Denmark is an attractive destination for qualified healthcare professionals looking for international career opportunities. The country has healthcare positions included on its current Positive List for people with higher education, creating potential work-permit routes for qualified foreign professionals. The July 2026 Positive List includes occupations such as medical doctors, specialist doctors and nurses.
For foreigners outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, however, healthcare employment can involve an additional requirement that does not apply to many other occupations: Danish professional authorization.
Healthcare Jobs Available in Denmark
Healthcare professionals who may find opportunities in Denmark include:
- Registered nurses
- Specialist nurses
- Medical doctors
- Specialist doctors
- Midwives
- Healthcare professionals in other regulated occupations
- Certain healthcare support and care-related positions
The exact requirements depend on the profession, qualifications and immigration route.
For example, the 2026 Positive List identifies Nurse as requiring a professional bachelor’s degree and Danish authorization, with the occupation currently listed until June 30, 2028. Medical Doctor and specialist medical occupations are also listed with Danish authorization requirements.
Danish Authorization Is Important
Foreign healthcare professionals should not assume that a foreign nursing or medical qualification automatically allows them to work in Denmark.
The Danish Patient Safety Authority handles authorization for regulated healthcare professions. Nurses educated outside the EU/EEA generally need to go through an assessment and authorization process before they can work as nurses in Denmark.
Language can also be an important part of the process. For several non-EU healthcare professions, applicants may need to demonstrate Danish-language ability and complete additional requirements before receiving full authorization.
Important 2026 Update for Foreign Doctors and Nurses
Applicants should pay particular attention to the current authorization rules.
For doctors from outside the EU/EEA, Denmark currently has a zero quota for general applications for authorization and permission to work independently, applying through December 31, 2026. There are exceptions, including certain applicants with a specific employment offer as a specially requested healthcare professional or people who already have qualifying legal residence in Denmark.
A similar application stop currently applies to nurses who are citizens of or educated in countries outside the EU/EEA, although specific exceptions exist for specially requested healthcare professionals and certain people already legally residing in Denmark.
This makes it especially important for international applicants to check the current authorization rules before accepting a job offer or paying an agency.
How to Find Denmark Healthcare Jobs
Foreign healthcare professionals can search Danish employers, hospitals, municipalities and official employment resources for vacancies.
Useful searches include:
- Denmark nurse jobs with visa sponsorship
- Denmark healthcare jobs for foreigners
- Denmark nursing jobs for international workers
- Denmark hospital jobs
- Denmark healthcare assistant jobs
- Denmark medical jobs for foreigners
- Denmark healthcare jobs in English
Applicants should check whether the employer accepts international candidates and whether assistance with the work-permit process is available.
What You May Need
Depending on your profession, prepare:
- Professional qualification certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Employment references
- Passport
- Updated CV
- Professional registration documents
- Danish authorization documents where required
- Danish-language documentation where applicable
- Employment contract or job offer
Your immigration route will depend on the position, employer, salary and applicable Danish rules.
Final Thoughts
Denmark offers opportunities for qualified international healthcare professionals, but healthcare immigration is more complicated than simply finding an employer willing to sponsor a visa. Professional authorization is a major part of the process, particularly for nurses and doctors trained outside the EU/EEA.
The 2026 Positive List includes healthcare occupations, but applicants should check both SIRI’s current work-permit rules and the Danish Patient Safety Authority’s authorization requirements before applying.
