Immigration & Residence
Visa types, work permits, permanent residence, citizenship, fees and processing times for immigrating to Denmark.
Covered in this guide:
- Work Permits and Employment-Based Residence
- Family Reunification and Sponsorship
- Student Residence Permits and Studying in Denmark
- Permanent Residence in Denmark
- Danish Citizenship and Naturalisation
- Asylum and Humanitarian Protection
- Rights and Protections for Foreign Nationals
- Common Immigration Mistakes to Avoid
Danish immigration law rests on udlændingeloven (the Aliens Act), administered by Udlændingestyrelsen (the Danish Immigration Service) (and SIRI for work and study). EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have freedom of movement; Nordic citizens need not register at all. Third-country nationals need a residence and work permit — the main routes are the Positivlisten, the Beløbsordningen (Pay Limit Scheme), the Fast-track Scheme and Start-up Denmark. Temporary permits run 2-4 years, permanent residence can be obtained after 8 years (4 years with supplementary conditions), and citizenship after 9 years — with demanding requirements on language, civic understanding and self-support.
Key Laws
Udlændingeloven
Udlændingeloven (LBK nr. 1009 af 2024)
Main legislation on entry, residence and removal of foreign nationals
Indfødsretsloven
Indfødsretsloven (LBK nr. 422 af 2023)
Rules on acquiring and losing Danish citizenship
Integrationsloven
Integrationsloven (Lov nr. 1146 af 2022)
Integration programmes for newly arrived foreign nationals
Udlændingebekendtgørelsen
Udlændingebekendtgørelsen (BEK nr. 1206 af 2024)
Detailed rules implementing the Aliens Act
EU-opholdsbekendtgørelsen
EU-opholdsbekendtgørelsen
Rules for EU/EEA citizens exercising freedom of movement in Denmark
Work Permits and Employment-Based Residence
Denmark has several work-permit schemes designed to attract skilled labour. All third-country nationals need a work and residence permit before they may start a job.The Positivlisten (Positive List)...
Family Reunification and Sponsorship
Denmark has some of the strictest family-reunification rules in Europe. The requirements are designed to ensure integration and economic self-support.To reunite with a spouse or partner, both parties...
Student Residence Permits and Studying in Denmark
Denmark attracts approx. 30,000 international students each year, and many English-language programmes are offered at bachelor's and master's level. Third-country students need a student residence...
Permanent Residence in Denmark
Permanent residence in Denmark requires meeting some of Europe's most demanding conditions. The ordinary residence period is 8 years of continuous lawful residence, which can be reduced to 4 years if...
Danish Citizenship and Naturalisation
Danish citizenship is acquired through naturalisation, which requires adoption by the Folketing (Parliament). Denmark has some of Europe's strictest citizenship requirements.The main requirements...
Asylum and Humanitarian Protection
Denmark processes asylum applications through Udlændingestyrelsen (the Danish Immigration Service). The country has tightened its asylum policy considerably in recent years.There are three forms of...
Rights and Protections for Foreign Nationals
All foreign nationals in Denmark have fundamental rights and protections under Danish and international law, regardless of nationality.As regards healthcare, all residents with a CPR number (personal...
Common Immigration Mistakes to Avoid
The Danish immigration system is known for its strict rules and short deadlines. Mistakes can have serious consequences, from revocation of a permit to expulsion. Here are the most common pitfalls...