Published 30-09-2026
SIRI: New rules for third-country students in state-approved higher educational programmes
On 1 October 2026, new rules will come into effect for certain third-country students in state-approved higher educational programmes in Denmark. The rules will also affect students’ ability to bring their family members to Denmark.
Among other things, the new rules mean that the period for a residence permit for job seeking after completing an educational programme will be reduced from 3 years to 1 year. At the same time, it will no longer be possible for accompanying family members to be granted a residence permit under these rules. PhD students are not affected by the changes. They will still be able to be granted a residence permit for job seeking for up to 3 years after completing their PhD programme, and their accompanying family members will still be able to be granted a residence permit.
Below, you can read more about what the new rules mean for third-country citizens applying for a residence permit in Denmark as a student or as an accompanying family member of a student.
The new rules take effect on 1 October 2026
The date on which the application is submitted determines which rules apply to the applicant. It is not the date on which a decision is made regarding the application.
Who is affected?
The new rules apply to third-country students in state-approved professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, part-time master’s and master’s degree programmes in Denmark, including master’s degree programmes for working professionals. The rules also apply to third-country students in the Erasmus Mundus, Erasmus+ and Nordic Master joint programmes. PhD students are not affected by the changes and therefore retain the same rights as before.
What do the new rules mean for you as an applicant?
What the rules mean for you depends on when your application was submitted and whether you are a student or a family member of a student.
If you are a student
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You applied before 1 October 2026: You can be granted a residence permit for job seeking for up to 3 years after completing your educational programme.
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You apply on or after 1 October 2026: You can be granted a residence permit for job seeking for up to 1 year after completing your educational programme.
If you are the spouse, cohabiting partner or registered partner of a student
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The student applied before 1 October 2026: If you also submitted your application before 1 October 2026, you can still be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student. If you submit your application on or after 1 October 2026, you cannot be granted a residence permit.
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The student applies on or after 1 October 2026: You cannot be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, regardless of when you submit your application.
If you are the child of a student
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The student applied before 1 October 2026: If you are under 18 years old, you can still be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, even if you apply on or after 1 October 2026.
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The student applies on or after 1 October 2026: You cannot be granted a residence permit as an accompanying family member of the student, regardless of when you apply.
Turkish citizens covered by the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey who apply for a residence permit for a state-approved professional bachelor’s, bachelor’s, master’s or master’s degree programme in Denmark may still be entitled to a 3-year job-seeking permit and a residence permit for accompanying family members.
Read about the Association Agreement with Turkey
Read the Danish Aliens Act on retsinformation.dk (only in Danish) (opens in a new window)
Read the Executive Order on Study on retsinformation.dk (only in Danish) (opens in a new window)
Read about residence permits as a student
Read about residence permits as accompanying family to a student
