In Denmark, education is fundamentally free – not just for ethnic Danes, but also for foreigners. Moreover, as a foreigner, you can also receive SU in Denmark. SU is a financial aid provided to students over the age of 18.
But what are the requirements and conditions for receiving free education and student grants in Denmark as a foreigner? We'll take a closer look at this in the article.
Free education for foreigners in Denmark
It is possible to receive free education and student financial aid (SU) as a foreigner in Denmark, but certain rules and requirements apply depending on your nationality.
Free education and student grants for foreigners from Nordic countries
If you come from a Nordic country (Sweden, Norway, Finland, or Iceland), you can freely reside in Denmark while you study. You are also allowed to work while studying.
You can learn much more about the rules for studying in Denmark when you come from a Nordic country (Sweden, Norway, Finland, or Iceland) at borger.dk here.
If you come from another EU/EEA country
If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you may also be entitled to free education in Denmark, provided you meet certain admission requirements.
You must, among other things, be enrolled in an educational program, possess certain language skills, and be able to support yourself.
If your study period exceeds three months, you must apply for an EU residency document.
As a citizen of the EU/EEA, you may be eligible to receive student financial aid (SU) in
Denmark while you study. However, there are certain conditions that must be met, including a requirement to work a certain number of hours per week.
Learn more about the rules for EU/EEA citizens here.
If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA
If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA, entirely different rules apply to studying in Denmark.
As a general rule, you will need to pay for your education and you are not eligible for student financial aid (SU). However, there are some exceptions.
Read much more about the rules for studying in Denmark as a citizen from a non-EU/EEA country here.