Find Your New Job in Denmark
Your Guide to Finding Jobs and Jobs in Denmark
Working in Denmark can be a rewarding career move. Whatever business field you work in, being a team player and independent thinker is vital to both getting and keeping a job. Forget the formalities and hierarchy if you don't want to feel very isolated in this country.
The Danish job market can be tough for foreigners. Most Danes speak English so well that merely being proficient in the language will be of no use to you. Similarly, if you struggle with English, it will work against you when looking for a job. Furthermore, if you want to build a solid career in Denmark, you will need to study Danish as well. Use this guide to show you how to find a job in Denmark or how to start working as a self-employed person.
Being a taxpayer in Denmark means you are protected by the country's comprehensive social security system. You can receive benefits for maternity, illness, unemployment, and more, whether you're an employee or a self-employed professional.
Working days Monday through Friday, 37 hours a week the average salary is 47,000 DKK (7,000 USD) per month. Don't get too anxious right now—after taxes that number could easily drop to half.
On this page:
How to get a job as a foreigner in Denmark
Minimum Wage and Average Wage
Self-employed
Business culture
Social Security and Benefits
Maternity leave
How to get a job as a foreigner in Denmark
If you are wondering how as a foreigner you can get a job in Denmark, we cover some of the potential opportunities in this country. We give you all the information you need to apply, whether it's the style of CV you see traveling in Denmark, or some interviewing and networking tips to land you the right job.
Requirements and eligibility to work in Denmark
To work in Denmark as a foreigner, you may need a visa and work permit. EU citizens don't need to either – they are free to enter the country and work immediately. However, if they are staying for more than three months, they should be properly registered in the country (for CPR number, health card, etc.). Citizens of other Nordic countries only need to register in Denmark after six months.
Citizens of other countries will need a visa and work permit in Denmark. To be eligible for a visa, you must first sign a job contract. Read on for all the tools you need to apply for jobs in Denmark.
Job opportunities in Denmark for foreigners
The surest way to secure a job in Denmark is to take a look at the shortage occupation list, better known as the affirmative list. It is published biennially and describes all occupations that are in demand in the country for those wishing to apply for a visa. Even if you don't need a visa to work in the country, it's a good idea to check the list to find out if your expertise may be particularly valuable.
Currently, the list includes many managerial positions in the areas of sales, marketing, public relations, IT, administration, etc., but also includes many other specialized professions, from pharmacists to dietitians, teachers, journalists, civil engineers.
You will find that speaking English is not enough to get you a job. Danes do too, and after all, they speak Danish. Learning Danish is vital if you want to get fit and have a long-lasting career in the country. Tourism is one of the largest business sectors in Denmark. If you speak languages other than English, you should consider tourism in the country as a serious career path. As an expatriate, you may also have opportunities as an au pair - there is a specific visa for this as well.
How to apply for jobs in Denmark
Some universal tips on how to apply for jobs suitable for the Danish job market. This includes a tailored CV and cover letter that shows you perfectly match the job position. However, there are some specific tips and tricks for the Danish job market that you will benefit from knowing.
Danish-Style CV
Given how quickly recruiters can skim through CVs, it's a good idea to stick to a format to which Danish recruiters are more used.
- Start with your details such as your name, age, and gender. If you do include a photo, make sure it's professional but trendy-looking. Forget the serious-looking passport picture and go with a friendly-looking photo of yourself with a building or window in the background.
- Include a personal summary at the top. This should be a paragraph of no more than five or six lines where you mention your professional skills as well as your personal and social qualities.
- CVs follow a chronological order. List your most recent professional experience and qualifications from first to last. Remember that not all professional experiences are relevant. Since you only have a few minutes to impress your potential employer, you want them to know the most important aspects of your career, and not be overwhelmed by too much information.
- List languages and hard skills. If you studied abroad, be sure to include that as well.
- Keep hobbies and other activities to a minimum and include them only if they are relevant to the position.
