Danish Residence Permit Requirements in 2026

For most foreign individuals hoping to stay in Denmark longer than 90 days, a residence permit is required.

Many countries in Europe require foreigners to take out long stay visas for trips 90+ days in length. Denmark is a little bit different. Whether you're going there to study abroad, join your spouse, work, or take an extended vacation, a residence permit is typically required.

Applying for a Danish residence permit

If you want to stay in Denmark for more than 90 days, you will probably need to apply for residence. Keep in mind that some nationalities are exempt (such as Finnish and Norwegian citizens). You should always check an official Danish website to see whether or not you're required to apply.

In many European countries, an embassy/consulate manages migration, but in Denmark, the Danish Immigration Service and the SIRI (the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) are responsible for facilitating it.

The "New to Denmark" official website has up-to-date information about what types of permits are available, what is required of you, and what your next steps should be.

Types of Danish residence permits

It's important to understand that there isn't just "one type" of residence permit. You need to apply for the permit within the category that pertains to your situation. For example:

• Studying in Denmark
• Joining a spouse/family
• Working
• Becoming an Au Pair
• Internship
• Etc.

Denmark has quite a few different permit categories, including ones for asylum seekers, religious workers, and more.

Additionally, categories often have sub-categories within them. So, there isn't just one "work permit" for Denmark. The one you need depends on the type of work you're doing, whether you're employed by a Danish company, self-employed, etc.

Usually, figuring out which residence permit you need to apply for requires a fair bit of reading and research.

How to apply

Once you know which residence permit you should apply for, you can start the process on the New to Denmark site.

There, you will also be able to see the requirements, including which documents you will need to include in your application.

Regardless of which specific residence permit you're going to be applying for, the general steps of the application process are similar.

• Start on the New to Denmark official website.
• Create a new case order ID.
• Pay the application fee.
• Gather all of the documentation needed for your application.
• Complete your application. In some cases, you may need to complete your application with a third party. For example, if you're a student, the Danish university may need to fill out a section of your application. If you are a skilled worker, your employer may be required to fill out part of it.
• Attend an in-person appointment to submit your biometrics (i.e., fingerprints). While a large part of the residency application can be completed online, there is an in-person part that is mandatory. You need to submit your fingerprints and a facial image in person at a Danish diplomatic mission or visa application center (oftentimes, VFS Global, but you'll be advised during the official process).
• Wait for an answer! Different permits may have different processing times. The New to Denmark website will tell you the current processing time for your permit during the application process.

FAQs about Denmark residence permits