If you are a talented entrepreneur looking to grow a high-impact startup in an entrepreneur-friendly country, this is how you can apply to get a startup visa in Denmark.

Overview:

Startup Denmark is an official Danish programme developed by the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs and the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

It is a scheme for foreign entrepreneurs who are non-EU citizens, which will give them the chance of getting a Danish residence permit, to establish and run an innovative growth company.

This program is both for individuals and teams of up to 3 people who are planning to start a business together in Denmark.

Eligibility:

You can apply if you:

• are self-employed
• are non-EU (European Union) and non-EEA (European Economic Area) citizens: Up to three non-EU/EEA citizens can submit a business plan as a team.
• have an innovative and scalable business
• have a business with clear growth potential: restaurants, retail shops, and small import/export enterprises will generally be rejected before evaluation.

Note:

• A non-EU/EEA citizen can submit a business plan together with EU/EEA citizens if they are part of the team behind the start-up
• If you are an EU/EAA citizen, find out more information about starting a business in Denmark here.

Application Process:

1. Get your business approved:
   You need to fill out an online form, where you describe the business you wish to start in Denmark, the product, and specify who are the founders. You will also need some documents to be attached to your application including a business plan, pitch deck, or product presentation in which you present your ideas to the expert panel.
2. Apply for work and residence permit:
   If your business plan is approved by the Startup Denmark expert panel, you can apply for a residence and work permit at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). You will need to pay a processing fee of DKK 1,900.
   Read more about the process and conditions here.
3. Launch your startup in Denmark:
   Once the business plan and the application for a residence and work permit have been accepted, you are ready to launch your startup in Denmark.
   Read more about funding and business development centers here.

Ready? Apply here!

Application fee:

• 1st Stage: Free of Charge
• 2nd Stage Application fees: submitting an application for a startup Denmark residence and work agency cost DKK 2,110.

Evaluation:

The business plans are assessed by a minimum of three members of Startup Denmark’s independent expert panel. Assessments are based on scores from 1 to 5.

To receive approval, you need both at least 3.0 in average score for all five criteria and additionally at least 4.0 in the recommendation criteria.

The criteria are:

• innovation level
• the attractiveness of the market
• scalability of the business model
• capabilities of the team
• overall assessment

Read more about it here.

Source: Startup Denmark / Golden Future

Last Updated: 07/2020