Residence permit

Information about the possibilities for foreign nationals to reside in Denmark.

Permanent

You can obtain a temporary residence permit or a residence permit with the option of permanent residency. If you have arrived in Denmark as a refugee or because you have joined your family, you will normally be given a residence permit that can later be extended to permanent residence.

If you have a residence permit that can be extended to permanent residence, you can obtain a permanent residence permit after several years provided you fulfil certain conditions. Among other things, you must have made an effort to become integrated in Danish society.

You must make an effort

This might be that you have had a job or worked for a time, that you pass a Danish language proficiency test, that you do not owe the state more than a certain sum or that you have not committed a serious crime.

Permanent residence permits for EU citizens

In accordance with special EU regulations, EU citizens and their families may obtain permanent residence following five years’ legal residence in Denmark. You can find out more by logging onto www.nyidanmark.dk.

The Immigration Service and state administration can advise you about your rights in connection with permanent residence. We refer to www.nyidanmark.dk.

You can lose your residence permit

The Immigration Service can revoke a temporary residence permit if the conditions for issue no longer exist. For example, if you have joined your spouse but no longer live together with this person, you can lose your right to a residence permit.

You may, however, keep your residence permit if you have left your spouse because they have been physically violent towards you, and if you have been in Denmark so long that you have other strong ties with the country, or if you are unable to return to your native country because you have left your partner because of physical violence.

If you have falsely obtained your residence permit or if you have been reported to the Schengen information system as an undesirable, you risk losing your residence permit.

This holds true regardless of whether the residence permit is temporary or permanent.

An EU citizen’s temporary right to reside in Denmark can also cease to exist if a person no longer complies with EU regulations or if the person has abused their right.

Safe repatriation

If you have arrived in Denmark as a refugee, your residence permit may be revoked if conditions in your native country change so that it is safe for you to return. In this event, you can seek financial repatriation assistance.

If you leave the country

If you travel home on holiday, this may affect your possibilities for continued residence in Denmark.

Your residence permit will be cancelled if you relinquish your home in Denmark or remain outside the country for 6-12 months, regardless of whether your residence permit is temporary or permanent. Whether it is six or twelve months will depend on which type of residence permit you have and how long you have lived in Denmark.