Foreign-born population – 2024 | 12.2% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
0.7 million, 51% women | Evolution since 2014: +52% | Poland (7%), Ukraine (6%), Romania (5%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Denmark received 54 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), ‑5.3% compared to 2023. This figure comprises 56% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 21% labour migrants, 21% family members (including accompanying family) and 2% humanitarian migrants. Around 12 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 5 100 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 63 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2023, a 45% increase compared to 2022. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Romania and Germany were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Nepal registered the strongest increase (1 200) and Ukraine the largest decrease (‑22 000) in flows to Denmark compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑7.1%, to reach around 2 200. The majority of applicants came from Syria (400), Türkiye (300) and Eritrea (200). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Türkiye (200) and the largest decrease nationals of Afghanistan (‑300). Of the 1 510 decisions taken in 2024, 47% were positive.
Emigration of Danish citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑1% in 2023, to 9 700. Approximately 18% of this group migrated to Sweden, 12% to Spain and 11% to Norway.
Effective January 2025, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration updated the Positive Lists for people with a higher education and skilled workers. Social and healthcare workers were added to the Skilled Work Positive List as of July 2024, with a quota of 1 000 residence and work permits. The Higher Education Positive List now includes 162 job titles, and the Skilled Work Positive List 49 titles. New additions include attorney-at-law, language teacher and IT architect. These updates aim to address labour shortages across sectors.
Furthermore, since July 2024, foreigners with residence permits under the Authorisation Residence Scheme are exempt from work permits, allowing immediate employment for adaptation and training purposes. Moreover, a new authorisation residence scheme for requested healthcare professionals was introduced. Foreigners on the authorisation scheme can also stay in Denmark up to six months after their permit expires to search for a job.
From 2 May 2025, students from third countries on non-state‑approved higher education programmes will no longer be granted a work permit, a six‑month job search period and the right to bring accompanying family members. New rules for family reunification came into effect July 2024. The integration requirement can now be met by five years of ordinary full-time employment with significant Danish communication, as an alternative to passing the Danish language test “Prøve i Dansk 3”. The financial guarantee requirement was reduced by half to DKK 57 000.
From January 2025, government processing fees were adjusted: work permit applications increased to DKK 6 055, family reunification fees decreased to DKK 8 575, permanent residence permits now cost DKK 7 475, and accompanying family members’ permits cost DKK 2 380.
Denmark extended special residence permits for displaced people from Ukraine to 17 March 2027. Educational provisions allowing municipalities to use English or Ukrainian as languages of instruction for children, along with Ukrainian materials and online teaching, were extended until 17 March 2026.
In May 2024, the Danish Parliament reaffirmed mandatory Danish language tests in primary and lower secondary schools where over 30% of students live in socially vulnerable areas. These tests apply to all kindergarten pupils and to pupils in grades one to nine who no longer receive Danish as a second language support. The tests aim to improve language skills and ensure social and academic inclusion. Pupils must pass the language test once during the first year in order to advance to the next grade.
For further information: www.uim.dk (in Danish) | www.nyidanmark.dk.
