Denmark startup residence permit

Who the scheme suits

• Founders of innovative companies who want to start or move a business to Denmark.
• Teams of several founders: each applies on the basis of the shared approved business plan.
• The project must be innovative, scalable and able to grow and hire in Denmark.

The panel does not approve ordinary businesses without innovation, such as a restaurant, shop or consultancy. The founder works in their own company; employment with other employers is not covered by this permit.

How the expert panel assesses

Independent experts appointed by the Danish Business Authority assess the business plan on several criteria:

• innovation of the product or business model;
• market potential and understanding of customers and competitors;
• scalability - whether the company can grow and create jobs in Denmark;
• the team - the founders' experience and skills to deliver the plan.

Panel approval is mandatory for the residence application. If refused, the plan can be improved and resubmitted.

How to prepare the business plan for the panel

• Evidence of demand: first customers, pilots, letters of intent or product test results.
• Why Denmark: how the Danish market, partners or ecosystem matter for the company's growth.
• Three-year financials with realistic revenue, costs and funding needs.
• Team roles: who handles product, sales and finance, and their experience.
• A hiring plan for staff in Denmark in the first years.

The panel assesses how realistic the plan is, not how polished it looks, so figures must rest on data rather than hopes.

How much Denmark startup residence costs in 2026

• the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration processing fee, at the tariff on the filing date;
• living funds for a year in an account, at the agency's rate indexed every January;
• company registration in Denmark and accounting;
• business plan and financial model preparation;
• health insurance until you gain access to public healthcare;
• our support, if you hand the process to us.

For a family, fees are paid for each member, and we check the agency's living funds rules for relatives on the filing date. A manager will calculate the total for your project and family in the chat.

Documents

• the expert panel's business plan approval;
• passport and photos;
• proof of living funds for a year: bank statements in your name;
• the founder's education and experience documents;
• for family, marriage or cohabitation documents and children's birth certificates;
• the fee receipt.

Documents in other languages are translated into English or Danish.

Extension

After 2 years the permit can be extended if the company operates in Denmark. First the expert panel reassesses the business: whether it is developing to plan, with revenue, customers, investment and staff. After approval you apply to the agency for the extension. If you apply on time, you can stay in Denmark while the agency processes it, even if the previous permit has expired.

What to check before applying

• the project is not innovative or scalable;
• a business plan without a clear market, finances and growth plan in Denmark;
• the team lacks the experience needed to deliver;
• insufficient living funds for a year;
• on extension, the company is not developing to plan or not operating in Denmark.

Family

A spouse, registered or cohabiting partner and children under 18 can get residence with the founder. The spouse may work in Denmark. Children can attend Danish state or international schools.

What to consider after moving

• Personal number. After registering your address you get a Danish personal number: without it you cannot open an account or access a doctor and digital public services.
• Company. Founders usually register a private limited company with minimum capital of 40,000 kroner, about $5,996.
• Housing. Rent in Copenhagen is expensive and requires a deposit, so the first weeks are spent in temporary housing.
• Language. English is enough for business and daily life, but permanent residence and citizenship require Danish.

Taxes

You become a Danish tax resident with a permanent home in the country or a stay of more than 6 consecutive months. Danish income tax is among the world's highest: the top marginal rate including municipal tax exceeds 50%, and corporate tax is 22%. A founder should plan the salary and dividend structure before moving.

Risks and what can change

• A high panel bar: many business plans are rejected at the first attempt.
• Extension depends on results after 2 years.
• High taxes and living costs in Copenhagen.
• Scheme terms and the living funds amount are revised annually.

Alternatives

• Netherlands startup visa - with a mandatory facilitator.
• Finland startup visa - with a state agency business assessment.
• Sweden startup visa - for entrepreneurs with their own business.
• Ireland startup visa - for high-potential projects.

What changed and what we rely on

Denmark's startup scheme runs in two stages: assessment by the Danish Business Authority's expert panel and a decision by the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration. The first permit is up to 2 years, extensions up to 3 years after reassessment. Sources: the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, the Danish Business Authority and the Danish tax agency; checked on 6 October 2026.

Why choose Denmark

How to get Denmark startup residence: step by step

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