Study in Denmark: Free Education, State Support, and Living Costs
For European Union citizens, studies in Denmark are completely free, and working students can receive one of the highest state grants in the world.
Denmark is one of the most attractive study destinations in Europe. Not only is there no tuition fee, but there is also an extremely generous student support system (SU). If you work at least 10–12 hours per week during your studies, the state will pay you a monthly grant of nearly 1,000 EUR to help cover your living expenses.
Tuition Fees in Denmark
According to the rules of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, higher education is completely free for all EU citizens. There are no hidden fees for the studies themselves.
Important: Although studies are free, you will need to purchase study materials (books, licenses). Their price depends on the study program. At some institutions (e.g., Business Academy Aarhus), you may have to pay a one-time fee of 40–150 EUR for material copying or special software, but most books can be found in libraries or bought from older students.
State Financial Support (SU Grant)
The Danish state has a special support program for students – SU (Statens Uddannelsesstøtte). As an EU citizen, you can receive this support if you meet the status of a "worker under EU law". More about the conditions for EU citizens can be found on the official SU website.
How to get the SU grant?
- You must officially work in Denmark for at least 10–12 hours per week (about 43 hours per month).
- You must have an official employment contract and receive a salary that meets Danish labor market standards (an indicative amount is around 130–145 DKK/hour).
- The support is paid only for the months you work. If you stop working, the SU payment will be suspended.
How much money will you get? (2026 amounts)
For students not living with their parents, the SU grant amount is 7,426 DKK (about 993 EUR) per month before taxes. This is non-repayable support (a gift) intended to help you support yourself during your studies.
If this amount and your salary are not enough, students receiving the SU grant also have the right to take an SU loan (SU-lån). In 2026, you can borrow up to 3,799 DKK (about 509 EUR) per month on very favorable terms.
Note (Fribeløb): When receiving the SU grant, there is an income limit (fribeløb). If your salary from work exceeds the set annual limit, you will have to return part of the SU grant. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your income.
Housing Benefit (Boligstøtte)
In Denmark, EU students can receive a state housing benefit (boligstøtte), which helps reduce rental costs. It is administered by the Udbetaling Danmark agency.
Main conditions:
- You must rent an apartment or a room with a separate kitchen (dormitories with a shared kitchen usually do not qualify, unless specified in the contract).
- The housing must be your official place of residence (you must be registered there).
- The amount of the benefit depends on your income, rent price, and the size of the housing. This is tax-free money paid every month.
First Steps Upon Arrival: How to Sort Everything Out?
Upon arriving in Denmark, bureaucracy may seem confusing, but it is important to complete these steps in the correct order:
- CPR number registration: This is your Danish personal identification number. Without it, you will not be able to open a bank account, get a job, or receive SU. You need to register at the local municipality (Kommune) or international citizen service centers (ICS).
- Yellow health card (Sundhedskort): Once you receive your CPR number, you will automatically get the yellow health card. It provides free access to the Danish public healthcare system, including an assigned family doctor. Until then, use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your home country.
- Open a bank account and NemKonto: All salaries and state benefits (SU, housing benefit) in Denmark are transferred only to NemKonto – your official bank account linked to your CPR number.
Estimated Living Costs in Denmark
Living in Denmark is expensive, especially in Copenhagen. However, in smaller university cities (e.g., Odense, Horsens, or Esbjerg), costs are lower. The average student budget is about 6,000–9,000 DKK (about 800–1,200 EUR) per month.
| Average monthly expenses | |
|---|---|
| Housing rent (student room) | 3,000–6,000 DKK |
| Food (cooking at home) | ~1,500–2,000 DKK |
| Health insurance (with Sundhedskort) | 0 DKK |
| Local transport (most ride a bike) | ~100–300 DKK |
| Other expenses (leisure, clothes, phone) | ~1,000–1,500 DKK |
| Total per month | ~6,000–9,000 DKK (~800–1,200 €) |
How much does food cost in Danish shops?
Prices in supermarkets (e.g., Netto, Rema 1000, Føtex, Lidl) are similar across the country. Indicative prices:
- Milk (1 l) – ~14 DKK (1.88 €)
- Bread (500 g) – ~24 DKK (3.20 €)
- Eggs (12 pcs.) – ~33 DKK (4.40 €)
- Rice (1 kg) – ~16 DKK (2.15 €)
- Chicken fillet (1 kg) – ~81 DKK (10.80 €)
- Cheese (1 kg) – ~98 DKK (13.10 €)
Transport tip: Danish students mostly ride bicycles everywhere. If you still need to use public transport (e.g., to travel to another city), students can order an Ungdomskort. This is a special card that allows you to travel between home and the university for about 718 DKK (~96 EUR) per month.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about finances in Denmark
