If you are planning to work in Denmark through the Positive List for Skilled Work, there’s an important update you need to know. Starting 3 October 2025, Denmark will apply new wage statistics to evaluate whether foreign workers’ salaries meet Danish standards.
The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) announced the update after receiving fresh wage data from Statistics Denmark. These new numbers are critical for anyone applying for a Danish residence and work permit under the Positive List scheme, as they directly influence eligibility.
So, what does this mean for international professionals considering Denmark as a career destination? Let’s break it down.
What Is the Positive List for Skilled Work?
Denmark, like many European countries, faces shortages in certain professions. To fill these gaps, the government maintains what’s called the Positive List for Skilled Work.
This list highlights occupations where there aren’t enough qualified workers in Denmark. If you receive a job offer in one of these roles, you may be eligible to apply for a residence and work permit through this scheme.
- Examples of jobs on the Positive List often include fields like healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, and skilled trades.
- The list is updated twice a year: once on January 1 and again on July 1.
- Each role is identified with a classification code (DISCO-08-code) to match it with Denmark’s labor standards.
By using this system, Denmark ensures that foreign recruitment targets areas where talent is genuinely needed.
Why Wage Statistics Matter
A central part of Denmark’s immigration system is ensuring that foreign workers are treated fairly and not underpaid compared to Danish citizens.
To achieve this, SIRI uses wage statistics from Statistics Denmark to assess salaries. This ensures:
- Fair competition: Foreign workers aren’t paid less than locals.
- Worker protection: Employers cannot exploit international talent.
- Market balance: Wages reflect the real demand in shortage areas.
With the update:
- Applications submitted before 3 October 2025 will still be judged by wage data from Q1 2024.
- Applications submitted on or after 3 October 2025 will be judged by wage data from Q2 2025.
This update essentially raises the benchmark for what counts as a “Danish standard” salary in shortage professions.
How Long Does It Take to Apply?
If your job is listed under the Positive List for Skilled Work, you can apply for a Danish residence and work permit.
- Processing time: Around 1 month
- Processing fee: DKK 6,055 (approx. €810 / USD 865)
The process is relatively quick compared to many other countries, which makes Denmark attractive for skilled professionals who want a straightforward immigration path.
Salary Requirements: Meeting Danish Standards
One of the most critical parts of your application is your salary package. Denmark requires that foreign workers’ salaries and working conditions match those of local workers.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- Salary must reflect Danish standards
- Includes wages, holiday pay, notice period, and other benefits.
- You cannot be offered a package that’s below what’s normal in your field.
- Uncertain income doesn’t count
- Commissions, bonuses, or performance-based pay normally cannot be included in the calculation.
- Only guaranteed salary elements are accepted.
- How salary should be paid
- Must be paid into a Danish bank account.
- Accepted forms include:
- Salary in liquid assets (cash payments are not allowed)
- Employer contributions to labor market pension schemes
- Paid holiday allowance
- Salary benchmark
- If your job is covered by a collective agreement, SIRI usually assumes the salary matches Danish standards.
- If not, SIRI independently checks whether your salary meets standards.
- For many cases, salaries below approximately DKK 74,958 per month will not be considered sufficient.
Employer Requirements: The Apprentice Training Rule
It’s not only about the worker—your employer must also meet certain obligations.
Specifically, to hire under the Positive List for Skilled Work, your employer must:
- Be covered by Læreplads-AUB (Arbejdsgivernes Uddannelsesbidrag), which is Denmark’s system for ensuring companies contribute to apprentice training.
- If they are not part of this system, your application could be rejected.
This ensures that companies benefiting from international workers are also investing in the development of local talent.
Other Work Permit Schemes in Denmark
While the Positive List is a popular pathway, Denmark also offers other routes for foreign professionals. These include:
- Pay Limit Scheme: For high-salary jobs that exceed a set pay threshold.
- Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme: For slightly lower salaries but still above average.
- Fast Track Scheme: For larger companies certified to hire foreign workers quickly.
- Researcher Scheme: Specifically for foreign researchers offered roles in Denmark.
- Positive List for Highly Educated: For jobs requiring a university degree in shortage professions.
Each of these has its own requirements but shares the same principle: salaries must align with Danish labor standards.
Why Denmark Is Tight on Salary Rules
Denmark has one of the most balanced labor markets in Europe. Strong trade unions and collective bargaining agreements ensure workers’ rights are protected.
For foreign workers, this is good news:
- You won’t be underpaid compared to locals.
- Your benefits (like vacation pay, sick leave, and pensions) are safeguarded.
- Denmark attracts talent based on fair working conditions, not cheap labor.
The system is designed to prevent exploitation while ensuring that employers hire international workers only where there’s a real shortage.
What This Means for Foreign Workers
If you are applying for a job in Denmark under the Positive List after 3 October 2025, here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Check the updated wage statistics: Your offer must meet the new salary benchmarks.
- Review your contract carefully: Ensure all terms align with Danish labor laws.
- Confirm employer compliance: Ask if your employer is covered under Læreplads-AUB.
- Avoid relying on bonuses: Base salary matters more than commission or performance pay.
Being proactive can save you from rejections and delays in your residence and work permit application.
Denmark’s Message to Global Talent
By updating wage statistics regularly, Denmark is sending a clear message:
Skilled workers are welcome, but only on fair and equal terms.
The approach ensures Denmark stays competitive in attracting international talent while protecting its high standard of living. For foreign professionals, this means more certainty about pay and working conditions, but also higher responsibility to meet the required standards.
Final Thoughts
The update to wage statistics effective 3 October 2025 is an important shift for anyone considering Denmark through the Positive List for Skilled Work.
For applicants:
- It means stricter benchmarks but also better protection once you arrive.
- Salaries and benefits must reflect Danish standards, ensuring a level playing field.
For employers:
- It means ensuring compliance not just with pay, but also with training obligations under Læreplads-AUB.
For Denmark:
- It reinforces the country’s position as a fair, transparent, and attractive destination for international professionals.
If you’re planning to work in Denmark, stay updated on wage statistics, check the Positive List regularly, and ensure your application meets all requirements. With the right preparation, Denmark offers not just a job—but a career path in one of Europe’s most progressive and worker-friendly environments.
