Denmark continues to provide opportunities for qualified international professionals and skilled workers seeking to live and work in the country, with eligible workers able to apply to bring their immediate family members with them.
As Denmark continues to address shortages in several areas of the labour market, its work-permit system provides several routes for qualified foreign nationals to obtain residence and employment in the country. For eligible workers, this can also provide a pathway for their spouse, partner and children to obtain residence in Denmark.
The latest update to Denmark’s Positive Lists took effect on 1 July 2026, with 164 occupations listed for people with higher education and 63 occupations listed for skilled workers. The Positive Lists identify occupations where Denmark has a shortage of qualified labour.
Who Can Qualify to Work in Denmark?
Foreign nationals may qualify for a Danish work and residence permit through several schemes, depending on their qualifications, occupation, salary and employment offer.
One of the key routes is the Positive List, which is divided into two categories:
1. Positive List for People With Higher Education
This route is designed for qualified professionals whose occupation appears on Denmark’s Positive List for people with higher education.
The current list contains 164 occupations.
Applicants must generally have the relevant educational qualifications and a genuine job offer in an occupation covered by the list.
2. Positive List for Skilled Work
Denmark also has a separate list for skilled workers. The current list contains 63 occupations.
This provides an opportunity for qualified workers with relevant vocational or technical training to seek employment in Denmark where their occupation is experiencing a shortage.
SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, also updated the wage statistics used to assess applications under the skilled-work list from 1 August 2026.
Other Routes to Work in Denmark
The Positive Lists are not the only options.
Pay Limit Scheme
Foreign workers who receive a qualifying Danish job offer with a salary of at least DKK 552,000 per year can potentially qualify under the Pay Limit Scheme.
That is equivalent to approximately DKK 46,000 per month before deductions.
The salary and employment conditions must also correspond to Danish standards.
Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
Another option is the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme.
For applications in 2026, the minimum annual salary is DKK 446,000, equivalent to approximately DKK 37,167 per month.
However, meeting the salary threshold alone does not automatically guarantee a residence permit. Applicants must satisfy the other requirements of the applicable scheme and have a genuine qualifying employment offer.
Can Workers Bring Their Families?
Yes.
One of the significant advantages of Denmark’s work-based immigration system is that an eligible foreign worker can apply for residence for certain immediate family members.
Under Denmark’s accompanying-family rules, eligible family members generally include:
- Spouse
- Registered partner
- Cohabiting partner
- Children under 18
In exceptional circumstances, other family members may also qualify, but they do not automatically receive the right to relocate simply because a relative has obtained a Danish work permit.
This means that a qualified Nigerian professional who secures an eligible job in Denmark may potentially relocate with their spouse and children under the accompanying-family rules.
Can the Spouse Work in Denmark?
Yes.
An accompanying spouse or partner can generally work in Denmark without obtaining a separate work permit.
This makes the arrangement particularly attractive to families because both adults may be able to participate in the Danish labour market.
There are, however, specific restrictions in certain situations, including circumstances involving employment with the same employer or a closely related company.
What About Children?
Children who meet the accompanying-family requirements and are under 18 can generally apply for residence as accompanying family members.
Families should ensure that appropriate documentation is available, including birth certificates and, where applicable, documents relating to custody or parental consent.
How Much Does the Application Cost?
For 2026, SIRI’s processing fee for many work-based residence applications is DKK 6,810.
The processing fee for an accompanying family member is DKK 3,080 per person.
For example, a family consisting of:
One worker + spouse + two children
would have SIRI application fees of approximately:
- Main applicant: DKK 6,810
- Spouse: DKK 3,080
- Child: DKK 3,080
- Child: DKK 3,080
Total: DKK 16,050
Additional costs may apply, including biometrics, document preparation, translations and service charges.
How Long Does Family Processing Take?
SIRI currently states a normal processing time of approximately two months for applications for accompanying family members of employees. Where additional information is required, processing can take up to three months.
Processing times can change, so applicants should always check the latest official information before submitting an application.
Applying From Nigeria
Applicants in Nigeria can submit residence-permit applications requiring biometrics through the Danish authorities’ designated VFS facilities in Abuja and Lagos.
Applicants are required to appear personally for biometric registration.
The general process is:
1. Secure a genuine Danish employment offer
2. Determine the appropriate work-permit scheme
3. Create a case order and pay the applicable SIRI fee
4. Complete the relevant application
5. Submit biometrics and required documents
6. Await SIRI’s decision
7. Apply for accompanying-family residence permits where applicable
Important: A Job Offer Is Essential
It is important to understand that Denmark’s work immigration system is not a general visa lottery or open relocation programme.
Applicants must qualify under an applicable immigration scheme and, for employment-based routes, normally have a genuine qualifying employment offer.
Simply having a university degree, vocational certificate or work experience does not automatically give someone the right to work in Denmark.
Likewise, paying an agent does not guarantee approval.
Applicants should verify the employer, employment contract, occupation, salary and immigration route before making substantial payments to any recruitment or immigration intermediary.
Why This Matters for Nigerians
For qualified Nigerians looking for international career opportunities, Denmark represents an option worth exploring, particularly for professionals and skilled workers whose occupations appear on the current Positive Lists or who qualify under another Danish work-permit scheme.
The possibility of relocating with a spouse and children also makes Denmark particularly attractive to applicants who are looking for a family relocation opportunity rather than simply an overseas job.
However, eligibility is determined on an individual basis. The occupation, qualifications, employment offer, salary and applicable immigration scheme all matter.
Planning to Work and Relocate to Denmark?
If you are a Nigerian professional or skilled worker considering Denmark, the first step is to determine whether your occupation and qualifications match a current Danish immigration route.
The Positive Lists are updated periodically, so an occupation that qualifies today may not necessarily remain on the list indefinitely.
For the latest requirements, applicants should consult the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and the relevant Danish authorities before beginning the application process.
For professional guidance on your eligibility, job-search options and Denmark relocation process, contact us today.
Information in this article is based on Danish immigration rules and official information available in 2026. Immigration requirements, fees, occupation lists and processing times can change. Individual eligibility should be assessed against the requirements applicable at the time of application.
