Residence permit - FAQ
Au Pair
You can be granted a residence permit in order to function as an au pair with a host family in Denmark.
It is your own responsibility to obtain a residence permit if you are required to.
The purpose of an au pair stay
The term au pair means 'on equal terms'. The idea of an au pair stay is for a young person to stay with a host family with children under the age of 18 'on equal terms' with the other members of the family. The purpose is for the au pair to improve language and/or professional skills as well as broaden his/her cultural horizon by becoming more acquainted with Denmark. In return, the au pair participates in the host family's domestic chores (e.g. cleaning, washing clothes, cooking, babysitting) for a maximum of five hours a day, and no more than six days a week.
On newtodenmark.dk you can find more information about obtaining a residence permit as an au pair.
Family Reunification
If you have close relatives in Denmark, you can apply for a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification.
Provided that certain conditions are met, family reunification can be granted to:
If you are granted a residence permit, it will be a temporary one. You can apply for an extension of your residence permit, and after a certain period of time, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. You must still meet the conditions for your original residence permit.
Normally, a residence permit as a family reunified person gives you the right to work in Denmark.
Please note that special rules apply if the person residing in Denmark (the spouse/partner or the parent) is a student.
Practice - Internship
As a foreign national, you can be granted a residence and work permit as an intern in Denmark. You can be granted a residence and work permit if you wish to work in Denmark as an intern for a limited period of time. The work must be part of an educational programme and you have to be a student at the moment your application is processed at SIRI.
If you already hold a Danish residence permit based on family reunification or asylum, or hold a residence permit on humanitarian grounds, you do not need a work permit in order to work in Denmark.
It is your own responsibility to obtain a work permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.
Please see newtodenmark.dk in order to read more about the conditions for obtaining a work and residence permit as an intern.
Please, read more information about internships in Denmark here.
Studies
As a foreign national, you can be granted a residence permit in order to study in Denmark. There are three main categories of study which can warrant a residence permit:
- Higher educational programmes
- Basic and youth study programmes
- Folk high schools (folkehøjskoler)
Read more about the various options here and find forms and information about the application process here.
Bringing your family
If you have been accepted at a higher educational programme and have been granted a residence permit on these grounds, you can bring family members to Denmark. If you wish to bring your spouse/registered partner/cohabiting partner with you to Denmark, then he/she must submit his/her own application. If you have children under the age of 18 who you also wish to bring to Denmark, information about the children can be included in your spouse's/partner's application.
The application form contains a detailed description of how your spouse/partner should complete the form.
Work
Many foreign nationals are free to live and work in Denmark. However, some are required to hold a residence and work permit - this is the case for Ukrainians, Georgians and Armenians. The specific requirements in connection with living and working in Denmark depend, first and foremost, on a person’s nationality and qualifications.
It is your own responsibility to obtain a work permit if you are required to. If you work illegally in Denmark, you risk deportation, and you and your employer risk fine or imprisonment.
Normally, professional or labour market considerations must warrant a residence and work permit, for example, if there is a lack of persons in Denmark who can carry out a specific type of work.
The rules also apply in the case of voluntary/unpaid work.
You can find the application forms on the homepage of the Danish Immigration Service: www.newtodenmark.dk.
Special schemes
A number of schemes have been designed in order to make it easier for highly qualified professionals to get a residence and work permit in Denmark. read about the special schemes at newtodenmark.dk.
Bringing your family to Denmark
In some cases it is possible to bring your family with you to Denmark. Please check the application form carefully for the details.