Read about need-to-know legalities while studying in Denmark as well as after graduation. Also get useful information on unemployment funds, immigration schemes and International Citizen Service.
Need-to-know legalities while studying in Denmark
If you are a Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizen enrolled at a Danish higher education institution, you may work as many hours as you wish while studying in Denmark and you do not need a work permit in order to obtain this right.
If you are a citizen of any other country enrolled at a Danish higher education institution, you must hold a valid work permit in order to obtain the right to work while you study in Denmark. The permission to work is announced by a sticker in your passport. Work permit holders may work for up to fifteen hours per week, and full-time in the summer months of June, July and August.
If you were not granted a work permit when your permit to study in Denmark was issued, you can apply for a work permit at the Danish Immigration Service ('Udlændingeservice' in Danish).
Need-to-know legalities after graduation (Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens)
If you are a Nordic citizen you may continue to reside in Denmark after graduation as long as you wish and you do not have to do anything in order to be able to do so.
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you are allowed to remain in Denmark after graduation for up to three months (six months if the purpose of your stay is to look for a job). By the end of the three (or six) month pe-riod, you may only continue to reside in Denmark if you e.g. have found a paying job in Denmark, have become self-employed or hold sufficient financial resources, and if you inform the Regional State Administration ('Statsforvaltningen' in Danish) of your change of status (e.g. from 'student' to 'employed').
Unemployment funds (Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens)
If you are a Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you may enroll in a Danish unemployment fund ('A-kasse' in Danish) after graduation and hence become entitled to benefits in case of subsequent unemployment. The unemployment insurance is optional and you can enroll if you are between 18 to 63 years old and work and reside in Denmark or another EU/EEA country, including Switzerland.
In order to become entitled to unemployment benefits, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You must have completed a business-related education of at least 18 months and applied for an unem-ployment fund membership no later than two weeks after graduation.
- You must have been employed within a profession covered by the unemployment fund.
- You must be a business-owner or a co-owner of a family run business.
Need-to-know legalities after graduation (Non-EU/EEA citizens)
If you are a citizen of any other country than the Nordic and the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland, and have graduated from a Danish higher education institution, you may remain in Denmark after graduation for up to six months in order to look for employment. Limitations may apply however, if you did not complete your study programme in the expected time of completion.
The six month post-graduation job-seeking period is issued by a sticker in your passport. During the six months, you may work for up to fifteen hours per week and full-time in the summer months of June, July and August without having to apply for a work permit (see 'Immigration schemes' below).
If you were not granted the six month post-graduation period when your permit to study in Denmark was is-sued and if you want to remain in Denmark after graduation in order to look for employment, you must con-tact the Danish Immigration Service before the expiry of your permit to study in Denmark in order to obtain this right.
Immigration schemes (Non-EU/EEA citizens)
When you find employment in Denmark, you must apply for a work permit in order to remain able to reside in Denmark. In practice, however, it is not you but your employer who must initiate that application process. If you do not find employment within the six month post-graduation job-seeking period and want to continue to reside in Denmark, you can apply for a residence permit through the Greencard scheme.
Some of the different work and residence schemes are described here in brief:
- The Positive List scheme: Your profession must be listed on the Positive List. Furthermore, you must have a written job contract or job offer which specifies salary and employment conditions. Salary and employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards.
- The Pay Limit scheme: Your job must have a gross annual pay of no less than DKK 375,000. You must have a written job contract or job offer which specifies salary and employment conditions. Salary and employment conditions must correspond to Danish standards.
- The Greencard scheme: In order to be granted a residence permit under the Greencard scheme, you must attain a minimum of 100 points. Points are given for: educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability, and age.
International Citizen Service
International Citizen Service is a nationwide service for international students and professionals and Danish companies. In the International Citizen Service offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, all relevant authorities are represented. Thus, in most cases you only need to visit International Citizen Service in order to get your paperwork done and to have your questions answered.
The Danish Tax and Customs Administration ('SKAT' in Danish), the Danish Immigration Service, the Regional State Administrations, Workindenmark and the municipalities will all be present at International Citizen Service. International Citizen Service also provides information on the services provided by the Danish Agency for International Education ('Styrelsen for International Uddannelse' in Danish).
The following services are offered in the four International Citizen Services:
- Dealing with red tape: residence permit for non-EU citizens, registration certificate for EU citizens, tax card, civil registration number, medical card and a Danish driver's license.
- Personal guidance: job seeking in Denmark, finding a job for your partner, part-time jobs for international students, Danish language courses, the Danish tax system and registration of foreign vehicles.
- General information: living and working conditions in Denmark, authorisation and approval of professional qualifications for regulated professions, study and career counselling, accommodation, schooling, day-care for children and network and social activities in your region.
This article is provided by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Danish Agency for International Education. Also see www.studyindenmark.dk
