Depending on your nationality and whether you are joining Aarhus University as a full-degree student (bachelor’s or master’s level) or as an exchange student visiting for a semester, different rules and application processes may apply.
EU students need to apply for a residence certificate, while non-EU students must apply for a residence permit for the duration of their stay in Aarhus. Nordic citizens do not need to apply for a residence permit or certificate.
Please note that it is a condition for the residence permit/certificate that you are active and enrolled in an educational programme.
As an Exchange student (semester-student) at Aarhus University and a non-EU/EEA citizen, you must apply for a residence permit for studies from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) before your arrival in Denmark.
Once your application for exchange has been approved, you will receive an acceptance email from Aarhus University. This email directs you to mit.au.dk, where you can retrieve your Letter of Enrollment as well as your pre-filled ST1 application for residence permit. Aarhus University uses a paper-based ST1, which means that you must print, complete and sign the paper application.
To submit the ST1 application, you must first create a case order ID and pay the fee online. You can then make an appointment to submit your application to the nearest Danish Embassy or consulate in your country. We advise you to apply as soon as possible as the residence permit process takes up to 60 days.
Your application must include documentation that you can support yourself financially during your stay, and that you have at your disposal each month an amount equivalent to Danish student grants (SU) (DKK 7,086 - 2025 level). The full amount for the exchange period must show on your bank account registered in your own name.
While you are in Denmark on a student residence permit, you must support yourself financially. This means that you are not allowed to receive most types of social assistance.
SIRI can revoke your student residence permit if you receive social assistance benefits - even if you are not aware of the rules regarding social assistance for non-citizens.
Examples of public benefits includes: Housing benefits (Boligstøtte), State study grants (S.U.), including the public transportation pass "Ungdomskort".
Discounts and Student Permits
Youth discounts and youth-discounted museum entry (ungdomsbillet) are not considered social assistance benefits. Students can use them without affecting their residence permits
As an Exchange student (semester-student) at Aarhus University and an EU/EEA Citizen, you must apply for your EU Residence Certificate when you arrive in Denmark. We strongly recommend that you apply for your EU Residence Certificate during the AU Intro Days at the same time.
You will need the following documents when applying for your EU residence certificate:
You will receive further instructions via e-mail on how to apply for your EU residence certificate approximately one month before semester start.
As a non-EU/EEA citizen and new full-degree student at a Bachelor's degree study programme at at Aarhus University (AU), you must apply for a residence permit for studies from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) before you arrive in Denmark.
You will receive information from AU on how to apply after admission to AU.
You can find more information about the process before arrival, during your studies and after graduation here:
As an EU/EEA Citizen, you will have to apply for your EU Residence Certificate when you arrive in Denmark. We strongly recommend that you apply for your EU Residence Certificate during the AU Intro Days at the same time as you apply for your Danish CPR number.
Gather the following documents which you will need when you apply for your EU residence certificate:
You will receive further instructions via e-mail on how to apply for your EU residence certificate 1 month before semester start.
As a non-EU/EEA citizen and new full-degree student at a Master degree study programme at at Aarhus University (AU), you must apply for a residence permit for studies from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) before you arrive in Denmark.
You will receive information from AU on how to apply after admission to AU.
You can find more information about the process before arrival, during your studies and after graduation here:
As an EU/EEA Citizen, you will have to apply for your EU Residence Certificate when you arrive in Denmark. We strongly recommend that you apply for your EU Residence Certificate during the AU Intro Days at the same time as you apply for your Danish CPR number.
Gather the following documents which you will need when you apply for your EU residence certificate:
You will receive further instructions via e-mail on how to apply for your EU residence certificate 1 month before semester start.
If you are a Nordic citizen (Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland) , you are free to enter, reside, study and work in Denmark (you do not need a visa, residence certificate/permit or work authorisation).
