Denmark is preparing to open a new immigration pathway for skilled workers from abroad, with the country’s Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) confirming the scheme will become operational on 1 January 2027.
Officially named the Collective Agreement Scheme, the programme gives employers a route to recruit international talent at a lower salary threshold than existing arrangements, on condition that the role falls under a collective bargaining agreement.
A lower salary bar — with conditions
The annual minimum salary under the scheme has been pegged at DKK 322,000, based on 2026 figures — below the DKK 552,000 threshold cited for Denmark’s existing pay-limit programmes.
But the scheme does not simply lower the bar. Employers, collective agreements and regulatory supervision are central to whether an international worker can qualify, making it a controlled labour-mobility route rather than an open one.
Only 16 nationalities qualify
Eligibility is tightly restricted by nationality: only citizens of 16 countries will be able to apply. The Americas include the United States, Canada and Brazil. Europe covers the United Kingdom, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova. The Asia-Pacific region comprises Singapore, China, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and India.
What employers must do
Employers carry a considerable share of the administrative burden. Before submitting any applications on behalf of foreign staff, companies must first secure certification from SIRI. The agency expects certification applications to open in early December 2026, and it is building new application pages for certification and permits.
Three conditions apply to a residence and work permit under the scheme, known in Danish as overenskomstordningen: a job offer paying at least DKK 322,000 a year; a position covered by a collective agreement; and citizenship of one of the 16 countries on the scheme’s list. Applications filed before the start date will be processed only from 1 January 2027.
FAKTA
- Denmark’s Collective Agreement Scheme starts on 1 January 2027.
- The minimum salary is DKK 322,000 a year, based on 2026 figures.
- Only citizens of 16 listed countries can apply.
- Employers must be certified by SIRI before they can apply for staff.
- Certification applications are expected to open in early December 2026.
Conclusion
For employers struggling to fill roles under collective agreements, the scheme offers a new, lower-threshold route — but one that keeps control firmly with SIRI and the social partners. Workers from the 16 eligible countries should watch for SIRI’s certification pages in December.
