FAQ for third-country citizens living in Sweden
Are you a third-country citizen living in Sweden and planning to work in Denmark? Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions about work permits, residence permits and working as a cross-border commuter.
This information is for citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
Before you apply for a work permit
If you live in Sweden and want to work in Denmark, you must have a Danish work permit before you start working. To apply for a work permit, you must first have a job offer or employment contract. You also have to pay a fee when you submit your application.
Before applying for a Danish work permit, always contact the Swedish Migration Agency, Migrationsverket. A Danish work permit may affect your Swedish residence permit.
Does my Swedish residence and work permit allow me to work in Denmark?
No. A Swedish residence or work permit does not give you the right to work in Denmark.
As a third-country citizen, you are not covered by the EU rules on free movement of labour. This means that your Swedish residence and work permit are only valid in Sweden. If you want to live in Sweden and work in Denmark, you must apply for a Danish work permit before you start working.
Are there any exceptions to this rule?
There are no general exceptions, but you may be able to apply for a Danish work permit if you meet the requirements for one of Denmarkâs work permit schemes. Even if you meet the requirements for a scheme, you are not guaranteed a work permit.
The schemes below are examples of routes that may allow you to work in Denmark as a third-country citizen living in Sweden.
If you live in Sweden and have been offered a high-paying job in Denmark, you may be able to apply for a Danish work permit under the Pay Limit Scheme.
You do not need a specific educational background or profession to apply. To qualify, you must have been offered an annual salary of at least DKK 552,000 (2026).
You must also meet a number of other requirements. For example, your salary must be paid into a Danish bank account and your pay and employment terms must meet Danish standards.
If you live in Sweden and have been offered a high-paying job in Denmark, you may be able to apply for a Danish work permit under the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme.
You do not need a specific educational background or profession to apply. To qualify, you must have been offered an annual salary of at least DKK 446,000 (2026).
You must also meet a number of additional requirements. For example:
- the job must have been advertised on Jobnet and the EURES portal
- your pay and employment terms must meet Danish standards
- you must not have received a fine of DKK 300 or more under the Danish Criminal Code or the Danish Aliens Act
- the job must be full-time
- the gross unemployment rate in Denmark must be below 3.75%
Read about the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme at nyidanmark.dk
If your profession is on Denmark's Positive List for people with higher education, you may be able to apply for a Danish work permit.
You must have completed a higher education programme that qualifies you for the job. The list states the educational level required for each profession.
Your pay and employment terms must meet Danish standards, and your salary must be paid into a Danish bank account.
The Positive List is updated twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July. If there is an urgent shortage of qualified professionals, additional professions may be added between the scheduled updates.
Read about the Positive List for people with higher education at nyidanmark.dk
If you have been offered a job on Denmark's Positive List for skilled work, you can apply for a Danish work permit under this scheme.
Even if your job is on the list, you must meet certain requirements. For example, your pay and employment terms must meet Danish standards, and your salary must be paid into a Danish bank account.
The Positive List for skilled work is updated at least twice a year.
Read about the Positive List for skilled work at nyidanmark.dk
If you have been offered a position as a researcher, an employed PhD student or a guest researcher in Denmark, special rules apply.
You may be able to apply under this scheme if there are specific reasons why the job must be carried out by you. You must also provide documentation showing that you have the qualifications required for the position.
The scheme is often used by artists, athletes and specialised chefs, but it is not limited to these professions.
Read about the scheme for special individual qualifications at nyidanmark.dk
Start-up Denmark is a scheme for foreign entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative company with growth potential in Denmark.
To apply, your business idea must first be approved by an expert panel appointed by the Danish Business Authority. Your business must also support Danish business interests.
You can only apply for a Danish residence and work permit under the Start-up Denmark scheme after your business idea has been approved.
Denmark also offers work permit schemes for more specific situations, including:
The Fast-track scheme allows certified employers to recruit foreign employees more quickly and flexibly.
If you apply under the Fast-track scheme, your employer must handle the application process on your behalf. To do so, you must give your employer power of attorney.
Your employer must be certified by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, SIRI.
Your employment must also meet the requirements of one of the work permit schemes described above.
How do I apply for a work permit in Denmark?
If you plan to continue living in Sweden and commute to work in Denmark, you only need a Danish work permit.
Unlike applicants who are moving to Denmark, you do not need to create a case order ID or pay an application fee. Instead, you must gather the documentation required for the work permit scheme you are applying under. This will typically include:
- a copy of your passport
- your employment contract or job offer
- information about your salary, employment terms and job description
You and your employer must complete and submit an online application. Depending on the work permit scheme, you can choose between two application forms:
- AR1, where you and your employer each complete part of the application
- AR6, where you give your employer power of attorney to apply on your behalf
You can find the relevant application form under "How to apply" for the work permit scheme that applies to your situation.
Remember to contact Migrationsverket before you start the application process.
What do I do once I receive a work permit in Denmark?
If you are granted a Danish work permit, always contact Migrationsverket to find out how working in Denmark may affect your Swedish residence permit.
