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| Field | 🇩🇰DenmarkDenmark Pay Limit Scheme 2026 |
|---|---|
| Country | Denmark (DK) |
| Route | Denmark Pay Limit Scheme 2026 |
| Route family | Employment / skilled work |
| Route type | work visa |
| Summary | The Pay Limit Scheme does not require a specific educational background or occupation. |
| Last verified | 2026-09-20 |
| Official/supporting source count | 6 |
| Route guide | Open full guide → |
| Program availability | ActiveSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4Source 5Source 6 |
| Best-fit work models | Local employmentSource 1Source 2Source 3Source 4Source 5Source 6 |
| Income requirement | The 2026 minimum is DKK 552,000 annually (DKK 46,000 monthly). Only liquid guaranteed salary, qualifying labor-market pension contributions, and paid holiday allowance count; benefits such as a car, phone, internet, canteen, housing or living expenses do not. Pay and employment terms must meet Danish standards, and salary must be paid to the worker's own Danish bank account within 180 days, subject to stated timing exceptions.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Savings requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Investment requirement | Not applicableAs of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Government fees | The published application fee is DKK 6,810. Check SIRI's current fee schedule and any applicable exemptions before applying.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Processing time | SIRI lists a normal processing time of one month, up to three months if further information is needed.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Validity | Employment of four years or more normally yields a four-year permit. Shorter employment normally limits the permit to the contract period, followed automatically by a six-month job-seeking residence period during which work is not allowed. Passport expiry can shorten validity. An applicant abroad may receive one month of pre-work residence if they declare support for that period; otherwise it may be 14 days.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Renewal | Apply for an extension before the permit expires if employment is extended or continues beyond the granted term. A timely application generally allows the holder to remain and continue working while SIRI decides. A new employer requires a new application; a change in job content within the same company may be permitted if salary and terms still qualify.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Family inclusion | An eligible spouse, registered/cohabiting partner and children under 18 living at home may apply for accompanying-family residence. The principal applicant must also meet a scheme condition concerning repeat revocation of a family member's permit for work without a required permit.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Spouse work rights | An accompanying-family permit generally grants the spouse/partner the right to work in Denmark. A separate permit may be required to work for the sponsor's same or closely related company; the family member's permit letter controls.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Local-work rules | The route does not require a specific education or occupation, but authorizes only the approved job. Notify SIRI if employment changes. Job content may change within the same company without a new permit if salary and terms remain qualifying; a new employer requires a new application, and sideline work requires separate permission. No work is allowed in other Schengen states. The job-seeking period is non-working unless a new qualifying permit is granted.As of 2026-10-09Source 1Source 2 |
| Application location | Create a case order ID, pay the fee and submit online using AR1 (employer and applicant each complete a part) or AR6 (the employer applies under power of attorney). Provide the employment offer/contract and supporting evidence, then record biometrics within 14 days at a Danish mission or application centre abroad, or a SIRI branch if applying legally in Denmark. Commuters applying only for a work permit follow a different fee/biometrics process.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Permanent-residence pathway | The Pay Limit permit is temporary and does not itself grant permanent residence. A holder may later apply under Denmark's separate rules, generally after eight years of legal residence or four years in specified cases, subject to additional requirements.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
| Citizenship pathway | The work permit is not citizenship. Danish naturalisation is a separate process with permanent-residence, lawful-residence, self-sufficiency, language, knowledge and parliamentary approval requirements.As of 2026-10-09Source 1 |
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