Move to Denmark from the EU: Tech Jobs & Salaries 2026
2026-10-13 · Petter Larsen
Moving to Denmark from the EU as a software developer takes no work permit, and the median developer earns over €100,000 a year including pension, the way Danish salaries are quoted.
- Work permit: not needed. Get a free EU residence document for stays over three months.
- Median developer salary: 66,853 DKK a month, about €107,000 a year.
- €100k+: more than half of all developers.
- Top 25% (private sector): 81,759 DKK a month, about €131,000 a year.
- Top 10% of senior engineers: about €191,000 in total pay.
Why is Denmark hiring developers from abroad?
Denmark is one of Europe's fastest-growing rich economies:
- Fast growth. GDP grew 3.9% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025, more than twice the EU average.
- High starting point. Labor costs are the second highest in the EU (€51.70 an hour against €34.90), and GDP per capita is in the world's top 15.
- Hungry for skilled workers. Employment is high and unemployment low. There aren't enough Danes to fill the roles, so employers hire many foreigners.
For developers, that means strong demand on top of already high pay.
How do you move to Denmark as an EU citizen?
- Find a job, or come and look for up to six months.
- Apply for an EU residence document for stays over three months: fill in form OD1A online, then visit a SIRI office within 30 days. It's free and usually same-day.
- Get your CPR number at your municipality or an International Citizen Service center. You need it for MitID, a bank account and a doctor.
Family can join on the same terms, and Nordic citizens just register their address. See SIRI's rules for EU workers.
Tip: Unemployed at home? The U2 form lets you keep your unemployment benefit for three to six months while you job hunt in Denmark.
What is the average developer salary in Denmark?
Monthly pay including pension (PROSA, 2026, private sector):
| IT experience | Copenhagen and Zealand | Jutland and Funen |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 years | 45,766 DKK (€73,500 a year) | 40,128 DKK (€64,400 a year) |
| 5–9 years | 54,080 DKK (€86,800 a year) | 47,723 DKK (€76,600 a year) |
| 10–14 years | 61,905 DKK (€99,400 a year) | 56,400 DKK (€90,500 a year) |
| 15–19 years | 69,829 DKK (€112,100 a year) | 59,788 DKK (€96,000 a year) |
PROSA counts IT education as experience, so new graduates start at two to five years. Pension is about 12% of pay, so check whether an offer says "inkl. pension". You also get five weeks of vacation, often five extra days off, and free healthcare.
How do you earn €100,000 as a developer in Denmark?
€100,000 is about 62,300 DKK a month including pension, and $100,000 about 54,900 DKK. Target private-sector employers in Copenhagen, then:
| IT experience | For $100k, be in the | For €100k, be in the |
|---|---|---|
| 5–9 years | top half | top quarter (just under) |
| 10+ years | top three-quarters | top half |
Pay is negotiated individually, so use PROSA's figures every year. Copenhagen pays 10–14% more than Jutland and Funen at the same level.
How much do the best-paid developers in Denmark earn?
Private sector, per month including pension (Statistics Denmark, 2025):
| Role | Median | Top 25% |
|---|---|---|
| Software developers | 67,324 DKK (€108,100 a year) | 81,759 DKK (€131,200 a year) |
| Systems analysts | 70,672 DKK (€113,400 a year) | 85,050 DKK (€136,500 a year) |
| ICT managers | 94,497 DKK (€151,700 a year) | 117,835 DKK (€189,200 a year) |
On Levels.fyi, the top 10% of senior engineers make about 1,427,000 DKK (€190,900) in total pay, mostly at Uber, Microsoft and Maersk. High earners can also ask about the researcher tax scheme, a flat tax rate for up to seven years.
Can you get a tech job in Denmark without speaking Danish?
In Copenhagen, usually yes. Many product companies, scale-ups and international firms work in English, while the public sector often expects Danish. Startups are a good way in: browse startup jobs in Denmark.
What is it like to live and work in Denmark?
- High taxes, with free healthcare, education and a strong safety net in return.
- 37-hour weeks, and many people leave by 4 pm.
- Flat hierarchies. You're expected to challenge your manager.
- Housing is the hard part in Copenhagen. Budget up to three months' rent as a deposit.
FAQ
Can I move to Denmark first and find a job later?
Yes. You can stay up to six months while you actively look for work.
Is Denmark or Norway better for a high developer salary?
Both are among Europe's best-paid. Danish salaries include pension and Norwegian ones don't. Compare in our guide to moving to Norway from the EU.
Find English-speaking tech jobs in Denmark on Nordic Tech Jobs.