What is the Denmark Positive List?
The Positive List is Denmark's occupation-based work permit route, run by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Unlike the Pay Limit Scheme, which qualifies you by salary, the Positive List qualifies you by occupation: if your job title appears on one of two official shortage lists, you qualify with no fixed salary minimum — the pay just has to be customary for the role in Denmark.
There are two lists, updated twice a year (1 January and 1 July): the Positive List for Higher Education (about 190 titles — engineers, IT specialists, nurses, doctors, researchers) and the Positive List for Skilled Work (about 65 titles — electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, care workers, technicians).
This makes it the natural route for skilled workers whose salary falls below the Pay Limit Scheme's DKK 552,000 bar but whose occupation is in demand. The process, speed (~1 month) and family benefits are the same as the Pay Limit Scheme.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet two requirements: a job offer whose title is on a current Positive List, at customary Danish pay. There is no fixed salary minimum. Earning above DKK 552,000? The Pay Limit Scheme is the alternative.
A written job offer from a Danish employer for a role matching a title on the Positive List for Higher Education (~190 titles) or the Positive List for Skilled Work (~65 titles). The lists are updated on 1 January and 1 July, so confirm that your title is on the current list before applying.
You must hold the qualification the occupation requires — a relevant higher education degree for the Higher Education list, or the relevant vocational qualification for the Skilled Work list. There is no fixed salary minimum, but pay and terms must match standard Danish norms for the role.
The 2026 salary requirements
The Positive List has no fixed salary minimum — this is its main advantage over the Pay Limit Scheme. What matters is that your job title is on a current list and that pay and terms are customary for the role in Denmark. The two lists are updated on 1 January and 1 July.
The Higher Education list (~190 titles) covers engineers, IT specialists, nurses, doctors and researchers; the Skilled Work list (~65 titles) covers electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, care workers and technicians. If your salary clears DKK 552,000, the Pay Limit Scheme qualifies you regardless of occupation. Tax note: Denmark's income tax is high (~37–52%), but a special expat regime offers a flat ~27% (plus labour-market contribution) for up to 7 years to qualifying high earners — consult a Danish tax advisor.
What you need to apply
You and the employer each complete your parts of the SIRI online application. Biometrics must be provided within 14 days of applying.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
From a complete application to a decision takes about 1 month, the same as the Pay Limit Scheme. The Fast-Track Scheme (certified employers only) allows an immediate start before the final decision.
Most common delay: a title that is not on the current list, or missing the biometrics window. Confirm your job title is on the current Positive List (they change every 1 January and 1 July) and book biometrics within 14 days of applying.
Check that your job title is on the current Positive List. The employer creates a case order ID on the SIRI portal, and you and the employer each complete and sign your parts of the online application. The employer pays the case-processing fee (DKK 6,810).
Handled by: you and your employer
Book and attend a biometrics appointment to record your photo and fingerprints — at a Danish mission or VFS Global centre abroad, or a Citizen Centre (Borgerservice) in Denmark. This must be done within 14 days of applying.
Handled by: you
SIRI reviews whether the role matches a Positive List title, whether you hold the required qualification, and whether pay and terms are customary. Complete applications are typically decided in about 1 month.
Handled by: SIRI
Collect your residence permit and travel to Denmark. Register locally for a CPR number (needed for banking, healthcare and services) and, if applicable, a tax card, then begin work.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
SIRI publishes two lists — the Positive List for Higher Education (~190 titles) and the Positive List for Skilled Work (~65 titles) — on the nyidanmark.dk website. Your specific job title and its associated qualification requirement must appear on the current list. Because the lists change every 1 January and 1 July, check the version in force at the time you apply.
There is no fixed salary threshold like the Pay Limit Scheme's DKK 552,000. However, your pay and employment terms must be customary for the role in Denmark — SIRI will refuse an application where pay is below the normal Danish level for that occupation. So while there's no high bar, you can't be underpaid either.
The lists are revised twice a year, and titles can be added or removed. If your occupation drops off the list, it does not cancel a permit already granted, but it can complicate an extension. Many holders use the time to switch to another basis (for example, the Pay Limit Scheme once their salary has risen) or toward permanent residence.
The Pay Limit Scheme qualifies you by salary (≥ DKK 552,000, any occupation); the Positive List qualifies you by occupation (a listed job title, no fixed salary minimum). The Positive List is the route for skilled workers whose pay is below the Pay Limit bar but whose job is in demand — nurses, many engineers, tradespeople and care workers. The process and speed are the same.
Yes — the same strong terms as Denmark's other work routes. Your spouse or partner and children can accompany you, and the accompanying spouse receives a residence permit with a full, unrestricted work permit. Children can attend Danish schools, and the family has access to public healthcare and services.
Your permit is tied to the specific job and employer. To change jobs, you must apply for a new permit for the new role, which must independently qualify — either by a title on the current Positive List or by another scheme, such as the Pay Limit Scheme. Do not start the new job until the new permit is granted.
Permanent residence can be applied for after 4 years of continuous legal residence, subject to Danish language ability (a language test), an employment record and an integration requirement. Denmark's conditions are among the strictest in Europe, so start learning Danish early.
You cannot apply for the Positive List route without a job offer whose title is on the list. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Denmark. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find sponsored jobs in Denmark
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer who sponsors international workers. The Positive List opens Denmark to shortage occupations across engineering, IT, healthcare, the skilled trades and care — without the Pay Limit Scheme's high salary bar. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Denmark destination guide.