Guide to Hiring in Denmark

Key takeaways

• Primary hiring methods for global companies in Denmark: Direct registration of your company, establishing a legal entity (subsidiary or branch), working with an employer of record, or hiring independent contractors are the four main ways global companies hire in Denmark.
• Major industries in Denmark: Denmark's major industries include pharmacology and life sciences, IT and digital services, renewable energy, manufacturing, and shipping and logistics.
• Take these steps to hire in Denmark: Advertise vacancies, evaluate applications, interview candidates, make offers, and onboard new employees.

Denmark is considered to be one of the happiest countries in the world, placing third in the 2026 World Happiness Report, and has a favorable business environment. Before expanding into Denmark, you'll need to understand contracts, taxes, wages, benefits, and other employment laws. Our guide explains what you need to know about hiring in Denmark.

What to know before hiring in Denmark

Before you expand your company into Denmark, you must understand important legal

requirements. These norms and laws influence hiring practices in the nation and many aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including compensation and benefits.

G-P Gia™, our AI-powered global HR agent, can answer your toughest compliance questions across 50 countries — including Denmark — and all 50 U.S. states. Reduce your reliance on outside counsel and cut the time and cost of compliance by up to 95% with Gia.

Here are four things to know about hiring in Denmark:

1. Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)

Roughly 73% of private-sector employees and nearly 100% of public-sector employees are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). CBAs set wages, working hours, overtime, holidays, notice periods, severance, and other employment conditions. CBAs differ from industry to industry. If you're expanding to Denmark, check your sector's applicable CBA.

2. The workweek and days off

A full-time workweek in Denmark is generally 37 hours over five days. CBAs set this standard rather than statutory law. The EU Working Time Directive caps the maximum weekly working time at 48 hours, including overtime.

Employees get five weeks (25 working days) of paid leave. Holiday pay is 12.5% of the employee's salary. Holiday pay is managed through FerieKonto or the applicable CBA. Denmark has several national holidays, such as New Year's Day, Easter, and Christmas. The total number varies by region and sector.

Mothers get 14 weeks of maternity leave: four weeks before the birth and 10 weeks after. Fathers get two consecutive weeks of paternity leave. Fathers must take paternity leave within the first 14 weeks of the child's birth. Parents can share up to 32 weeks of parental leave, depending on the applicable rules for extending and transferring leave.

Employees get paid for sick days depending on the employer's terms, the CBA, and eligibility benefits. Employers may be obligated to cover the first 30 days (or as specified in the CBA) of their sick leave. After the initial 30 days, your municipality may cover sick pay. In 2026, the maximum sickness benefit is DKK 5,085 per week or DKK 137.43 per hour.

3. Taxes and social security

High personal and general taxes fund public services and the social security system. Employers in Denmark face a lower burden compared to other European countries. Workers with high incomes are taxed as much as 55%. In 2026, Denmark introduced new middle-bracket, top-bracket, and additional top-bracket taxes.

As an employer, your social security contributions are lower and include:

• ATP (labor market supplementary pension): A fixed monthly amount of DKK 198 (2026)
• Occupational injury insurance: Rates depend on the industry
• Other minor funds: Contributions for maternity leave, training, and holidays based on sector agreements

4. Employment contracts

Denmark requires written employment contracts for employment of at least one month and the employee's weekly work schedule averages more than eight hours. Your employment contracts must outline the following:

• Name and address of both employer and employee
• Workplace location
• Job title or description
• Start date
• Expected duration (for fixed-term contracts)
• Policies for holidays and holiday pay
• Terms of notice for employee and employer
• Salary and pay frequency
• Working hours
• Information on applicable CBAs

G-P EOR has an Employment Contract Generator to help draft compliant employment contracts aligned with legal requirements and best practices in Denmark.

