Residence in Denmark for Union citizens and EEA nationals

Foreigners who are Union citizens or EEA/Swiss nationals may stay in Denmark under the EU rules on free movement of persons and services.

Who are Union citizens and EEA nationals?

Union citizens are nationals of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (only the Greco-Cypriot territory), the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

EEA nationals are nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Nationals of Switzerland are covered by the same rules as Union citizens and EEA nationals. Accordingly, all the rules mentioned below also apply to Swiss nationals.

Please note that the special interim arrangement concerning employees from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia ended by 1 May 2009.

What rules apply?

Union citizens and EEA nationals may stay in Denmark under the EU rules on free movement of persons and services.

If a foreigner is both a Union citizen/an EEA national and a national of a Nordic country, the rules concerning Nordic nationals normally apply. It is possible to apply under the rules applicable to Union citizens/EEA nationals if these rules are more favourable for the applicant or if the applicant insists on applying specific rules. Please contact your local Regional State Administration for guidance.

Residence in Denmark – how long?

Union citizens/EEA nationals may stay freely in Denmark for up to three months. If Union citizens/EEA nationals are seeking employment during their stay, they may stay in Denmark for up to six months.

A registration certificate (for Union citizens/EEA nationals) or a residence card (for third-country nationals) is required to stay in Denmark for more than three or six months. As opposed to a residence permit issued under the provisions of the Danish Aliens Act, a registration certificate or residence card is merely a proof of the rights already conferred on a Union citizen/an EEA national under the EU rules on free movement of persons and services.

If an entry prohibition for Denmark has been issued against a Union citizen/an EEA national, s/he must have a visa to enter Denmark. A foreigner may have been issued with an entry prohibition if s/he has been expelled from Denmark once, for example on the basis of unlawful residence or crime.

If you have a right of residence in Denmark under the EU rules and need to move abroad

If you reside abroad for a long period, your right of residence in Denmark under the EU rules may lapse. However, you can apply to the Regional State Administration for an exemption to avoid that your right of residence in Denmark under the EU rules will lapse. You must apply before you move abroad.

Union citizens/EEA nationals must prove their nationality

A Union citizen/an EEA national must be able to identify him/herself and prove his/her nationality if the Danish police so request at a check of that person. Union citizens/EEA nationals who want to travel to Denmark must therefore bring their passport or ID card.

Residence exceeding three months (six months for job seekers)

If a Union citizen/an EEA national wants to stay in Denmark for more than three months (or more than six months for job seekers) and s/he is not also a national of a Nordic country, s/he must apply to the Regional State Administration for a registration certificate under the EU rules. The application must be submitted within three months after the entry into Denmark. Job seekers must submit the application within six months after their entry.

When are registration certificates issued?

A Union citizen/an EEA national is eligible for a registration certificate, if s/he:

is in paid employment
is self-employed
provides services in Denmark
is a retired worker, self-employed person or service provider
has been seconded
is a student at an educational institution accredited or financed by public authorities, and s/he is able to support him/herself during the period of residence in Denmark or
disposes of such sufficient income or means so that s/he is presumed not to become a burden on the public authorities

Contact