Notice period
Find your notice period and your last day as a salaried employee (funktionær) in Denmark. Choose whether your employer or you give notice.
How the rules work
The rules are in section 2 of the Danish Salaried Employees Act (funktionærloven). They apply to salaried employees, and notice always ends at the end of a month.
Notice when the employer gives notice
The notice period is 1 month during the first 6 months. After that it is 3 months, and it rises by 1 month for every third year of employment, up to a maximum of 6 months. Length of employment is counted on the day notice is given.
| Length of employment | Notice |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | 1 month |
| 6 months to 3 years | 3 months |
| 3 to 6 years | 4 months |
| 6 to 9 years | 5 months |
| 9 years or more | 6 months |
To the end of a month
Notice must be given in writing no later than the last day of the month after which the notice period starts to run. If you receive notice with 3 months' notice on 15 March, your last day is 30 June. If you receive it only on 1 April, your last day is 31 July.
When you resign
Your notice period is 1 month, to the end of a month. In a written contract you can agree a longer notice period on your side, but then the employer's notice period is extended by the same amount.
Probationary period
If you are employed on probation for no more than 3 months, the employer can give notice with at least 14 days' notice, provided the employer can document the agreement. The calculator does not take probation into account.
Severance pay
If you are dismissed after 12 or 17 years of uninterrupted employment with the same company, the employer must pay an amount equal to 1 and 3 months' pay respectively when you leave (section 2 a). The Danish term is fratrædelsesgodtgørelse.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does my employer have to give me?
It depends on how long you have been employed. The notice period is from 1 to 6 months. See the table under How the rules work, or use the calculator at the top to get your last day.
When must the notice be given?
In writing, no later than the last day of the month after which the notice period starts to run. If notice is given in the middle of a month, the notice period only starts to run from the end of that month.
Am I a salaried employee (funktionær)?
The Act covers, among others, sales and office assistants, people doing technical or clinical support work, and people who manage or supervise other people's work. As a starting point you must work more than 8 hours a week for the same employer and be subject to the employer's instructions. Civil servants (tjenestemænd) and apprentices are not covered.
If you are in doubt, ask your trade union or check your contract. Many other employees have their notice periods set in a collective agreement (overenskomst).
What is my notice period if I resign?
1 month, to the end of a month, unless your written contract agrees a longer notice period. If you resign on 10 November, your last day is 31 December.
Does this notice period also apply during probation?
If you are employed on probation for no more than 3 months, the employer can give notice with at least 14 days' notice. The month-end rule then does not apply. This calculator does not include probation.
Am I entitled to severance pay?
Yes, if you are dismissed after being employed without a break by the same company for 12 years, you receive 1 month's pay. After 17 years it is 3 months' pay. The amount is paid when you leave.
What if the dismissal is not reasonable?
If you have been employed for at least 1 year and the dismissal is not reasonably justified by your circumstances or the company's, you may be entitled to compensation. It can be at most your pay for a period equal to half of your notice period. If you are over 30, it can be up to 3 months' pay. After 10 years of employment it can be up to 4 months' pay, and after 15 years up to 6 months' pay (section 2 b). Contact your trade union if you believe you have been dismissed unfairly.