Denmark guide · After graduation · 3 min read
Working in Denmark after your degree: the 3 years you get, and how to use them.
Since 1 April 2023, graduates of a Danish bachelor's, master's or PhD who held a student residence permit can stay up to 3 years to look for work, and can apply for a full-time work permit for that period, at any employer. The old establishment card is closed to new applicants. Three years is the longest post-study period of the 10 countries we cover, and it's one of the strongest reasons to choose Denmark.
The short version
- Since 1 April 2023: up to 3 years to look for work after a Danish bachelor's, master's or PhD.
- You can apply for a full-time work permit for that period, at any employer.
- The establishment card is closed to new applicants; existing holders follow their own rules.
- During study: 20 hours a week in term (about 90 a month), full-time June to August.
- Permanent residence later usually needs years of legal residence and other conditions; check SIRI.
What changed in 2023
| Before 1 April 2023 | Since 1 April 2023 |
|---|---|
| Graduates had a short job-seeking period, or applied for an establishment card | Up to 3 years to look for work after a Danish degree |
| A full-time work permit for that period, at any employer | |
| Establishment card for graduates | Closed to new applicants |
Many guides online still describe the establishment card or a 6-month job search. That’s out of date for new graduates.
How the 3 years compare
| Country | Time to look for work after a degree |
|---|---|
| Denmark | Up to 3 years |
| Australia | 2 years after a bachelor’s or coursework master’s (485) |
| Finland | Up to 2 years |
| UK | 2 years if you apply by 31 Dec 2026, then 18 months |
| Germany | Up to 18 months |
| Sweden | Up to 12 months |
| Norway | Up to 1 year |
Using the 3 years well
- Start during your studies. Student jobs and internships in your field (20 hours a week, full-time in summer) are how most international graduates get their first offer.
- Learn Danish. Free Danish classes are offered to many residents; even basic Danish widens the job market.
- Target sectors that hire in English: IT, engineering, pharma and life sciences, green energy, shipping and logistics.
- Keep your permit valid. A permit can’t run beyond 3 months before your passport expires, so renew your passport early.
From our files. Bikash Rana from Butwal (BE Computer, 74%) came in set on Australia with a Rs 22 lakh budget. We put both countries on one page: Australia was over his budget by about Rs 9 lakh in year 1; Denmark was inside it. He’s doing an MSc in Software Engineering in Aarhus, and the 3-year job-seeking period was part of why he chose it.
During your studies
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | 20 hours a week (about 90 hours a month) |
| June to August | Full-time |
| Wages | Set by agreements; our alumni report about DKK 140 an hour |
Our view
Denmark’s 3 years change the maths. A student who can fund the tuition gets more time to find skilled work than in any other country we cover, and Danish employers hire international graduates in English in more fields than most of Europe.
