From January to April. Many employers — e.g. amusement parks, hotels and elderly care — have hired their summer staff before May. Summer jobs are also posted later, especially in shops, agriculture and restaurants, but competition is highest for the early postings.
Young & students
Summer jobs in Denmark 2026: finding a job, tax, SU and holiday pay
When should you apply for a summer job, and where are the jobs? Guide to tax cards, the 2026 personal allowance, SU earnings limits and holiday pay.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Start searching in good time
The most popular summer jobs — e.g. at amusement parks, hotels and as summer cover in elderly care — are often posted from January to April and filled before May. Many municipalities and regions look for summer temps as early as February and March. If you wait until June there are still jobs, especially in shops, agriculture, cleaning and restaurants, often at shorter notice.
- 2
Look where it gets busy in summer
Summer jobs are found especially in tourism and leisure, hotels and restaurants, retail, agriculture and horticulture, warehousing and logistics, and in healthcare, where permanent staff go on holiday. Many summer jobs are temporary or part-time, and some student jobs start as summer cover. So search temporary, part-time and student jobs as well, not just the word «summer job».
- 3
Write a short, specific application
State exactly which weeks you can work and how many hours a week — that is the first thing employers look for. Mention experience from part-time jobs, clubs or volunteering, and show that you are reliable and punctual. If you have little experience, be flexible about shifts and weekends. Feel free to call and follow up after a week.
- 4
Sort out your tax card and tax
Your employer fetches your tax card automatically from the Danish Tax Agency, but your preliminary income assessment needs to be right. Update it on skat.dk with MitID if you expect to earn more than last year. The personal allowance is DKK 54,100 in 2026, and the labour market contribution is 8% of all pay (from 2026 only from the year you turn 18). Without a tax card, 55% is withheld — you get it back in the annual return, but it is a hassle.
- 5
Check your SU earnings limit if you receive SU
Summer pay counts towards your annual earnings limit (fribeløb). In higher education the lowest limit is DKK 20,749 a month in 2026 (DKK 15,297 in youth education), before tax and after the labour market contribution. If you earn a lot in the summer months, you can opt out of SU for those months on minSU — this raises your earnings limit for exactly those months and helps you avoid repayment.
- 6
Keep track of your holiday pay
As an hourly worker you earn 12.5% of your pay as holiday pay. It is reported to FerieKonto or a holiday fund, and you request it yourself on borger.dk under «Se og bestil feriepenge» when you take time off. When a summer job ends, the employer must report the holiday you have not taken; check on borger.dk that the amount matches your payslips.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. If you are 13–14 or have not finished 9th grade, you may work at most 35 hours (13–14) or 40 hours (15–17) in weeks with no school, and not between 8 pm and 6 am. If you are 15+ and have finished 9th grade, the limit is 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Read more in our guide to part-time jobs for teenagers.
You pay no income tax on the first DKK 54,100 you earn in 2026 (the personal allowance), but you pay the 8% labour market contribution — from 2026 only from the year you turn 18. The allowance covers the whole year, so if you have other income, it is used against your total income.
Your pay counts towards your earnings limit for the year. If you exceed it, you must repay SU. You can opt out of SU for the summer months on minSU, which gives you a higher earnings limit for those months. Use the earnings calculator on su.dk before you accept many hours.
Yes. As an hourly worker you earn 12.5% of your pay as holiday pay. You get it paid out when you take time off by requesting it on borger.dk under «Se og bestil feriepenge».
Yes, if you work more than 3 hours a week on average. Under the Danish Employment Contracts Act you must receive written information about pay, working hours, place of work and the duration of the job — the key points within 7 days of starting. Ask for it before you start to avoid doubt about pay and shifts.