Denmark Digital Nomad Visa

While there is no formal Denmark digital nomad visa, foreign nationals who wish to come to the country can apply for a long-term or short-term visa. The type and duration of the residence permit can depend on nationality, as EU and non-EU nationals apply for different permits. In this article, our team of Denmark immigration lawyers offers you details about what can be considered the equivalent of the Denmark digital nomad visa.

Can self-employed persons reside and work in Denmark?

Not all foreign nationals are required to meet visa requirements when entering Denmark for short-term purposes. Therefore, some may be able to skip the requirement for obtaining the equivalent of the Denmark digital nomad visa if they plan on remaining in the country for less than 90 days. The type and duration of the residence permit can depend on nationality, as EU and non-EU nationals apply for different permits

Digital nomads who wish to stay in Denmark for longer periods, such as for working remotely for more than three months, will need to apply for a residence permit.

The decision to move to Denmark as a digital nomad can be an inspired one for your business and networking opportunities. However, you will need to be aware of much more than the right residence permit for your purpose. Our team can help you with information about housing and signing rental agreements, the need to exchange your driver’s license (for some foreign nationals), and more.

Digital nomads in Denmark will apply for a temporary Danish residence permit, allowing them to remain in the country for more than 90 days. Those who find that the Danish culture, lifestyle, and other benefits suit their needs and are interested in a longer stay in the country can discuss their options with our team, according to the specifics of their freelance activities and their regular income.

If you wish to remain in the country for other purposes, such as for business, we can help you apply for the right type of visa or residence permit.

Why is Denmark a good country for digital nomads?

There may be no formal Denmark digital nomad visa; however, foreign nationals can still apply for a short-term visa, which, in most cases, will suit their needs for remote work.

The short-term visa allows the holder to remain in Denmark or the entire Schengen region for up to 90 days.

It should be noted that not all foreign nationals need a short-term visa. For example, EU residents are able to remain for this period without the need to apply for a visa.

When you want to use a short-term visa as a Denmark digital nomad visa, you will have the following benefits:

• A welcoming environment: the country is open towards foreign nationals; moreover, digital nomads will enjoy a high number of co-working spaces and high-speed internet;
• English-speaking communities: English is widely spoken in Denmark, making it easy for digital nomads to integrate;
• High quality of life: Denmark constantly ranks high in international surveys; according to the OECD Better Life Index, the country ranks 3^rd among all analyzed countries, with a score of 8.8 in life satisfaction;
• Good opportunities: digital nomads have the chance to explore the country’s fascinating culture and history; for those who prefer their summers mild, Copenhagen can be a suitable choice.

If you have successfully applied for a Danish residence permit, you will have certain rights, such as:

• Stay in the country for the duration of the permit;
• Stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in 180-day periods;
• Take up Danish lessons (based on the residence permit you have been issued).

If your goal is to continue to stay in Denmark as a digital nomad, meaning that you intend to renew your residence permit and, perhaps, apply for permanent residence at some point, you will be conditioned not to leave the country for more than six successive months.

Our Danish immigration specialists can give you more details about the residence options available to you when you come to the country, and your source of income is derived from outside the country.

How can you apply for a visa for Denmark?

If you wish to use a short-term visa as an equivalent of a Denmark digital nomad visa you will need to comply with the following:

1. have a valid passport for at least three months past the visa expiry date;
2. provide proof of adequate means of paying for the stay and return trip;
3. have a travel insurance policy that covers all Schengen countries;
4. not be subject to an entry ban or listed on a UN or EU sanction list.

In addition to these specific requirements, the applicant should know that:

• The short term visa does not allow the holder to work in Denmark unless explicitly granted the right by the Immigration Service; only certain work-related activities are permitted;
• The visa is valid for maximum of 90 days in any given 180-day period;
• The visa fee for the short-term visa is EUR 80;
• If you remain in the country past the expiry date of the visa, a 3 or 5-year penalty is possible.

A short-term visa is not suitable for those who want to relocate to Denmark for long-term purposes. Examples of long-term residence permits include work, study, business investment, or family reunification purposes.

If you wish to remain in Denmark for a short-term period of a maximum of 90 days to work as a digital nomad, our team of Denmark immigration experts can help you.

How can you stay in Denmark as a self-employed entrepreneur?

What if your plans include relocating to Denmark and staying in the country as a self-employed foreign national? Or perhaps as a foreign national who will be working at their own company in Denmark? Two types of visas that also offer residency (issued according to EU or non-EU nationality) are available.

Our Denmark immigration specialists list the two possibilities below, according to nationality:

• EU citizens are allowed to work in Denmark without a work permit. They can enter the country and start work immediately, including when said activity involves working for their own business. They can reside in Denmark for 3 months without a residence document or more when they apply for an EU residence document (which does not have an expiry date). Conditions still apply in their case, such as having the obligation to keep their business running. Our immigration lawyer in Denmark can give you more details about what happens if you stop running your own business;
• Non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals can apply for a Startup Denmark visa. This allows them to reside and work in the country, on the condition that they successfully open and run a business that is innovative and scalable business. Alternatively, they can also open a branch in Denmark that observes the same characteristics. While this is not exactly a Danish digital nomad visa, it can be seen as a next step for innovative entrepreneurs who are ready to start their own business. Conditions apply for the evaluation of the company, and the business plan must be approved before the applicant receives their residence permit.

The Startup Denmark programme is not available to EU citizens, given that they have free mobility within the European Union.

If you want to move from the UK to Denmark, or from another country, you can reach out to our immigration experts.

Contact our immigration lawyers in Denmark for more information about how we can assist you.