Denmark Contemplates Halting Hiring of Nurses from Non-EU Nations

In a significant move, Denmark plans to cap the recruitment of nurses and other healthcare professionals from non-European Union (EU) countries, starting October 7, 2025. This decision comes amidst a growing number of applications from non-EU nurses seeking professional authorization to work in Denmark.

The new bill, yet to be formally announced, will set quotas for nurses and healthcare professionals from outside the EU. This decision could potentially limit the number of nurses from non-EU countries who can apply for work in Denmark.

The motivation behind this move is rooted in concerns expressed by Minister for the Interior and Health, Sophie Løhde. Løhde has voiced her concern about the situation where nurses from non-EU countries arrive with high hopes but struggle to obtain Danish authorization and often have to return home disappointed.

The suspension of work permit applications for nurses trained outside the EU/EEA, including nurses from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, is due to the nurse shortage in Denmark no longer being as urgent as before. However, exceptions will be made for those who already have a legal residence basis in Denmark or those classified as specifically requested healthcare professionals.

Applications submitted before October 7, 2025, will typically be rejected without full processing unless the applicant already holds a residence permit or authorization-related permit in Denmark. Nurses trained in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, or Greenland will be exempt from any quotas regardless of citizenship.

It's worth noting that Denmark has regulations allowing some foreign nationals to work short-term without needing a residence or work permit, but this does not apply to nursing as a regulated healthcare profession requiring proper authorization.

The government's decision to cap recruitment comes despite recent policies aimed at increasing recruitment from outside the EU. The planned reforms to the Pay Limit Scheme are a pathway for non-EU nationals to be granted work permits, but no specific updates have been indicated regarding easing entry for nurses from India, Bangladesh, or Nepal.

The strain on the health systems in India and the Philippines could result from the loss of personnel to Denmark, according to analysts. However, the article does not contain any new information about the potential impact on these health systems due to the loss of personnel to Denmark.

The article also does not mention any specific comments or opinions from analysts regarding the strain on the health systems in India and the Philippines due to the loss of personnel to Denmark, nor does it contain any new information about the recent government policies aimed at increasing recruitment from outside the EU or the criticism of the Danish plan to recruit nurses from India and the Philippines.

The report does not contain any new information about the new bill that will set quotas for nurses and other healthcare professionals from non-EU countries who apply for their qualifications to be authorized in Denmark, nor does it mention any specific changes to the planned reforms to the Pay Limit Scheme or the agreement with India and the Philippines regarding health sector workers.

[1] Source: Danish Ministry of Interior and Health [5] Source: Danish Working Environment Authority