Published 06-06-2024 - Last updated: 10-06-2024
New rules for residence permits in the healthcare sector from 1 July 2024
The new rules mean, among other things, an extension of the authorisation scheme, that people on the authorisation scheme are exempt from work permits and that social and healthcare workers are added to the Positive List for Skilled Work with a quota of 1,000 residence and work permits
On 4 June 2024, the Danish Parliament passed a bill based on recommendations from the task force on foreign labor in the healthcare sector. You can read aboutthe most important changes here:
The Positive List for Skilled Work is extended to also include social and healthcare workers. This means that if per 1 July 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.
At the same time, a new system comes into effect in the area of authorisation, where specifically requested healthcare professionals can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of obtaining Danish authorisation. In order to be covered by the scheme, the Patient Safety Authority must have assessed that you are covered by a new separate authorisation process for specifically requested healthcare professionals.
People with a residence permit on the authorisation scheme are exempt from work permits from 1 July 2024. You therefore no longer have to apply for a separate work permit if you wish to work in Denmark during your authorised stay. The rules also apply to people with an already valid residence permit according to the authorisation 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 authorisation scheme and who get new rights after 1 July 2024.
In the future, up to 6 months' stay for job hunting will also be granted in extension of the authorisation stay, which can be used to look for a job in Denmark after the authorisation process has ended. If you already have a residence permit under the authorisation scheme, you must submit an application for a job search residence yourself. Finally, the job change rule will be extended to also apply if you have a residence permit under the authorisation scheme.
The changes will come into effect on 1 July 2024.
The website will be updated with relevant guidance and new application forms.
