A residence permit for international students
An establishment card in Denmark is a residence permit specifically designed for international students who have completed their higher education in the country. This card allows graduates to stay in Denmark for a period of up to 2 years after completing their studies. Learn about the establishment card and meet a former student who recieved the establishment card.
Getting the Establishment card was easy
What is an Establishment Card?
The Establishment card is a permit you can apply for after you have graduated from a Danish higher education institution – such as UCPH. With the card, you can stay in Denmark for two years after you have completed your degree, which has to be either a bachelor's degree, a professional bachelor's degree, a master's degree or a PhD.
In addition, you must be able to support yourself for one year in order to get the Establishment card, and you must pay a small processing fee.
More information about the Establishment Card
You can find more information at The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration's homepage:
Advice for people who want to apply for the Establishment card
As it may take a while to find a job in a foreign country like Denmark, Lokapriya Nandan Basavanna advises other graduates not to give up. He has gathered some advice for international students who dream of working in Denmark after their studies.
Internships, volunteer work and talent programmes during your studies
Lokapriya Nandan Basavanna from India recommends all international students to do internships in start-up businesses to learn relevant skills.
Among other things he recommends to take part in talent programmes like Young Professionals in Denmark and The Greater Copenhagen Career Program. The programmes are well known because they organise career fairs, case competitions and other events that involve networking with industry professionals. Lokapriya encourages all international students to spend free time doing volunteer work. "It's a great way to meet people and do something meaningful. I’ve had a great time volunteering myself. Mostly in Foodsharing CPH, an NGO that prevents food waste, but also in CPH Volunteers where I helped arrange cultural events", he says.
Learning Danish helps your job search
Learning Danish not only makes it more interesting to stay in Denmark but it also helps young international graduates find a job in Denmark.
Depending on the municipality you live in, you can enrol at different language schools. You must pay a deposit when you enrol, but otherwise the lessons are free.
Furthermore, getting a Danish language buddy, reading Danish newspapers and watching Danish TV series also help.
Advice to people who want to apply for the Establishment card
Learning Danish helps your job search
Learning Danish not only makes it more interesting to stay in Denmark but it also helps young international graduates find a job in Denmark.
Depending on the municipality you live in, you can enrol at different language schools.
You must pay a deposit when you enrol, but otherwise the lessons are free.
Furthermore, getting a Danish language buddy, reading Danish newspapers and watching Danish TV series also help.
As it may take a while to find a job in a foreign country like Denmark, Lokapriya Nandan Basavanna advises other graduates not to give up. He has gathered some advice for international students who dream of working in Denmark after their studies.
Internships, volunteer work and talent programmes during your studies
"I recommend doing internships in start-up businesses to learn relevant skills. Denmark's start-up scene is flourishing!
Also, I recommend talent programmes like Young Professionals in Denmark and The Greater Copenhagen Career Program", Lokapriya says.
The two programmes are well known because they organise career fairs, case competitions and other events that involve networking with industry professionals.
In addition to that, Lokapriya encourages international students to spend free time doing volunteer work.
"It's a great way to meet people and do something meaningful. I’ve had a great time volunteering myself. Mostly in Foodsharing CPH, an NGO that prevents food waste, but also in CPH Volunteers where I helped arrange cultural events", he says.
Financial requirements for the Establishment card (2022)
To get an Establishment card, you must prove that you can support yourself during the first year of your stay. You can do so by attaching either a bank statement or an employment contract to your application. Whether you are in Denmark alone or you have brought your family, the required amount of money you need to apply for the Establishment card differs.
- If you are in Denmark alone without any family, the annual amount required is DKK 90,624 (2022).
- If your spouse is accompanying you, the annual amount required is DKK 181,248 (2022).
- If your spouse and any children are accompanying you, the annual amount required is DKK 269,208 (2022).
- If any of your children but not your spouse are accompanying you, the annual amount required is DKK 178,584 (2022).
- If your spouse is applying after you have been granted a permit, the annual amount is DKK 90,624 (2022).
- If any of your children are applying after you have been granted a permit, the annual amount is DKK: 87.960 (2022).
- If your spouse and any children are applying after you have been granted a permit, the annual amount is DKK 178,584 (2022).
If you apply with a bank statement, you need to have the required amount in your savings account.
If you apply with an employment contract, it must appear from the contract that you receive a monthly salary, which will ensure a minimum after-tax income of DKK 89,376 within the first year. When you apply for an establishment card, you also need to pay a processing fee, which is DKK 1,890 (2022).
Please note that the financial requirements are adjusted annually on 1 January.
Bring your family to Denmark
A residence and work permit based on an Establishment card will allow you to bring your family to Denmark. A permit can be granted to your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner as well as children under 18 who are still living at home.