Authorisation and recognition of foreign qualifications in Denmark

Autorisation til at udføre visse erhverv i Danmark
Within certain industries, special rules apply if you wish to work in Denmark. A number of professions are regulated by law, while others are governed by international industry rules, or other special rules. Here you can read about what you should consider if you wish to work in Denmark and possess an educational qualification or work experience from another Nordic country.

If you have a foreign educational qualification and wish to work in Denmark, it may be advisable to have your qualification assessed so that you can know what it corresponds to in Denmark. You should also be aware that some professions are regulated and require you to have a Danish licence.

Within certain industries, special rules apply if you wish to work in Denmark. A number of professions are regulated by law, while others are governed by international industry rules, or other special rules.

    Recognition of foreign educational qualifications in Denmark  

    The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science can give you an assessment of what your foreign educational qualifications correspond to in Denmark. The Agency assesses completed programmes at all stages.

    The assessment is free of charge, but does not include translation of documents.

    You can read more about co-operation between the Nordic countries to recognise each other's educational programmes at the website of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.  

    Recognition of foreign secondary education if you wish to study in Denmark

    The Nordic countries recognise each other's examinations qualifying for admission to higher education, i.e. in Denmark, examinations from upper secondary education. If you have a secondary education from another Nordic country, you have the right to be admitted to a Danish institution of higher education on the same terms as students with Danish qualifications.

    However, please note that Denmark and Norway have entered into an agreement to introduce quotas governing the number of Norwegian students that can study medicine and dentistry in Denmark, and vice versa.

    Recognition of foreign educational qualifications in Denmark

    If you have a foreign education and wish to apply for work in Denmark, the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science can assess which level of education and, as far as possible, which field of study your foreign education corresponds to in Denmark. The Agency assesses completed programmes at all stages.

    You can enclose the assessment when applying for a job – this will make it easier for the employer to understand your education.

    It is the individual employer who decides whether your skills are the right ones for a particular job. However, public sector employers must accept that your foreign education has the level that the Agency has stated in the assessment.

    Regulated professions and authorisations in Denmark

    Some professions are regulated in Denmark and require you to apply to a public authority for authorisation, while in other professions there are special rules that you need to be aware of. In any case, it may be practical for you to have your qualifications assessed.

    If you only temporarily or occasionally work in Denmark, you can in some cases send a notification to an authority instead of seeking authorisation.

    Regulated professions in Denmark

    There are approximately 120 professions in Denmark that require authorisation to practise. You can find a complete list in Danish and English at the website of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (UFM). Here you can also find instructions on how to apply for authorisation within each of the professions.

    Professions in Denmark with limited possibility for recognition of foreign qualifications

    In some professions, access is very limited for persons with foreign qualifications. Danish citizenship may also be required if the profession has the character of a public authority function. These professions are not covered by European, Nordic or bilateral recognition agreements, and apply if, for example, you are a judge, a church minister, or work in the police.

    International industry rules

    International industry rules apply to some occupations in road, air and sea transport.

    You can find more information at the website of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (UFM).

    Industry regulation in certain professions in Denmark

    In addition to professions regulated by law, some industries have their own rules and requirements in connection with, for example, training and certification. Industry regulation is particularly common in construction, civil engineering and transport.

    Info Norden does not possess an exhaustive list of all industry regulations in Denmark.

    Contact Info Norden with more information about industry regulation

    Nordic businesses and private citizens should be able to work in other Nordic countries, but in some cases industry regulation and the regulation of professions hampers mobility in the Nordic labour markets.

    Barriers arising from industry regulation typically need to be addressed in the individual industries. In many cases, the consequences of obstacles can be alleviated by providing better information. This can be done through sector organisations, trade unions or information services like Info Norden.

    Info Norden encourages industry associations, trade unions, companies and employees to contribute information about industry regulation in the Nordic countries.

    If you know about industry regulation in the Nordic region and any obstacles this may cause, you are welcome to contact Info Norden with as accurate a description as possible.

    Rules applicable to temporary and occasional providers of legally-regulated professional services in Denmark

    If you are a citizen of another EU/EEA country, and established as a professional there, you may practise your profession temporarily and occasionally in Denmark if you submit prior written notification to the competent authority. You will only need to register as a service provider if this is required by the rules applicable to the profession.

    If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, you can only register as a service provider if this is stated in the rules of the profession.

    Within certain professions that have implications for public health and safety, the authority has the right to examine your professional qualifications before you can begin providing services in Denmark.

    When you first move to Denmark to provide services, you must send written notification to the competent authority stated in the list of regulated professions.

    You must enclose the documents required by that authority, and renew your notification once a year.

    Europass

    Europass is a range of online tools and a lot of useful information that can help you with every step of your career and education. The tools and information can help you to communicate your skills, qualifications and experiences in a clear and consistent manner to recipients across Europe. You can create a Europass profile at europa.eu. Europass was developed by the European Commission.

    Ask Info Norden

    Please fill in our contact form if you have any questions or if you have encountered an obstacle in another Nordic country.

    NB! If you have questions regarding the processing of a specific case or application, or other personal matters, please contact the relevant authority directly.

    Info Norden is the information service of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Here you can find info and tips if you wish to move, work, study, seek support or start a business in the Nordic region.