Permanent residence permit
Foreign nationals can normally apply for permanent residence in Denmark after 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence, or after 4 years if they meet all four supplementary requirements. Basic requirements include passing Prøve i Dansk 2, at least 3 years and 6 months of full-time work in the past 4 years, current employment, no overdue public debt and no recent social benefits. The expected maximum processing time is 12 months.
Life in Denmark
Money
3
Currency
Danish Krone
DKK
Danish Krone
Cost of living
105
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12.01–32.01%
Income tax (national)
VAT 25% · social security 8%
State rates stack: bottom 12.01%, middle 7.5% (above DKK 641,200), top 7.5% (above DKK 777,900), top-top 5% (above DKK 2,592,700); plus municipal tax (about 25%), optional church tax and an 8% labour market contribution on salary.
Living
1
Happiness
#3 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Adults who have lived legally in Denmark for many years and are established in work.
Eligibility
Residence
You need 8 years of uninterrupted legal residence, or 4 years if all four supplementary requirements are met, and you must be over 18.
Years of legal residence
- Standard route
- 8 years
- Shorter route
- 4 years
Official wording
8 years of uninterrupted legal residence, or 4 years if all four supplementary requirements are met; over 18.
Employment
Show regular full-time work for at least 3 years and 6 months in the past 4 years, and work of at least 15 hours a week when decided.
Work required
- Work history
- 3 years and 6 months
- Full-timeor 120 hours/month
- 30 hours/week
- At time of decisionminimum employment
- 15 hours/week
Official wording
At least 3 years and 6 months of regular full-time work (30 hours/week or 120 hours/month) in the past 4 years, and employed at least 15 hours/week at the time of decision.
Language
Pass Prøve i Dansk 2 or an equivalent or higher exam.
Official wording
Pass Prøve i Dansk 2 or an equivalent or higher exam.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSupplementary (8-year route needs 2 of 4)
- Document checklistCase order ID and fee receipt
- FeesFee - permit originally based on work or study
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 4 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 2 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Denmark
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Denmark
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for higher education
- Work permitsPay Limit Scheme
- FamilyFamily reunification with a spouse or cohabiting partner
- CitizenshipDanish citizenship by naturalisation
