Denmark Permanent Residence

If you were a regular resident of Denmark for eight years or more you can proceed to apply for a permanent residence permit. A permanent residence permit is issued for individuals who want to work, seek family reunification, or study in Denmark.

You apply for a Denmark residence permit through the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

How to Get Permanent Residence in Denmark?

These are the requirements for a permanent residence in Denmark.

• You must be over the age of 18.
• You still need to meet the requirements for your current residence permit.  You need to be a resident in Denmark at the time the Immigration Services decides about your residence permit application. If for any reason you are outside of Denmark you need to return to the country.
• You need to have 8 years’ legal residency in Denmark. You should be a legal resident of Denmark for at least 8 uninterrupted years at the time the Immigration Service reaches a decision for the residence application.
• You must not have been convicted of certain crimes. If you were sentenced for a crime to more than six months you will be ineligible for a permanent residence permit. 
• You must not have any overdue public debts. You cannot qualify for a residence permit if you have overdue payments for any of the following:
  • Social Service Act or Active Social Policy Act benefits 
  • Child support paid in advance
  • Day-care payment
  • Overpaid housing benefits
  • Housing-subsidy loan 
  • Taxes and levies
• You must not have received certain forms of social benefits. You must not have received certain forms of social benefits within four years of applying for a permanent residence permit or until the time when the permanent residence permit is granted.
• You need to accept a declaration of residence and self-support. The declaration of residence and self-support is included in the application (online and printable)
• You must be employed. You need to have a job at the time the Immigration Service reaches a decision for your application. The requirements are:
  • You need to be employed in a non-terminated, permanent position
  • You can prove that you will continue to be employed, or
  • You are self-employed
• You must not have worked against the establishment of your identity. You can be considered to have worked against the establishment of your identity if:
  • You have presented falsified identity documents including a passport or a birth certificate
  •  You have presented another person’s identity document
  • You have given false information about your personal data (name, date of birth, country of birth or citizenship)
• You need to pass the Danish language test 2. You must pass the Danish language test 2 or a Danish exam of an equal or higher level, such as:
  • Danskuddannelsernes Prøve i Dansk 2 
  • FVU reading exam (level 2 or 3)
  • Any exam considered to be of an equivalent or higher level than Prøve i Dansk 3
• You need to have been employed for at least 3 years and 6 months. The following types of employment can be considered as regular employment:
  • Paid employment (minimum 30 hours per week, or 120 hours per month).
  • Work as a self-employed if the work carries the same weight as a regular full-time employment.
  • Working for a business owned by your spouse.
  • Sick leave, holiday, absence to care for family members and parental leave etc, within the terms and conditions of your employment.
  • Flexjob – If it meets the terms established by the Active Employment Policy Act. 

In case you meet the following requirements, you will qualify for a permanent residence permit after only four years of legal residence in Denmark (the standard time is eight years):

• You must pass the Danish language test 3.
• You must have been employed for the last four years.
• You must pass the active citizen exam or display active citizenship.
• You must have an annual income above the average amount .

Document Checklist for Danish Permanent Residence Application

When you apply for a Danish permanent residence permit, you are required to submit the following documents:

• Documentation of paid application fee. Print and attach the payment receipt.
• Documentation that you meet the housing requirement. Submit this if you have been granted a residence permit based on family reunification and you and your spouse/partner live together.
• Documentation of Danish-language abilities. You need a document such as a Prøve i Dansk certificate or a Folkeskolen completion certificate.
• Documentation of employment. You must submit documents such as your tax returns or an employment contract.
• Documentation of your income. You have to prove you received an income during your time in Denmark, such as through payslips or tax returns. 
• Documentation of active citizenship (an exam certificate or a statement from a board or an association).
• Documentation of disability in the form of a doctor’s statement. (If applicable)
• Documentation issued by your municipality that you have been granted an early-age pension. (If applicable)
• Documentation that you have taken care of a seriously ill child. (If applicable)
• Documentation of foreign residence in connection with work. (If applicable)

How Is a Permanent Residence Permit Different from a Temporary Residence Permit?

Permanent residence is granted after residing in Denmark for at least eight years. Both types of residences have different requirements that the visa applicant must meet.