Moving to Denmark from Ukraine
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Denmark has offered displaced Ukrainians a fast, generous route to safety through a dedicated law – the Special Act – separate from the normal asylum system. For most people, moving to Denmark from Ukraine means temporary protection that includes the right to work, healthcare and school. This guide explains how it works and how to apply.
The rules and end dates for Ukraine’s temporary protection have been amended several times. The detail here is a plain-English overview; always confirm the current position on the official New to Denmark (SIRI) page before acting.
Overview
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Denmark passed a dedicated law within weeks to give people fleeing Ukraine a quick, secure status. The result is that moving to Denmark from Ukraine is, for most people, not an asylum case at all but a grant of temporary protection under the Special Act – faster, and with broad rights from the start. This guide explains the protection, your rights, how to apply, and the routes for anyone not covered by it.
Temporary protection (the Special Act)
The Special Act – formally the Act on Temporary Residence Permits for Persons Displaced from Ukraine – was adopted on 16 March 2022 and forms the legal basis for protecting Ukrainians in Denmark. It mirrors the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive, and it has been extended several times. As things stand, residence permits under the Act run until 17 March 2027, and crucially the Immigration Service extends them automatically – if you already hold a permit and still meet the conditions, you do not need to reapply yourself.
Who qualifies
Most people moving to Denmark from Ukraine because of the war are covered by the Special Act – chiefly Ukrainian nationals, along with certain people who were residing in Ukraine, and the family members of someone granted a permit under the Act. Because it is a separate track, asylum processing is generally suspended for those who hold or qualify for protection under the Act.
Moving to Denmark from Ukraine: how to apply
If you are moving to Denmark from Ukraine now, applications are handled by SIRI and the Danish Immigration Service through nyidanmark.dk. The process is designed to be quicker than ordinary immigration or asylum routes, and it leads to a residence permit with the right to live and work in Denmark. If you are already in Denmark with a permit under the Act, remember that extensions are assessed for you automatically – the main thing is to keep your contact details current so the authorities can reach you (usually via Digital Post).
Your rights under protection
A residence permit under the Special Act comes with broad rights from day one:
- The right to reside in Denmark for the duration of the permit.
- The right to work – employed or self-employed – without a separate work permit.
- Free healthcare, including consultations, treatment and emergency care.
- School and daycare for children.
- A CPR number, which unlocks banking, and access to free municipal Danish courses.
CPR, work and learning Danish
As with any resident, your CPR number is the key that unlocks daily life – a bank account, your pay, healthcare and more. Once you have it, you can take up work without a permit and enrol in free Danish lessons through your municipality, which make a real difference to finding a job and settling in.
Travel and returning to Ukraine
Holding a permit under the Special Act, you can visit Ukraine without that visit alone costing you your status. Longer stays abroad can normally put a residence permit at risk, but leaving for a “worthy purpose” – for example to perform Ukrainian military service – is treated differently. If you give up your home in Denmark, however, the permit lapses immediately, so take advice before any permanent move.
Extensions and what comes next
Temporary protection is, by design, temporary – built around the expectation that people can return once it is safe. The end date has moved from 2024 to 2025 to 2026 and now to 17 March 2027, each time by a parliamentary vote aligned with the EU. That means the long-term picture is genuinely uncertain, and it is worth following the official updates rather than relying on any single date. If your extension is not processed before a deadline, you keep your existing rights until it is.
Bringing family
Family members of someone who holds a permit under the Special Act can generally be granted protection too, on the same basis. As always, exact eligibility depends on your circumstances, so confirm the conditions for your family with SIRI before making plans.
If you’re not covered by the Special Act
Not everyone moving to Denmark from Ukraine fits the Act – for instance if you came to Denmark independently or for work or study rather than as a displaced person. In that case the ordinary routes apply: a work permit (such as the Pay Limit Scheme or Positive List) if you have a job offer, a study permit, or family reunification. Our guide for non-EU citizens moving to Denmark sets out the standard paths.
Questions and answers
How long does temporary protection last?
Permits currently run until 17 March 2027, extended automatically by the Immigration Service. The scheme is temporary and the date has been extended several times, so check SIRI for the latest.
Can I work straight away?
Yes – a permit under the Special Act lets you work or be self-employed without any separate work permit. Get your CPR number and tax card sorted first.
Can my children go to school?
Yes. Children have access to school and daycare, and the whole family can use the public healthcare system.
Do I have to reapply each time it’s extended?
No. If you already hold a permit and still meet the conditions, the Immigration Service extends it for you – just keep your contact details up to date.