Danish CV guide
CV photo in Denmark? Common, not compulsory
A photo is common on Danish CVs, but it is not a universal requirement. Follow a specific employer instruction first. With no instruction, make a deliberate choice.
What do Danish CV advice sources say?
Credible sources describe the same practice differently
Workindenmark
Recommends a professional picture for a CV aimed at a Danish employer.
Strong cultural recommendationUniversity of Southern Denmark
Describes a photo as very normal in Denmark.
Documented normInternational House Odense
Lists the CV photo as optional.
Candidate choiceA simple decision path
Should you include a photo?
Employer instructions come first. The rest is a presentation choice.
What does the employer say?
Requested: include a suitable photo. No photo: leave it out. No instruction: continue.
Do you have a suitable current photo?
If it is current, clear and comfortable to share, including it is a reasonable Danish-CV choice.
Either result can be professional
Choose a clean header that supports the document rather than distracting from it.
Use a current, natural image with a calm background.
A clean text-led header can still be complete and professional.
No photo does not mean incomplete. A photo is a presentation choice; it does not demonstrate competence or cultural fit.
If you include one
Keep it current and natural
The image should support a calm professional presentation, not carry the application.
Prefer
- Current head-and-shoulders image
- Calm, simple background
- Clear face and natural expression
- Balanced lighting
- Workplace-appropriate clothing
Avoid
- Passport-style photos
- Party, holiday or dating-profile imagery
- Heavy filters or cropped group images
- Low resolution
- Distracting backgrounds
Personal details
What belongs on the CV?
Include what the employer needs, consider optional context carefully, and leave sensitive identifiers out.
Contact essentials
- Name
- Professional email
- Phone number
- City and country
- Current LinkedIn link if useful
Optional context
- Photo
- Age or date of birth
- Nationality
- Relocation context when relevant
- Accurate work-authorisation statement
- Languages and proficiency
- Genuine interests
Unnecessary identifiers
- CPR number
- Passport or identity number
- Bank information
- Health information
- Religion or political affiliation
- Detailed information about relatives
Before adding an optional detail, ask whether it is accurate, relevant, useful to the employer and something you are comfortable sharing.
International applicants
Clarify what matters
Nationality is not work authorisation
Do not expect an employer to infer legal status from nationality, university, address or time in Denmark.
Use a precise statement
If work authorisation is relevant, use an accurate statement you can support.
Check the responsible authority
For permit or work-authorisation questions, use the responsible Danish authority.
Common questions
Four practical answers
Is a photo required on a CV in Denmark?
No. A photo is common, but it is not a universal requirement. Follow a specific employer instruction first.
Will leaving out a photo make my CV incomplete?
No. A clear header with the right contact information can be complete and professional without a photo.
Should I include my nationality?
Only when it is accurate, useful in context and something you are comfortable sharing. Nationality does not establish work authorisation.
How should I describe work authorisation?
Use a precise statement you can support. For permit or work-authorisation questions, check the responsible Danish authority.
Before you finish
Return to the vacancy
Confirm requested documents, application language, personal-detail instructions and deadline. For a starting layout, use the free Denmark CV template.
Sources checked 2 September 2026