Denmark digital nomad visa: requirements (2026)

Legal framework

Denmark has no dedicated digital-nomad or remote-work visa. Immigration for third-country nationals is governed by the Danish Aliens Act (Udlændingeloven) and administered by SIRI (Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration / Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) under nyidanmark.dk. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens enjoy free movement.

Key points: digital nomad & residency in Denmark

1. 01No dedicated digital-nomad visa

   Denmark has not introduced a nomad/remote-work visa and none has been officially announced by SIRI. Working remotely from Denmark generally requires a Danish work/residence permit; a Schengen visitor stay (90 days in any 180) does not authorise gainful activity.

   nyidanmark.dk thelocal.dk

2. 02Pay Limit Scheme (salary route)

   Non-EU workers with a Danish job offer above the salary threshold — DKK 552,000/year under the ordinary Pay Limit Scheme in 2026 (DKK 446,000 under the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme) — can obtain a residence and work permit. It requires a Danish employer, so it does not fit pure remote workers of foreign firms.

   nyidanmark.dk twobirds.com

3. 03Positive Lists (shortage occupations)

   Two Positive Lists — one for higher-education roles, one for skilled trades — allow permits at lower salary levels when the applicant's occupation is on the list. Lists are updated twice a year by SIRI and require a concrete Danish job offer.

   nyidanmark.dk sirva.com

4. 04Start-up Denmark (entrepreneurs)

   For non-EU/EEA founders whose innovative business plan is approved by an expert panel appointed by the Danish Business Authority, then filed with SIRI. Granted for up to 2 years, extendable in 3-year increments; approximately 75 permits per year. Pure freelancing/consulting typically does not qualify.

   nyidanmark.dk startupdenmarkprogramme.dk

5. 05Working Holiday Agreement

   Nationals aged 18–30 (35 for some) from partner countries — including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea — may obtain a Working Holiday residence and work permit valid up to one year, which can incidentally support remote work while in Denmark.

   nyidanmark.dk

6. 06No golden visa / residency by investment

   Denmark does not operate a residency-by-investment or citizenship-by-investment programme. Naturalisation requires long-term lawful residence (generally ~9 years) and standard integration/language conditions; the Start-up Denmark scheme is the closest investor-oriented route.

   uim.dk nyidanmark.dk

Timeline of decisions

1. 1 Jan 2026Decision
   Higher immigration fees and tighter work-permit rules take effect

   Denmark increased application fees and tightened several work-permit conditions for 2026, continuing the trend of channelling foreign labour through salary-gated employer-sponsored routes rather than open residence categories.

   Business Standard

2. 1 Jan 2026Decision · official
   2026 salary thresholds raised for work/residence permits

   SIRI's annual adjustment lifted the Pay Limit Scheme minimum to DKK 552,000 and the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme to DKK 446,000, raising the income bar non-EU workers (including remote employees of foreign firms relocating to DK) must clear to qualify for residence.

   SIRI / New to Denmark (nyidanmark.dk)

3. 30 Jun 2025Law
   Government proposes easing work permits for 16 non-EU countries

   The Danish government proposed lowering the Pay Limit threshold to DKK 300,000 for nationals of 16 countries (incl. USA, UK, India, Canada, Australia), conditioned on collective bargaining coverage, a targeted liberalisation, still not a remote-work/digital-nomad route.

   The Local Denmark

4. 1 Apr 2023Law · official
   Aliens Act reform enters into force: Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme created

   A new Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme (then DKK 375,000+, gated to gross unemployment below 3.75%) launched, the Fast Track employee threshold dropped to 10, and a 3-year jobseeker permit replaced the Establishment Card, broadening salaried routes for foreign workers.

   SIRI / New to Denmark (nyidanmark.dk)

5. 23 Mar 2023Law
   Parliament adopts Aliens Act amendment to strengthen international recruitment

   The Folketing passed the bill amending the Aliens Act, the legislative basis for the April 2023 reform that eased employer-sponsored recruitment of non-EU workers and expanded Start-up Denmark eligibility.

   KPMG Denmark

6. 8 Nov 2022Guidance
   Confirmation that Denmark offers no digital nomad visa

   Reporting confirmed Denmark has no dedicated digital nomad or remote-worker visa; non-EU remote workers must instead use a 90-day Schengen stay or qualify for a SIRI residence permit via employment, self-employment, study, or self-support.

   The Local Denmark

7. 10 Jun 2016Law · official
   Greencard Scheme abolished

   Denmark repealed the points-based Greencard, which since 2007 had let qualified third-country nationals get a residence permit to seek work without a prior job offer, eliminating the closest thing to an open jobseeker/relocation route and leaving only job-tied schemes.

   U.S. Library of Congress

8. 1 Jan 2015Law · official
   Start-up Denmark launched

   A scheme allowing non-EU entrepreneurs whose business plan is approved by an expert panel to obtain a self-employment residence and work permit (capped ~75/year), the main pathway for self-directed founders, distinct from salaried employment routes.

   SIRI / New to Denmark (nyidanmark.dk)

Sources

1. 1.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work
2. 2.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Pay-limit-scheme
3. 3.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Positive-lists
4. 4.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Start-up-Denmark
5. 5.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Working-Holiday
6. 6.startupdenmarkprogramme.dk/
7. 7.sirva.com/learning-center/blog/2026/06/02/denmark-work-permit-changes-2026
8. 8.twobirds.com/en/insights/2026/denmark/udenlandsk-arbejdskraft---nye-bel%C3%B8bsgr%
9. 9.thelocal.dk/20221108/digital-nomads-who-can-work-remotely-in-denmark
10. 10.uim.dk/arbejdsomraader/statsborgerskab/udenlandske-statsborgere/erhvervelse-