Is there a minimum wage in Denmark?
No — there is no statutory minimum wage in Denmark. Wages are set in collective agreements between unions and employer organisations — this is the Danish model. For the roughly 20% of workers not covered by an agreement, the wage is whatever you and the employer agree. A typical agreed minimum for adults is around 130–140 kr an hour in 2026. Young people under 18 usually have a lower agreed rate. Agreements are renegotiated every 2–3 years, and breaches of an agreement are decided by the Labour Court.
📋 The rules
- No statutory minimum wage in Denmark
- Wages are set in collective agreements
- Without an agreement, the wage is what you agree
- Typical agreed minimum 130–140 kr an hour
- Young people under 18 have a lower agreed rate
🔓 Exceptions
- Without an agreement there is no legal minimum, only what is agreed
- Different sectors such as hospitality, retail and construction have different agreed rates
- Denmark is in practice exempt from the EU minimum-wage directive due to its collective coverage
⚠️ Penalties & fines
A breach of a collective agreement is enforced by the Labour Court and can trigger damages, but only where an agreement exists.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Is there a minimum wage in Denmark?
No. There is no statutory minimum wage. Wages are set in collective agreements between unions and employers.
What decides my wage?
A collective agreement, if your workplace has one. Otherwise the wage is what you and the employer agree.
How high is a typical minimum wage?
A typical agreed minimum for adults is around 130–140 kr an hour in 2026.
Is there a lower rate for young people?
Yes. Young people under 18 usually have a lower agreed rate in the agreements.
What happens with a breach of an agreement?
It is enforced by the Labour Court and can trigger damages, but only where an agreement exists.
🔎 Common searches
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- “is there a minimum wage denmark”
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