Denmark lowers work permit salary threshold for Chinese citizens

Denmark will lower work permit salary thresholds for citizens of 16 non-EU countries. Chinese citizens are included in this new scheme. The new rules will take effect early next year. The annual minimum salary requirement drops from 552,000 kroner to 322,000 kroner. That equals 26,833 kroner per month. This is a drop of nearly 20,000 kroner in monthly earnings.

The scheme applies to top non-EU country trade partners and candidate countries. Selected countries include China, the USA, the UK, Singapore, and Japan. Applicants from Australia, Canada, India, and several other nations also qualify. However, applicants can be excluded for special foreign policy reasons. EU citizens already do not need work permits in Denmark.

Danish companies must meet clear requirements to hire through this scheme. Firms must get certified with the Danish immigration agency SIRI. Certification applications for companies will open in December 2026. Employers must sign collective bargaining agreements with trade unions. This rule protects foreign workers from getting lower pay than Danish staff.

The Danish parliament recently passed this renegotiated proposal. The new coalition government agreed on the law after the general election. Officials estimate the scheme will bring 550 foreign workers per year by 2030. Foreign workers currently make up over 400,000 people in the Danish workforce. The Local reported these details on the approved legislation.