Hiring models for global companies in Denmark

• Direct employer registration: You can directly register your company in Denmark. However, you will need to follow local employment obligations, and it's an expensive solution.
• Employer of record: G-P will serve as the legal employer of your team in Denmark and handle payroll, compliance, and benefits for you.
• Subsidiary or branch: Set up a subsidiary or branch in Denmark by registering it. You'll need a deep knowledge of Danish employment laws. This makes sense if you intend to build a long-term operation.
• Independent contractor: If your project in Denmark is short-term or specialized, hiring independent contractors can be a good option. However, you must be aware of misclassification risks and the penalties you could face if you misclassify an employee as a contractor in Denmark.

For more guidance on evaluating an employer of record, review our employer of record checklist.

Top hiring hubs in Denmark

Some cities in Denmark are known for particular industries. You can better target your hiring efforts in the right place and fill jobs faster when you know what each city has to offer.

The top talent hubs in Denmark are:

• Copenhagen is the capital and largest city. It's Denmark's main economic and employment center. The city's top industries include finance, technology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and shipping. Large companies like the Lego Group, Carlsberg, Maersk, and Trustpilot have headquarters or regional offices here.
• Aarhus is Denmark's second-largest city. A major hub for education, research, and technology, Aarhus has a strong presence in IT, engineering, renewable energy, and logistics. It has a large student population from Aarhus University.
• Aalborg is located in northern Denmark. The city has expertise in IT, telecommunications, and wind energy. Aalborg University contributes to its skilled workforce.
• Esbjerg is Denmark's main port on the North Sea. It's the leading port for offshore wind power in Europe. The city is also a hub for the oil and gas sector, as well as shipping and logistics.
• Odense is known for its robotics and automation industries. It's a growing center for advanced manufacturing, technology, and healthcare innovation.

Key industries in Denmark

You can make smart choices about where to grow and invest your workforce in Denmark and benchmark your salaries and benefits when you understand the country's main industries.

The main industries in Denmark include:

• Pharmaceuticals and life sciences: Denmark is a leader in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices. Successful companies like Novo Nordisk, Lundbeck, and Coloplast are headquartered in the country. Specialist talent includes R&D scientists, quality assurance and control professionals, and regulatory affairs professionals.
• IT and digital services: The IT sector is strong in software development, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital innovation. Copenhagen and Aarhus are notable hubs. Specialist talent includes software developers, cybersecurity professionals, data scientists, and analytics specialists.
• Renewable energy: Denmark is known for its leadership in onshore and offshore wind energy. Specialist talent includes various engineering, environmental and sustainability, and grid and infrastructure professionals.
• Manufacturing: The country is strong in advanced manufacturing, machinery, robotics, and industrial design. Specialist talent includes various engineering positions, technical specialists, and project managers.
• Shipping and logistics: Denmark has a big maritime sector, including ports, logistics, and supply chain management. It's home to Maersk, the world's second-largest container shipping company as of 2025, which manages a fleet of over 700 vessels. Specialist talent includes logistics and supply chain professionals, transport planners and fleet managers, and warehouse operations professionals.

Cost of hiring in Denmark

Expenses are inevitable when you're hiring in Denmark. Budget for the following:

• Setting up an entity (unless you partner with an employer of record)
• Advertising job positions
• Paying referral bonuses to employees with connections in Denmark
• Paying an in-house hiring committee
• Traveling to and from Denmark, including hotel stays, meals, and transportation
• Partnering with a translator to write documents or facilitate conversations, if applicable
• Using a background check service for screening candidates

According to G-P Verified sources from Gia, the employer burden rate in Denmark, which includes costs triggered on top of salaries, is approximately 1–3% of gross salary, plus the fixed ATP and insurance premiums. This is lower than in most countries due to Denmark's tax-funded welfare model.

What does a company need to hire employees in Denmark?

