Seasonal work in Denmark: harvests, summer tourism and collective agreements

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What seasonal jobs are available in Denmark?

Danish employers hire extra staff at two peaks. Summer brings demand in farming, coastal hotels, campsites, beach restaurants and leisure parks. Autumn and early winter focus on the apple harvest and on cutting and packing Christmas trees, a major Danish export product.

Typical roles include strawberry picker, packhouse worker, kitchen assistant, dishwasher, waiter, room attendant, campsite maintenance worker and ride operator. Qualified profiles such as trained chefs secure longer contracts and noticeably higher pay, while unskilled roles are paid at the entry rates of each agreement.

Regions and seasonal hotspots

Jutland and Funen host most strawberry, vegetable and orchard farms, while Christmas tree plantations cluster in central and western Jutland. Summer tourism centres on Skagen, the North Sea coast, the island of Bornholm and the Billund area, home to large family attractions.

Copenhagen also hires seasonal staff for hotels, outdoor terraces and Tivoli Gardens, which opens for spring and summer, Halloween and Christmas. Smaller Danish islands and marinas look for versatile staff who can cover the bar, kitchen and cleaning between June and August.

Calendar of the main seasons

Danish strawberries are mainly picked from June to the end of July, followed by field vegetables. Apples and pears fill September and October. Christmas tree cutting and packing run from November to mid-December, often in cold, wet and physically demanding conditions outdoors.

Why do employers recruit abroad?

Danish unemployment is low and local students cannot cover every peak. Farms and hotels therefore advertise in English, often from February onwards, and employ many seasonal workers from Poland, Romania, Ukraine and other EU countries who return year after year.

Who can work in Denmark as a seasonal worker?

The rules depend on nationality. Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland work freely, while other nationals need a permit issued by SIRI, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, before starting any paid work.

EU and EEA citizens: free movement and paperwork

EU citizens can start working without a permit. For stays over three months they apply for an EU registration certificate, then obtain a CPR number and a tax card from the Danish Tax Agency. Without a tax card, employers must withhold tax at 55 percent.

Non-EU nationals

Denmark has no dedicated seasonal agricultural visa comparable to the Finnish scheme. Non-EU nationals must use general routes such as the Pay Limit Scheme or the Positive List, which require high salaries or qualifications and rarely fit low-skilled seasonal jobs in fields or hotels.

Working Holiday: the main route for young people

Young citizens of countries with a bilateral agreement, including Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Argentina and Chile, can obtain a Working Holiday permit. SIRI states in the permit letter how many months of work are allowed during the stay.

The permit does not allow work in other Schengen countries and can be revoked if the holder exceeds the authorised work period or takes regular long-term employment. Holders must register in the CPR system within five days of moving into a Danish address.

Pay and working conditions for seasonal staff

Denmark has no statutory minimum wage. Pay floors are set by collective agreements between unions and employer organisations, which cover at least eight in ten employees. The 3F union negotiates agreements for agriculture, horticulture, hotels and restaurants, the sectors that hire most seasonal staff.

Hotel and agriculture pay scales

Under the Horesta-3F hotel agreement for 2025-2028, unskilled assistants earn at least DKK 148.49 per hour from 1 March 2026. Evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday hours carry hourly supplements, and public holidays are paid at double rate or more for kitchen and service staff.

In farming, the agriculture agreement between GLS-A and 3F sets comparable hourly rates, often topped up with piece-rate bonuses for picking. Employers outside the agreement remain free to set their own rates, so it is worth checking coverage before signing any contract offer.

Costs, deductions and documents

Gross pay is first reduced by the 8 percent labour market contribution, then by income tax. Housing provided by the employer is often deducted from wages. The table below lists the items to check before travelling to Denmark for a season.

Steps to land a seasonal job

Recruitment happens online and starts early. Following a clear sequence helps applicants arrive with a written contract and valid paperwork, rather than searching locally in high season when affordable accommodation near farms and resorts is very hard to find.

1. Choose the season and sector, then prepare a one-page CV in English.
2. Search Jobnet, Workindenmark and the EURES portal from January or February.
3. Contact farms, hotels and campsites directly, especially on the west coast.
4. Check whether the employer applies a 3F collective agreement.
5. Get a written contract stating pay, hours and housing costs.
6. Non-EU applicants: obtain the right SIRI permit before travelling.
7. On arrival, apply for a CPR number, tax card and NemKonto.

Common mistakes and scams to avoid

Most Danish employers are reliable, but some adverts circulating on social media target foreign applicants in a hurry. The warning signs are similar to those seen elsewhere in Europe and are easy to spot with a little caution before departure.

• Paying registration or placement fees to an intermediary.
• Travelling without a written contract or a stated rent.
• Working without a tax card and losing 55 percent to withholding.
• Accepting a flat wage below the collective agreement scales.
• Handing your passport to an employer or recruiter.
• Working on a Working Holiday permit beyond the authorised months.

Frequently asked questions about seasonal work in Denmark

The answers below cover the most common situations faced by international applicants. They do not replace official information from SIRI, the Danish Tax Agency or the relevant trade union, which remain the reference sources whenever a doubt arises about rights.

Do I need to speak Danish to get hired?

Not for most seasonal roles. English is enough on farms, in kitchens and in many hotels. Some Danish helps in front-of-house or reception jobs, and German is valued on the west coast, which welcomes large numbers of German tourists every summer.

Is accommodation provided by the employer?

Often, especially on farms and at remote hotels. It is usually a shared room or a caravan. Rent is deducted from wages, so the amount should be written into the contract before accepting an offer, together with any charges for electricity or laundry.

How much can I earn in a summer season?

Working about 148 hours per four-week period at the unskilled hotel rate gives over DKK 21,000 gross. After the 8 percent contribution, income tax and rent, net pay depends heavily on the evening and Sunday supplements actually worked during the season.

Can I work for several employers?

Yes for EU citizens, provided each job is registered through the main and secondary tax cards. Working Holiday holders must respect the per-employer time limits set by SIRI, otherwise the permit may be revoked and future applications could be affected.