Copenhagen, July 24, 2026 – The Europe Today: Denmark’s largest trade union, 3F, has raised concerns over what it describes as a new loophole in the country’s labor migration system, warning that an increasing number of foreign workers from non-EU countries are entering Denmark using European Union passports obtained through other member states.
According to the union, the trend involves third-country nationals—people from outside the Nordic countries and the European Union—who have acquired citizenship in another EU member state and are subsequently able to move and work freely in Denmark under EU freedom of movement rules. The organization argues that the growing practice could undermine Denmark’s existing labor migration framework.
3F has called on Danish authorities to closely examine the issue, expressing concern that the development may expose gaps in the country’s immigration and labor regulations. The union maintains that while freedom of movement is a fundamental EU principle, policymakers should ensure that labor market rules remain fair and effective in addressing changing migration patterns.
The warning comes amid broader debates in Denmark over labor shortages, workforce mobility, and immigration policies, with trade unions and employers continuing to discuss how best to balance the country’s demand for skilled workers with safeguards for labor standards.
The report highlights the evolving nature of labor migration within the European Union, where individuals who obtain citizenship in one EU member state gain the right to seek employment across the bloc, presenting new policy challenges for national authorities seeking to regulate labor market access while complying with EU rules.