Make sure you cover these essentials before expanding your team in Denmark:

• Registering your company name with the Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen)
• Getting a CVR and VAT number for legal and tax purposes when required
• Registering as an employer with the Danish Tax Agency (SKAT)
• Registering for the ATP (labor market supplementary pension)
• Setting up a compliant payroll system to handle salary payments, tax withholdings, and reporting
• Taking out occupational injury insurance for all employees
• Setting up a system for accruing and paying out holiday allowances

Establishing a Denmark subsidiary can take weeks or months. Use G-P EOR to hire full-time employees in Denmark without setting up your own entity. Build your team in Denmark at a lower cost and with peace of mind that you're doing so compliantly.

Steps to hiring in Denmark

The hiring process in Denmark is similar to the one you're likely familiar with in your own country. The hiring process follows these five basic steps:

1. Advertise job vacancies

Create a detailed job description and define the position based on responsibilities and qualifications. Make sure job advertisements comply with anti-discrimination laws.

English is the recommended default language for job ads. If the position requires proficiency in a Scandinavian language or German, the ad can be in that language but must include an English summary and job title. Post the job on relevant job platforms, such as Jobnet, the Danish public employment service.

2. Evaluate applications

Gather CVs and application forms. Screen candidates based on qualifications and experience, ensuring compliance with privacy and anti-discrimination regulations. It's illegal to discriminate, either directly or indirectly, based on a person's race, religion or belief, political opinion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national, social, or ethnic origin.

Gia can answer all your questions about anti-discrimination laws in Denmark, so you can find the best fit for the role while complying with local regulations.

3. Interview candidates

Interview candidates who made it onto your shortlist. You can do these interviews in person or virtually. Use structured, nondiscriminatory interview questions.

Background checks are legal but strictly regulated under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Danish Data Protection Act.

4. Make job offers

Contact your selected candidate and make a formal job offer. Prepare a compliant employment contract. Include the job title, duties, salary, working hours, notice periods, and reference to any CBAs.

5. Onboard new employees

Now you can onboard new employees. You'll have to register with the Danish Tax Agency and the ATP scheme. You need to add your new employees to payroll for salary, tax, social contributions, and insurance premiums. Provide workplace safety training and make sure you're compliant with the Danish Working Environment Act.

If you use G-P EOR, you won't have to worry about the administrative burden of onboarding. We'll streamline the process so that you can focus on training your new team members and integrating them into your company culture.

Hiring contractors in Denmark

Working with independent contractors in Denmark can be a cost-effective way to test the market and build a presence, without the commitment of full-time employees. Contractors based in Denmark understand local consumer behavior, rules, and business practices. They'll be ready to start working quickly with their own equipment and established work processes.

Hiring contractors allows you to easily adjust your workforce based on your business needs, without the complexities and costs of employment.

Before you enter an agreement with an independent contractor in Denmark, consider the following:

1. Employees vs. independent contractors

You must understand the difference between employees and independent contractors. In Denmark, employers hire employees to do work and, in return, pay them a regular salary and benefits. Independent contractors provide services. Unlike employees, contractors set their schedules, use their own equipment, and work on specific projects rather than having an ongoing role. Find out more about strengthening your EOR strategy with contractors.

2. Penalties for misclassification

Classifying someone as a contractor when they're not can lead to penalties. If misclassification occurs, you'll have to:

• Pay all employment-related costs for the period of misclassification, including social security contributions.
• Pay back all income tax withholdings, including interest and surcharges.
• Face administrative fines for noncompliance with employment, tax, and social security laws.

3. How to pay contractors in Denmark

G-P Contractor™ takes away the time-consuming process of hiring and paying international contractors. You can create and issue contracts and pay contractors with just a few clicks, all while ensuring a compliant process.

Hire employees and contractors in Denmark with G-P

Our Global Employment Platform and its AI-powered products, EOR, Contractor, and Gia, support companies as they build and manage global teams.

G-P is the recognized leader in global employment with more than a decade of experience; the largest team of HR, legal, and compliance experts; and a global proprietary knowledge base.

Make your expansion to Denmark easier with G-P. Contact us or book a demo today.

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