Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Denmark
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 03, 2026 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Money & Budgeting
Part of the guide Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Europe by Country
Studying in Denmark costs nothing in tuition if you hold EU, EEA, or Swiss citizenship. Non-EU students pay DKK 45,000-120,000 a year, about EUR 6,000-16,000, and everyone needs roughly DKK 8,250-13,500 a month to live, with rent as the biggest cost.
💶 EU/EEA/Switzerland: tuition-free
Non-EU: DKK 45,000-120,000 a year, depending on field and university
🏠 Rent: DKK 3,000-6,500 a month
Food: DKK 2,000-3,500 a month
Total monthly budget: roughly DKK 8,250-13,500
Tuition fees by citizenship
Higher education in Denmark is free for students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, and for anyone who holds equal status with Danish citizens under EU law. You pay only compulsory extra costs and your own living expenses.
Students from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland pay tuition directly to their institution. Annual fees run from DKK 45,000 to DKK 120,000, roughly EUR 6,000-16,000, and the exact amount depends on the university and field of study. Source: Study in Denmark .
| Student group | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Switzerland | Free |
| Non-EU/EEA | DKK 45,000-120,000 (EUR 6,000-16,000) |
Fees vary by field. Humanities and social science degrees usually sit at the lower end of that range, while engineering, natural sciences, and business programs charge more.
As one example, the Royal Danish Academy lists EUR 10,000 per semester for non-EU students in 2025-26. Contact your chosen institution directly for its exact fee.
Monthly cost of living
Study in Denmark, the official student information service, publishes a monthly budget breakdown for a typical student.
| Expense | Monthly cost (DKK) |
|---|---|
| Rent (often including utilities) | 3,000-6,500 |
| Food | 2,000-3,500 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Insurance | ~300 |
| Books and supplies | 400-650 |
| Mobile phone | 250 |
| Other personal spending | 2,000 |
| Estimated total | 8,250-13,500 |
Source: Study in Denmark, bank and budget .
Rent drives most of the difference between a tight budget and a comfortable one. A room in a student dormitory or a shared flat sits at the low end, while a private studio in central Copenhagen pushes you toward the top of the range. Budget for a second-hand bicycle too, typically DKK 400-2,000, since most students cycle to class.
Estimated total cost for a year
Combine tuition and living costs to see the full annual picture. This multiplies the monthly living range above, DKK 8,250-13,500, by 12 months.
| Student group | Tuition (year) | Living costs (year) | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA/Switzerland | Free | DKK 99,000-162,000 | DKK 99,000-162,000 |
| Non-EU/EEA | DKK 45,000-120,000 | DKK 99,000-162,000 | DKK 144,000-282,000 |
Your real total depends on your city, your housing choice, and your program's exact tuition fee, so treat this as a planning range rather than a fixed figure.
Health insurance and healthcare access
EU, EEA, and Swiss students use their European Health Insurance Card for public healthcare while studying in Denmark, on the same terms as Danish residents once registered with a local doctor. Non-EU students typically need private health insurance for the period before their residence registration and CPR number come through, then switch to the public system once registered with a municipality.
Ways to cut your monthly costs
Cook at home instead of eating out, since groceries make up most of a realistic food budget
Use a bicycle instead of paying for public transport passes
Buy secondhand furniture and books through student groups or local resale sites
Apply for dormitory housing early, since it costs less than most private rentals
Use your student ID for discounts on museums, cinemas, and some transport tickets
Currency, banking, and paying for things
Denmark uses the Danish krone (DKK), not the euro, so budget and pay in kroner rather than converting every price back to your home currency. Most transactions run through card payments or the mobile payment app MobilePay, and cash plays a small role in everyday spending. Opening a Danish bank account gets easier once you have a CPR number from your residence registration.
When your costs peak
Your highest expenses land in the first month: rental deposit, advance rent, a bicycle, and basic furniture all arrive at once before your first SU payment or scholarship stipend, if any, comes through. Save a buffer of at least one extra month of living costs before you travel, so a slow bank transfer or a late stipend does not leave you short.
Where your money goes further
Copenhagen carries the highest housing costs in the country, so students in Aarhus, Odense, and smaller university cities generally stretch a given budget further. Wherever you study, sharing a flat or choosing dormitory housing keeps your biggest expense line down. Our housing guide covers rent by housing type in more detail.
Proof of funds and visa costs for non-EU students
If you need a residence permit to study in Denmark, immigration authorities check that you have enough money to support yourself. For 2026, the required amount is DKK 7,426 a month, capped at DKK 89,112 for a full year of study.
The residence permit application itself costs DKK 3,060. Source: New to Denmark (SIRI) .
Working alongside your studies
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens work in Denmark without hour restrictions under EU free movement rules. Non-EU students holding a study residence permit work up to 90 hours a month during term time, September to May, and full-time in June, July, and August, which offsets a real share of monthly costs for many students. Source: New to Denmark (SIRI) .