You have resided in Denmark for a minimum of 5 years

If you wish to be granted equal status with Danish citizens according to this rule, it must be registered that immediately before the time you apply for SU you have lived in Denmark for a minimum of five continuous years. Your primary purpose in coming to Denmark may not have been that you were going to study.

This is what we do

We use the information contained in the national register in assessing whether you fulfil the condition of having had at least five years’ continuous residence in Denmark. In addition we investigate whether the Danish Immigration Service has registered that you have taken up residence in Denmark to study.

If you are a Nordic citizen, the Danish Education Support Agency makes its decision on the same basis as the State Administration makes its decision concerning the basis for residence for citizens of other countries.

If you think that the information in the national register is inadequate or incorrect, you must approach the national register in the municipality you live in. If you think that it is a mistake that the Danish Immigration Service has registered that your primary purpose in coming to Denmark was to study, you must approach the Danish Immigration Service.

Equal status can be discontinued

If you apply for SU for a new study programme and previously have been granted equal status with Danish citizens according to the Danish rules, you do not have to apply for equal status again.

However, please note that you must apply for equal status again if you have lived outside of Denmark for a continuous period of more than two years, as your equal status is no longer valid after this period.

Facts - danish rules

If you have been granted equal status according to Danish rules, you cannot receive SU for a whole study programme abroad

Worth noting

If you have lived for at least 5 years in Denmark you should also read about the rule in EU law.

The rule in EU law