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Start-up Denmark

No fixed investment minimum, but a strict statutory cap of 75 permits per year nationwide. Passive shareholders don't qualify.

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

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Official program name
Start-up Denmark
Program category
Starting an innovative company
Current status
Active but restricted — statutory cap of 75 residence permits/year
Best suited for
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss founders of innovative, scalable startups — not restaurants, retail, or import-export businesses
Overview
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.
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 required
Yes — active, significant ownership; passive shareholders excluded
Residence status granted
Residence and work permit, up to 2 years initially, extendable in further 3-year increments
Family inclusion
Yes — spouse/partner and children under 18
Spouse work rights
Yes
Permanent residence pathway
Conditional — via general Danish PR rules after qualifying years of residence
Business assessment
Independent expert panel evaluates the business plan; separate SIRI residence permit application required after panel approval
Official source
danishbusinessauthority.dk/start-denmark; startupdenmarkprogramme.dk; nyidanmark.dk

Want more background?

Our guide explains how this route works in practice and what to prepare first.

Read the Denmark guide →

Directional guidance only, not immigration advice. Confirm current panel assessment criteria and permit availability with the Danish Business Authority. Last verified September 15, 2026.