Key Takeaways
• Since 2025, Denmark only grants work permits to students in government-approved programs.
• Foreign workers must earn equivalent Danish wages starting January 1, 2025, for permit eligibility.
• Danish Parliament tightened posted worker rules in November 2024 to ensure labor law compliance.
Denmark has been known for its open and progressive society, but in the last decade, its approach to immigration and work permit rules has changed a lot. These changes are not just because of the Danish Conservatives but come from a wide range of political voices across the country. Today, Denmark stands out in Europe for having some of the most strict immigration policies, showing a united political front rather than actions from a single party or directed at specific groups.
A Slow but Steady Change
If you look back at Danish society and its politics, you’ll see that immigration policy used to be a topic mostly brought up by parties like the Danish Conservatives or the Danish People’s Party. These groups were often worried about how many new immigrants were arriving and what this meant for Danish culture and the economy. But things really started to change when parties from the center and even those on the left, like the Social Democrats, began to support stricter immigration measures as well.
In 2019, the Social Democrats, under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, won the national election with a clear message: Denmark’s approach to immigration needed to become even more strict. Once in power, they did just that, continuing to build upon rules and laws that limited how many newcomers could settle in the country. This is often called the “Paradigm shift” in Denmark—the big idea being that, instead of helping immigrants who had already arrived fit into Danish society, the main goal was now to encourage more people to return to their home countries.
What’s New With Work Permits and Immigration Laws?
Work Permit Changes for Students
One of the most noticeable changes was made in May 2025 and affects international students. From this date, Denmark stopped granting work permits to students who are enrolled in programs that are not officially approved by Danish authorities. This might sound like a small detail, but it actually affects many students from abroad, who might come to Denmark hoping to get a good education and then find a job.
What’s more, these students can no longer bring their family members with them to Denmark. Before, students often moved with their partners, children, or even parents, which made it easier to settle. Now, this door has closed for many people.
There’s also one more important point: students who finish non-approved courses don’t get the usual six-month period to stay in Denmark and search for a job after graduation. That window has been shut, making it much harder for them to start a life in Denmark, no matter how skilled or motivated they might be.
If you’re considering studying in Denmark or applying for a work permit as a student, you’ll need to check which programs are officially approved. This is especially important if you want to bring your family or stay in the country to work after you finish your studies. For further information, you can review the current student work permit regulations at the official Danish Immigration Service website.
New Salary Rules for Foreign Workers
It’s not only students who face new rules. Starting January 1, 2025, Denmark changed the minimum salary that all new foreign workers must earn if they want a work permit. Now, foreign workers must be paid at least what a Danish worker would get for the same job.
This update affects all new work and residence permit applications submitted after December 31, 2024. The aim is to make sure foreign workers are not paid less than their Danish colleagues, which some worry could lead to “wage dumping”—a term that means using cheaper foreign labor to lower wages for everyone.
Employers now need to be careful and check that their job offers to foreign applicants match Danish wage standards. For foreign workers themselves, this can be both good and bad. On the positive side, they are protected from unfairly low wages, but on the downside, it also means that jobs that pay below the required level are closed off to them.
Tighter Requirements for Posted Workers
In November 2024, the Danish Parliament agreed on new rules affecting so-called “posted workers.” These are people who come to Denmark to work for a short time, while officially staying employed by companies in their home countries.
The new rules mean more paperwork for both workers and their employers. Everyone now needs to provide a lot more evidence that the job offer is real and that Danish labor laws are being followed. This is Denmark’s way of fighting against illegal work and making sure that foreign workers get the same rights and protections as Danish workers.
These stricter requirements mean that companies looking to bring in help from abroad will need to set aside more time (and money) to gather the right documents.
The Politics Behind the Changes
You might be wondering, is this all just the work of the Danish Conservatives or other right-wing parties? The short answer is no. While parties like the Danish Conservatives and the Danish People’s Party have long spoken out for stronger border controls and tighter immigration laws, the whole political landscape in Denmark has now shifted in this direction.
Even the Social Democratic Party, usually seen as more liberal or left-leaning, has pushed for tough rules. Since 2019, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her government have enforced some of the strictest immigration controls in all of Europe.
Prime Minister Frederiksen has explained this tough stance by saying immigration needs to be limited to “protect social cohesion”—in other words, to keep society working well together, with everyone sharing the same basic values and rules.
Interestingly, this way of thinking has started to spread to other European countries, who look to what some call the “Danish migration model” when making their own rules.
What Is the Public Saying?
The rules on work permits and immigration didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Public opinion has played a big part in pushing politicians, from conservatives to social democrats, to keep Denmark’s doors more tightly shut.
