--- title: "Moving to Denmark 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- Nyhavn harbour in Copenhagen # Moving to Denmark 27 ways to move to Denmark in our guide: 7 working holiday visas, 1 business / startup route, 13 work visas, 4 student visas, 2 spouse visas. No digital nomad visa. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Longest first stay:** **5 years** Fast-Track · Supplementary pay Denmark offers a range of routes for foreign nationals, from working holidays to specialised work and business permits. The right path depends on your nationality, age, qualifications, and whether you have a job offer or want to start a company. Young adults from certain countries seeking a working holiday Highly qualified professionals with a job offer from a certified company Researchers and PhD students hosted by a certified institution Founders of innovative growth companies Skilled workers in shortage occupations ## Working holiday · 7 ### Working Holiday - [Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ar/) - Australia - [Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ca/) - [Chile](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-cl/) - Japan - New Zealand - [South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-kr/) ## Business / Startup · 1 ### [Start-up Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/start-up-denmark/) **Savings needed:** DKK 153k+ ≈ $23k Stay 2 yrs, renewable Needs money in the bank [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/start-up-denmark/) ## Work · 13 - [Farm manager permit **Income needed:** DKK 36k+ a month ≈ $5,340](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/herdsmen-farm-managers/) - Fast-Track · Supplementary pay **Income needed:** DKK 446k+ a year ≈ $67k - [Supplementary Pay Limit **Income needed:** DKK 446k+ a year ≈ $67k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/supplementary-pay-limit-scheme/) - [Fast-Track · Pay limit **Income needed:** DKK 552k+ a year ≈ $83k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-pay-limit/) - [Pay Limit Scheme **Income needed:** DKK 552k+ a year ≈ $83k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/pay-limit-scheme/) - [Fast-Track · Education **First stay:** 4 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-educational/) - [Fast-Track · Researcher **First stay:** 4 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-researcher/) - [Guest researcher **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/guest-researcher/) - [Positive List · Degree **First stay:** 4 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/positive-list-higher-education/) - [Positive List · Skilled **First stay:** 4 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/positive-list-skilled-work/) - [Researcher permit **First stay:** 4 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/researcher/) - [Special qualifications permit **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/special-individual-qualifications/) - [Trainee permit **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/trainee/) ## Student · 4 - [Student permit **Savings needed:** DKK 89k+ a year ≈ $13k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/higher-education/) - [Youth study programme **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/basic-youth-study/) - [Folk high school **First stay:** 1 yr 6 mo](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/folk-high-school/) - [PhD studies –](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/phd-full-degree/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/spouse-of-citizen/) **Savings needed:** DKK 62k+ ≈ $9,230 Stay 2 yrs, renewable Can work: yes Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/spouse-of-citizen/) ### [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/family-spouse/) **Savings needed:** DKK 62k+ ≈ $9,230 Stay 2 yrs, renewable Can work: yes Needs a place to live [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/family-spouse/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/). - **[Nordic free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/free-movement-nordic/)** · Lets you live here Open to 5 passports: [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax Denmark taxes residents on worldwide income, including foreign-source income. A special tax scheme for researchers and highly paid employees offers a flat rate on gross earned income for a limited period, with no deductions or allowances except mandatory foreign social contributions. Ordinary personal income tax includes labour market contribution, bottom-bracket tax, municipal tax, and middle, top, and additional top brackets. Special regime ### [Tax scheme for researchers and highly paid employees (27% + 8%)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/tax/#tax-dk-researcher-tax-scheme) 27% tax **Details** - On: Gross salary of the researcher or key employee - Limit: DKK 65k/mo ≈ $9,780 Gross earned income taxed at a flat 32.84% (27% plus 8% labour market contribution) for up to 7 years (84 months). #### Taxed on Gross salary of the researcher or key employee; no deductions or allowances (except mandatory foreign social contributions). #### Who it applies to - Researchers with a research-qualifying degree at minimum PhD level, accepted under the applicable rules, or highly paid key employees with a guaranteed monthly salary of at least DKK 65,400 (≈ $9,780) (2026), averaged over the calendar year. - Employed by a Danish business or research institution; both employee and employer meet the conditions and the employee is registered under section 48 E-F of the Withholding Tax Act. - Not liable to tax in Denmark in the previous 10 years; the conditions must be met throughout the period. #### Exclusions - Only usable once in a lifetime (the 7 years may be split into periods). - Tax right must not pass to another country for more than 30 days in a calendar year. #### Limits - DKK 65,400 a month (≈ $9,780) · Minimum guaranteed monthly salary for highly paid employees in 2026; average over the calendar year, unpaid holiday counts. #### Days in the country - More than 30 days in calendar year · If the employee is tax resident in Denmark, the right of taxation must not pass to another country for more than 30 days in the calendar year. - More than 183 days in 12 months · Typical situation where the right of taxation passes abroad: the employee stays in the other country for more than 183 days within 12 months. #### Tax residence Tax right may pass abroad where the employer is taxable there or the employee stays abroad more than 183 days in 12 months. #### Visas Separate from the work permit; registration under section 48E of the Withholding Tax Act. #### Other taxes 8% labour market contribution is part of the 32.84%. