How To Move To Denmark In 2023

abraham smithApril 3, 2023

0 0 3 minutes read

They’re thinking about Denmark’s relaxation of its immigration rules.

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Starting a new chapter in your life in Denmark is not easy, but it is possible. This is especially true this year as the Danish government has made several changes to its immigration policy to make it easier for non-Europeans to stay.

The new package of measures, already in place, includes a lower minimum wage requirement, an expansion of the expedited work permit system, an easier process for companies to hire non-EU workers in certain sectors, and granting longer periods of employment to foreign students during the search phase at the end of the studies.

The reason? Like many European countries, Denmark suffers from labor shortages in key industries. According to the European Commission, 42% of Danish companies reported recruitment problems early last year.

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A new start in Scandinavia?

Denmark is known for its outdoor lifestyle, cycling culture, modern cities and Scandinavian design and architecture. It is the home of hygge and is considered one of the happiest countries in the world.

But while Denmark is a tempting choice for those looking for a fresh start, there are still plenty of obstacles despite the new rules. In order to integrate and really feel at home, you need to learn Danish, deal with higher taxes and the cost of living, and deal with a different approach to healthcare, among many other factors.

If you want to try the Scandinavian lifestyle, you can move to Denmark in 2023. Similar rules apply to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

European citizens

Moving to Denmark is relatively easy for citizens of EU countries. There is no requirement for a work permit, but you must register with the authorities no later than three months after moving and prove that you have an income.

If you meet one of the requirements for EU freedom of movement, you can apply for a residence permit. This documents your right of residence in Denmark. You’ll need this for most practical things in Denmark, including opening a bank account, renting or buying an apartment and even joining a gym.

Move to Denmark for everyone else

If you are from a country other than a Nordic country, an EU/EEA member or Switzerland, Denmark considers you a “third-country national” and applies different rules. You need a residence permit to stay in Denmark.

This applies to citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others.

Aside from obtaining a residence permit because a close family member (usually the partner) has started work or study in Denmark, the most common way to obtain one is through a job offer.

To obtain a residence permit through a job offer, you must have experience in an industry or trade where there is a labor shortage in Denmark, or you must be offered a job with a sufficiently high salary. Denmark has recently updated its two Skilled Worker Lists, which show the sectors and trades where there are labor shortages.

Industries on the list include science, engineering, healthcare, education, IT, and finance, among others. Specific occupations include associate professionals and clerks in science and technology, business and administration, accounting, social welfare, electrician, metal, machinery and construction.

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Denmark has also lowered its salary requirements for third-country nationals for jobs that are not on these skilled labor lists.

Under the new rules, third-country nationals with a job offer of at least 375,000 Danish kroner ($54,500) per year can apply for a residence permit. That’s less than the previous 465,000 Danish kroner ($67,500). However, the employer must be certified by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

Other ways to get a residence permit are starting a business, full-time studies, an au pair program and asylum.

Denmark’s start-up program is extended to third-country nationals. Existing business owners who want to open a branch in Denmark can now apply for a residence permit under certain conditions.

Long-term stay in Denmark

After five years of holding a valid residence permit, non-EU/EEA nationals can apply for permanent residence in Denmark. For others, the required duration is eight years of continuous residence in most cases.

Permanent residents can apply to become Danish citizens after nine years of uninterrupted residence, but the application process is subject to other conditions, including financial situation, Danish language skills and knowledge of Denmark.

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I was born in the UK but moved to Norway in 2011 and have no regrets. I run a website and podcast about Norway, wrote the travel guide Moon Norway and spend my free time touring the country learning about the people and places of this unique corner of the world. I write for Forbes with an outsider’s inside perspective on Norway and Scandinavia.

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