Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

In a significant move to address labor shortages, Denmark has reached a new agreement between trade unions and employer organizations to ease access for foreign workers from 16 non-EU countries. The deal, backed by the Danish Employers’ Association (DA) and the Danish Trade Union Confederation (FH), lowers the annual salary threshold for foreign hires from 514,000 DKK to 300,000 DKK. This change applies across sectors, including those facing acute labor shortages.

The agreement allows companies covered by collective bargaining agreements to recruit workers from countries such as the United States, India, Ukraine, and Brazil. Initially, the government expects around 550 workers to enter under the scheme, with potential for growth.

To ensure fair labor practices, the deal includes safeguards such as mandatory ID cards for foreign workers—expected to be rolled out within five years—and access to wage and condition data for union representatives. These measures aim to prevent social dumping and uphold Danish labor standards.

The initiative, originally proposed by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in 2023, has received broad political and institutional support. Employer groups like Dansk Industri and TEKNIQ have welcomed the move, emphasizing the necessity of foreign talent to meet rising demand.

Union leaders, including FH’s Morten Skov Christensen and 3F’s Henning Overgaard, praised the agreement for balancing economic needs with worker protections.

This agreement marks a pivotal step in modernizing Denmark’s labor market and embracing a more inclusive approach to global talent.

Thanks to our partner The Copenhagen Post for their great article- you can read more here.