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/tax/) Standard rules ### [Personal income tax brackets and labour market contribution (2026)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/tax/#tax-dk-ordinary-income-tax) Worldwide income **Details** - On: Personal income after labour market contribution - Who: Full tax liability: resident in Denmark or staying 6 months consecutively - Limit: DKK 641k/yr ≈ $96k 8% labour market contribution on salary, bottom-bracket tax 12.01%, plus municipal tax averaging 25.049% and church tax averaging 0.639% for all taxpayers (0.867% for church members) in 2026; middle-bracket 7.5% above DKK 641,200, (≈ $95,900) top-bracket 7.5% above DKK 777,900, (≈ $116,000) additional top-bracket 5% above DKK 2,592,700 (≈ $388,000). #### Taxed on Personal income after labour market contribution; full tax liability on worldwide (including foreign-source) income. Municipal tax (national average 25.049% for 2026, municipal range 23.39% to 26.30%) and church tax (average 0.867% for members of the national church, 0.639% averaged over all taxpayers) are charged on taxable income after the personal allowance. #### Who it applies to - Full tax liability: resident in Denmark or staying 6 months consecutively. #### Exclusions - Holiday stays up to three consecutive months or 180 days in 12 months without employment do not create full liability. #### Limits - DKK 641,200 a year (≈ $95,900) · Middle-bracket tax of 7.5% above this personal income (after labour market contribution). - DKK 777,900 a year (≈ $116,000) · Top-bracket tax of 7.5% above this amount. - DKK 2,592,700 a year (≈ $388,000) · Additional top-bracket tax of 5% above this amount. #### Visas Independent of permit. #### Other taxes Labour market contribution of 8% applies under both full and limited tax liability. 2026 average municipal tax 25.049% and church tax 0.639% (all taxpayers) or 0.867% (church members), total 25.688% (Ministry of Taxation, 27 October 2025); total municipal plus church rate ranges from 24.04% to 27.60% across municipalities. Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/tax/) Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **No digital nomad visa in Denmark.** Remote workers usually look at [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ar/), Working Holiday · Australia, [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ca/), or [nomad visas elsewhere](https://settleanywhere.com/visas/digital-nomad/). **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **PR** · Permanent residence permit ## Arriving in Denmark: first steps 1. Ensure you have health cover, either through Danish registration or private insurance, as required for your permit. 2. Open a Danish bank account in your own name if your permit requires it, such as for the Pay Limit Scheme. 3. Apply for a CPR number, which is needed for many practical matters like banking and healthcare. 4. If your permit is linked to an employer, inform the authorities of any changes to your job or employer. ## Questions people ask ### Does Denmark have a working holiday visa? Yes. Denmark has 7 working holiday visas. [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ar/) is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year. Working Holiday · Australia is for ages 18 to 35 and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ca/) is for ages 18 to 35 and gives a first stay of 1 year. ### Can I move to Denmark by starting a business? Denmark has 1 business or startup route. [Start-up Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/start-up-denmark/) asks for savings of at least DKK 153,240 (≈ $22,900) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Denmark offer foreigners? Denmark has 13 work visas. [Fast-Track · Education](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-educational/) gives a first stay of 4 years that can be renewed. [Fast-Track · Pay limit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-pay-limit/) asks for a salary of at least DKK 552,000 a year (≈ $82,600) and gives a first stay of 4 years that can be renewed. [Fast-Track · Researcher](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-researcher/) gives a first stay of 4 years that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Denmark? Denmark has 4 student visas. [Youth study programme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/basic-youth-study/) gives a first stay of 1 year. [Folk high school](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/folk-high-school/) gives a first stay of 1.5 years. There is also [PhD studies](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/phd-full-degree/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Denmark? Yes. Denmark has 2 spouse visas. [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/spouse-of-citizen/) asks for savings of DKK 61,709.34 (≈ $9,230) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. [Spouse of a permanent resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/family-spouse/) asks for savings of DKK 61,709.34 (≈ $9,230) and gives a first stay of 2 years that can be renewed. ## Compare with [🇵🇹 Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/) [🇪🇸 Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. **Sources (5)** ## Official sources 1. [Fast-Track Scheme](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Fast-track) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Work schemes in SIRI: an overview](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Words-and-concepts/SIRI/Work-schemes-in-SIRI---an-overview) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Working Holiday: Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Working-Holiday/Working-Holiday) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Working Holiday: Australia](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Working-Holiday/Working-Holiday---Australia) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 5. [Working Holiday for Japanese citizens](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Working-Holiday/Working-Holiday-Japan) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10