Denmark has officially barred foreign nationals holding student residence permits from accessing nine categories of public benefits, according to a government statement. The restriction applies to any foreigner residing in the country under a student residence permit or a permit obtained for the purpose of gaining a Danish professional authorisation. Such individuals are not permitted to draw on public assistance during their stay.
Official Statement on Restricted Benefits
The Danish government made its position clear in an official statement, saying: "You are not allowed to receive any public benefits. If you have a residence permit as a student or to obtain a Danish authorisation, you are not allowed to receive:"
The nine categories of benefits from which foreign students are excluded are:
- Cash benefits
- Self-sufficiency and return benefit as well as transition benefit
- Sickness benefits
- Maternity or paternity benefits
- Unemployment benefits, including graduate allowances (in Danish, "dimittend-dagpenge")
- Housing benefits
- Child support
- State Educational Grant (SU), including the public transportation pass "Ungdomskort"
- Danskbonus
What This Means for Foreign Students
The list covers a broad range of support systems that Danish residents ordinarily have access to, from income replacement during illness and parenthood to housing assistance and child-related payments. Notably, the State Educational Grant, which is a form of financial support extended to students in Denmark and includes the youth transport pass known as "Ungdomskort," is also off-limits for those on student residence permits.
The Danskbonus, a benefit tied to Danish language or integration milestones, rounds out the list of restricted allowances.
Financial Self-Sufficiency Required
Foreign nationals considering or currently studying in Denmark under a residence permit are expected to be financially self-sufficient throughout their stay, without relying on the Danish welfare system for support. This means that students must plan their finances carefully, as they will not be able to claim any of the nine listed benefits.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that Denmark has identified five social benefits that foreign nationals living in the country on certain work permits cannot receive. The restrictions also apply to accompanying family members of eligible work permit holders under Danish law.
