Denmark has released updated income statistics applicable to applications submitted from 1 January 2025. The income statistics have been updated to reflect the third quarter of 2024, enabling case processing for applications submitted from 1 January 2025. The income statistics are updated every quarter, and the next update is expected to be effective from 1 April 2025.

Danish residency and work permit applicants must meet salary and employment terms that align with Danish standards for foreign-salaried employees. Therefore, when applying for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on a salaried job, it is required that your pay meet Danish requirements.

What it means is that to be granted a residence and work permit, your pay and terms of employment must meet Danish requirements and you must be paid according to the Danish employment rules. This condition applies to both first-time applications and applications for extension.
 

Denmark has released updated income statistics applicable to applications submitted from 1 January 2025. The income statistics have been updated to reflect the third quarter of 2024, enabling case processing for applications submitted from 1 January 2025. The income statistics are updated every quarter, and the next update is expected to be effective from 1 April 2025.

If foreign workers apply for a residence and work permit after 31 December 2024, their application will be assessed based on the income statistics for the third quarter of 2024. If they have applied between 1 October and 31 December 2024, their application will be assessed based on the salary statistics for the second quarter of 2024.

The updated income statistics is applicable to Pay Limit Scheme, Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, Fast track Scheme, Positive List for People with a Higher Education, Positive List for Skilled Work etc.

When assessing whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards, only liquid funds that are paid out are included in the assessment, i.e. the fixed and guaranteed salary, payments to labour market pensio schemes and holiday allowance.

The employer can provide staff benefits such as board and lodging as a supplement to the salary, but staff benefits cannot be included in the assessment of whether the salary and terms of employment correspond to Danish standards.

Uncertain salary income such as commissions or bonuses cannot normally be included in the calculation of your salary.

SIRI uses income statistics made by The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to assess whether an offered salary corresponds to Danish standards. In most cases filed after 1 January 2021, the salary must be paid to a Danish bank account. For applications received from September 1, 2024, the salary must be stated in Danish kroner (DKK).

SIRI assumes salary complies with Danish standards if employment is covered by a collective agreement in application forms and contracts. Also, it does not assess salary if the employer is a member of an employer’s organization but not covered by a collective agreement.

In cases where the employment relationship is not covered by a collective agreement and the employer is not a member of an employers’ organisation, SIRI will assess whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards up to approximately DKK 71,000. SIRI may contact Regional Labour Market Councils (RARs) if salary does not align with Danish standards, and request employer’s comments before making a decision.

Sourse: financialexpress