Denmark’s Pay Limit Scheme is a residence and work permit route for non-EU/EEA citizens whose Danish job offer meets a set annual salary. For 2026, the salary floor is DKK 552,000 under the regular track and DKK 446,000 under the supplementary track. The scheme, authorized by Section 9a of the Danish Aliens Act, treats a high salary as proof that the position matters to the Danish economy, so your job title, industry, and formal qualifications are not part of the eligibility test. The salary is.
The Two Tracks
There are two versions of the scheme, and picking the right one starts with the number on your contract.
The regular Pay Limit Scheme is the broader route. A job offer of at least DKK 552,000 per year qualifies regardless of occupation, industry, or employer type. The employer generally needs to be a company registered in Denmark, with narrow exceptions for foreign companies providing services in Denmark.1New to Denmark. The Pay Limit Schemes Most international hires use this track because the conditions beyond salary are minimal.
The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme lowers the bar to DKK 446,000 but adds scrutiny.2New to Denmark. The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme The permit is strictly tied to the exact position that formed the basis of the application, and secondary employment is off-limits without separate authorization. The regular track also locks you to your role, but the supplementary track applies extra scrutiny to the position itself.
What Salary Actually Counts
The headline number on your offer letter is not necessarily your qualifying salary. SIRI counts only three components when checking whether you clear the threshold:3New to Denmark. The Pay Limit Scheme
- Cash salary, meaning your base pay plus any fixed, guaranteed supplements
- Pension contributions, both employer-paid and employee-paid, going into a labor market pension
- Paid holiday allowance stipulated in your contract
Housing allowances, company cars, phone plans, and performance bonuses do not count. An offer showing DKK 520,000 with DKK 40,000 of that as a housing stipend gives you a qualifying salary of DKK 480,000, short of the regular threshold. Check the composition before you sign.
The thresholds are adjusted every January. In 2024 they stood at DKK 487,000 and DKK 393,000, so the 2026 figures reflect a substantial increase.3New to Denmark. The Pay Limit Scheme
The Danish Bank Account Rule
Your entire salary must be paid into a Danish bank account in your own name, at a bank operating legally in Denmark. You have 180 days from the date your permit is granted (or from your entry into Denmark, if later) to open the account. If you already hold a Danish residence permit valid for at least 180 days, the very first paycheck under the new permit must go into a Danish account.3New to Denmark. The Pay Limit Scheme The purpose is real-time verification by the tax authorities, and paying less than the prorated monthly amount can trigger revocation.
One Permit, One Job
Your permit authorizes you to work in the specific job that justified it, and nothing else. Side jobs, freelance work, or a second position all require a separate permit before you start.2New to Denmark. The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme This surprises applicants coming from countries where a work visa covers any lawful employment. Danish rules are narrower.
Employment Terms Beyond the Salary
Clearing the salary bar is necessary but not sufficient. SIRI also checks that the overall employment terms match what a Danish worker in the same industry would expect: standard working hours (usually 37 per week for full-time roles), reasonable notice periods, and vacation entitlements consistent with Danish law. If anything looks off, SIRI can refer the contract to a regional labor market council. A finding that the terms undercut prevailing conditions will sink the application even when the salary qualifies.
Applying: Form, Documents, Fees, Biometrics
Applications use the AR1 online form on the New to Denmark portal. Your employer fills out the position and company section; you complete the personal section and upload your documents.4New to Denmark. Fast-Track Application Using AR1 Have these ready before you start:
- A signed employment contract stating salary, working hours, and job responsibilities
- A full passport copy, every page, including covers
- Copies of diplomas or transcripts if the position requires specific credentials
Inconsistencies between the employer’s section and yours are a common cause of delay, so cross-check the details.
The 2026 processing fee is DKK 6,810 (about EUR 913), up sharply from DKK 4,670 in 2024.5New to Denmark. Overview of Fee Rates Payment is made after you generate a Case Order ID and before you submit.
After submission, you have exactly 14 days to record biometric data: a digital facial photograph and fingerprints. This is done at a Danish diplomatic mission abroad or at a SIRI branch office if you are already in Denmark.6Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Visa Information Miss the 14-day window and the application is automatically rejected; the fee is not refunded.
SIRI usually decides Pay Limit cases within one to three months, with many straightforward applications finished in 30 to 60 days. Requests for additional documentation stretch that out.
How Long the Permit Lasts
If your contract runs five years or more, the permit is normally granted for five years. Shorter contracts get a permit matching the contract length.2New to Denmark. The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme You can renew before expiry as long as you still meet the salary threshold and employment conditions in force at that time. Because the threshold rises every January, a salary that qualified at first application can fall short at renewal. Build that into any conversation about future raises.
If Your Job Ends
Losing your job does not force immediate departure. Permit holders originally granted a permit for less than four years may qualify for an automatic job-seeking permit of up to six months.7New to Denmark. Jobseeking Permit for Employees The catch is a hard deadline: you must apply no later than two days after your employment ends, which means two days after your notice period expires. During those six months you can remain in Denmark and look for work but cannot actually work until a new permit is issued. Missing the two-day filing window forfeits the right to the job-seeking permit entirely.
If SIRI Rejects the Application
A rejection letter explains the appeal route. Appeals go to the Immigration Appeals Board, and you have eight weeks from the date you receive the decision to file.8New to Denmark. Appeals The clock runs from receipt, not from issuance, so account for mail time if you are abroad. There is no further appeal for work permit decisions beyond the Board, so a single filing is your only chance to reverse the outcome.
Bringing Your Family
Once your permit is granted, your spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner can apply for family reunification. A family reunification permit normally includes the right to work in Denmark, and it is not tied to a single employer the way yours is.9Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Family Reunification
Children can be included if they are under 15 when the application is submitted. Those aged 15 to 17 qualify only if “very special reasons” apply, such as the child’s best interests or Denmark’s international obligations. No one aged 18 or older can apply as a dependent child.10New to Denmark. Apply for Family Reunification as a Child Family permits track the duration of yours, can be renewed, and may lead to permanent residency.
From Pay Limit Permit to Permanent Residency
A Pay Limit permit is temporary, but it can lay the groundwork for permanent residency. The standard route requires eight years of continuous legal residence. A shorter four-year path is available if you meet all four supplementary requirements, one of which is at least four years of full-time employment (at least 30 hours per week, calculated monthly) during the four and a half years before the Immigration Service decides.11New to Denmark. Apply for a Permanent Residence Permit The basic employment duration requirement is three years and six months of full-time work during the four years before the decision, and you must be actively employed at at least 15 hours per week when the decision is made. Permanent residency removes the employer-specific work restriction and ends the renewal cycle, which is why many permit holders plan around these timelines from day one.