Startup Denmark – a business-driven visa scheme for Denmark

Startup Denmark is a visa scheme by the Danish Government to allow talented entrepreneurs to relocate and grow high-impact startups in Denmark. It is aimed at innovative and scalable businesses with a clear growth potential.

Interested candidates apply on the basis of a business plan which is evaluated by an independent expert panel. If the panel approves your business plan, you are eligible to apply for a residence and work permit as a self-employed entrepreneur. The permit is granted for a period of up to two years with the possibility of extension for three years at a time.

Who is eligible to apply?

Startup Denmark is for self-employed persons, and only non-EU (European Union), non-EEA (European Economic Area) and and non-Swiss citizens can apply.

Up to three non-EU/EEA citizens can submit a business plan as a team. If the business plan is approved by the Startup Denmark expert panel the applicants must apply individually for a residence and work permit from the immigration authorities.

A non-EU/EEA citizen can submit a business plan together with EU/EEA citizens if they are part of the team behind the start-up. However, EU/EEA citizens do not need residence and work permits for Denmark due to the EU rules on free movement of persons and services.

If you’re an EU/EEA citizen and want to set up a business in Denmark, you can find  more information here

What types of businesses are eligible?

Startup Denmark is for innovative and scalable businesses with a clear growth potential. This means that businesses such as restaurants, retail shops and small import/export enterprises will generally be rejected before evaluation and thus not presented to the Startup Denmark expert panel.

Does Startup Denmark provide financing?

No. Startup Denmark only provides residence and work permits for accepted applicants. Entrepreneurs are themselves responsible for raising all required capital and must be able to sustain themselves financially. However, start-ups in Denmark are eligible to apply for a range of both public and private funding schemes. We leave it to you to make use of the many opportunities.

Who is behind the programme?

Startup Denmark is an official Danish programme developed by the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs and the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

Source: Startup Denmark, 2023