Immigration

Denmark | New work-permit exemption for short-term event staff

Summary

New rules, effective December 19, 2025, allow certain foreign employees in the event and conference industry to work in Denmark on a short-term basis without a work permit. This exemption is designed for employees who are part of international event teams and employed by foreign organizers or subcontractors. The change creates new opportunities for employers in the sector to deploy international staff more flexibly for qualifying events.

The detail

Eligibility criteria

The work-permit exemption applies to foreign nationals (third-country citizens) who are part of a fixed international event team and employed by a company established outside Denmark, such as a foreign organizer or subcontractor. It is a condition that the employing entity is not established in Denmark. The exemption does not apply to staff typically provided by the event venue, including security personnel, cleaners, waiters, drivers, or similar personnel.

Qualifying events

The exemption may be used in connection with international, closed, indoor congresses, trade fairs, conferences, or corporate events with a minimum of 400 registered participants. The event must be closed, meaning it is directed at a professional or industry-specific audience and not open to the general public. Each work stay may last up to ten working days, which can take place before, during, or after the event.

Planning opportunities & considerations

With the new exemption entering into force, employers and event organizers should consider the following:

• Assessment of eligibility: confirm that the employee forms part of a fixed international event team and is employed by an entity established outside Denmark.
• Event qualification review: ensure the event meets the criteria regarding international scope, closed format, indoor setting and minimum 400 registered participants.
• Monitoring of stay duration: carefully track the ten-working-day limit per work stay to ensure compliance.
• Documentation & compliance: maintain clear documentation supporting the application of the exemption, including contracts, participant numbers and the professional nature of the event.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Nerrisa Rose Weis
Senior Manager

Want to know when a Regional Alert is posted?

Simply follow our Vialto Alerts page on LinkedIn and posts will be displayed on your feed. To ensure you don’t miss one, once you’re on our LinkedIn page, click on the bell icon under the banner image to manage your notifications.

Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com

Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

© 2026 Vialto Partners. All rights reserved.