Student visa & permits in Denmark
Student visa, residence permit, registration, fees, deadlines and document guidance for studying in Denmark.
Read the complete Denmark study abroad guide.
Visa & Immigration
Third-country students admitted to qualifying higher education normally apply to SIRI for a residence permit for study. The application is shared between the educational institution and the student. Nordic citizens do not need a residence permit; EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use EU residence rules instead.
For 2026, when self-support documentation is required, SIRI uses DKK 7,426 per month for each month of study, up to 12 months (maximum DKK 89,112). For students taking a complete higher-education programme in Denmark, SIRI states that if you have paid tuition in Denmark, you are not required to provide separate proof of self-support; students who do not pay tuition, for example because of a waiver, generally need to document funds or a qualifying scholarship.
Biometrics must normally be recorded within 14 days after submitting an online application. The current normal processing time for higher-education study cases is about two months, and SIRI says it can take up to three months when further information is needed. The current SIRI processing fee for this route is DKK 3,060.
Use only current SIRI figures when filing: the self-support amount is adjusted annually. Cryptocurrency is not accepted directly as proof of funds and must be converted to Danish kroner or another national currency.
Source: https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/You-want-to-apply/Study/Higher-education
Residence Permit
The CPR number is central to daily administration in Denmark, but the registration sequence differs by nationality. You need a Danish address that meets your municipality's registration rules before you can be CPR-registered.
For a non-EU citizen with a Danish residence permit, official International Citizen Service guidance says CPR registration must be completed within six months of the permit being issued and no later than five days after moving into your Danish residence. EU/EEA/Swiss students staying more than three months first need an EU residence document; that document is needed before CPR registration. Nordic citizens do not need an EU residence document and follow Nordic registration rules.
Once registered, you receive a CPR number and the yellow health-insurance card is ordered as part of the process. You can also arrange MitID, Denmark's national digital identity.
Start the registration process promptly after you have a qualifying address, especially around semester start when appointment queues can be long.
Source: https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/settle-in-denmark/ics-international-citizen-service/ics-east-in-copenhagen
Common questions
What should international students know about visa in Denmark?
SIRI handles third-country study residence. The 2026 self-support figure is DKK 7,426/month when required, up to DKK 89,112.
What should international students know about residence in Denmark?
CPR registration rules differ by nationality: third-country permit holders, EU/EEA/Swiss students and Nordic students follow different sequences.