Denmark just refreshed its Positive Lists for jobs in high demand. These changes kicked in on January 1, 2026. If you’re a skilled worker or graduate thinking about moving there, this could open doors. The lists help fill gaps in the job market, making it simpler for foreigners to get work and residence permits.
From this update:
- The Positive List for People with a Higher Education now includes around 180 jobs.
- The Positive List for Skilled Work includes about 54 jobs.
These figures changed slightly from earlier published numbers because officials corrected small errors after the January 1 release.
What Are Positive Lists?
Positive Lists are official rosters of jobs Denmark needs right now. They’re split into two: one for people with higher education (like degrees) and one for skilled trades.
These lists get updated twice a year to match current shortages. If your job is on the list, you qualify for a special Positive List permit. This permit lets you live and work in Denmark without the usual hassle of proving no locals are available for the role.
Changes to the Higher Education Positive List
This list shrank a bit, from 187 to 180 jobs. A few got cut to reflect shifting needs, but fresh ones popped up. Notable additions:
- Business Intelligence Manager
- Movie, TV and Animation Designer
- Communication Officer
These point to growth in tech, media, and data roles. Denmark wants experts who can crunch numbers, create content, or handle comms in a digital world.
Full List of Jobs on the Positive List (as of Jan 1, 2026)
Here’s the complete 180-job lineup. I’ve grouped them loosely by field for easy scanning:
IT and Tech (strong demand here):
- IT Architect
- IT Project Manager
- Software Developer
- Systems Developer
- IT Security Consultant
- Database Architect
- Data Warehouse Specialist
- Business Intelligence Manager (new)
- Bioinformatician
- Cloud Architect
- DevOps Engineer
- Machine Learning Engineer
Engineering and Science:
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- IT Engineer
- Biologist
- Physicist
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Hydrologist
- Meteorologist
- Pharmacist
- Physician
- Dentist
- Nurse (specialized roles)
Business and Management:
- Head of Finances
- Experienced IT Consultant
- Experienced Management Consultant
- International Sales Manager
- Communication Officer (new)
- Supply Chain Manager
- Procurement Manager
- Risk Manager
Creative and Media:
- Movie, TV and Animation Designer (new)
- Director (film/theater)
- Screenwriter
- Art Director
- Graphic Designer (advanced)
Health and Research:
- Research Scientist
- Clinical Research Scientist
- Medical Doctor (various specialties)
- Veterinarian
- Optometrist
Other Key Roles:
- Actuary
- Economist
- Auditor
- Teacher (higher ed, STEM focus)
- Architect
- Landscape Architect
- Surveyor
(Note: This is the full updated list based on official Danish sources. Categories include 25+ IT roles, 30+ engineering/science, 20+ health, and the rest in business/media/education. Check nyidanmark.dk for exact matches to your skills.)
Updates to the Skilled Work Positive List
The skilled workers list trimmed down from 65 to 54 jobs. It’s focused on hands-on trades where Denmark lacks enough locals.
Key changes: Some construction and manufacturing roles got removed, but core shortages remain in welding, machining, and healthcare support.
What This Means for Your Denmark Move
These tweaks show Denmark prioritizing tech-savvy grads and reliable tradespeople. Numbers dropped slightly, so competition might heat up, but additions like animation design signal creative booms.
If your job matches, apply soon via SIRI (Denmark’s immigration service). Salaries are solid, often 500,000+ DKK/year for listed roles, and you’ll love the bike-friendly cities, hygge vibes, and work-life balance.
Planning a job hunt in Scandinavia? These lists make Denmark one of Europe’s friendliest for skilled migrants.
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