Denmark's Collective Agreement Scheme: 16 Countries, DKK 322,000 Threshold

Denmark will launch a new work-permit route, the Collective Agreement Scheme, on 1 January 2027, and only citizens of 16 named countries may apply. The Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has confirmed the start date and set a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000, based on 2026 figures.

The scheme lets Danish employers recruit foreign workers for jobs covered by a collective bargaining agreement — an agreement that fixes pay and workplace terms through negotiations between employers and worker representatives. Citizenship and salary together decide eligibility: a qualifying salary alone does not make a foreign national eligible.

Which countries can use the scheme?

SIRI has restricted the route to citizens of 16 states spanning the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region:

• United States
• Canada
• Brazil
• United Kingdom
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• North Macedonia
• Albania
• Ukraine
• Moldova
• Singapore
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• Malaysia
• India

Nationals of countries outside this list cannot apply under this route, regardless of the salary on offer. SIRI has not indicated whether the list will expand.

What does the scheme require?

Three conditions govern every application:

• Eligible citizenship — the applicant must hold citizenship of one of the 16 listed countries.
• Minimum salary — the job must pay at least DKK 322,000 per year, calculated on 2026 figures.
• Qualifying employment and certified employer — the role must fall under a collective bargaining agreement, and the employer must hold SIRI certification.

The government designed the route to give Danish employers another channel to recruit workers from abroad while keeping employment conditions set by collective agreements intact.

What must employers do first?

Companies carry obligations of their own. Before filing any work-permit application under the scheme, an employer must obtain certification from SIRI.

• The certification application window is expected to open in early December 2026.
• Processing of work-permit applications under the scheme begins on 1 January 2027.
• SIRI is expected to publish dedicated application pages on its website before launch.

Employers therefore face a two-step sequence: secure certification first, then submit applications for individual workers. Any company that skips certification cannot use the route.

What should applicants do before relocating?

SIRI advises prospective applicants to check the official requirements before accepting a job offer or making relocation plans. Final application procedures and any updated requirements will appear in official guidance as the 1 January 2027 launch approaches.

For jobseekers whose countries do not appear on the list, other Danish immigration and work-permit pathways may still be available, depending on qualifications, job offers and individual circumstances.

Separately: 64 professions on Denmark's Positive List

Denmark has also listed 64 professions open to foreign workers under its Positive List for Skilled Work. The list covers healthcare, engineering, construction, agriculture, hospitality and several technical trades where employers face shortages of qualified personnel. Applicants must secure a relevant job offer and meet the applicable permit requirements.

The Collective Agreement Scheme opens on 1 January 2027; certified employers and citizens of the 16 listed countries who meet the DKK 322,000 threshold are the ones who can use it.