Denmark to Launch Work-Permit Scheme for 16 Countries: Who Qualifies and What Employers Must Do

• Denmark has announced a new work-permit route, called the Collective Agreement Scheme, which is scheduled to launch on 1 January 2027
• Citizens of 16 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Japan and Australia, will be eligible to apply under the scheme
• Applicants must meet the scheme's conditions, including a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000, while Danish employers must obtain certification before hiring foreign workers through the route

Denmark has announced a new immigration pathway aimed at helping employers recruit foreign workers under specific employment conditions.

The country's Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has confirmed that the Collective Agreement Scheme is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027.

Under the arrangement, eligible foreign workers can be recruited by Danish employers for jobs covered by a collective bargaining agreement, which sets employment conditions through negotiations between employers and worker representatives.

The scheme establishes a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000, based on 2026 figures. However, eligibility is restricted to citizens of 16 specified countries, meaning not all foreign nationals can use this route.

Denmark lists 16 countries eligible for the work-permit scheme

According to the announcement described in the report, only citizens of the following countries will qualify for the Collective Agreement Scheme:

1. United States
2. Canada
3. Brazil
4. United Kingdom
5. Montenegro
6. Serbia
7. North Macedonia
8. Albania
9. Ukraine
10. Moldova
11. Singapore
12. China
13. Japan
14. Australia
15. Malaysia
16. India

The list covers countries across the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Citizenship is a central condition, so meeting the salary threshold alone will not make someone eligible.

What are the salary requirements for Denmark's new work permit?

The Collective Agreement Scheme sets a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000, using 2026 figures.

Applicants must also have employment in a role covered by a collective bargaining agreement. These agreements typically establish conditions such as pay and other workplace terms for employees in a particular industry or occupation.

The scheme is intended to provide Danish employers with another way to recruit eligible workers from abroad while maintaining specific employment conditions.

However, prospective applicants should check the official requirements before accepting a job offer or making relocation plans.

Danish employers must obtain certification

The new route also places requirements on companies seeking to recruit foreign employees.

Employers must first obtain certification from SIRI before submitting work-permit applications for employees under the Collective Agreement Scheme.

According to the report, the certification application window is expected to open in early December 2026, while the processing of work-permit applications under the scheme is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027.

SIRI is also expected to publish dedicated application pages on its website before the scheme launches.

This means employers will need to complete the certification process and meet the applicable requirements before using the new route to recruit overseas workers.

What the new Danish work-permit scheme means for foreign jobseekers

For citizens of the 16 eligible countries, the scheme could provide an additional route into the Danish labour market, particularly for jobs covered by collective agreements.

However, prospective applicants should consider three key requirements:

• Eligible citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of one of the 16 listed countries.
• Minimum salary: The role must meet the stated annual salary threshold of DKK 322,000, based on 2026 figures.
• Qualifying employment and employer certification: The job must be covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and the employer must obtain the required SIRI certification.

The scheme is scheduled to launch on 1 January 2027, so workers and employers should monitor official guidance for the final application procedures and any updated requirements.

For jobseekers whose countries are not included, other Danish immigration and work-permit pathways may still be worth exploring, depending on their qualifications, employment offers and individual circumstances.

Official source: Denmark's Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) — official announcement and scheme information.

Source: Legit.ng