Moving to Denmark from Nigeria
As a non-EU country, moving to Denmark from Nigeria works differently from an EU move: you need a residence permit before you arrive, granted through a specific route – work, study or family. There is no “just turn up and find a job”. This guide explains the routes, how to apply through SIRI, and what to do once you land.
Overview
Plenty of Nigerians build good lives in Denmark – in tech, healthcare, engineering, academia and business, or arriving to study or join family. But the path is different from an EU move: there is no free movement, so moving to Denmark from Nigeria starts with qualifying for a residence permit under a specific route and applying before you travel. Once that is in place, the day-to-day of settling in is the same as for anyone else.
As a non-EU citizen you need a residence permit first, via work (a job offer under a Danish scheme), study, or family reunification. Apply to SIRI from Nigeria, then register once you arrive.
The big difference
The single thing to internalise: you cannot simply come to look for work the way an EU citizen can. Your right to live in Denmark flows from a permit, and the permit flows from a reason – a job, a study place, or a family member here. Get the route right first, and everything else follows. Our guide for non-EU citizens is the companion to this page.
Your routes in
Three main doors, plus a couple of specialist ones:
- Work – with a job offer, usually through the Pay Limit Scheme (salary-based), the Positive List (shortage occupations), or the Fast Track Scheme if your employer is certified.
- Study – a student residence permit for a full programme, which also lets you work part-time.
- Family reunification – joining a spouse, partner or family member living in Denmark.
There are also routes for researchers, entrepreneurs and others – but for most people it is one of these three.
Short visits
To visit first – for an interview, say – you will generally need a Schengen visa, as Nigeria is a visa-required country. A visit visa does not let you work or settle; it is for short stays only, and you still need the proper residence permit before moving.
How to apply
- Secure your basis – a job offer, a study admission, or the family link.
- Submit the application to SIRI online (for work, your employer often starts it), from Nigeria, before travelling.
- Record biometrics at a Danish mission or visa application centre.
- Pay the fee and wait – processing typically takes one to a few months depending on the route.
Getting your qualifications recognised
For many jobs your CV is enough, but regulated professions – doctors, nurses and similar – require Danish authorisation before you can practise, and the bar for non-EU qualifications can be high. Start early, and get a formal assessment of your qualification where it helps.
After you arrive
Once your permit is granted and you have moved, the setup is the same as for everyone: register your address to get your CPR number, then MitID, a bank account, NemKonto and a tax card. Over the longer term, time on a permit can lead to permanent residence and eventually citizenship, each with its own conditions.
The Nigerian community
Denmark has a growing Nigerian and wider African community, with churches, associations and social networks – mostly around Copenhagen, Aarhus and the larger towns. It is a helpful first point of contact for everything from finding a room to navigating the admin while you settle.
First steps when moving to Denmark from Nigeria
- Choose your route – work, study or family.
- Secure the basis – the job offer, admission or family link.
- Apply to SIRI from Nigeria and give biometrics; pay the fee.
- Travel once approved, then register for your CPR number.
- Set up MitID, a bank account, NemKonto and a tax card, and start free Danish classes.
Questions and answers
Can I move to Denmark from Nigeria to look for work?
Not without a permit. As a non-EU citizen you need a residence permit first – usually via a job offer, a study place, or family reunification – and you apply before you travel.
What are the main routes?
Work (Pay Limit, Positive List or Fast Track), study (a student residence permit), or family reunification. Researcher and entrepreneur routes also exist.
Do I need a visa to visit Denmark?
Yes – Nigerians generally need a Schengen visa to visit. It is for short stays only and does not allow work or settling.
How long does a permit take?
Usually one to a few months from a complete application, depending on the route, so apply as early as you can.