Denmark has officially confirmed that foreign nationals residing in the country on work permits are not entitled to five specific social benefits, and the restrictions apply equally to their accompanying family members. The Danish government's guidance, published under the Active Social Policy Act, outlines that individuals granted residence permits under certain work-based schemes are ineligible for these forms of support.
Work Permit Categories Affected by the Restrictions
The restrictions target holders of several specific permit types. According to the official Danish guidance, the rule covers individuals granted residence permits based on the Positive List, the Pay Limit Scheme, the Fast-track Scheme, special individual qualifications, and permits issued to herdsmen or farm managers. It also applies to those holding other designated work arrangements.
The official statement reads: "You have been granted a residence permit based on the Positive List, Pay Limit Scheme, Fast-track Scheme, special individual qualifications, as a herdsman or farm manager or other work schemes. Your permit is only valid for work with one specific employer."
The Five Benefits Barred for Work Permit Holders
According to the Danish authorities, the following benefits are off-limits to individuals in these permit categories:
- Cash benefits
- Self-sufficiency and return benefit
- Transition benefit
- Rehabilitation benefits
The official guidance explicitly states: "You and your family are not allowed to receive cash benefits, self-sufficiency and return benefit as well as transition benefit, rehabilitation benefits or any other benefits under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act."
Family Members Also Subject to the Ban
The inclusion of family members in the restriction means that spouses and dependants who accompany a work permit holder to Denmark are equally barred from accessing these forms of social support, regardless of their individual circumstances. The guidance confirms: "Or you have been granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member to one of the above."
This policy affects a broad range of foreign workers and their families, reinforcing Denmark's position on limiting social welfare access for those on temporary work-based residence permits.
Context: Denmark's Broader Benefits Restrictions
In a related development, Denmark has also released an official list of five benefits that foreigners holding a Green Card and their families are not allowed to receive in the country. The Danish government stated that those restrictions cover cash benefits, self-sufficiency and return benefit, transition benefit, rehabilitation benefits, as well as other benefits provided under the Active Social Policy Act.
These measures reflect Denmark's consistent approach to regulating social benefits for non-citizens, with the Active Social Policy Act serving as the legal basis for both the work permit and Green Card restrictions.
