Companies seeking to hire foreign employees in Denmark quickly encounter one of the key requirements in Danish immigration law: the employee must be offered a customary salary according to Danish standards.
The requirement is administered by SIRI – The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration and plays a crucial role in applications for Danish residence and work permits under the Pay Limit Scheme and other employment schemes.
From 1 April 2026, SIRI has also implemented updated salary statistics from the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA), which may directly affect new work permit applications.
For many companies, the rules are complex, which is why businesses often seek legal advice on work permits, help with Danish work permit applications, and assistance from a Danish work permit lawyer.
What Does the Requirement of a Customary Salary Mean?
When SIRI assesses an application for a Danish residence and work permit, the agency evaluates whether the offered salary corresponds to the normal Danish salary level within the relevant industry and position.
It is therefore not sufficient merely to meet the general salary threshold under for instance the pay limit scheme (37.300 kr. per month). The salary must also be considered market-conform and customary according to Danish standards.
This is an area where many employers seek help with work permits in Denmark, because even minor errors in the salary package or employment contract may result in a refusal by SIRI.
Which Salary Components Count?
SIRI only includes specific salary components when assessing whether the salary is customary.
The following elements may be included:
- Cash salary
- Fixed supplements and allowances
- Labour market pension contributions
- Holiday pay
- Fixed holiday allowance for monthly salaried employees
However, employee benefits generally do not count toward the salary assessment.
This includes benefits such as:
- company car,
- free telephone,
- internet,
- housing,
- meal arrangements,
- and other fringe benefits.
Many employers are surprised by this rule, which is why legal advice regarding Danish work permits is often relevant even before submitting the application.
A Danish immigration lawyer or work permit lawyer can help ensure that the salary package complies with SIRI’s practice and requirements.
Important Rules for Hourly Paid Employees
One important aspect of the rules is the distinction between monthly salaried employees and hourly paid workers.
Monthly Salaried Employees
For monthly salaried employees, SIRI includes the fixed 1% holiday supplement as part of the salary.
Hourly Paid Employees
For hourly paid workers, holiday pay of 12.5% is not included as part of the customary salary assessment.
This frequently creates challenges within industries such as:
- restaurants,
- cleaning,
- warehousing,
- transportation,
- construction,
- and hospitality.
In these sectors, many employers require assistance with residence and work permits in Denmark to avoid refusals caused by technical salary calculation issues.
New Practice from April 2026
On 18 March 2026, SIRI announced that from 1 April 2026, the agency would apply updated salary statistics issued by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA).
The updated statistics are based on data from:
- Q4 2025.
Applications submitted:
- between 1 January and 31 March 2026 are assessed using the Q3 2025 statistics,
- while applications submitted from 1 April 2026 onwards are assessed using the Q4 2025 statistics.
This may significantly impact companies hiring international employees under the Danish Pay Limit Scheme.
As a result, many companies seek legal assistance with work permits to ensure that salary levels continue to comply with SIRI’s requirements.
Why Are the Updated Salary Statistics Important?
The salary statistics are actively used by SIRI when assessing whether the offered salary is customary.
If salary levels within a sector have increased, this may lead to:
- higher minimum salary expectations,
- increased risk of refusals,
- the need to adjust employment contracts,
- and longer case processing times if documentation is insufficient.
This is especially relevant in sectors with extensive international recruitment, including:
- IT,
- engineering,
- healthcare,
- hospitality,
- manufacturing,
- and construction.
A lawyer specialising in Danish work permits can assist employers with contract reviews, salary assessments, and communication with SIRI.
Common Mistakes in Danish Work Permit Applications
Many refusals arise from issues that could have been avoided through proper legal advice on Danish immigration and work permits.
The most common mistakes include:
- incorrectly including employee benefits in the salary calculation,
- unclear pension arrangements,
- vague working hours,
- salary levels below statistical benchmarks,
- or employment contracts that do not comply with SIRI’s requirements.
For this reason, many employers seek professional help with Danish work permits, particularly when hiring employees from non-EU countries.
Legal Advice on Danish Work Permits and Residence Permits
The rules governing Danish work permits change regularly, and SIRI’s administrative practice is becoming increasingly detailed.
A Danish work permit lawyer can assist with:
- assessment of customary salary,
- drafting employment contracts,
- applications for Danish residence and work permits,
- advice on the Pay Limit Scheme,
- extensions of work permits,
- compliance in international recruitment,
- and communication with SIRI.
For companies relying on international talent, legal advice on Danish work permits may be essential to avoid refusals and delays.
Where Can You Find the Applicable Rules?
The official rules regarding the Pay Limit Scheme and the customary salary requirement are available at:
SIRI – Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme
SIRI has also announced that the next update of the salary statistics is expected to take effect on 1 July 2026.
Conclusion
The requirement of a customary salary is one of the most important elements in Danish work permit applications. With the updated practice from April 2026 and the revised DA salary statistics, it is now even more important for employers to ensure proper documentation and competitive salary conditions.
Many companies therefore seek legal advice on Danish work permits, assistance with work permit applications, and support from lawyers specialized in work permits to ensure compliance with SIRI’s requirements and to improve the likelihood of approval.
