Denmark Launches Work-Permit Scheme for 16 Countries

Denmark's Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced a new immigration pathway for skilled foreign workers, known as the Collective Agreement Scheme, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. This scheme allows Danish employers to recruit foreign workers at a reduced minimum salary threshold of DKK 322,000 per year, based on 2026 figures, provided the roles are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Only citizens from 16 specific countries, including Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and India, are eligible for this scheme. Notably, Nigerian passport holders are excluded from this list.

Companies must obtain certification from SIRI before submitting applications for foreign employees, with the certification application window opening in December 2026. The full processing of applications will commence on 1 January 2027, and SIRI plans to launch dedicated application pages on its website ahead of the scheme's implementation.