Police Officer Salary in Denmark 2026: How Much Do They Earn?
Police officers maintain law and order, prevent crime, and assist citizens. They patrol, investigate cases, and ensure public safety.
- Low (25%)
- 390,000 DKK
- High (75%)
- 600,000 DKK
Salary Range for Police Officer
Most police officers earn between 390,000 DKK and 600,000 DKK per year.
Net Salary as Police Officer
| Salary Level | Gross/year | Net/month | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 390,000 DKK | 21,941 DKK | 32.49% |
| Average | 498,000 DKK | 27,554 DKK | 33.6% |
| High | 600,000 DKK | 32,606 DKK | 34.79% |
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What does a police officer do day-to-day?
A police officer’s day in Denmark depends on the assignment. On patrol duty, you ride with a partner, respond to alarms, assist at traffic accidents, handle burglary reports, and intervene in disturbances. Every case is documented thoroughly in the police IT system POLSAG. In investigation, you spend the day conducting interviews, securing evidence, and working cases together with prosecutors from the prosecution service. Police officers work a three-shift rotation — day, evening, and night — with frequent weekend shifts. Physical training, firearms training, and ongoing professional development are fixed parts of the annual calendar.
Education and qualifications
The current police education takes 2 years and 4 months (expanding to 3 years from August 2026), alternating between theoretical instruction at the Police Academy in Brøndby or Vejle and practical placement in a police district. Entry requirements include a secondary school diploma (or equivalent), Danish citizenship, and passing physical, psychological, and background checks. The education is in Danish.
Career progression and salary steps for a police officer
| Career stage | Annual gross salary |
|---|---|
| Student (during education) | 260,000 DKK |
| Newly qualified police officer (base + supplements) | 420,000 DKK |
| Police officer with 5+ yrs experience | 500,000 DKK |
| Deputy Police Inspector / Police Inspector | 620,000 DKK |
Figures are indicative gross salaries. Use the calculator above to see your exact take-home pay after tax in your municipality.
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View salary scales →Police Officer salary across municipalities
Net pay as a police officer varies up to 762 DKK/mo depending on municipality. Here are the 8 largest municipalities:
| Municipality | Tax Rate | Net/month |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | 23.39% | 27,554 DKK |
| Vejle | 23.40% | 27,552 DKK |
| Frederiksberg | 24.50% | 27,242 DKK |
| Aarhus | 24.52% | 27,237 DKK |
| Odense | 25.50% | 26,961 DKK |
| Viborg | 25.50% | 26,961 DKK |
| Aalborg | 25.60% | 26,933 DKK |
| Esbjerg | 26.10% | 26,792 DKK |
Who Earns More?
Similar Roles in Public Sector
- Firefighter494,000 DKK/year
- Social Worker494,000 DKK/year
- Prison Officer464,000 DKK/year
- Midwife475,000 DKK/year
Frequently Asked Questions
Evening, night, and weekend supplements typically make up 15-30% of a police officer’s total pay. A base salary of around 33,000 DKK per month can therefore reach 38,000-43,000 DKK including unsociable-hours and standby allowances. Specialist units and special assignments can add further function supplements.
Yes, officers in specialist units such as AKS (the Tactical Unit), traffic police, investigation, or the negotiation group typically receive function supplements of 2,000-7,000 DKK per month on top of their base salary. International missions can also bring significantly higher pay during the deployment period.
Danish citizenship is a strict entry requirement for the police education. There is no path for non-citizens to become police officers in Denmark, regardless of qualifications or language ability.
A police officer earns on average 498,000 DKK per year in Denmark. This equals approximately 27,554 DKK after tax per month.
With the average salary of 498,000 DKK, you take home approximately 27,554 DKK per month after tax. This corresponds to an effective tax rate of 33.6%.
The salary range for police officers in Denmark goes from approximately 390,000 DKK (25th percentile) to 600,000 DKK (75th percentile) per year. Your actual salary depends on experience, education, and workplace.