The situation
Effective January 1, 2019, the minimum annual salary for foreign workers in Denmark under the Pay Limit Scheme has increased to DKK 426,985.06 (DKK 35,583 / USD 5,431 per month), up 2.2 percent from last year. The increase also affects Fast Track Scheme applications using the Pay Limit Scheme track. Employers of foreign workers should budget for small increase in the salary threshold.
A closer look
- Existing employees. The changes do not affect current permit holders.
- Initial applications. Employers of foreign nationals seeking to obtain a Pay Limit Scheme or Fast Track – Pay Limit Scheme route permit on or after January 1, 2019 must increase the foreign national’s salary to comply with the new rule. Immigration applications that do not meet the minimum salary will be refused.
- Pending applications. The changes do not affect pending applications.
- Renewal applications: The changes do not affect renewal applications. Renewal applications can be filed based on the salary used in the previous application.
Reminders on other requirements
- Danish bank account. As before, the salary must be paid into a Danish bank account.
- Benefits and allowances. As before, benefits and allowances generally cannot be included in the minimum salary calculation. Only basic salary, paid holiday allowance and payments to the labor market pension scheme can be included in the minimum salary calculation.
- Currency. As before, employers are required to guarantee the salary in DKK regardless of payroll location and/or exchange rate fluctuations.
- Payment in line with employment contract or assignment letter. As before, salary payments must be in conformity with the salary details mentioned in the employment contract or assignment letter.
Background
Denmark also increased the minimum annual salary by 2.2 percent in 2017 and 2018.
Looking ahead
Croatia, Israel, Latvia and Slovenia are expected to announce new salary thresholds in the coming weeks.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Podcast
El Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García discuten información migratoria importante para residentes de México en relación con la Visa de Residencia.
Media mentions
In an interview with Australasian Lawyer, Special Counsel Rebecca Baggiano discusses her career and pro bono work.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted in three categories of the 2024 Chambers USA DEI Awards.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the updated Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares what options employers have when sponsoring engineers under the new UK five-point plan.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.
Podcast
El Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García discuten información migratoria importante para residentes de México en relación con la Visa de Residencia.
Media mentions
In an interview with Australasian Lawyer, Special Counsel Rebecca Baggiano discusses her career and pro bono work.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted in three categories of the 2024 Chambers USA DEI Awards.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the updated Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares what options employers have when sponsoring engineers under the new UK five-point plan.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.