{"data":{"program":{"slug":"denmark-startup-visa","name":"Denmark Startup Visa","url":"https://www.imidaily.com/denmark-startup-visa/","country":"Denmark","region":"Europe","program_type":"Active Investor Visa","status_granted":"Temporary Residency","min_investment_usd":0,"investment_options":["No Contribution Required"],"investment_range":"None","passive_investment":"No","min_annual_income_usd":24100,"income_range":"US$0-25,000","min_net_worth_usd":null,"max_years_validity":null,"max_years_extension":null,"annual_stay_days":2,"pr_or_citizenship_possible":false,"years_to_pr":5,"years_to_citizenship":7,"tax_residency_required_for_naturalization":"Yes","dual_citizenship":"Permitted","visa_free_countries":189,"notable_visa_free":["European Union","United States","Russia","United Kingdom","United Arab Emirates"],"settlement_blocs":["EU/EEA","NPU"],"country_attributes":["English widely spoken","High safety"],"program_attributes":["Instant visa-free EU travel","Path to PR without presence"],"experts":[],"details":{"overview":"The Denmark Start-up Visa scheme offers foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to establish and operate innovative growth companies in Denmark.\n\nWhile it has no minimum investment requirement, the program requires a minimum self-sufficiency requirement of DKK 153,240. The visa provides initial residency for up to 2 years, extendable for 3-year periods, and has a path to Danish citizenship within at least seven years of continuous residence.","how_to_qualify":"To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:\n\n**1. Business Plan Approval**\n- Must submit a business plan to the Danish Business Authority’s expert panel\n- Business must demonstrate innovative ideas and development potential\n- Traditional businesses without innovative potential (e.g., restaurants, retail stores, smaller trade import/export businesses) are typically not eligible\n- Business plan must show specific Danish business interests favoring the establishment\n- Panel evaluation must be completed and approved before residence permit application\n\n**2. Ownership Requirements**\n- Must be full or partial owner of the company\n- Ownership assessment considers:\n- Percentage of company ownership\n- Presence of other co-owners\n- Distribution of tasks/roles among owners (up to 3 people can apply together using a shared business plan)\n\n**3. Active Participation**\n- Must demonstrate active involvement in business operations\n- Physical presence must be necessary for establishment/operation\n- Purely financial interests (e.g., being just a shareholder) are not sufficient\n- Cannot be granted for holding companies – must be an active company with real activities\n\n**4. Financial Requirements**\n\nMust provide documented proof of sufficient funds for the first year, as follow:\n- Single applicant: DKK153,240\n- With spouse: DKK306,480\n- With spouse and children: DKK356,904\n- With children only: DKK203,664","benefits":"- High safety\n- English widely spoken\n- No investment or donation requirement\n- Short processing time\n- Enhanced access to large economies\n- Freedom of movement, but not settlement, within the Schengen area","citizenship_timeline":"Foreign nationals holding a Denmark Start-up Visa can pursue a path to citizenship through a multi-stage process. After maintaining 8 years of continuous legal residence in Denmark, visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residence status, subject to meeting Danish language, employment, and self-support requirements.\n\nUpon obtaining permanent residence (after 8 years), and provided all eligibility requirements continue to be met — including passing a Danish language exam (Prøve i Dansk 3), the Citizenship Test, and renouncing other citizenships — individuals may apply for Danish citizenship through naturalization after 9 years of total continuous residence. Denmark does not permit dual citizenship for naturalized citizens in most cases.\n\nNote: Denmark generally requires naturalized citizens to renounce all other citizenships. Exceptions may apply for citizens of countries that do not permit renunciation.\n\nBrowse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed [IMI Citizenship Catalog](https://www.imidaily.com/citizenship-catalog/).","legal_basis":"Applications for this program may be directed to **[The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/ContactUs/Contact%20SIRI)**\n\nLegislation upon which this program is based Executive Order No. 1548 of December 2019."}},"as_of":"2026-11-15T00:23:25.913Z"},"meta":{"publisher":"IMI Daily","attribution":"Source: IMI Daily (https://www.imidaily.com). Free to use with credit to IMI Daily and a link to the item's url.","license":"https://www.imidaily.com/api/terms","disclaimer":"General information only, not legal, tax or investment advice. Rules change often; confirm with the official source or a licensed professional before acting.","generated_at":"2026-11-15T00:23:25.913Z"}}