on Denmark's Pay Limit Scheme ('Beløbsordning')? This bad boy lets foreign nationals grab work permits if their income clears a certain hurdle, the 'beløgsgrænse'. Curious which paycheck components make the cut? Let's dive in!
What's the Pay Limit Scheme?
Third-country (non-EU) folks can apply for this scheme if a Dane employer offers them a yearly dough that hits a specific figure set by immigration overseers. There are other criteria, too, like working hours, sticking to Danish labor regs, direct bank deposit, and procuring danish professional authorisations when needed (e.g., health professionals). No specific educational background or professional field required!
Got the 'grænse'?
'Grænse' means threshold, and this is the minimum annual salary for the Pay Limit Scheme. Both Pay Limit and another work permit scheme, the Fast Track Scheme, use this grænse.
As of 2025, the annual salary grace for first-time applicants is 514,000 kroner. That equates to 42,833 kroner per month. For permit extensions, you maintain the grænse that applied when you initially applied, as long as you keep the same job and conditions.
There's a second Pay Limit Scheme with a lower grænse (415,000 kroner annually) but additional criteria, such as the employer having advertised the position on Danish and European job portals. More details on both schemes can be found at the Danish work permits agency's site, SIRI.
What counts as salary?
Regular salary ain't the only cash component that makes the pay limit cut. Fixed supplements, bonuses guaranteed in your contract, and contributions to labor market pension schemes also count. Paid holiday allowance, or 'feriepenge', also chips in.
Goodies like paid canteen use, car use, phone allowance, internet access, or housing expenses do not factor in. Your salary must be paid into a Danish bank account and set up within 180 days of the residence permit or entering Denmark—unless you've got certain types of work permits, in which case the account rule doesn't apply.
Extra Info
Double-check before making a run for Denmark—the Pay Limit Scheme takes into account only the basic salary, paid holiday allowance, and labor market pension payments when evaluating whether the salary threshold is met. All other benefits and allowances get left out of the calculations.
Happy job hunting in the land of Vikings and hygge! 🤓🇩🇰
Source | OurTerms
In the realm of Danish work permits, the Pay Limit Scheme is also associated with the space of finance and business, as it allows foreign nationals to work in Denmark provided their income meets a certain threshold or 'grænse'.
Alongside the Pay Limit Scheme, there are other aspects such as art, news, and the Fast Track Scheme that might be interesting topics to delve into when exploring the Danish work permit landscape.
