Start-up Denmark

Start-up Denmark is a scheme for foreign entrepreneurs giving you the opportunity to be granted a Danish residence permit in order to establish and run an innovative growth company.

The scheme can be used by both individuals and teams of up to 3 people who - using a shared business plan - want to start or continue to run a business together in Denmark through or conduct business through a Danish branch of a foreign self-employment business.

Your business idea must be approved by the Danish Business Authority’s panel of experts

Your business or the Danish branch of your foreign business must contribute innovative ideas and potential for development to the Danish business community.

There must be specific Danish business interests speaking in favour of the establishment of your business in Denmark. Normally, it is not possible to be granted a permit for a business or a Danish branch of a business without an innovative potential, e.g. restaurants, retail stores, smaller trade, import and export businesses etc.

Please note that you also will not be able to get a permit under the Start-up Denmark scheme for, for instance, a holding company, because a permit under the Start-up Denmark scheme can only be granted to an active company from which business is conducted and in which there are real activities.

Du skal kunne forsørge dig selv Du skal dokumentere, at du har penge nok til at forsørge dig selv det første år i Danmark. Hvis du tager din familie med til Danmark, skal også deres forsørgelse dokumenteres. Du skal dokumentere at have: 153.240 kr. (2026-niveau) hvis du er i Danmark uden familie 306.480 kr. (2026-niveau) hvis din ægtefælle skal med til Danmark 356.904 kr. (2026-niveau) hvis du har ægtefælle og et eller flere børn med 203.664 kr. (2026-niveau) hvis du har et eller flere børn med men ingen ægtefælle

tement in your name. Currency, the date the stament was issued and the account owner's name must appear in the statement. Read more about the self-support requirement What are my rights if I am granted a permit? What are you allowed to do with a Danish residence and work permit via the Start-up Denmark Scheme? – and what are you not allowed to do? Work You are only allowed to work in the business that you have been granted a permit to work in. Furthermore you are allowed to carry out unpaid voluntary work. If you start a new business or are offered a salaried job, you must apply for a new permit. If you wish to take a sideline job, you have to obtain a separate permit. You can read more about sideline employment here A Danish residence and work permit does not allow you to work in other Schen

uirement What are my rights if I am granted a permit? What are you allowed to do with a Danish residence and work permit via the Start-up Denmark Scheme? – and what are you not allowed to do? Work You are only allowed to work in the business that you have been granted a permit to work in. Furthermore you are allowed to carry out unpaid voluntary work. If you start a new business or are offered a salaried job, you must apply for a new permit. If you wish to take a sideline job, you have to obtain a separate permit. You can read more about sideline employment here A Danish residence and work permit does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries. Residence A residence and work permit allows you to stay in Denmark for the period of time your permit is valid. In addition, a permit allow

owed to work in the business that you have been granted a permit to work in. Furthermore you are allowed to carry out unpaid voluntary work. If you start a new business or are offered a salaried job, you must apply for a new permit. If you wish to take a sideline job, you have to obtain a separate permit. You can read more about sideline employment here A Danish residence and work permit does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries. Residence A residence and work permit allows you to stay in Denmark for the period of time your permit is valid. In addition, a permit allows you to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within the latest 180 days period. The permit, however, does not allow you to work in other Schengen countries. You must not give up your Danish address or stay a

When you have submitted your new application, you can start working in your new job or with your new business even though you have not yet been granted a permit. Read more about the job change rule Can my family be granted a residence permit? A residence and work permit based on the Start-up Denmark Scheme allows your family to come with you to Denmark A permit can be granted to your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner as well as children under the age of 18 living at home. Read more about accompanying family members here. What more do I need to know before I apply? An application for a residence permit based on the Start-up Denmark Scheme is processed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Before submitting your application, you must create an case order ID for your application and pay

Your business idea must be approved by a panel of experts appointed by the Danish Business Authority before you can submit an application to SIRI for a residence and work permit based on the scheme.

You can only apply for a residence and work permit based on the Start-up Denmark scheme when your business idea has been approved.

A residence permit based on the Start-up Denmark Scheme is valid from the date when your permit is granted.

You can be granted a residence and work permit for a period of up to 2 years. It is possible to extend your permit for up to 3 years at a time.

Please note: It is very important that you apply for an extension before your permit expires. If you submit your application for an extension in time, you are allowed to stay in Denmark and continue to run your business - even if your permit is expiring.