Permission to reside and work in Denmark for international staff at Aarhus University

• A residence and work permit is not necessary.
• We recommend you to register with the public authorities if you are in Denmark for more than 3 months.
• You must register with the public authorities if you are in Denmark for 6 months or more.
• You are allowed to work and conduct research in Greenland and in the Faroe Islands.

We strongly encourage Nordic citizens to register with public authorities if you will reside in Denmark for more than 3 months because it makes a number of procedures easier and faster.

However, as a Nordic citizen you are free to enter, reside, study and work in Denmark. You are only required to apply for a CPR number if you intend to stay in Denmark for more than 6 months.

Read more about how to register and what to bring as a Nordic citizen

Bring your ID

As a Nordic citizen, you can enter Denmark without a passport. However, you must be able to identify yourself if required. Your driver's license or bank card is sufficient identification, but we recommend you to bring your passport.

Bringing your family

If your family members are Nordic citizens, they can enter and reside in Denmark as Nordic Citizens (see above).

If your family members are not Nordic citizens, they they can apply for a residence permit as accompanying family members to you based on your EU/EEA citizenship.   

Please note: There are a number of documents and certificates you must bring from home to get registered. 

Only certificates in English/German/Scandinavian languages are accepted (original or authorized translations). Please note that certificates from some countries need to be apostille certified.   

Read more about how to register and what to bring as accompanying family member 

• A work and residence permit is not necessary
• A work and residence permit is required to work and conduct research in Greenland or in the Faroe Islands.
• Obtain an EU registration certificate and register with the public authorities if you will be in Denmark for more than 90 days
• Permanent residence permit

EU/EEA citizens can reside freely in Denmark for up to three months without registering with the public authorities. If you seek employment, you can stay for up to 6 months.

If you expect to stay for longer than the three or six-month limit, you must apply in person to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) for an EU residence document (registration certificate).

Registration with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) is included in the Aarhus University "Getting Started in Denmark" registration event. The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) is part of the International Citizen Service (ICS).

Non-nordic citizens are required to hold a work and residence permit to work or conduct research in Greenland or in the Faroe Islands. Special conditions apply and the processing time is 3 months. Contact your HR-partner or PhD-partner for further information.

Bringing your family

If your family members are EU/EEA-citizens they can apply for a EU Registration Certificate as accompanying family members to you.

If your family members are Nordic citizens, they can enter and reside in Denmark as Nordic Citizens (see above).

If they are non-EU citizens they can apply for a residence permit as accompanying family members to you based on your EU citizenship.

Read more about how to register and what to bring as accompanying family

Documents to bring from home

There are a number of documents and certificates you must bring from home to get registered. 

Only certificates in English/German/Scandinavian languages are accepted (original or authorized translations). Please note that certificates from some countries need to be apostille certified.   

Read more about how to register and what to bring as an EU/EEA citizen

• You are required to hold a work and residence permit
• You are required to hold a work permit before you start to work (with very few exceptions)
• You might need a visa to enter into Denmark and the Schengen-area as well as Greenland and the Faroe Islands
• A work and residence permit is required to work and conduct research in Greenland or in the Faroe Islands.
• Accompanying family members are also required to hold residence permits
• Working illegally can lead to serious consequences

Read more about work and residence permits for researchers, PhD-students and guests at Aarhus University.