On June 4, 2024, the Danish parliament passed a bill based on recommendations from the task force on foreign labour in the healthcare sector. The changes, which come into effect on July 1, 2024, are explained by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) as follows:
- The Positive List for Skilled Work is extended to also include social and healthcare workers. This means that if, as of July 1, 2024, there is a shortage of social and healthcare workers, it will also be possible to grant social and healthcare workers a residence and work permit according to the Positive List for Skilled Work. A quota of 1,000 residence and work permits is set on the basis of employment as a social and healthcare worker.
- A new system comes into effect in the area of authorization, where specifically requested healthcare professionals can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of obtaining Danish authorization. In order to be covered by the scheme, the Patient Safety Authority must have assessed that the applicant is covered by a new separate authorization process for specifically requested healthcare professionals.
- Those with a residence permit on the authorization scheme are exempt from work permits from July 1, 2024. They will therefore no longer have to apply for a separate work permit if they wish to work in Denmark during their authorized stay.
- The rules also apply to people with an already valid residence permit according to the authorization scheme, even if this does not appear on the residence permit. SIRI will separately inform the people who already have a residence permit under the authorization scheme and who will obtain new rights from July 1, 2024.
- In the future, up to six months’ stay for job hunting will also be granted in extension of the authorization stay, which can be used to look for a job in Denmark after the authorization process has ended.
- Holders of a residence permit under the authorization scheme must submit an application for a job search residence themselves.
- Finally, the job change rule will be extended to also apply to those who have a residence permit under the authorization scheme.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.