In Denmark, many Danish and international students work alongside their studies.
A student job can give you work experience alongside your studies and an opportunity to get to know a Danish workplace. But before you start looking for a job, it is important to know whether you are allowed to work in Denmark and how many hours you can work.
The rules depend on your citizenship and, for students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, on your residence and work permit.
Yes, international students can work in Denmark, but different rules apply depending on your citizenship.
If you are a citizen of a Nordic country, the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you do not need a Danish work permit to take a student job. If you are from a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, your right to work depends on your residence and work permit.
Check the rules for residence and work permits in Denmark
If you are a Nordic, EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you do not need a work permit to work in Denmark. There is no student-specific limit on the number of hours you can work.
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen in a state-approved higher education programme and have been granted a Danish residence permit for your studies, you will also receive a limited work permit. This allows you to work:
Your residence card states whether you are allowed to work and how much you can work.
Different rules may apply if your higher education programme is not state-approved. Always check the conditions of your own permit before starting a job.
Read the official rules for work permits for students in higher education
Your university, university college or business academy may have a career centre or job portal with vacancies and opportunities for students. This can be a useful place to start, especially if you are looking for work related to your studies.
You can also use Workindenmark, the official Danish employment service for international jobseekers. Its job portal includes vacancies from Danish employers, and the jobs are available in English.
Search for jobs on the Workindenmark job portal
You can also use other Danish job portals. When searching, try terms such as student job, student assistant, part-time or the type of work you are looking for.
It depends on the job. Some workplaces require Danish, while other jobs can be carried out in English. Learning Danish can therefore increase the range of jobs you can apply for, particularly if the work involves communication with Danish-speaking customers or colleagues.
You do not necessarily need to wait until you are fluent before applying. Check the language requirements in each job advertisement.
If you have a residence permit in Denmark, are 18 or older and have registered your Danish address in the CPR register, you are entitled to Danish language courses through your municipality. A deposit is required before you start if your residence permit is based on study, work or similar grounds.
Check the rules that apply to you with your municipality or on New to Denmark.
Find information about learning Danish while studying in Denmark
Check the official rules for Danish language courses and eligibility
Check your right to work and the conditions of your permit before accepting a job. If you have a limited work permit, you must stay within the permitted number of working hours. Working more hours than your permit allows is considered illegal work and may affect your residence permit.
Check the rules for student work permits and illegal work