What notice must my employer give me in Denmark?

Under the Salaried Employees Act, from one month up to six months depending on how long you have been employed. Other employees follow their contract or collective agreement.

Can I be fired without a reason in Denmark?

In the first twelve months, largely yes, provided notice is given. After twelve months, a salaried employee's dismissal must be reasonably justified or compensation may be due.

What are G-days (godtgørelsesdage)?

Compensation for the first two days of unemployment paid by the employer after short-term employment of at least 74 hours in four weeks.

Should I sign a severance agreement immediately?

No. Send it to your union or a-kasse first. Wording that describes the exit as voluntary can trigger a three-week dagpenge quarantine.

Notice Periods and Dismissal Rights in Denmark

Kort svar

Salaried employees (funktionærer) have a notice period from one to six months depending on seniority, and after one year of employment a dismissal must be reasonably justified. Employees not covered by the Salaried Employees Act rely on their contract or collective agreement.

Sidst opdateret 26 August 2026 · Akasse.io

Who the Salaried Employees Act covers

Funktionærloven covers office, technical, sales, and supervisory staff working more than eight hours a week. If it applies, notice periods, sick pay and dismissal protection are set by law and cannot be reduced by your contract. Manual and industrial roles are usually covered by a collective agreement instead, which often gives shorter notice.

Notice periods by seniority

Employer's notice under the Salaried Employees Act, counted from the end of a month:

Under 6 months of employment: 1 month
Under 3 years: 3 months
Under 6 years: 4 months
Under 9 years: 5 months
More than 9 years: 6 months

Unfair dismissal and severance

After twelve months, a dismissal must be objectively justified by your conduct or the company's circumstances. If it is not, compensation can be awarded — typically calculated in months of salary and rising with seniority. Long-serving salaried employees may also be entitled to statutory severance after 12 and 17 years.

Dismissal linked to pregnancy, parental leave, ethnicity, religion, age, disability or trade union membership is prohibited outright, and the burden of proof shifts to the employer.

G-days after short jobs

If you were employed for at least 74 hours in the previous four weeks and are dismissed, your employer may owe godtgørelsesdage — 'G-days' — covering the first two days of unemployment at a fixed rate. Your a-kasse checks this automatically, but flag it to them if the employer refuses.

The day you are dismissed: a checklist

Get the dismissal in writing with a reason. Register on Jobnet.dk immediately, even though you are still in your notice period, and call your a-kasse the same week. Ask your union to review the dismissal before you sign anything, and never accept a 'mutually agreed' resignation without advice — it can turn a redundancy into a quarantine.

Det spørger andre om

What notice must my employer give me in Denmark?: Under the Salaried Employees Act, from one month up to six months depending on how long you have been employed. Other employees follow their contract or collective agreement.
Can I be fired without a reason in Denmark?: In the first twelve months, largely yes, provided notice is given. After twelve months, a salaried employee's dismissal must be reasonably justified or compensation may be due.
What are G-days (godtgørelsesdage)?: Compensation for the first two days of unemployment paid by the employer after short-term employment of at least 74 hours in four weeks.
Should I sign a severance agreement immediately?: No. Send it to your union or a-kasse first. Wording that describes the exit as voluntary can trigger a three-week dagpenge quarantine.

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