A termination letter (opsigelse) knocks the air out of anyone — and doing it in a second language is worse. But Danish employment law is unusually protective: notice periods are long, they are paid, and unfair dismissals can be challenged. Here is what your letter means and the four moves that protect you, in plain English.
Four moves:
- Find your NOTICE PERIOD — for salaried employees (funktionærer) it is set by law based on seniority, from 1 month (under 6 months' employment) up to 6 months (long seniority), always to the end of a month; you are paid in full throughout.
- Check the letter says WHEN and WHY — too short a notice costs the employer money, and the reason matters if you challenge it.
- Register with your a-kasse and the jobcenter on your FIRST day of unemployment — late registration can cost you benefits, and this deadline is absolute.
- If the dismissal feels unfair, contact your union (fagforening) quickly — challenges have short deadlines.
Fritstillet means you are released from showing up but still paid; suspended means stay available.
Your notice period (funktionærloven § 2)
| Employed for | Employer's notice to you |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | 1 month |
| 6 months – 3 years | 3 months |
| 3 – 6 years | 4 months |
| 6 – 9 years | 5 months |
| Over 9 years | 6 months |
Notice always runs to the end of a month, and you receive full salary for the entire period. Hourly and non-funktionær employees: your notice follows your collective agreement (overenskomst) or contract instead — check it, and ask your union if in doubt.
Fritstillet or suspended?
- Fritstillet: you do not have to show up, but you are paid for the whole notice period. You may normally take a new job — tell your union first so offsetting rules are handled right.
- Suspended: you stay home but must be available if called. Full pay.
- Neither mentioned? Then you work your notice period as usual.
Day one: the a-kasse step that cannot wait
Register as unemployed with your a-kasse AND the jobcenter on your FIRST day without work. Benefits normally run from registration, not from dismissal — every day you wait is money lost. Do it even if you expect a new job soon.
Is the dismissal fair?
Denmark does not allow arbitrary dismissal of long-serving employees: after some seniority, a dismissal must be reasonably justified (saglig) — by your conduct or the company's circumstances. If the reason in the letter feels thin, or there is no reason at all, contact your union quickly: challenges run on short deadlines, and compensation for unfair dismissal is real. Not a union member? An employment lawyer can assess the letter — many offer a first look at fixed price.
The paper trail
- Keep the letter, your contract and recent payslips together.
- Ask in writing if anything is unclear — answers in writing count later.
- Get your final payslip checked: notice pay, unused holiday and any bonus must all land correctly.
Termination letter you're not 100% sure about?
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Explain my termination letterFrequently asked questions
How long is the notice period in Denmark?
For salaried employees (funktionærer), the employer's notice is set by law by seniority: 1 month (under 6 months employed), 3 months (up to 3 years), then 4, 5 and 6 months as seniority grows — always to the end of a month, fully paid. Hourly workers follow their collective agreement instead.
What does fritstillet mean?
Released: you do not have to come to work during your notice period, but you are still paid in full. You may normally take a new job in the period — coordinate with your union about offsetting first.
When should I register with my a-kasse?
On your FIRST day of unemployment — register with both your a-kasse and the jobcenter. Benefits normally run from the day you register, not the day you were dismissed.
Can I challenge my dismissal?
Yes — dismissals of employees with some seniority must be reasonably justified (saglige). If the reason is thin or missing, contact your union or an employment lawyer quickly: challenge deadlines are short.
