The Danish government has announced a temporary suspension on the issuance of residence permits for foreign nationals seeking to gain nursing authorisation in Denmark. The restriction, which came into effect October 2025, will remain in place until December 31, 2026, affecting both new applicants and their accompanying family members.
The announcement was made by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) as part of an ongoing review of the country’s health-sector migration policies. The decision is said to be aimed at addressing administrative backlogs and restructuring the nursing authorisation process, which has faced heavy criticism for being slow and inconsistent in recent years.
Under the current system, foreign-trained nurses seeking to work in Denmark must apply for a residence permit that allows them to complete language training, adaptation, and clinical assessments before full authorisation. However, authorities have admitted that the rising number of applications particularly from non-EU countries — has overwhelmed the system, leading to delays and resource strain.
SIRI stated that the pause is “necessary to ensure a more efficient and transparent framework for future authorisation procedures.” During this period, the government will reportedly review qualification recognition rules, supervision requirements, and the overall integration pathway for foreign healthcare professionals.
The suspension has sparked concern among migration experts and health recruiters, many of whom fear that the move could worsen Denmark’s ongoing nursing shortage. According to the Danish Nurses’ Organisation, the country already faces an estimated shortfall of 5,000 nurses, a figure expected to grow with an ageing population and increased healthcare demand.
Applicants who have already submitted their residence permit applications before the cutoff date will still have their cases processed, but new submissions will not be accepted until the moratorium is lifted. Family reunification applications tied to this permit type are also temporarily frozen.
For now, foreign nurses interested in Denmark are advised to monitor official updates from SIRI and consider alternative routes such as employment-based visas or authorisation pathways in other EU member states.
Final Thought:
While Denmark’s decision aims to streamline the nursing authorisation process, it also highlights the delicate balance between maintaining professional standards and addressing critical labour shortages. For many aspiring healthcare workers, the pause serves as a reminder that immigration policies can shift rapidly making flexibility and up-to-date information key to long-term career planning abroad.
