36. All children in Denmark have a right to receive free education in the primary and lower secondary school (Folkeskolen). Education is compulsory in Denmark, but there is no compulsory school attendance. Compulsory education may thus be performed through education in the Folkeskole, in a private school or as private instruction in the pupil's home. Education is compulsory for children from the 1 August of the calendar year in which the child attains the age of 7 years until the 31 July after the child has received regular education for a period of nine years.

224. National regulation of the work of children and young people is based on a 1994 directive of the European Union on the protection of young people in the workplace. This directive was implemented in Danish law by amendment of the Working Environment Act (arbejdsmiljøloven) in 1996. In addition, Denmark has ratified ILO Convention No. 138 on minimum age for access to employment.

225. Accordingly, children under the age of 13 cannot lawfully take on work except for performances in cultural contexts. This may be participation in plays or commercials. Employment requires permission from the local police, who must determine whether the performance in question is appropriate.

227. The point of departure is thus that children have to be 15 years old and to have fulfilled their statutory duty to receive instruction to be able to take on work. The duty to receive instruction in Denmark is satisfied by nine years of school. The work that young people can take on is limited. Thus, young people are not allowed to work with dangerous machines, dangerous substances or materials or in other ways be exposed to major strain until they have attained the age of 18.