New Collective Agreement-Based Pay Limit Scheme from 2027 – New Opportunities for International Recruitment

From 1 January 2027, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) will introduce a new collective agreement-based pay limit scheme, allowing Danish companies to recruit employees from selected non-EU countries at a significantly lower salary threshold than under the existing pay limit schemes.

The new scheme could be particularly relevant for companies experiencing difficulties attracting qualified and skilled workers to Denmark.

What does the new scheme involve?

The new collective agreement-based pay limit scheme allows companies to employ foreign nationals with an annual salary of at least DKK 322,000 (2026 level), equivalent to approximately DKK 26,833 per month. The applicable salary threshold for 2027 must be checked when applying.

The scheme is subject to several conditions, including:

• The position must be covered by a qualifying collective bargaining agreement.
• The employee must be a citizen of one of the 16 countries covered by the scheme.
• The employer must obtain certification from SIRI before applying for the employee’s residence and work permit.
• All other applicable requirements of the scheme must be satisfied.

Employment must be full-time under the relevant collective agreement. Certification is subject to additional requirements, including at least ten full-time employees in Denmark, a prior guidance meeting with SIRI, and arrangements for ongoing monitoring of compliance with the qualifying agreement. Existing Fast-track certification does not grant access to the new scheme.

The scheme also includes a labour-market safeguard linked to unemployment levels. The applicable country list and qualifying agreements must therefore be checked as part of each assessment.

For comparison, the annual salary threshold under the ordinary Pay Limit Scheme is DKK 552,000 in 2026.

The new scheme therefore creates opportunities for international recruitment to positions where salary requirements have previously represented a significant barrier to obtaining a Danish residence and work permit.

SIRI expects companies to be able to submit certification applications from early December 2026, although applications will not be processed until 1 January 2027.

Relocare’s Perspective: Is Your Employment Structure Ready for These New Opportunities?

At Relocare, we see the new scheme as an important development for Danish companies facing difficulties recruiting qualified and skilled workers.

We particularly encourage companies where some employee groups are covered by collective bargaining agreements while others are not to consider how the new scheme could influence their future recruitment strategies.

This may include companies operating with different employment models across departments, professional groups, or business units.

Where a company experiences labour shortages in positions that are not currently covered by collective bargaining agreements, it may be worth examining whether a different collective bargaining and employment structure could create additional opportunities for international recruitment.

Naturally, this is not simply a question of meeting immigration requirements. Any changes to collective bargaining arrangements must be carefully assessed in light of their employment law, financial, and organisational implications.

Nevertheless, we believe companies would benefit from beginning these considerations now.

International recruitment is not only about finding the right employee. It is also about ensuring that a company’s employment structure supports its ability to attract and retain the workforce it needs.

Companies Can Start Preparing Now

For companies considering using the new scheme from 2027, now may be the right time to review existing employment and collective bargaining arrangements and assess the requirements for SIRI certification.

At Relocare, we help companies identify suitable immigration schemes, assess international recruitment opportunities, and prepare the necessary applications and certification processes.

We can also assist in evaluating how a company’s existing employment structure aligns with the opportunities introduced by the new scheme, working alongside employment law specialists where appropriate.

Is your company experiencing challenges attracting qualified or skilled workers?

Contact Relocare for an initial discussion about how the new collective agreement-based pay limit scheme could support your international recruitment strategy.

Official source: SIRI – New Business Scheme from 1 January 2027. See also the adopted legislation.