Part-Time Work Rules for Non-EU Students in Denmark

Who this applies to

If you are an EU or EEA citizen, you can work in Denmark without restrictions tied to your student status. This article covers non-EU/EEA students holding a Danish study residence permit.

Your right to work is attached to that residence permit, and the rules come directly from the Danish Immigration Service through the New to Denmark portal.

How many hours you can work

During the normal study period from September to May, you work up to 90 hours per calendar month. In June, July, and August, you work full time, according to New to Denmark .

The 90-hour figure is a monthly total, not a fixed weekly number, so your hours can vary week to week as long as the month adds up correctly. Unpaid voluntary work does not count toward this limit, but any paid work does, including part-time contracts, shift work, and freelance jobs.

The May 2025 rule change

A change that took effect on 2 May 2025 narrowed who qualifies for work rights in the first place. Students applying for a residence permit on or after that date to study a program that is not state-approved, or lacks a positive assessment from the Danish Evaluation Institute (EVA), do not get a work permit, a post-study job-search stay, or the right to bring family members.

This change only applies to new applications submitted from 2 May 2025 onward. If you already held a study permit granted under the earlier rules, you keep your existing work rights and family reunification permissions. Before you apply or accept an offer, check with your university and, if needed, with New to Denmark, that your specific program carries state approval or a positive EVA assessment.

After graduation: the job-search permit

Once you finish your degree, you can apply for a residence permit to look for a job or start a business in Denmark. This permit carries the same work rights you had as a student: 90 hours a month, full time in June, July, and August, according to New to Denmark .

Apply before your study permit expires, since a gap in valid residence status complicates both your work rights and your ability to stay in the country.

Where students find jobs

Retail and hospitality hire students across Denmark's university cities, and warehouses and logistics companies near Copenhagen and Aarhus regularly take on part-time and seasonal staff. The Study in Denmark portal lists student job resources, and many universities run their own career services with job boards aimed at international students.

Danish language skills open more doors, particularly in customer-facing retail and hospitality roles, but plenty of employers in larger cities operate in English, especially in tech, tutoring, and international-facing hospitality.

Staying within the rules

Denmark tracks your registered work hours against your CPR number and employment records, so keep your own log of hours worked each month. Going over your monthly limit can bring a warning, a fine, or put your residence permit at risk, so flag any scheduling issues with your employer before you exceed the cap rather than after.

If your circumstances change, such as switching to a different program or finishing your degree, update your status with New to Denmark promptly so your work rights match your current permit.

CPR number and getting paid

Once you arrive in Denmark, register with your local municipality for a CPR number, the civil registration number Denmark uses for everything from healthcare to employment. Employers need your CPR number and your tax card (skattekort) before they can legally pay you, so sort both out before your first shift.

You also need a Danish bank account or a NemKonto linked to your CPR number for salary payments, since most employers pay by transfer rather than cash. Bring your passport, residence permit, and proof of address when you register.

Common employers for student jobs

Supermarket chains such as Netto, Fotex, and Meny hire students regularly for stocking and checkout roles, and cafes and restaurants in university cities offer flexible shifts around lecture schedules. Warehouses and delivery services also take on part-time staff, particularly around Copenhagen and Aarhus.

Some employers expect basic Danish, especially in customer-facing retail roles, while international companies and hospitality businesses in larger cities often operate comfortably in English.

Your rights once you have a contract

Once you are employed, Danish labor rules apply to you like any other worker, including paid holiday accrual and standard contract protections, regardless of your student status. Ask for a written contract before your first shift, since Denmark expects employers to provide one, and it should state your hourly wage, your role, and your expected hours.

If a workplace pressures you to exceed your monthly hour limit, raise it with your employer first and, if that does not resolve it, contact your university's international office or a Danish trade union for guidance, since going over your cap risks your residence status, not just a payroll issue.