Moving
Permanent residency, your long-term anchor
The one-line versionPermanent residency removes the time limit on your stay. The standard route is eight years of legal residence - four if you meet every supplementary requirement.
The two timelines
You can apply for permanent residence after eight years of continuous legal residence on a temporary permit. That drops to four years if you satisfy all four supplementary requirements below. Either way, you must still meet the conditions of your current permit and be in Denmark when the decision is made.
The basic requirements
- Over 18, holding a valid residence permit.
- No serious criminal conviction (a sentence over six months blocks it; lesser offences delay it).
- No overdue public debt - or a granted repayment extension where the amount doesn't exceed DKK 143,100.98 (2026 level).
- Passed Prøve i Dansk 2 (PD2) or an equivalent or higher exam.
- Regular full-time employment (at least 30 hours a week) for a minimum of 3 years and 6 months within the last 4 years.
The four supplementary requirements
Meet at least two of these for the eight-year route; meet all four for the four-year route:
| Requirement | The bar |
|---|---|
| Danish language | Pass Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) |
| Active citizenship | Pass the active citizen exam, or document a year's active participation |
| Employment | Full-time work for 4 years within the last 4 years and 6 months |
| Income | Average taxable income of at least DKK 346,155.57 over the last 2 years (2026 level) |
The income figure resets every JanuaryDKK 346,155.57 is the 2026 level, averaged over your last two years. Danish thresholds are re-set on 1 January each year, so check the current figure on nyidanmark.dk before you file.
How to apply
- Create a case-order ID (SB-ID) on the SIRI website.
- Pay the fee - DKK 10,330 (2026 level).
- Submit the TU1-4 application form with your documentation: language certificate, employment and income proof, and evidence for any supplementary requirement you're claiming.
- Give biometrics (photo and fingerprints) within four weeks of submitting, by appointment.
Why it's worth itPermanent residence lets you stay without a job tying you here, keeps its validity through absences of up to two years, and is the only route on to Danish citizenship. It's the difference between visiting long-term and belonging.
Common questions
Does time on a student permit count?
It counts toward legal residence, but the employment and income requirements still have to be met in their own right - study years rarely satisfy those.
Is PD3 really needed?
Only for the four-year fast route, or as one of your two supplementary requirements. The eight-year route needs PD2 as a basic requirement.
What breaks 'continuous' residence?
Long absences and gaps between permits can reset the clock. Renew before your current permit expires - see renewing your permit.
Can EU citizens use a shorter route?
Yes - under EU rules, five years of legal residence can qualify EU citizens and their families for permanent residence.
Verified July 2026 against official sources: nyidanmark.dk (SIRI), lifeindenmark.borger.dk, cpr.dk and borger.dk. General information, not legal advice - see our editorial policy.