How to apply Denmark Start-up Visa

On this website, you can make a simple login with your email and fill out your application startupdenmark website. It is free and there will be no cost involved at this stage.

Which website do you fill out your application on?

The startup which has proof of concept has a higher chance to be accepted compared to a start-up that doesn't have one.

When you fill out your application remember to make it short and use keywords. You can use reference links for shared Google documents if you have additional information.

You should also add your business and budget plan as a reference link. In your application remember to include information if you have made an agreement with investors, or made a sales agreement. Anything that has been successful and achievement for you in relation to the company must be shared when you are filling out your application.

Create connections through your business or network before you complete your application

Start-up Denmark looks closer into a start-up that has a strong connection to the Danish start-up community. This can be achieved by joining events in Denmark. You can join online events to create your network or join a different start-up in Denmark. Investing in different start-ups and building your network is a brilliant way to start.

If you provide a service to Danish customers, request a reference letter or a recommendation letter from the customer. This will benefit you as well.

Your business connection to Denmark

The startup which is going to focus on the Danish market or consumers might have higher changes than other start-ups. To introduce your company in this way, demonstrate your understanding of the Danish consumer market.

Start visa in simple words is a working visa for creative people who have an idea. Denmark is offering a working visa that allows startups to live in Denmark and develop their idea. This visa can be applied by an individual or as a team. If you are granted a start-up visa your family can also come with you. This includes your wife or husband and kids under the age of 18.

There are 2 steps to get a start-up visa:

Step one: Approval of your idea

Step two: Application to Danish immigration

Let’s start with Approval of your idea

You would have to fill out a simple application regarding information about your idea, market size, your team, and relevant information. Your application will be reviewed by the start-up visa Denmark board. Once your application is approved you will receive an approval letter.

Application to Danish immigration

Once you have been given an acceptance letter you must apply for the visa in Danish immigration in your home country. With is 90-180 days. The expire day will be mentioned on your acceptance. Within 90 days, you will get your visa approval and you can come to Denmark with your family. You can apply for your family member visa once you submit your application.

Once you as a founder, or a team member has been granted an acceptance letter that your idea has been approved and you can apply for the visa. In that application, it will be stated that your family is also granted a right to come with you to Denmark. This applies to your wife and your kids under 18 years old. You might be able to request your parents if they are dependent on you. You can check that information once your idea is approved. The application for your visa and your visa form can be downloaded from nyidanmark website. You can also fill out your and your family's application online and submit the documents online and visit the embassy for a visa stamp.

What is the requirement for your family visa?

There is only 1 requirement which is a bank statement. You must provide 12000dk for each family member who is coming with you to Denmark. Your wife, yourself, your kids. Since you are making this application, you must provide a bank statement under your name. If you are coming only 2 people to Denmark, you must be able to show 1200*2*24= 288,000 Dkk.

Why is the bank statement needed?

On a startup visa, you cannot apply for government support. This is to make sure you have the funds to live in Denmark and provide for your family. Denmark does not require a history of your bank statement. You just need a certificate from your bank which states you have funds in your savings account.

How long the visa is granted

It is a 2-year visa that needs to be renewed and extended every 2 years. You need to fill out an application and get approval again from stat up visa Denmark board.

They the rights of your family in demark on your startup visa.

Your wife can work full time, your kids can go to school for free. You have free health care. You are not allowed to work outside your start-up. Unless your company provides, and service and your money is paid to your company.

Can you or your family member apply for permanent residence while you are on a startup visa?

The rules change all the time you must check on nyidanmark website. If one of you has worked 3.5 years in Denmark and paid taxes, passed the Danish level 2. Yes, you can apply. The taxes are calculated based on your salary. If you are working on your start-up and not paying yourself a salary this does not consider work. You must pay your self-salary and pay taxes

What do you need to do after coming to Denmark and getting the start-up visa?

Here is the list of things in order to open a company in Denmark

• Rental contract

• Register your CPR number (social security number)

• Creation of the company

• Opening a bank account

• Finding an office space for a permanent address

Rental contract

Once you arrive in Denmark you will need a house to stay in where you can register your address. You must receive and sign a residence contract. Be careful of scammers such as people that try to cheat others and ask them to send money without any insurance. Make sure you rent a residence from a housing authority, not from a private individual.

