A 13- or 14-year-old may work at most 2 hours on school days and 7 hours on days off. In weeks with school days the limit is 12 hours in total, and in weeks with no school at all 35 hours. The work must be between 6 am and 8 pm and must be light work. Source: Danish Working Environment Authority and the executive order on young people's work.
Young & students
Part-time jobs for teenagers in Denmark (13–17): rules, hours and pay 2026
How many hours may a 13, 15 or 17-year-old work in Denmark? The Working Environment Authority rules for school days and holidays, evenings, breaks, pay, tax card and holiday pay.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Find out which rules apply to you
The rules are set out in the Danish executive order on young people's work (bekendtgørelse om unges arbejde), supervised by the Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet). What matters is not only your age but whether you have finished 9th grade (compulsory schooling). Under 13, you generally may not work for an employer; the authority can grant individual permits for e.g. theatre, film, concerts and sport. If you are 13–14 or still in compulsory school, you may only do light work, such as delivering newspapers and leaflets, light shop work, tidying and looking after animals. Once you are 15 and have finished 9th grade, you may work in most industries, but still not with dangerous work.
- 2
Stay within the daily and weekly hours
If you are 13–14 or have not finished 9th grade: at most 2 hours on school days and 12 hours a week in weeks with school days. On days off, 13–14-year-olds may work 7 hours and 15–17-year-olds 8 hours; in weeks with no school at all the limit is 35 hours (13–14) and 40 hours (15–17). If you are 15+ and have finished 9th grade, you may work at most 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, and no more than adults in the same trade. If you have several jobs, the hours are added together.
- 3
Know the rules on evenings, rest and days off
If you are 13–14 or have not finished 9th grade, you may not work between 8 pm and 6 am, and you must have at least 14 consecutive hours of rest per day. If you are 15+ and have finished 9th grade, you generally may not work between 10 pm and 6 am (or 11 pm and 7 am), and the rest period is at least 12 hours. There are exceptions, e.g. in bakeries, hospitals and restaurants. Everyone under 18 must have a break of at least 30 minutes when the working day exceeds 4.5 hours, and two consecutive days off each week — normally including Sunday.
- 4
Say no to dangerous work
Under 18, you may not work with dangerous machinery, such as chainsaws and certain packing and cutting machines, or with hazardous substances. Where there is a risk of violence or robbery, e.g. at the till late in the day, you may not work alone; an adult over 18 must be physically present. The employer must train and supervise you, and if you are under 15 or still in compulsory school, the employer must inform your parents about the work, the working hours and any risks.
- 5
Agree pay and terms in writing
Denmark has no statutory minimum wage. If the workplace has a collective agreement, it typically sets a youth rate for under-18s; otherwise you agree the pay yourself. If you work more than 3 hours a week on average, the Danish Employment Contracts Act gives you the right to written information about pay, working hours and notice. Ask whether evening and weekend supplements are paid, and keep your payslips.
- 6
Get a tax card and keep track of your holiday pay
You need a tax card, otherwise your employer withholds 55% in tax. You get it through your preliminary income assessment (forskudsopgørelse) on skat.dk with MitID; if you are under 18, your parents can help. The personal allowance is DKK 54,100 in 2026. From 2026 you only pay the 8% labour market contribution (AM-bidrag) from the year you turn 18. As an hourly worker you earn 12.5% in holiday pay, which you request yourself on borger.dk when you take time off.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on whether you have finished 9th grade. If you are still in compulsory school: 2 hours on school days, 8 hours on days off, 12 hours in school weeks and 40 hours in weeks with no school. If you have finished 9th grade, you may work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, but generally not between 10 pm and 6 am.
As a rule, no. Children under 13 may not work for an employer. The Working Environment Authority can grant individual permits to take part in cultural activities and sport, such as theatre, film, advertising and concerts.
Denmark has no statutory minimum wage. If the workplace is covered by a collective agreement, it typically sets a special rate for under-18s. Without one, you agree the pay with the employer. Always ask before you start and get the pay in writing.
From 2026 you pay no labour market contribution until the year you turn 18; after that it is 8% of all your pay. You only pay income tax once your annual income exceeds the personal allowance, which is DKK 54,100 in 2026 for both under- and over-18s. Without a tax card, the employer withholds 55% — you get it back in the annual tax return, but it is better to set up a preliminary income assessment on skat.dk from the start.
Typical first jobs are delivering newspapers and leaflets, supermarkets, bakeries, cafés, greengrocers, riding schools and looking after children or animals. Ask in shops near you, and search part-time and student jobs on Arbejd.com. With a free profile you can be notified when new jobs near you are posted.