Denmark raises minimum salary threshold for foreign workers under Pay Limit Scheme

Denmark has raised the salary floor for foreign workers applying under its Pay Limit Scheme, setting the 2026 minimum annual pay at DKK552,000, or about $84,254, according to updated guidance from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, known as SIRI. The new level, which works out at DKK46,000 a month, applies to applications submitted from 1 January 2026 and marks an increase of DKK38,000 from the 2025 threshold.

The scheme remains one of Denmark’s main routes for non-EU professionals to obtain a residence and work permit on the basis of pay rather than occupation. According to SIRI, applicants do not need to meet a specific educational requirement or work in a designated profession, provided they have a qualifying job offer and their salary meets the relevant Danish standard. A separate supplementary route also exists, with its own lower threshold.

SIRI says only certain parts of a compensation package can be counted towards the salary requirement. These include guaranteed cash pay, employer and employee contributions to labour-market pension schemes, and paid holiday allowance. Perks such as a company car, phone or internet allowance, canteen benefits, and employer-paid housing or living expenses do not count towards the minimum.

The permit is closely tied to the employment contract itself. Applicants usually need a job with a company registered in Denmark, although some exceptions apply, including in limited cases involving foreign firms providing services in the country. Those applying from within Denmark must be legally present when they submit their application, while applicants abroad may, in some circumstances, receive a permit that begins up to a month before their start date if they can show they can support themselves and any accompanying family members.

If employment ends, workers are generally given an automatic six-month residence period to look for a new job, but they are not allowed to work during that time. Any new role requires a fresh application under the relevant work route, whether that is the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List or another applicable category. The annual update reflects a broader pattern of tighter and more frequently adjusted labour migration rules in Denmark, where salary thresholds for foreign workers are regularly revised to align with domestic wage levels.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Verification / Sources

• https://nairametrics.com/2026/09/23/denmark-sets-minimum-salary-for-foreign-workers/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
• https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Words-and-concepts/SIRI/Minimum-amounts/Pay-Limit-Scheme%27s-minimum-amount – The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has set the minimum annual salary for the Pay Limit Scheme at DKK 552,000 for 2026, applicable to applications submitted from January 1, 2026. This threshold is regulated annually and represents a DKK 38,000 increase from the previous year’s DKK 514,000. The salary calculation includes guaranteed cash salary, employer and employee contributions to labour-market pension schemes, and paid holiday allowance, while benefits like company cars and paid housing expenses are excluded. Applicants must generally have an employment agreement with a company registered in Denmark, though exceptions apply in certain circumstances. The residence and work permit are tied directly to the qualifying employment and salary conditions, with extensions required if employment contracts are extended.
• https://www.exploringdenmark.com/pay-limit-scheme-denmark/ – Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme offers a straightforward route for non-EU professionals to obtain a work permit: if a Danish employer offers a salary at or above the threshold, the applicant qualifies, regardless of occupation. For 2026, the threshold is DKK 552,000 per year. The scheme has two tracks: the Ordinary Pay Limit Scheme, with no occupation restrictions, and the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, which requires the job to be advertised on Jobnet/EURES first and has unemployment conditions. Both thresholds rise every 1 January, so applicants should always check the current figure before applying.
• https://legalclarity.org/denmarks-pay-limit-scheme-salary-thresholds-and-pathways/ – Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme allows non-EU/EEA citizens with high-paying job offers to obtain residence and work permits, provided their annual salary meets a minimum threshold set by the government. For 2026, the threshold is DKK 552,000 under the regular scheme or DKK 446,000 under the supplementary scheme. The scheme has two qualifying pathways: the regular Pay Limit Scheme, which imposes no occupation or industry restrictions, and the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, which has additional conditions. The salary thresholds are adjusted annually, so applicants should verify the current figures before applying.
• https://copernicalaw.dk/en/pay-limit-scheme-2026-new-salary-thresholds/ – Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme is a popular route for third-country nationals seeking to work in Denmark, as it is not tied to a specific job or industry—the main condition is that the annual salary exceeds a fixed threshold. In 2026, the main Pay Limit Scheme threshold is approximately DKK 500,000, while the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme is around DKK 400,000. The exact figures are set by the authorities and should always be checked on SIRI’s website when applying. Applicants must have a concrete job offer from a Danish employer with a contract or letter of employment.
• https://www.europeunlocked.info/denmark/working/denmark-pay-limit-scheme – Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme is the primary route for expatriates to work in Denmark, with no occupation list, no points, and no degree requirement. The key criterion is that the Danish employer pays at least DKK 552,000 a year (2026). The scheme has two tracks: the Ordinary Pay Limit Scheme, applicable to any occupation, industry, or employer, and the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, which requires the job to be advertised on Jobnet/EURES first and has unemployment conditions. The minimum salary threshold rises every 1 January, so applicants should always check the current figure before applying.
• https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Words-and-concepts/SIRI/Minimum-amounts/The-Supplementary-Pay-Limit-Scheme%27s-minimum-amount – The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has set the minimum annual salary for the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme at DKK 446,000 for 2026, applicable to applications submitted from January 1, 2026. This threshold is regulated annually. The salary calculation includes guaranteed cash salary, employer and employee contributions to labour-market pension schemes, and paid holiday allowance, while benefits like company cars and paid housing expenses are excluded. Applicants must generally have an employment agreement with a company registered in Denmark, though exceptions apply in certain circumstances. The residence and work permit are tied directly to the qualifying employment and salary conditions, with extensions required if employment contracts are extended.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The article was published on September 23, 2026, and references updated guidance from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) dated September 22, 2026. No earlier versions of this specific content were found, indicating high freshness. The narrative does not appear to be recycled from low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The information is based on a press release from SIRI, which typically warrants a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The article does not contain direct quotes. The information is paraphrased from the SIRI press release, which is acceptable as long as the paraphrasing accurately reflects the original content.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The primary source is the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), a government agency, which is a reliable source. However, the article is published on Nairametrics, a financial news platform that may not be as widely recognized as major news organizations. This slightly reduces the overall reliability score.

Plausibility check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims made in the article align with known information about Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme and its salary thresholds. The details about the salary components and application procedures are consistent with existing knowledge. No inconsistencies or implausible claims were identified.