Denmark Adds 255 New Occupations to Positive List for Work Permits in 2025

Denmark has broadened its Positive Lists for 2025, now including 255 eligible job titles. This expansion allows foreign professionals to secure residence and work permits in response to labor shortages across the country. If you’re considering a career in Denmark, these updates are crucial for your application process.

Understanding Denmark’s Positive List

The Positive List is Denmark’s system for quickly granting residence and work permits to foreign professionals in high-demand sectors. It consists of two categories:

1. Positive List for Higher Education
2. Positive List for Skilled Work

If your job is on either list and you receive an offer from a Danish employer, you can apply for a residence and work permit. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) updates these lists twice a year, on January 1 and July 1.

Key Updates in July 2025

190 Roles for Highly Educated Professionals

The updated Positive List for Higher Education now features 190 job titles, reflecting a growing demand in various fields such as IT, engineering, healthcare, and business management.

65 Roles for Skilled Workers

The Skilled Work Positive List includes 65 job titles, covering a diverse range of trades and technical professions. This update provides more opportunities for international applicants with specialized skills or advanced degrees.

The expansion results from existing jobs remaining on the list for at least two years and an increase in reported labor shortages.

Who Can Qualify?

1. For Highly Educated Workers

You may qualify if:

• You possess a university-level education relevant to the job title.
• The job you’re offered appears on the Positive List for Higher Education.
• Your residence and work permit will typically be valid for the duration of your contract, up to four years.

2. For Skilled Workers

You may qualify if:

• You have a job offer from the Skilled Work Positive List.
• Your technical training or vocational background aligns with the job title.
• Your employer meets Danish salary and employment standards.

In both cases, SIRI will verify that your salary meets Danish benchmarks. For non-union employers, a monthly salary of DKK 74,958 or higher may be required.

Snapshot of Eligible Roles

Here are some job categories now available under the Positive List for Skilled Work:

Application Process for Work and Residence Permits

If your job is on one of the Positive Lists, follow these steps:

• Secure a job offer from a Danish employer for a listed occupation.
• Ensure your education meets the job qualifications.
• Apply via SIRI under the appropriate Positive List scheme.
• Meet the salary standards set by Danish authorities.
• Wait for processing, which typically takes a few weeks.

Tip: Make sure your documents, such as diplomas and work contracts, are translated into English or Danish and certified if necessary.

Salary Requirements for Danish Work Permits

To qualify for a Danish work permit, you must have a job offer with an annual salary of at least DKK 514,000 (approximately €69,000), meeting national wage standards.

Importance for Foreign Workers

These expanded lists present exciting opportunities. Whether you’re an engineer, IT technician, chef, or healthcare worker, Denmark offers a clear path to employment and residency if your job is on the Positive List. The updates are particularly favorable for professions in agriculture, construction, tech, hospitality, and healthcare, where Denmark actively recruits.

Conclusion

If you aim to work in Denmark in 2025, now is the perfect time to assess if your skills match the updated Positive Lists. With an expanded selection of roles and clearer qualification criteria, this could be your gateway to living and thriving in one of Europe’s most stable countries.