Moving Your Business to Denmark: Visa Routes for Founders and Investors

This guide covers the 1 verified route for founders and investors moving a business to Denmark. Every figure comes from our program review dated September 15, 2026. Rules change often, so treat this as a starting point and confirm the details with an expert before you commit money or time.

Start-up Denmark

Start-up Denmark is a residence and work permit route for founders of genuinely innovative, scalable businesses, assessed by an independent expert panel rather than a fixed capital threshold. The program is capped by law at a maximum of 75 permits granted per calendar year nationwide, so timing and competitiveness of the application matter. Passive shareholders are explicitly excluded — the applicant must hold active, significant ownership.

Who it suits: Non-EU/EEA/Swiss founders of innovative, scalable startups — not restaurants, retail, or import-export businesses. Minimum investment: No fixed statutory minimum; must show self-support funds (2025 level: DKK 153,240 single / DKK 306,480 with spouse / DKK 356,904 with spouse and children). Active involvement: Yes — active, significant ownership; passive shareholders excluded. What you receive: Residence and work permit, up to 2 years initially, extendable in further 3-year increments. Family: Yes — spouse/partner and children under 18. Path to permanent residence: Conditional — via general Danish PR rules after qualifying years of residence.

Worth knowing: Start-up Denmark is capped by law at 75 permits a year, so places are limited.

This guide is directional guidance only and is not legal or immigration advice. A consulting session will tell you which route fits your business and what to prepare first.