Updated on September 21, 2026.
On September 3, 2026, the Danish Parliament passed three new laws concerning international students and foreign workers. Among these, the new regulations on international study will take effect from October 1, 2026.
1. New Regulations for International Students from outside the EU/EEA
From October 1, 2026, Denmark will tighten some regulations for students from outside the EU/EEA pursuing higher education programs covered by the law.
Key changes include:
- Many international students will no longer be able to bring their spouse, partner, or children to Denmark under the accompanying family member scheme.
- The job search period after graduation for many bachelor’s, professional bachelor’s, and master’s programs will be reduced from 3 years to 1 year.
- PhD programs are not subject to this reduced job search period.
- Educational institutions may implement entrance exams, require stricter academic participation, and verify diplomas.
- Applications showing signs of using forged documents or fraud may be rejected.
- The deposit mechanism for admission applications will be converted into a fee. Detailed regulations on tuition fees will depend on implementation guidelines and the regulations of individual institutions.
Important Transition Deadlines
- Applications for study residence permits falling within the transition scope and submitted before October 1, 2026 will be processed under the old regulations.
- Applications for accompanying family member permits submitted before October 1, 2026 will also be subject to the old regulations.
- Changes related to admission fees do not apply to bachelor’s, master’s, or erhvervskandidat admission applications submitted before November 1, 2026.
The regulations do not apply uniformly to all international students. Individuals preparing to study abroad or wishing to bring their families should confirm directly with their institution and SIRI regarding their specific case. If submitting an application before a transition deadline, it is essential to retain receipts and proof of submission date.
Official Sources:
2. ID Cards at Large Construction Sites
The Danish Parliament also passed a law on ID cards at construction projects with a total value exceeding DKK 100 million, excluding VAT.
Under the new law, individuals present at applicable construction sites must use an ID card. Visitors or those present for a short period will use a visitor’s card and be recorded in a register.
The ID card may include:
- Full name, photo, and nationality.
- CPR number or unique identification code.
- Work performed at the construction site.
- Safety certificates or mandatory qualifications.
- Employer’s information.
- CVR or RUT number.
- Date of card issuance.
Information on the time spent at the construction site will also be registered. The Danish Working Environment Authority (Arbejdstilsynet), the tax authorities, and SIRI may use the data to check work permits, taxes, working conditions, and illegal labor.
No Effective Date Yet
The law has been passed, but the obligation to use an ID card does not yet have a specific implementation date. The Minister for Employment will decide the effective date.
Workers currently do not need to purchase the card themselves and should not pay brokers advertising “construction site card” services. Under the law, project owners are responsible for ensuring that eligible individuals are issued cards.
Official Sources:
3. Work Permit Scheme for Salaries from DKK 322,000
From January 1, 2027, Denmark is expected to implement a new work permit scheme with a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000 at 2026 levels.
To be eligible, workers not only need to meet this salary level. The job must also:
- Be a full-time position.
- Be with a certified company.
- Be covered by a qualified collective bargaining agreement.
- Meet control mechanisms related to unemployment rates.
- The worker must hold a nationality from a list published by the Minister.
Vietnamese Citizens Not Yet on the Published List
The list of 16 countries published by the Ministry of Employment in the initial agreement does not include Vietnam. Therefore, individuals holding only Vietnamese nationality should not assume they will automatically be eligible for the DKK 322,000 scheme when the law takes effect.
The list of countries may be published or updated by the Minister during the implementation process. Interested individuals should await official guidance from SIRI and should not pay broker fees based on advertisements claiming that “Vietnamese people are already eligible under the DKK 322,000 scheme.”
Official Sources:
- Law L16 passed by the Parliament
- Full text of Law L16
- Ministry of Employment information on countries in the agreement
Important Timelines
- October 1, 2026: New regulations for many international students take effect.
- November 1, 2026: Transition deadline related to admission fees.
- January 1, 2027: Law on the DKK 322,000 work scheme takes effect.
- Construction Site ID Card: No effective date yet.
The above regulations have specific scopes and conditions. When preparing residence, study abroad, or work applications, individuals should check the latest information from SIRI, educational institutions, or the responsible authorities before making decisions.
Note: This article provides community information and does not substitute for legal advice in specific cases.