--- title: "Denmark Positive List · Degree requirements 2026: 4-year stay" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/positive-list-higher-education/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Denmark · Work # Denmark Positive List · Degree **First stay:** 4 yrs Positive List for People with a Higher Education First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **First stay:** 4 yrs (4 years, extendable; 6-month job-seeking period.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit.) - **Work:** Limited (Work only in the named job and company; a new position in the same company needs a new permit. For jobs added by a regional council, the primary workplace must be in that council's area for the first 4 years.) ## Key facts Positive List · Degree is a work route for Denmark. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Government fees:** DKK 6,810 ≈ $1,020 - **Processing:** 30–90 days - **First stay:** 4 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fee DKK 6,810 ≈ $1,020; decision: 30–90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: DKK 6,810 ≈ $1,020** - DKK 6,810 (≈ $1,020) Processing fee; normal processing 1 month, up to 3 months. **Renewal: Renewable** The 4-year permit can be extended. [Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Positive-List-Higher-Education) **Permanent residence: After 8 years of residence** Permanent residence after 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence, or 4 years if you meet all 4 supplementary requirements (including Danish language test 3). Work, study and family permits count. [Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Permanent%20residence%20permit/Permanent%20residence) **Citizenship: After 9 years of residence** Citizenship needs 9 years of continuous residence in Denmark and a permanent residence permit held for at least 2 years when the naturalisation bill passes. [Life in Denmark (borger.dk), Danish public sector portal](https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/settle-in-denmark/danish-citizenship/conditions-for-foreign-citizens--acquisition-of-danish-citizenship) **Processing: 30–90 days** Normal processing time is 1 month; up to 3 months if more information is needed. [Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Positive-List-Higher-Education) **Presence rules: Stay rule** A Danish permit lapses if you give up your Danish address or live outside Denmark for more than six successive months. [Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Researcher) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Needs a job offer from an employer in Denmark - Work rights are limited - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The job title is on the Positive List for People with a Higher Education. - Applicants have completed the higher education the list sets for that job title, relevant to the job. - Salary and terms of employment are not inferior to Danish standards in the field. - Working hours are usual, as a rule full time at about 37 hours a week. - The required education level, from professional bachelor's to master's degree, is set for each job title on the list. #### What you must show - Processing fee DKK 6,810 (≈ $1,020) (one time). #### Documents - An employment contract or job offer, documentation of relevant education and a copy of all passport pages are submitted. - Documentation of Danish authorisation, or a receipt for its application, is submitted where the profession requires it. #### Steps 1. The employer and the applicant each complete a part of form AR1, or the employer files AR6 under power of attorney. #### After you arrive - The salary is paid into a Danish bank account in the holder's name, opened within 180 days. - A permit for employment of 4 years or more is normally valid for 4 years and is extended on extended employment. ## When you become tax resident How Denmark decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Foreign-source income:** Personal income after labour market contribution; full tax liability on worldwide (including foreign-source) income. [All tax rules for Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Job offer in a profession on the shortage list (national, regional or insurance-fund based; updated 1 January and 1 July, plus 1 April and 1 October for regional and fund additions); applicant needs a qualifying education. (sources 1, 2) #### What you must show and pay - A fee of DKK 6,810 (≈ $1,020) · Processing fee; normal processing 1 month, up to 3 months. (source 1) #### Requirements - The job title is on the Positive List for People with a Higher Education. (source 1) - Applicants have completed the higher education the list sets for that job title, relevant to the job. (source 1) - Salary and terms of employment are not inferior to Danish standards in the field. (source 1) - Working hours are usual, as a rule full time at about 37 hours a week. (source 1) - The required education level, from professional bachelor's to master's degree, is set for each job title on the list. (source 1) - Processing fee DKK 6,810 (≈ $1,020) (one time). (source 1) - An employment contract or job offer, documentation of relevant education and a copy of all passport pages are submitted. (source 1) - Documentation of Danish authorisation, or a receipt for its application, is submitted where the profession requires it. (source 1) - The employer and the applicant each complete a part of form AR1, or the employer files AR6 under power of attorney. (source 1) - The salary is paid into a Danish bank account in the holder's name, opened within 180 days. (source 1) - A permit for employment of 4 years or more is normally valid for 4 years and is extended on extended employment. (source 1) #### Stay - 4 years, extendable; 6-month job-seeking period. - Initial permitted stay: 48 months. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. #### Work Work only in the named job and company; a new position in the same company needs a new permit. For jobs added by a regional council, the primary workplace must be in that council's area for the first 4 years. #### Family Accompanying family may apply. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [The Positive List for People with a Higher Education](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Positive-List-Higher-Education) · 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. [Permanent residence permit](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Permanent%20residence%20permit/Permanent%20residence) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Conditions for foreign citizens' acquisition of Danish citizenship](https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/settle-in-denmark/danish-citizenship/conditions-for-foreign-citizens--acquisition-of-danish-citizenship) · Life in Denmark (borger.dk), Danish public sector portal · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Researcher](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Researcher) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 ## Positive List · Degree and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Positive List · Degree | – | 4 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Fast-Track · Education](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-educational/) | – | 4 yr, renewable | No | | [Fast-Track · Pay limit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-pay-limit/) | Needs income of DKK 552k+ a year ≈ $83k | 4 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Fast-Track · Researcher](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/fast-track-researcher/) | – | 4 yr, renewable | With a permit | | [Guest researcher](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/guest-researcher/) | – | 3 yr | With a permit | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Positive List · Degree? A fee of DKK 6,810 (≈ $1,020). Processing fee; normal processing 1 month, up to 3 months. ### How long can I stay on the Positive List · Degree? 4 years, extendable; 6-month job-seeking period. ### How long does the Positive List · Degree take to process? Normal processing time is 1 month; up to 3 months if more information is needed. ### Can I work on the Positive List · Degree? Limited. Work only in the named job and company; a new position in the same company needs a new permit. ### Can I bring my family on the Positive List · Degree? Accompanying family may apply. ### Who can apply for the Positive List · Degree? Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. ### Does the Positive List · Degree lead to permanent residence in Denmark? Time on the Positive List · Degree counts toward permanent residence in Denmark, which the rules allow after 8 years of residence. Time on the Positive List · Degree counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 9 years of residence. ### How are Positive List · Degree holders taxed in Denmark? No special regime in our records is tied to the Positive List · Degree. The standard rules apply: 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). ## More in Denmark [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ar/) [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-ca/) [Working Holiday · Chile](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-cl/) [Working Holiday · South Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/working-holiday-kr/) [Start-up Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/start-up-denmark/) [Farm manager permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/herdsmen-farm-managers/) [Pay Limit Scheme](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/pay-limit-scheme/) [Positive List · Skilled](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/denmark/positive-list-skilled-work/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [The Positive List for People with a Higher Education](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Positive-List-Higher-Education) · 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. [Permanent residence permit](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Permanent%20residence%20permit/Permanent%20residence) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 4. [Conditions for foreign citizens' acquisition of Danish citizenship](https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/settle-in-denmark/danish-citizenship/conditions-for-foreign-citizens--acquisition-of-danish-citizenship) · Life in Denmark (borger.dk), Danish public sector portal · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Researcher](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Work/Researcher) · Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) · checked 2026-10-10 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.