How long is a typical notice period in Denmark?

There is no single fixed length. For salaried employees, the Salaried Employees Act sets minimum notice periods that increase with how long you have worked for the employer. For other employees, notice periods usually come from a collective agreement or your individual contract, so you need to check the document that applies to you.

Do I still get paid during my notice period if I am laid off?

In most cases yes, you continue to receive your salary and usual benefits during the notice period, even if your employer tells you not to come into work. Exact terms depend on your contract or collective agreement, so it is worth confirming this with your employer or union.

When should I register with an a-kasse after being laid off?

As soon as possible, ideally as soon as you know your job is ending. Registering with your a-kasse and on Jobnet promptly helps avoid delays in starting dagpenge payments if you end up without work.

Can I be laid off without any notice at all in Denmark?

Generally no, most employees are entitled to some notice or pay in lieu of it, except in cases of serious misconduct that can justify instant dismissal, or during a short probation period where shorter notice may apply. Rules vary by contract, so check your own agreement or ask a professional if you are unsure.

Is being laid off in Denmark different if I am a foreign worker on a work permit?

Losing a job can have separate consequences for your residence or work permit depending on your permit type, which is a different question from your notice period rights under labour law. This article does not cover immigration consequences; for that, check nyidanmark.dk or speak with SIRI or a lawyer about your specific permit.

Laid Off in Denmark: Notice Periods and What Rights You Have

Quick answer

If you are laid off in Denmark, your notice period and severance depend mainly on the Salaried Employees Act (funktionærloven) if you are a salaried employee, or on your collective agreement (overenskomst) or individual contract if you are not. Notice periods generally grow with your length of service, and you usually keep your salary and rights during the notice period itself. It is worth registering with an unemployment insurance fund (a-kasse) and Jobnet as soon as you know you are losing your job, since this affects when dagpenge (unemployment benefits) can start. Rules can change and individual contracts vary, so always check your own employment contract and current rules before making decisions.

Last updated 26 August 2026 · Akasse.io

What determines my notice period in Denmark?

Denmark does not have one single notice period that applies to every worker. If you are a salaried employee (funktionær) - broadly meaning you do office, management, or certain technical or sales work - your notice period is mainly governed by the Salaried Employees Act (funktionærloven). This law sets out minimum notice periods that increase the longer you have been employed by the same employer.

If you are not covered by the Salaried Employees Act, your notice period will typically follow a collective agreement (overenskomst) negotiated between unions and employers, or the terms written into your individual employment contract. These can differ quite a bit between industries, so the starting point is always to read your own contract and, if one applies, your collective agreement.

Many employment contracts also state a probation period (prøvetid) at the start of employment, during which much shorter notice can apply on either side. It is worth checking whether you are still inside such a period when you are laid off.

What happens during my notice period?

In most cases, you continue to work, or at least continue to be paid, through your full notice period, even if you are told you no longer need to physically come in (sometimes called being sent home, or fritstillet). During this time your salary, pension contributions, and other contractual benefits normally continue as usual.

You may also be entitled to time off during working hours to search for a new job, depending on your contract or collective agreement. If you are freed from your work duties but still being paid, you generally cannot start a new job elsewhere at the same time without affecting your notice-period pay, so this is worth clarifying with your employer or union if it applies to you.

Because contracts and collective agreements vary so much, this article describes general patterns only. Individual cases differ, and it is a good idea to check your specific contract or ask your fagforening (trade union) or a lawyer if anything is unclear.

Can my employer lay me off without a reason?

Danish law allows employers considerable flexibility to end employment, but dismissals should still follow the correct notice period and any procedural steps set out in your contract or collective agreement. Some employees, for example those who are pregnant, on parental leave, or dismissed in ways that could be considered discriminatory, have additional legal protections.

If you believe your dismissal was unfair, or that the correct notice or procedure was not followed, a trade union (fagforening) or an employment lawyer can review your specific situation. This article gives a general overview of common rules and is not a substitute for individual legal advice.

What should I do about dagpenge and my a-kasse right away?

As soon as you know you are being laid off, it is worth contacting your unemployment insurance fund (a-kasse) and registering as a jobseeker on Jobnet, since the timing of these steps affects when unemployment benefits (dagpenge) can start. There are 21 state-recognised a-kasser in Denmark as of 2026, according to star.dk, and you need to have been a member for a certain period and meet an income or hour requirement to qualify for dagpenge.

To qualify for ordinary dagpenge rights as a fully insured member, you generally need to have earned at least 286.632 kr. within the last 3 years, with a maximum of 23.886 kr. counted per month, as of 2026 according to borger.dk. Because this income requirement and other conditions are adjusted over time, check the current figures on borger.dk before assuming you meet them.

The maximum dagpenge rate for a fully insured, full-time member is 22.041 kr. per month before tax as of 2026, according to borger.dk. Your actual rate depends on your previous income and insurance status, so this is an upper limit rather than a guaranteed amount.

What about severance pay or extra compensation?

Some employees, particularly long-serving salaried staff dismissed after many years with the same employer, may be entitled to a statutory severance payment (fratrædelsesgodtgørelse) under the Salaried Employees Act, in addition to their normal notice period pay. Whether this applies, and how much it amounts to, depends on your length of service and specific circumstances.

Collective agreements can also include their own severance or compensation terms that go beyond the statutory minimum. Because these calculations are specific to your contract, years of service, and salary, it is best to have your union or a lawyer check your exact entitlement rather than relying on general rules of thumb.

Questions people also ask

How long is a typical notice period in Denmark?: There is no single fixed length. For salaried employees, the Salaried Employees Act sets minimum notice periods that increase with how long you have worked for the employer. For other employees, notice periods usually come from a collective agreement or your individual contract, so you need to check the document that applies to you.
Do I still get paid during my notice period if I am laid off?: In most cases yes, you continue to receive your salary and usual benefits during the notice period, even if your employer tells you not to come into work. Exact terms depend on your contract or collective agreement, so it is worth confirming this with your employer or union.
When should I register with an a-kasse after being laid off?: As soon as possible, ideally as soon as you know your job is ending. Registering with your a-kasse and on Jobnet promptly helps avoid delays in starting dagpenge payments if you end up without work.
Can I be laid off without any notice at all in Denmark?: Generally no, most employees are entitled to some notice or pay in lieu of it, except in cases of serious misconduct that can justify instant dismissal, or during a short probation period where shorter notice may apply. Rules vary by contract, so check your own agreement or ask a professional if you are unsure.
Is being laid off in Denmark different if I am a foreign worker on a work permit?: Losing a job can have separate consequences for your residence or work permit depending on your permit type, which is a different question from your notice period rights under labour law. This article does not cover immigration consequences; for that, check nyidanmark.dk or speak with SIRI or a lawyer about your specific permit.

Official sources

This guide is kept up to date, but always check the official source for the latest figures and rules.