Aarhus University Seal

Visa / residence and work permits for research abroad

Here is a brief outline of the general rules to apply for visa / residence and work permits for the Nordic, EU/EEA, and other countries. 


Permits for the Nordic countries

Danish citizens do not need a visa or residence or work permit to study or work in another Nordic country. However, Danish citizens must register if staying in a Nordic country for more than three months.

Other citizens should consult the relevant immigration offices in the various countries. Different rules and requirements might apply depending on citizenship and nationality.

EU residence permits

Danish and other EU citizens

If you intend to work or study in another EU country for more than three months, you must apply for an EU residence document after arriving in the country. You cannot submit your application from Denmark. The rules on how and where to apply for an EU residence document vary from one country to the other, and you are therefore advised to contact the host country’s embassy or consulate in Denmark for information about the exact rules.

Other citizens (non-EU)

If you intend to work or study in another EU country, please note that your Danish work and residence permit does not allow you to do so. A work and residence permit to the specific country must be applied for and will (most likely) need to be granted before arrival. The rules on how and where to apply for a residence and/or work permit vary from one country to the other, and you are therefore advised to contact the host country’s embassy or consulate in Denmark for information about the exact rules.

If you go abroad from Denmark (holding a Danish work and residence permit) please check your Danish permit very carefully to make sure that the permit does not lapse while you are away.

On the EURAXESS website you can find national portals with information about entry conditions, work permits and other practicalities for all countries within the EU.

Visit EURAXESS

Visa / residence and work permits for other countries

All citizens – Danish, EU and non-EU

You can find information about visa and residence and work permits on the website of the destination country’s embassy or consulate.

Visa and residence and work permits must often be approved prior to departure. This applies both for you, your accompanying spouse/partner, and any children. To apply, you must usually provide specific documents. For further details, check the embassy’s website. The documents will most likely need to be translated, and sometimes the translations must be performed by an authorised translator. Special rules may apply for your accompanying partner, therefore make sure to check the requirements well in advance. The same applies if you are travelling with children of whom you do not have custody.

Contact the Embassy

Contact the Embassy of the country you are going to, or the International Office at the university you are visiting for further information and help with visa, residence and work permits.