Denmark Modifies Its Aliens Statute in an Attempt to Attract More Foreign Workers and Students

In yet another attempt to make Denmark more appealing to foreign employees and students, the Danish parliament has adopted several additional revisions to its Aliens Act.

The amendments were passed in a plenary meeting on March 23 with 92 votes in favour, 18 votes against, and no abstentions, and they will take effect on April 1.

“The new rules to the work schemes imply the creation of a supplementary Pay Limit scheme and of a supplementary pay limit track under Fast Track scheme, both with an annual salary’s minimum amount of DKK 375,000,”  according to a statement issued by Newtodenmark.dk, a website managed by the Immigration Service and the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

At the same time, firms will be able to apply for accreditation to the Fast track plan in order to attract foreign workers to Denmark faster, if they have at least 10 full-time employees, rather than the present need of 20.

Other modifications include the expansion of the Positive List for Individuals with a Higher Degree to include a broader spectrum of applicants. Currently, there are 40 job titles and professions in Denmark that are experiencing a scarcity of skilled personnel.

The Start-up Denmark scheme will also be open to a broader range of applicants. The latter is aimed at overseas entrepreneurs who can receive a residence permit and set up their innovative business in Denmark. This scheme allows individuals and groups of up to three people to apply for residency in Denmark.

Students studying Danish in Denmark, as well as those learning Danish abroad, will have greater chances to obtain a residence visa in Denmark following graduation.

“As for changes to the study schemes, third-country nationals that complete a Danish professional bachelor, bachelor, master or PhD program will automatically be granted a job seeking period of three years with the right to work for three years after having completed the educational program,” reads the statement.

Denmark, like the rest of the European Union Member States, is struggling to fill certain job positions with its nationals and other EU nationals. As a result, the country has been on the lookout for foreign labour, revising many laws in the process.

According to EU Commission data on the Danish labour market, which was last updated on January 17, this country now has a labour shortage in various areas.

Only last year, 42% of Danish employers reported difficulties in recruiting employees. Hiring specialised labour, such as engineers and specialists in the IT, biotechnology/pharmaceutical, and financial sectors, as well as doctors and nurses, is particularly difficult.

The Commission further notes that between May 2021 and April 2022, 406,837 jobs were advertised on Jobnet, Denmark's public labour exchange, representing a 41% increase over the previous comparable time.

By fLEXI tEAM