Cover Letter tips
It is important to send a cover letter with your job application. Like most other job markets, you should make a case for how you fit into the position the best you can. A winning cover letter will showcase some of the other aspects that are highly valued by Dane. For example, teamwork is highly valued as well as the ability to solve problems. Be sure to showcase your skills by emphasizing situations where you achieved great results as a team, or you solved a problem efficiently.
Required references and qualifications
References are generally not required, although they are becoming increasingly common for managerial roles. You can list the contact details of someone who can confirm your character and skills. You can also mention at the bottom of the resume that you can provide references upon request - and you can get extra points if you write it in Danish: "anbefalinger kan fås ved Normere Henvendels."
As far as qualifications are concerned, you should expect the employer to provide you with a copy of your diploma or certificate.
One thing that shouldn't surprise you is if you're asked for a straitest—a document provided by the Danish police that proves you haven't been convicted of a crime in the country. This is asked by both Danes and non-Dens and can be easily obtained online.
Interview Tips
If you have reached the interview stage, you should come prepared with a lot of information about the company. Know your CV by heart and keep two or three workplace experiences that you can share as examples of your strengths and ability to overcome obstacles.
When doing an on-site interview, a strong handshake and eye contact are essential. Both are seen as a sign of trust and trust. The dress code should be smart but casual. There is no need to use a business suite (unless applying to a bank or law firm). Looking too formal may contribute to the image that Danes have of foreign workers being too harsh in their ways.
Networking Tips
Networking is especially important for expatriates. Since Danes already have connections in the country, you can certainly benefit from building a good network of contacts that could be valuable for a future job. The best way to go about this is to find out specific events in your city related to your workspace. Think about conferences, meetings, workshops, and other events that may attract other professionals in your field.
You can also attend one of the many international events that gather both ex-pats and locals. There is an international community in Aarhus and Copenhagen.
Connect with like-minded expatriates
Discover our welcoming community of expatriates! You'll find many ways to network, socialize, and make new friends. Participate in online and in-person events that bring together global minds.
Minimum Wage and Average Wage
As of now, the average salary in Demark is around 47,000 DKK (7,000 USD). The highest average salary in the country is in Copenhagen, which is 53,000 DKK (7,850 USD) a month, and the lowest is 45,800 DKK (6,800 USD), in the North Jutland region. This is for gross pay, of course. With taxes going up to 50% in some cases, that number could be reduced to half.
Denmark minimum wage
Unlike most other EU countries, Denmark does not have a fixed minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are often established by collective labor market agreements, which are negotiated between unions and employers' unions.
Nevertheless, the lowest minimum wage in the country is around 110 DKK (16 USD) per hour. Then you should expect the lowest salary in Denmark to be 17,000 DKK (2,500 USD) before taxes.
What is a good salary in Denmark?
The average salary in Denmark should be enough to live comfortably in the country.
For reference, the table below lists average annual salaries for common occupations, some of which are in demand in Denmark.
| Profession | Salary DKK | Salary USD |
| Accountant | 250,000 | 37,300 |
| Architect | 400,000 | 59,800 |
| Marketing manager | 427,000 | 63,800 |
| Nurse | 330,000 | 49,300 |
| Product manager | 720,000 | 107,500 |
| Software engineer | 476,000 | 71,100 |
| Teacher | 300,000 | 44,800 |
| UX designer | 378,000 | 56,500 |
| Web developer | 339,000 | 50,600 |
| Sales manager | 535,000 | 79,300 |
| Environmental consultant | 205,000 | 30,400 |
Self-employed
Self-employment in Denmark can take many forms but will usually mean forming a company. Freelancers seem to be somewhat of a gray area in the eyes of the law, being recognized neither as employees nor as self-employed workers.
Make sure you have the right type of visa to start self-employed in Denmark.
How to become self-employed in Denmark
If you own a company, you are considered self-employed in Denmark. It can be a one-person business or a company with at least one employee.
