EK1 — Establishment Card (Etableringskort)

The Establishment Card was historically established to help international graduates of Danish higher education programs transition into the Danish labor market. While the scheme was officially abolished as a new application category on April 1, 2023, it remains significant for those who previously held the permit and may still require extensions. It was designed to fill the gap between completing a degree and securing a permanent job, providing graduates with the flexibility to seek employment or start their own businesses without needing a separate work permit.

This permit was intended for individuals who had completed a professional bachelor's, bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree from a publicly accredited educational institution in Denmark. The ideal applicant was a recent graduate looking to leverage their Danish education to establish a professional career in the country. Its most distinctive feature was the high level of freedom it granted, allowing holders to work for any employer or pursue entrepreneurship, effectively serving as a bridge for international talent to remain and contribute to the Danish economy.