Denmark Opens Its Doors for International Event Professionals

Denmark has taken a decisive step to strengthen its position as a global meetings destination by removing work permit requirements for non-EU professionals involved in large-scale indoor events. The new legislation significantly reduces administrative barriers for international organisers and suppliers, making it easier than ever to bring global talent to congresses, conferences and trade fairs in the country.

Danish legislators have decided that work permits will no longer be required for non-EU professionals working at large indoor congresses, trade fairs, conferences, and corporate events in Denmark. Bella Center Copenhagen, one of the leading venues in Northern Europe, expects the changes in legislation to have a tremendous impact for international event organisers and their suppliers.

The new legislation is a game changer — ensuring a much simpler process, removing barriers to entry, easing administrative burdens, and making it more attractive than ever to bring international talent and teams to Copenhagen.

“It is great news and a major win for the entire event industry and Denmark,” says Jesper Mark Dixen, CEO at Bellagroup, and continues: “We are located in the heart of Scandinavia, and we are already a top destination for organisations and companies around the world to visit. Many rely on skilled labor from abroad when creating events, and now it has never been easier for talented people to cross the border to perform a very important job to many people”.

The new legislation applies to large-scale events, with the possibility of up to 400 registered participants, and opens new opportunities for international collaboration and creativity at one of Northern Europe’s leading venues.

Importantly, the exemption from the work permit requirement includes employees of foreign organisers and suppliers — including freelancers and self-employed professionals — as long as they are part of the event’s established team with contractual ties, and not venue staff provided locally (e.g., security, catering, cleaning.)
 

Under these rules:

• The event must be a closed, indoor function with a minimum of 400 people invited and able to register; ticket-open or public events do not qualify .

• Exempted roles cover core operational and specialist positions such as planners, coordinators, technicians, communicators, contractors, and hosts — reinforcing that this change benefits the expertise that international organisers depend on .

• Each professional can work in Denmark for a maximum of 10 working days related to the event — including set-up and tear-down — with weekend and rest days counted according to SIRI’s guidance .

The legislation also clarifies that this exemption does not replace other visa requirements — non-EU citizens may still need a visitor visa if they come from a country that requires one to enter Denmark.

Finally, the new exemption is just one of several in Danish immigration law where short-term, non-EU work can be permitted without a formal work permit, such as researchers, guest lecturers, and other specialised temporary assignments lasting up to 90 days — highlighting Denmark’s broader efforts to streamline access for global professionals across sectors

Bella Center Copenhagen is one of Scandinavia’s largest event venues, with 65.000 square meters of event space, state-of-the-art facilities, and sustainable event solutions covering five congress and exhibition halls and 106 meeting rooms and auditoriums. Whether hosting conferences, exhibitions, or large-scale international events, Bella Center is where ideas and people come together.

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.