Danish residence permit
Do you need a Danish residence permit?
If you’re an international student considering studying in Denmark, it's essential to understand the Danish residence permit requirements.
Generally, non-EU/EEA students need a residence permit to study in Denmark. This permit allows you to stay in the country for the duration of your studies and may also enable you to work part-time while enrolled.
Answer the questions and find out whether or not you need a residence permit during your studies in Denmark.
What is your country of citizenship?
Danish citizens
You do not need to apply for a residence permit. However, as a Danish citizen moving to Denmark for more than three months, you can register as a resident in the CPR register if you have a Danish address.
Please note that you will not be able to apply for a CPR number, if you are staying in Denmark for less than three months.
Find more information about this process at borger.dkt (Unfortunately, the information is only in Danish).
Nordic citizens
You do not need a residence permit to live in Denmark.
However, if you are staying for more than six months, you need to register with the Danish authorities. For more information about moving within the Nordic countries, please see www.norden.org/da.
Please note that, when you apply for a CPR number in Denmark, your address in your home country will be registered as vacated. Make sure that you are familiar with your home country's rules for relocating to another Nordic country before applying for a Danish CPR number.
Work permit for citizens of Nordic countries
You do not need a work permit for regular student jobs.
EU, EEA or Swiss citizens
You must apply for an EU residence document, as you are a EU/EEA or Swiss citizen staying longer than 90 days.
Apply for an EU residence document
When applying you can choose to fill out the OD1 application form in an online or a paper version. We recommend the online version:
Online application form
- Go to the online application form .
- Fill out the application by following the instructions in the FAQ on the webpage for The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI)
- When you have submitted your application, you will receive a reference number that you must keep. (Check the spam folder if you do not receive it in your inbox.)
- When you have submitted the application, a link to 'book an appointment' will be presented to you. Be aware that you should not use this link if you want to visit SIRI on one of the special opening days.
- To visit SIRI on the special opening days for international students you must book an appointment here. Enter your OD1 reference number in the comment s field of the booking link. After booking an appointment, you will receive a booking number. Keep your booking number.
Default error in the application confirmation
On the receipt of the online application it says that it is mandatory to appear in person at SIRI within 14 days of submitting the application, but this is not correct. This is a default message in the application. Just show up in person on the date that you can book an appointment.
Paper form of application form
- Print out and complete the application form.
- Prepare the required documents as listed on theDanish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) website.
- Book an appointment to hand in your application here. You will receive a booking number that you should keep. (Check the spam folder if you do not receive the booking number in your inbox.)
- Hand in your application in person to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) on one of the special opening days listed below.
For both online and paper applications
- You do not need to sign a declaration of study activity if you have received an admission letter from UCPH.
- When you have booked an appointment, you will receive an email with a receipt including a booking number.You must enter the booking number in the Citizens Service Center on arrival.
Change appointment
If you are unable to show up for your appointment, you should cancel or change your appointment as soon as possible – then someone else will be able to book the appointment.
When you visit The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, always bring:
- your passport/ID card
- your OD1 application or receipt for the online OD1 application and the reference number
- your booking numbers.
Where to go
Special opening days for international students:
- Tuesday 23 January 2024, opening hours 08:30-16:00
- Tuesday 31 January 2024, opening hours 08:30-16:00
SIRI will issue an EU residence document immediately if you meet the requirements for an EU residence permit in Denmark.
FAQ
If you don't have an address in Denmark, state your address in your home country. Repeat this in the box 'last address before entering Denmark'.
If you only have one date in your passport, use this same date when filling out the application.
If you are visiting SIRI on the special opening days, download the declaration of sufficient funds and attach it to your application. You are not required to print, sign and re-upload the declaration of sufficient funds. When you show up in person at SIRI, you must confirm that you have sufficient funds.
To proceed, you must attach the declaration to your application (but it is not necessary to sign it).
If you are visiting SIRI on the special opening days, you can download the sworn declaration, save it on your desktop and upload it. You are not required to print, sign and upload it.
Click on'browse' and find the declaration you saved on your desktop and upload it (without a signature). When you show up in person at SIRI, you must confirm the sworn declaration (in person).
Work permit for EU/EEA and Swiss citizen
You do not need a work permit for student jobs in Denmark.
Non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic citizen (visa-free)
You must obtain a residence permit if you wish to stay in Denmark for more than 90 days since you are a citizen of a visa-free non-EU/EEA/Nordic country.
How to apply
Please be aware, you cannot start the residence permit process yourself. UCPH will send you the residence permit application form after you have been admitted.
The residence permit application process typically takes two to three months, and you must pay an application fee.
Please note that while you can enter Denmark without a visa/residence permit, we still recommend that you apply for and receive your residence permit before arriving, as you will be able to apply for, for example, the national health insurance card.
More information about the application process
- Find more information about the application process on the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration's (SIRI) website.
- You can also contact your nearest Danish consulate/embassy about the process on the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website.
Work permit for non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic citizens
If you want to work during your studies at UCPH, you should always read the information about your right to work in your residence permit. The permit provides information about how many hours per week you are allowed to work.
You are typically only allowed to work for a limited number of hours during the semester.
Non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic citizen with a visa requirement
Depending on the length of your stay you must obtain both a residence permit and a visa since you are a Non-EU/EEA/Nordic citizen.
Less than 90 days
You do not need to apply for a residence permit. However, you have to apply for a visa.
How to apply for a visa
Please note that you cannot enter Denmark without a visa.
It is important that you contact the UCPH coordinator responsible for your stay well in advance and ask them about the visa process. They will oversee your visa application.
More than 90 days
You must apply for a residence permit and a visa.
How to apply for a visa and a residence permit
Please be aware, you cannot start the residence permit process yourself.
UCPH will send you the residence permit application form after you have been admitted to UCPH.
Your residence permit application automatically includes your visa application. Therefore, you do not need to fill out two applications.
The residence permit application process typically takes two to three months, and you will need to pay an application fee.
Please note that you cannot enter Denmark without a visa and a residence permit. Therefore, you should start the application process well in advance.
More information about the application process
Work permit for non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic citizen
If you want to work during your studies at UCPH, you should always read the information about your right to work in your residence permit. The permit provides information about how many hours per week you are allowed to work.
You are typically only allowed to work for a limited number of hours during the semester.
If you wish to work during your studies at UCPH you should always read the information about your work rights in your residence permit. This is where you will find information about how many hours per week you are allowed to work. You are typically only allowed to work a limited number of hours during the semester.