Studying
SU, the state student grant, generous, but not for everyone
The one-line versionSU pays students DKK 7,426 a month (2026), tax-applies but no AM-bidrag, and never has to be repaid. Danish citizens get it automatically; EU/EEA students usually qualify by working ~10-12 hours a week; non-EU students on a study permit generally do not.
What SU is
SU (Statens Uddannelsesstoette) is Denmark's monthly state education grant - among the most generous in the world. In 2026 it pays DKK 7,426 a month (living away from parents), before tax, and crucially it is not subject to the 8% AM-bidrag that hits salary. It is a grant, not a loan - you never repay it (as long as you stay within the income limit). An optional low-interest SU loan of around DKK 3,799/month sits on top.
Who qualifies
| Status | SU eligibility |
|---|---|
| Danish citizens | Automatic |
| EU/EEA citizens | Usually via "worker status" - work ~10-12 hrs/week on market terms |
| Non-EU on study permit | Generally not eligible as a fresh student |
| Anyone with ~5 years' residence | May qualify under Danish rules |
The EU worker route is the common path - and it has stringsMost EU students get SU by being treated as a 'worker': an employment contract for roughly 10-12 hours a week, at Danish market pay, sustained over time. Stop working and SU can stop. Document it with a contract and payslips, and expect to have worked for around 10 weeks before applying.
How to apply
- Get your CPR and MitID, and be enrolled on an SU-approved full-degree programme.
- Apply for SU in minSU on su.dk with MitID.
- Apply for equal status (ligestilling) within 3 weeks of the SU application - SU is only paid once this is approved.
Don't spend it before equal status is approvedSU is only disbursed once your equal-status application is approved, which can take time. A first semester without SU is common, so budget savings or family support to bridge it - do not count on the grant landing immediately.
Mind the income ceiling (fribeloeb)If you work while receiving SU, an annual income limit applies. Exceed it and you must repay SU - painful once it is spent. Holiday pay (feriepenge) counts toward the limit and surfaces at year end, so track your running total. A 2024 SU reform applies to programmes starting 1 July 2025 or later, taking effect from 2027 - check su.dk for your exact position.
Common questions
How much is SU?
DKK 7,426 a month in 2026 (away from parents), before tax and with no AM-bidrag, plus an optional ~DKK 3,799/month loan.
Can non-EU students get SU?
Generally not on a study permit as a fresh student. Your funding is savings, scholarships and the part-time work your permit allows.
What is equal status?
Ligestilling - being treated as equal to a Danish citizen for SU, via EU worker status or Danish residence rules. You must apply within 3 weeks of your SU application.
Verified July 2026 against official sources: su.dk, lifeindenmark.borger.dk, nyidanmark.dk (SIRI), optagelse.dk and university guidance. Figures are 2026 levels and reset annually - always check su.dk and nyidanmark.dk for your situation. General information, not legal advice.