One recent poll showed that 46 percent of Danes agreed with the idea that “no more, or only a few, Muslims should be allowed to emigrate to Denmark.” That’s almost half the country. This feeling, while very direct, helps explain why so many political parties feel pressure to support strict entry rules, not just the Danish Conservatives.
This also helps explain why, even though rules do not specifically target people from Muslim-majority countries, they often have a strong impact on these groups.
“Paradigm Shift”: What Does It Mean for Immigrants and Employers?
Let’s break down what these changes mean for you if you want to move to Denmark for work or study, or if you are an employer hoping to hire from abroad.
For Immigrants and Foreign Students:
– Stricter approval requirements for study programs make it harder to qualify for a student work permit.
– Bringing family along to Denmark is now more difficult for student visa holders, unless their program is approved.
– The option to stay and find a job for six months after graduation is gone for many students.
– Foreign workers must now earn as much as any Danish employee in the same job to qualify for a work permit.
– Applying as a “posted worker” means dealing with more paperwork and checks.
For Employers:
– Job offers to foreign workers must meet Danish pay scales or will be rejected.
– Preparing applications for posted workers now involves extra paperwork.
– Failure to follow these new rules can mean fines or losing the ability to hire from abroad.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that firms in Denmark, whether small or large, must pay close attention to legal details or face penalties. A bit of planning can save headaches down the road.
Historical Background: From Openness to Restriction
For much of the late 20th century, Denmark was known for welcoming newcomers, especially during times of crisis in other countries. But everything changed in the early 2000s, when the Danish People’s Party started gaining seats in parliament by vocalizing worries over immigration, especially from Muslim-majority countries.
Slowly, the tone moved from one of openness to caution and then restriction. As time went on, even parties that once favored a more open-door policy joined in, leading to today’s broad agreement across most major parties, including the Danish Conservatives.
By 2019, this approach became something the Social Democratic Party proudly claimed, saying it was important to set limits for the sake of Danish society.
Why Is Denmark Doing This?
The big questions are: Why has Denmark, a country known for its openness and support for international cooperation, made these changes to its work permit and immigration policies? Why the move away from integration toward encouraging returns to countries of origin?
Politicians point to worries about social and cultural differences, the strain on welfare programs, and reports of crime among some immigrant groups. There is also the view that: “If you make things too easy, more people will come than the country can handle.”
Another part of the story is that, in a democracy like Denmark, politicians have to listen to their voters. In recent years, that has meant supporting more gatekeeping.
Do These Policies Target Specific Countries or Religions?
A closer look at the rules shows they do not openly target people from Muslim-majority countries. However, because many immigrants who struggle to meet the new income or study rules are from those places, the effect can feel targeted.
Still, the policies are designed to apply to everyone in the same way, regardless of background. The Danish Conservatives have often talked about the need for “better control and balance,” but they are not acting alone in calling for strictness.
What Lies Ahead?
It’s clear that Denmark wants to keep its tough stance on work permit and immigration rules for the foreseeable future. This could mean fewer young people coming to study and work long-term, and more people from outside Europe being blocked from even applying.
For anyone wanting to move to Denmark, the most important thing is to stay updated on changes and start planning early. For companies, it is crucial to match wage offers to Danish standards and prepare all paperwork ahead of time.
Immigration policies can change quickly, so it’s wise to check for the latest rules directly with Danish authorities. You can find trustworthy, up-to-date information and official forms on the official Danish Immigration Service website.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are an immigrant thinking about Denmark, a company looking to hire workers from other countries, or just someone interested in how immigration rules evolve, Denmark’s recent changes are worth paying attention to. These shifts show how public opinion, economic concerns, and political coalitions—like the one between the Danish Conservatives and other major parties—can reshape the rules overnight.
As countries rethink their policies, Denmark’s experience shows how quickly things can change—and how deeply those changes can affect people’s lives, dreams, and opportunities. Staying informed with sources like VisaVerge.com is key so you’re always prepared, whether you’re applying for a work permit, a study visa, or simply following immigration policies as they unfold.
Learn Today
Work permit → Legal authorization allowing foreigners to work in Denmark under specific conditions.
Posted workers → Employees temporarily sent by their employers in another country to work in Denmark.
Danish Conservatives → A political party advocating for stricter immigration and border control policies in Denmark.
Salary parity → Requirement that foreign workers earn at least the same wage as Danish employees.
Paradigm shift → Fundamental change in Denmark’s immigration policy focusing on return rather than integration.
This Article in a Nutshell
Denmark’s immigration policies shifted dramatically, now requiring students in approved programs only. Foreign workers face salary parity, and posted workers endure stricter checks. Political consensus spans parties, aiming to protect social cohesion through tougher immigration and work permit rules, reshaping Denmark’s migration landscape significantly since 2019.
— By VisaVerge.com
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