Denmark

Higher education residence permit. A non-EU student admitted to a full-time Danish higher education program can apply for residence to study.

Free, with the law behind every answer

Higher education residence permit

Residence for the standard program duration, with limited student work rights; some state-approved graduates receive a separate job-seeking period.

Who qualifies

The student must be admitted to a qualifying full-time higher education program and able to participate in its language of instruction.
SIRI, Higher educational programmes
Show disposable support funds of DKK 7,426 per month in 2026, up to DKK 89,112 for a course longer than one year; tuition or scholarships affect the evidence required.
SIRI, Higher educational programmes

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

It could fit.

Higher education residence permit needs admission to a qualifying course; the course and your passport then decide it.

What would settle itYour admission and the course’s eligibility under the destination’s rules.

Every option that fits your family

Not legal advice.

What it takes.

Time: Normal SIRI processing time: two months; up to three months when more information is needed.
Cost: DKK 3,060 SIRI processing fee in 2026, plus tuition and living costs.
The hard part: Full-time admission and documented living funds for the required period.

Citizens by 2037.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

2027
First residence permit
1 year, renewable for 1 year at a time.
2028
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2029
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2030
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2031
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2032
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2033
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2034
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2035
Permanent residence
2036
Apply for citizenship
With a language test and a civics test.
2037
Citizenship

Language: Danish 3, Danish 2 where an exemption applies, or another accepted test.
Civics: The 2021 citizenship test.
Time away: 9 years of lawful, habitual residence under the ordinary naturalisation rule.
Two passports: Yes. You keep your U.S. citizenship.

Study is lawful residence for the ordinary clocks, but citizenship still requires an indefinite permit and permanent residence has work, language and integration conditions, so a graduate normally must switch status.
How long the decision takes isn’t published; we allow a year.

The law behind these dates

Living there.

Time you must spend there: The program sets no minimum number of days. Renewal still expects it to be your home.
Tax: Where you become tax resident follows the days you spend there and where your home is. We map it for your family before you move.

We never file a tax return. We tell you what applies and brief the professional who does.

Start today.

Obtain admission and begin the SIRI higher education application.Open nyidanmark.dk ↗
Gather these documents.
- The degree or admission letter, and proof of funds
- Request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Health cover for the move

Postern can run this for you.

$900for your first year as a founding member. Then $399 a year, automatically.One membership, the whole family. Bank accounts and help putting your plan into action are included.

Postern runs it for one adult US student living lawfully in Copenhagen, admitted directly to full-time state-approved higher education: institution coordination, SIRI filing, biometrics, CPR registration, residence card and renewals for the same course; work-permit applications after graduation and dependants require separate applications.

24 steps, from the first paper to the passport. You do 4 of them: send what we ask for, sign, and show up. We run the rest, and keep every permit renewed on time. Opening your bank accounts there is included, whether you move now or keep the plan ready. Government fees, record fees and other costs you approve are extra.

Run it for my family →

ISSUED TO

YOUR FAMILY

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POSTERN