Denmark's Startup Visa Is Called Start-up Denmark
Start-up Denmark is Denmark's residence and work permit route for founders from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who want to establish or run an innovative business in Denmark. It runs in two stages: an expert panel approves your business plan first, then the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) decides your permit.
The one fact that matters most: the money test is about you, not your company. SIRI asks for proof of personal funds to cover your first year, starting at DKK 153,240 for a founder without family, and states no fixed minimum business investment.
Start-up Denmark at a Glance (2026)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa name | Start-up Denmark (the programme site also writes Startup Denmark) |
| Who runs it | Business plan: expert panel appointed by the Danish Business Authority, where the programme Secretariat is anchored. Permit: SIRI |
| Initial permit | Up to 2 years |
| Renewal | Extensions of up to 3 years at a time; apply before the current permit expires |
| Funds requirement | Personal living funds for the first year: DKK 153,240 for a founder alone (2025 level), more with family. No fixed minimum business investment stated |
| Government fee | DKK 3,060 (SIRI processing fee) |
| Processing time | Panel assessment usually up to 6 weeks; SIRI normally 2 months, up to 4 months if more information is needed |
| Path to permanent residence | General Danish rules: 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence plus 2 of 4 supplementary requirements, or 4 years if all 4 are met. Not automatic |
| Official source | nyidanmark.dk: Start-up Denmark |
Who Qualifies for Start-up Denmark
SIRI's bar is an idea that can contribute to economic growth and create jobs and bring innovative ideas and development potential to Danish business. Businesses without innovative potential normally do not qualify. SIRI's own examples: restaurants, retail, smaller trade and import/export.
The programme's application guide adds three founder conditions. You must own a significant share of the company, actively run the business, and be needed in Denmark to establish it.
How the panel scores you
After the Startup Denmark Secretariat screens your application, three independent panel members assess it against four criteria: innovation, market attractiveness, scalability, and the team's competencies and resources. You need an average score of at least 3.5 across the four. You know exactly what you are graded on before you write a word.
The personal funds requirement
SIRI requires proof that you can cover your first year in Denmark. The amount rises with the family members who come with you:
| SIRI-listed first-year funds | Amount |
|---|---|
| Founder without family | DKK 153,240 |
| Founder with spouse | DKK 306,480 |
| Founder with spouse and one or more children | DKK 356,904 |
| Founder with one or more children, no spouse | DKK 203,664 |
SIRI's page, last updated 29 June 2026, labels these as 2025 levels. We could not confirm a separate 2026 amount from an official source, so check the page before you apply. These are personal living funds, not an investment threshold.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Prepare the business plan and pitch materials. The programme guide asks for a pitch deck in PDF of 15 pages maximum and a video pitch of no more than 5 minutes.
- Submit the programme application through the online form on Virk. The Secretariat screens it, and qualifying applications go to the expert panel. The guide says this usually takes up to 6 weeks.
- Apply to SIRI only after panel approval. Create a case order ID, pay the fee, submit the application and supporting documents, and provide biometrics.
Fees and Processing Time
SIRI's Start-up Denmark page lists a processing fee of DKK 3,060. SIRI's 2026 fee notice confirms that fees across its case areas rose in 2026 but does not list a Start-up Denmark amount itself, so the DKK 3,060 figure comes from the Start-up Denmark page (last updated 29 June 2026).
Timing comes in two stages that run one after the other:
- Panel: usually up to 6 weeks, per the programme guide.
- SIRI permit: normally 2 months, or up to 4 months if SIRI needs more information.
Permit Length, Renewal and Permanent Residence
SIRI can grant an initial residence and work permit for up to 2 years. Extensions can be granted for up to 3 years at a time, and you apply before the current permit expires.
The programme page states no Start-up Denmark-specific route to permanent residence. Under the general Danish permanent-residence rules, the ordinary period is 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence when the Immigration Service decides your case, plus at least two of four supplementary requirements. A shorter 4-year route is open only if you meet the basic requirements and all four supplementary requirements. Neither is automatic.
Family Members
You can bring a spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner, and children under 18 who live at home. The catch is the funds test: it rises with your family, up to DKK 356,904 for a founder with a spouse and children (2025 level).
What Changed in 2025-2026
- Fees went up in 2026. SIRI raised case-processing fees in 2026; the current Start-up Denmark page lists DKK 3,060.
- No confirmed rule changes. We found no official 2025 or 2026 announcement changing the innovation criteria, permit length or renewal rules.
- Funds amounts not yet updated. SIRI still marks the funds amounts as 2025 levels, and we could not confirm a 2026 replacement.
Where Denmark Fits vs Other Founder Visas
Denmark suits founders with a scalable, innovation-led company who can show a year of personal savings and want published scoring criteria with a clear pass mark. A first permit of up to two years also gives you room to build before the first extension.
It is a weaker fit for traditional businesses like restaurants or import/export, for founders who cannot cover the personal funds test, and for anyone who needs permanent residence quickly, since the general rule is 8 years. If that is you, compare our guides to the Netherlands, Germany and Estonia on their own terms.
Find Investors Before You Move to Denmark
The panel grades market attractiveness, scalability and your team. Investor conversations will not replace that review, but they force you to sharpen exactly those points. And since the funds test covers your personal living costs, budget your own runway and the company's separately.
Round Funded covers 60,000+ active investors, sends your outreach from your own Gmail so replies land in your inbox, and gives you a free Data Room to share your deck.
Browse VC firms in Europe on Round Funded →
Comparing nearby options? See the Sweden founder visa guide and Finland founder visa guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Start-up Denmark take?
Two stages. The panel assessment usually takes up to 6 weeks. After approval, SIRI normally decides the permit in 2 months, or up to 4 months if it needs more information.
How much money do I need for the Denmark startup visa?
Personal funds for your first year: DKK 153,240 for a founder alone, up to DKK 356,904 with a spouse and children (2025 levels on SIRI's page). SIRI states no fixed minimum business investment. The SIRI fee is DKK 3,060.
Who evaluates my business plan?
A panel of experts appointed by the Danish Business Authority. Three independent members score innovation, market attractiveness, scalability and team, and you need an average of at least 3.5.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. A spouse, registered or cohabiting partner, and children under 18 living at home can accompany you, but the personal funds requirement rises with each of them.
How long is the permit, and can I extend it?
The first permit runs for up to 2 years. Extensions are granted for up to 3 years at a time; apply before your current permit expires.
Does Start-up Denmark lead to permanent residence?
Not directly. You fall under the general rules: 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence plus two of four supplementary requirements, or 4 years if you meet all four.
The Bottom Line
Start-up Denmark is a transparent founder route: four published scoring criteria, a 3.5 pass mark and a first permit of up to two years. The money test is personal, not corporate: show a year of living funds, then convince three panel members your company can scale. Get the deck and the investor story tight before you submit.
