How to Hire Security Guards from Abroad in Denmark (2026)

6 min

Is There a Security Guard Shortage in Denmark?

Danish security companies, facility management providers, and site operators face persistent staffing pressure in high-density commercial hubs. The demand for qualified security personnel (vægtere) remains high in Greater Copenhagen (Hovedstaden), Aarhus, Odense, and major industrial or logistics corridors around Taastrup, Fredericia, and the Port of Esbjerg. Growth in infrastructure projects, data centers, and maritime logistics has increased the need for night patrols, access control, and specialized site guarding.

Despite this localized demand, recruiting security guards from non-EU countries into Denmark is extremely challenging. The obstacle is rarely a lack of willing candidates abroad. Instead, it is the combination of strict statutory pay thresholds for non-EU work permits, mandatory national police approvals, and Danish language requirements. Employers considering this route must understand the regulatory environment before investing time and budget into overseas recruitment.

The Non-EU Hiring Barrier: Why Foreign Recruitment is Hard in Denmark

Before launching an overseas search for non-EU security staff, you must evaluate whether the candidate can legally obtain a Danish work permit. In Denmark, security guard roles are not classified as shortage occupations under the Positive Lists maintained by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

Without a listing on the Positive List for Skilled Work or Higher Education, a non-EU candidate generally must qualify under the Pay Limit Scheme (Beløbsordningen). As of 2026, this scheme requires an employer to offer a minimum annual salary of approximately 487,000 DKK (check the exact current threshold directly on SIRI's portal, Ny i Danmark, as it updates annually). Standard collective agreement rates for entry-level or mid-tier security guards in Denmark fall well below this annual figure, typically landing between 28,000 DKK and 35,000 DKK per month (roughly 336,000 DKK to 420,000 DKK per year including allowances).

Unless you are hiring for a high-level security management position, specialized risk consulting, or paying a premium rate that reaches the SIRI Pay Limit threshold, a standard security guard from outside the EU/EEA will not qualify for a work permit. Consequently, Danish security employers who need foreign staff usually pursue two main alternatives:

EU/EEA Nationals: Citizens of EU/EEA member states have the right to live and work in Denmark without a SIRI work permit. They must still fulfill Danish police licensing and training requirements, but immigration paperwork is not a barrier.
Foreign Residents Already in Denmark: Non-EU citizens who already hold valid residence rights in Denmark with unattached work permits (such as accompanying spouses or individuals with humanitarian status) can be hired without meeting the SIRI Pay Limit threshold.

Legal Permit Routes and Police Licensing Requirements

If you are hiring an EU candidate or a non-EU candidate who meets the Pay Limit criteria, two distinct authorities govern their right to work as a security guard in Denmark: SIRI for immigration rights, and the Danish National Police (Rigspolitiet) for professional licensing.

1. Immigration Route via SIRI

For non-EU candidates, the employer and worker submit a joint online application to SIRI using the Pay Limit Scheme portal. The process requires digital authentication (such as MitID Erhverv for the employer) and explicit documentation of the employment contract. Key requirements include:

Danish Salary and Terms: The proposed salary must be paid into a Danish bank account, and the employment terms must match Danish standards, even if the total remuneration satisfies the Pay Limit threshold.
Binding Offer: The written contract must specify working hours, monthly gross salary, holiday entitlements, and pension contributions.

2. Police Approval and Guard Qualification

Under the Danish Guard Act (Lov om vagtvirksomhed), no person may perform commercial security guard duties without clearance from Rigspolitiet. The regulatory requirements are strict:

Mandatory Training (Grundlæggende Vagt): Guards must complete the official 30-day (180-hour) basic security guard course (Grundlæggende vagtkursus) delivered through accredited AMU (Arbejdsmarkedsuddannelser) training centers. This training is conducted in Danish.
Clean Criminal Record (Straffeattest): Candidates must pass a thorough background check conducted by Rigspolitiet. Overseas background checks must be officially translated, notarized, and validated alongside the Danish check.
Police ID Card (Vagtgodkendelse): Upon completing training and passing the background check, the employer submits an application to Rigspolitiet to obtain the individual's guard identification card. The approval is tied directly to the employing security company.

Realistic Timelines from Job Offer to First Shift

Recruiting and onboarding a foreign security guard in Denmark is a multi-stage process. You should plan for a total timeline of 4 to 7 months for non-EU hires, or 2 to 3 months for EU candidates who must complete training and police checks upon arrival.

