Denmark to open new employer-led work permit route for Indians in 2027

Denmark will open a fresh work permit route for Indian nationals starting 1 January 2027, adding another pathway for Indians seeking employment in Europe. The route, called the Collective Agreement-Based Business Scheme, will permit certified Danish employers to recruit workers from 16 selected countries.

India is on that list, alongside Albania, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The scheme is employer-driven. Indians cannot apply for the permit on their own; a job offer from an eligible Danish company is a prerequisite.

Pay and eligibility

Workers hired under the route will earn a minimum of DKK 322,000 a year, based on the 2026 salary level — roughly ₹47 lakh, though the rupee equivalent will move with exchange rates. This floor is lower than the minimum salary required under some other commonly used Danish employment routes.

Not every Danish company can use the scheme. Employers must be covered by a relevant collective agreement, have operated for at least two years and employ at least 10 full-time workers in Denmark.

For the worker, the position must be full-time and fall under the relevant collective agreement. The salary must meet the minimum threshold and be deposited into a Danish bank account.

The route may suit Indian professionals whose skills are in demand in Denmark, particularly in sectors facing talent shortages. Those who qualify would gain access to the Danish labour market, with its earning potential, public infrastructure, work-life balance and social security system, as well as broader European work experience.