11/21/24, 9:36 AM New to Denmark

Frontpage You want to apply Work

The Positive List for People with a Higher

Education
You have been offered a job included in the list of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified
professionals in Denmark.

What are my rights, if I am granted a permit?

What are you allowed to do with a Danish residence and work permit based on the Positive List? – and what are
you not allowed to do?

Work

You are only allowed to work in the job and in the company that you have been granted a permit to work in.

If you have been granted a residence permit for a job based one of the Regional Labour Market Councils have
additions , you can only for for the company or a branch of the company in that particular geographical area
(municipalities) the council covers. However, you can participate in meetings in other areas of Denmark and go
for business trips abroad as part of your job.
Read more about the Regional Labour Market Councils and what areas they cover (opens in new window)

After having a residence permit for 4 years, you are allowed to have you primary place of work in a different
geographical area without having to apply for a new residence permit.

You are allowed to carry out unpaid voluntary work. Read about unpaid voluntary work.

Please note that your work permit can expire before your residence permit. This happens if you have been
granted a permit to stay in Denmark for a period of time while looking for a new job.

It is important that you do not work during this so called job seeking period as it is only intended for job seeking
in Denmark.

If you are offered a new job, you must apply for a new permit. This also applies if you are offered a new position
within the same company.

If you wish to take a sideline job, you have to obtain a separate permit. Read more about sideline employment.

A Danish residence and work permit does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries. Read more about
Schengen.

Read more about working conditions in Denmark and 'The Danish labour market model.

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Residence

A residence and work permit based on the Positive List allows you to stay in Denmark for the period of time
your permit is valid.

In addition, a permit allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within the latest 180 days period.
The permit, however, does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries.

You must not give up your Danish address or stay abroad for longer than 6 successive months. A violation will
result in the lapse of your permit. This means that you will lose your right to stay in Denmark.

If you need to stay abroad for an extended period of time, e.g. if you are stationed abroad for a period of time by
your employer, you can apply for a dispensation to prevent your permit from lapsing.

You can read more about permit lapse and dispensation options here.

Public benefits

You must be able to support yourself and your family during your stay. For instance, you are not allowed to
receive benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act – and there might be other benefits that you
cannot receive.

If you or your family members receive such benefits during your stay, your permit can be revoked – and you will
lose the right to stay in Denmark.

If an authority, e.g. a municipality, disburses benefits to foreign nationals, SIRI will be notified.

Read more about benefits that you are not allowed to receive.

Danish lessons

With a residence permit in Denmark, you are entitled to free Danish lessons. However, you must have turned 18
years and have your Danish address registered in the Danish National Register.

If you have a residence permit in Denmark based on work, study, etc. you have to pay a deposit before you can
start receiving lessons. Be aware that you can lose your deposit if you do not pass the different modules within
a specific timeframe.

Your municipality of residence is obliged to offer you Danish lessons and refer you to a language centre. If you
have not been offered Danish lessons within a month after registering your address in Denmark, you can
contact your municipality.
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You will (typically) be taught together with other foreign nationals who have arrived in Denmark recently.

Additional information

If you are going to stay and work in Denmark, there are a number of things to acquaint yourself with. Depending
on your personal situation, you might need other important information and options.

The portal lifeindenmark.dk (opens in new window) provides you with information, links and in many cases also
options concerning the most important subjects such as:

• MitID
• The CPR register
• Health card
• Tax matters
• Holiday entitlements
• School and daycare
• Housing
• Danish lessons
• Car registration and driver’s licens

Responsible agency

The Danish Agency for

International Recruitment and
Integration (SIRI)

Last updated 29-10-2024 - Published by: SIRI

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