Jobs in Denmark have both advantages and disadvantages. Most of the jobs in Denmark are stable jobs with excellent benefits and competitive salaries. However, having a job in Denmark also means high deductions.
Jobs in Denmark are easier to get if you are trained or experienced in a specialized field of work, no matter which one. The immigration rate is low in Denmark and the country constantly tries to recruit skilled workers from abroad.
In addition, residents of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the Nordic countries can live and work in Denmark if they wish for up to three months. To stay longer, they must obtain a special “registration certificate”.
The Integration Basic Education Program
In 2016, the Danish government entered into an agreement known as the ‘integration basic education program’. The goal of this program: to place more refugees in short-term jobs (up to two years) at apprenticeship wage rates. Refugees are trained in new skills or can get up to 20 weeks of school. The agreement has also been successful. The Danish Employers Confederation reported that the agreement has helped a growing number of refugees to find work in Denmark.
Non-EU workers in Denmark
Non-European Union citizens must apply for a work permit before starting work in Denmark. Here are some ways you can get one of these permissions:
- You have the option of trying to score high enough for a three-year residence permit under the Danish Green Card scheme, which will allow you to live in Denmark and find work. A job offer in Denmark is not required for this option.
- You also have the option of finding a job in Denmark that pays more than a certain amount per year. This makes a worker eligible for a work permit through the Pay Limit program.
- The Positive List program is another option to start a job in Denmark. By virtue of this, you need skills in one of the many professions for which Denmark lacks skilled workers. Contact your local Danish embassy for visa requirements and specific details about this program.
Find a job in Denmark
If you do not have access to local Danish newspapers to search for work, the best start is to search for work in Denmark online. Some websites include:
- JobsInCopenhagen.com
- Work in denmark
- Jobs.com Denmark
- In fact, Denmark
If you speak Danish, check out these popular sites for finding work in Denmark:
- Jobindex.dk
- Monster Denmark
- StepStone Denmark
Speaking danish
You do not necessarily have to be fluent in Danish to get a job in Denmark, although some jobs require it. You can also find some companies that are specifically looking for English speakers. However, it helps to be able to speak both.
If you don’t speak Danish, you can specifically look for an English job in Denmark. Even the government tells refugees who want to work in Denmark: work first, learn the language later.