Pay Limit Scheme 2026: the thresholds and what they actually require

Of all the routes into the Danish labour market from outside the EU, the Pay Limit Scheme is the most used, largely because it does not care what the job is. There is no list of eligible occupations and no shortage requirement. There is a number, and the salary has to clear it.

How the scheme works

The Pay Limit Scheme grants a work permit on the strength of the annual salary alone. That makes it the natural fit for specialists, senior staff and anyone employed by an international company on terms above the collective-agreement level.

The 2026 figures

Thresholds move every year. For 2026 the main scheme sits at roughly DKK 500,000, with the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme around DKK 400,000. Treat those as indicative: the binding figures are published by the authorities, and the ones that count are the ones in force on the day you file. Check SIRI before submitting.

What you need to file

• A concrete offer from a Danish employer, evidenced by a contract or letter of employment.
• An annual salary above the threshold, paid into a Danish bank account.
• Pay and terms that are customary for the role, the threshold alone is not enough.
• Documentation of your qualifications: CV, diplomas, certifications.
• A valid passport and a completed AR1 form.

How long it takes

One to three months is normal. Where the employer is certified, the Fast-Track Scheme cuts that considerably, often to a few weeks.

Once it is granted

SIRI issues a combined residence and work permit, normally running for the length of the employment contract up to a maximum of four years. You are issued a residence card with biometrics and can start work. Family members can join you on derived permits.

Three ways these applications fail

• A salary set just under the line. Thresholds change annually, verify against the figure applying on your filing date, not last year’s.
• Counting the wrong things. Bonuses and benefits in kind generally do not form part of the basic annual salary the authority measures.
• Thin employer documentation. The company’s identity and actual operations have to be evidenced, not assumed.

If you are unsure whether your offer clears the threshold as SIRI would calculate it, have us look at the numbers before you file. Our FAQ covers the questions that come up most often.