Can I work at 13 in Denmark?
Yes — 13 is Denmark's part-time-job age, and the rules were eased on 1 January 2025. 13–14-year-olds (and teens who haven't finished 9th grade) may do light work: paper routes, light cleaning, fruit picking — and since the 2025 easing also light shop service in stores and supermarkets plus light tasks in institutions. The time frames are firm: max 2 hours on school days and 12 hours a week during school weeks; on free days up to 7 hours a day and 35 a week. Work between 20:00 and 06:00 is banned, as are dangerous machines, heavy lifting and alcohol service. What most people miss: the liability sits with the employer, who must also inform the parents — the teen is never punished for an illegal job.
📋 The rules
- Jobs from 13 — only light work (listed in the executive order)
- New from 1 Jan 2025: light shop service and institutional tasks allowed
- School days: max 2 hours; school weeks: max 12 hours
- Free days: up to 7 h/day, 35 h/week; banned 20:00–06:00
- The employer must inform the parents
🔓 Exceptions
- Under 13: only cultural activities (theatre, film, ads) with police permission
- 15+ after 9th grade: wider job options and longer hours (under-18 rules)
- Free days and holidays: the frame widens to 7 hours a day and 35 a week — the 20:00–06:00 ban still holds
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The teen cannot be punished — liability sits squarely with the employer under the Working Environment Act. Put a 13-year-old on tasks outside the light-work list, on heavy lifting or dangerous machines, or have them work beyond the hour limits or inside the banned 20:00–06:00 window, and the Labour Inspection can issue orders while the company takes a fine — one that grows where the breach is systematic or repeated. If an accident happens while the teen is doing unlawful work, the employer's position on liability is weak.
📎 Official sources
- Labour Inspection · Part-time job rules (DA) →
- Employment Ministry · The 1 Jan 2025 easing (DA) →
- Jobpatruljen · Rules for 13–15s (DA) →
❓ Frequently asked
Which jobs may a 13-year-old take?
Light work: paper routes, light shop work and service (allowed from 2025), light cleaning, fruit picking and dog walking. Dangerous machines, heavy lifting and serving alcohol are all off the table.
How much may I work beside school?
Max 2 hours on school days and 12 hours a week during school weeks. On free days and in holidays you may work up to 7 hours a day and 35 hours a week — but never between 20:00 and 06:00.
What about tax on the pay?
Teens have their own tax-free card (frikort) with a personal allowance, and below that threshold no tax is withheld. Ask the employer to apply the frikort from the first payslip so you avoid tax you would only reclaim later.
May a 12-year-old deliver papers?
No — the line for light part-time work is 13, and it holds even for something as innocuous as a paper round. Under 13, only cultural performances (theatre, film, advertising) are possible, and those need police permission.
What happens if the employer breaks the rules?
The liability is the employer's: the Labour Inspection can issue orders and the company can be fined under the Working Environment Act. The teen is not punished — so speak up if you are given tasks or shifts outside the rules.
🔎 Common searches
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