If you wish to register your business as a sole proprietor, or enkelmandsvirksomhed, you can do so on Virk. DK is under starting a business. You should log in using your name, select the Sole Proprietorship option, and enter the requested information such as your name, address, industry code, type of tax you will pay, etc.
Freelancers can also work for an employer as an outside contractor. However, in these cases, they may be legally considered employees, so make sure you know the exact terms of your contract, tax rates, Social Security benefits, and more.
Create your own company
If you want to become self-employed by forming a company, you can start the following types of business:
- Entrepreneurial company, Iværksætterselskaber (IVS)
- Private Limited Company, Anpartsselskaber (APS)
- Public Limited Company, Actiselskaber (A/s)
- Limited Partnership Company, Partnerselskar (P/S)
Forming one of these companies would require a start-up capital of as little as 1 DKK (0.10 USD) and up to 500,000 DKK (74,000 USD). Click on the link to form a company in Denmark and learn more about their legal status.
Top Self Employed Jobs in Denmark
Most of the people working as "freelancers" in Denmark are photographers, designers, translators, journalists, etc. Others may work as consultants or outside hires in their area of expertise.
Musicians and other artists can also do freelance work, although their legal status may vary. Their relationship with their employer may be covered by collective agreements that establish rates, royalties, and other aspects.
Self Employment benefits in Denmark
There are no significant differences between Social Security benefits for employees and self-employed workers in Denmark. Self-employed employees are also entitled to benefits like employees in case of unemployment, sickness, maternity, etc. However, the conditions for availing of these benefits are strict for the self-employed.
As a general rule, self-employed professionals must be members of an unemployment fund for at least one year and have had at least 52 weeks of business activity in the past three years.
Business Culture
You will find that Danish business culture is quite informal. This goes for the style of communication, dress code, and overall demeanor. Read on to learn more about what you should expect from working in this Scandinavian country.
Things to know about working in Denmark
- Being too formal can be perceived as unfriendly in Danish work culture.
- Don't expect hierarchy in Denmark—even students are on a first-name basis with teachers. You should treat everyone with equal respect, regardless of position. Most bosses appreciate being treated like other peers.
- Be sure to speak up and express your opinion regardless of your position in the company. Some foreigners shy away from talking or protesting to their boss but this is appreciated and even expected in Denmark – as long as you do it politely.
Working Days and Hours
A typical work week in Denmark is from Monday to Friday.
Danes value both efficiency and work-life balance. For this reason, they will make the most of the official 37 hours of work per week, and leave the office at around 16:00 every day. By 17:00 you should see most of the desk empty.
Social Security and Benefits
You may have already heard of Denmark's social security number-CPR number. You will need it for almost any formal process in the country. Find out here what you can do to benefit from the nation's welfare system and how to get CPR as soon as you land.
Social Security Benefits in Denmark
With Denmark's social security, you are guaranteed some protection by the state in cases of need. If you legally reside in Denmark and contribute to Social Security, you are entitled to Social Security benefits and assistance for:
- Family—includes maternity and child benefits, and child care;
- Health—such as free public health care, sick benefits and leave, home care service, which includes care for disabled or sick close relatives;
- Disability—This includes benefits in case of sickness, injury, disability, and old-age pension.
Applying for a CPR Number in Denmark
How to obtain a social security number in Denmark and the documents required may vary by municipality. You may be able to apply online in some cases. If not, you will need to visit your municipality's civic service center, or the International Civil Service in Aalborg, Aarhus, or Odense, and apply in person.
You will need the following documents:
- passport or personal ID
- work and residence permit
- employment or assignment contract
- Proof of your address in Denmark (eg, rental contract)
- Documents recording any change of name (marriage or divorce certificate, etc.)
- Birth certificate of your children, if applicable
With this registration, you will receive the Yellow Card - your health and social security card in Denmark. This card contains your CPR, your name, address, and the name and address of your family doctor.
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