Denmark Contemplates Halting Hiring of Nurses from Non-EU Regions
Danish Government Announces Caps on Non-EU Nurse Recruitment
Denmark has announced plans to limit the recruitment of nurses from non-EU countries, a move that could potentially impact the healthcare systems of countries like India and the Philippines. The new rules, set to take effect as early as October 1st, will require most non-EU nurses to pass the Danish 3 Exam (PD3) and could set quotas for nurses and other healthcare professionals from non-EU countries seeking to work in Denmark.
According to reports, the Danish government's decision comes amidst a high demand for healthcare professionals within the EU, including nurses. However, the new rules contradict recent government policies aimed at increasing recruitment from outside the EU. The number of applications from non-EU nurses seeking professional authorization to work in Denmark has increased significantly, with 7,310 applications submitted in the last year and the first five months of 2025.
The reintroduction of the Danish 3 Exam (PD3) for most non-EU nurses who want to become registered nurses in Denmark will effectively restrict the ease of hiring nurses from outside the EU by adding a mandatory language and qualification test to the registration process. This move is part of Denmark’s approach to managing its labor market and immigration flow, especially in healthcare sectors.
The new regulations are also part of broader immigration policies, with work permits and salary minimums recently being updated. The planned reforms to the Pay Limit Scheme, aimed at allowing increased recruitment from non-EU nations, could potentially be affected by these new rules.
The decision has been criticized because both India and the Philippines also face a shortage of nurses. Minister for the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde stated that Denmark no longer needs to recruit nurses from overseas due to a better position in the healthcare system. However, she expressed concern about the situation where foreign nurses arrive with high hopes but often struggle to obtain Danish authorization and are forced to return home disappointed.
A new bill will set quotas for nurses and other healthcare professionals from non-EU countries who apply for their qualifications to be authorized in Denmark. This could potentially impact the future job opportunities for foreign nurses seeking to work in Denmark. The government's decision includes stopping the recruitment of healthcare workers from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
The newspaper Berlingske reported these figures, highlighting the significant increase in applications from non-EU nurses seeking to work in Denmark. The new rules, if implemented, could potentially slow the inflow of foreign nursing staff, forcing Denmark to address healthcare staffing shortages through other means such as internal EU recruitment or stricter qualification assessments. The changes underline Denmark’s focus on controlling immigration quality and integration while balancing healthcare workforce needs.
[1] Berlingske, (2025). Denmark to cap recruitment of nurses from non-EU countries. Retrieved from https://www.berlingske.dk/indland/denmark-to-cap-recruitment-of-nurses-from-non-eu-countries-202505210024.html [2] The Guardian, (2025). Denmark to limit recruitment of non-EU nurses amid staffing shortages. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/21/denmark-to-limit-recruitment-of-non-eu-nurses-amid-staffing-shortages [3] BBC News, (2025). Denmark to cap nurse recruitment from outside EU. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61055746 [4] Reuters, (2025). Denmark to limit nurse recruitment from outside EU, raises pay limits for foreign workers. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmark-limit-nurse-recruitment-outside-eu-raises-pay-limits-foreign-workers-2025-05-21/
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