Contract Finalization and SIRI Filing (Weeks 1 to 3): Draft the contract, ensure salary compliance, and complete the online SIRI submission. The candidate must submit biometrics at a Danish embassy or visa center abroad.
SIRI Application Processing (Weeks 4 to 12): SIRI standard processing times for Pay Limit applications typically range from 30 to 60 days, provided all documentation is complete.
Relocation and CPR Registration (Weeks 13 to 15): Upon arrival in Denmark, the worker must register a local address to receive a CPR number (civil registration number) and set up a Danish NemKonto bank account.
AMU Guard Course (Weeks 16 to 21): The candidate completes the mandatory 30-day Grundlæggende vagtkursus training program.
Police Clearance and Guard Card Issuance (Weeks 22 to 26): Rigspolitiet reviews the candidate's criminal record and course completion certificate before issuing the official guard authorization.

Mandatory Pay, Collective Agreements, and Working Conditions

Pay rates and working conditions in Denmark are established through collective bargaining agreements (overenskomster) between employer associations and labor unions, rather than statutory minimum wage laws.

Pay Standards

The dominant collective agreement in the Danish security sector is negotiated between Confederation of Danish Industry (Dansk Industri - DI) and the Security Workers' Union (Vagt- og Sikkerhedsfunktionærernes Landssammenslutning - VSL). Key terms include:

Base Hourly Rates: Standard hourly pay for a qualified guard typically ranges from 170 DKK to 210 DKK, depending on experience, region, and specialized duties (e.g., mobile patrol versus static site guarding).
Supplements: Mandatory extra pay applies for evening shifts, night work, weekend shifts, and public holidays. Overtime pay rates apply after standard weekly hours (usually 37 hours per week).
Pension and Benefits: Employers contribute to the collective pension scheme (typically 8% to 10% employer contribution, 4% employee contribution) and fund mandatory industrial injury insurance.

Note: If you are using SIRI's Pay Limit Scheme for a non-EU candidate, the agreed gross monthly salary must meet or exceed the scheme's statutory requirement (approx. 40,500 DKK per month), regardless of whether the standard VSL collective agreement rate for that job grade is lower.

Housing and Relocation

Danish law does not require employers to provide housing for security guards. However, due to tight housing markets in Copenhagen and Aarhus, providing temporary accommodation or relocation assistance for the candidate's first 30 to 60 days is practically necessary to ensure a smooth transition while they register with the municipality.

Estimated Employer Costs

Below is a breakdown of the typical initial costs involved in recruiting and onboarding a security guard from abroad into Denmark. Figures are estimates in Danish Kroner (DKK).

SIRI Processing Fee (Non-EU permits): 4,800 DKK to 6,000 DKK per application.
Mandatory AMU Guard Course: 2,000 DKK to 9,000 DKK (course fees vary based on candidate residency status and state subsidies).
Police Background Clearance & Vagt Card Fee: Included in corporate licensing fees or small administrative charges (typically under 1,000 DKK).
Document Translation & Legalization: 1,500 DKK to 4,000 DKK for foreign criminal checks and qualifications.
Relocation and Initial Accommodation Support: 10,000 DKK to 25,000 DKK (optional but recommended for candidates moving from abroad).

Recruitment Integrity and Preventing Candidate Fraud

Legitimate Danish employers and ethical recruitment platforms adhere strictly to international labor standards. A business must never require a prospective employee to pay money for a job offer, employment contract, or visa processing support. Charging job seekers placement or recruitment fees is unethical and violates Danish employment principles.

Employers should maintain full control over visa applications and contract delivery. Candidates who report being asked for payment by third-party intermediaries are often targets of recruitment fraud. Engaging with unethical brokers exposes your company to severe legal liability, potential fines from Danish labor authorities, and reputable damage. Ensure all communications, contracts, and filings are managed directly between your HR department and the worker.

Finding Security Candidates on Workuro

Workuro operates as an open candidate registry designed to help European employers find foreign workers directly, eliminating traditional agency fees and placement costs. Workers create profiles on the platform at no charge, indicating their qualifications, language skills, and readiness to relocate to Denmark.

As an employer, you can search Workuro to connect directly with security personnel who are interested in relocating. Because Workuro is a young and growing platform, candidate volume for specialized roles requiring specific language skills or security clearances will vary. You can browse profiles, evaluate candidate backgrounds, and initiate direct conversations to discuss contract terms, licensing pathways, and employment requirements without paying any per-hire agency fees. Always verify current SIRI rules and Rigspolitiet licensing requirements before finalizing any international employment agreement.