If you are arriving with your family make sure you have a place to stay upon your arrival. You can buy everything from an easily accessible and affordable place such as IKEA, for the beginning.

A residential contract will be used to register your CPR number. This will allow you to get your yellow card, receive free health care, and open a bank account.

Register your CPR number

You will register your CPR number on borger website. This is where you will use your passport and a letter of approval of your visa.

Creation of the company

Once you are settled down in a living space, the time comes for you to register your company. There are different types of companies that you can register as. For your visa requirement, you must at least register as an APS which is a limited liability company created with 40,000 Dkk. You will need an office address to register the company. You can use legaldesk website, this organization can take care of creating your company for you, online, in as little time as 30 minutes.

Opening a bank account

This is the most important thing. You need to have a bank account for your company. This can be done through your network. Find someone who already has an account with a favorable bank and can recommend one to you. There will be a long list of requirements which you must provide. This concerns you and your partners. The bank will ask where you are tax registered as well as other significant information. Prepare yourself for these questions and requests beforehand. If you are the only person in the company, the bank will ask solely for your information. If you register a company with a shareholder then they must also sign the contract and provide their information.

Finding an office space with an address

You can find an office space in a co-working space. This is going to be a cheap alternative and will give you that needed address. You can also register your company address at your home address. That would depend on how big your home is.

Opening

Welcome to the Startup Visa Online Course.

In today’s chapter, we’ll explore the latest updates for 2025. You’ll learn how to include your team members in your application, whether former team members can be added to the same application, and what you need to know about bank statements—how to obtain one, and why it matters. We’ll also review examples of startups that have recently secured their visa, and I’ll share real experiences from people I’ve helped through this process.

By the end of this session, you’ll know exactly what to do after your visa is approved, how to prepare for relocation, and what your work rights are under a startup visa—both for you and your spouse.

Section 1: Applying for Team Members

Let’s start with adding team members to your application.

When you submit your application, be sure to include each team member’s name, email address, phone number, role in the company, and a copy of their CV. This ensures that their credentials will be reviewed alongside your application.

When I say “credentials,” I mean more than just the CV—include any published research, articles, or relevant work, as well as recommendation letters. The best practice is to combine everything into a single PDF and include a brief description of each document. This makes the review process much easier for the authorities.

Currently, you can include up to three people in one application. If your team is larger, one approach is to have one or more members travel first to establish the company, then hire the rest under employment contracts. Another option is to submit a separate startup visa application for another group of up to three members.

Section 2: After Your Visa is Approved

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions from the Danish authorities on how to proceed. You’ll need to apply at the Danish embassy or consulate in your area.

One of the most important requirements is the bank certificate. For a single applicant, the current requirement is about 12,000 Danish kroner per month. If you’re bringing family members, that amount increases based on the total number of dependents, including children under 18.

You don’t need to show a full year of bank transactions. A simple certificate stating that you hold the required amount is enough. In my own case, I didn’t have the full amount available at first, so I borrowed funds from friends and family. This allowed me to meet the requirement and secure the visa.

Section 3: Supporting Documents and Successful Cases

Now, let’s talk about supporting documents and examples of successful applicants.

Many people I’ve helped were already in Denmark, often as students or working with other startups. This made the process easier for them because they already had professional networks and were part of the local system.

If you’re applying from abroad, it’s essential to prove your connection to Denmark. You can do this by asking local contacts to provide recommendation letters. These letters can significantly strengthen your case.

From what I’ve seen, Denmark values applicants with strong academic or professional backgrounds—PhDs, published research, or innovative and well-developed business ideas.

One of my favorite cases was a student working with a sustainable event-planning startup. Their idea was to repurpose discarded wooden pallets into festival stages and event structures—an approach that was both creative and environmentally friendly.

Closing

In this chapter, we’ve covered how to add team members to your application, what happens after your visa is approved, the financial requirements you’ll need to meet, and how to strengthen your application with supporting documents and local connections.

In the next chapter, we’ll go deeper into the relocation process, the first steps you should take once you arrive in Denmark, and how to set up your startup for long-term success.