You can only get a CPR number after you arrive in Denmark. To get one, your stay must last more than three months, you need a residence or fixed place of abode, and you must be legally entitled to stay. For non-EU/EEA students, that means you need a residence permit first.
The CPR number is a ten-digit personal ID number: the first six digits are your date of birth and the last four are unique to you. Once you have it, you can open a bank account, use the library or join a gym.
Who can get a CPR number
You qualify for a CPR number on the basis of residence if three things are true:
- Your stay in Denmark will last more than three months.
- You have a residence or fixed place of abode.
- You are legally entitled to stay. For students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, that means you need a residence permit for study, applied for through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Details are on nyidanmark.dk.
Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need a permit to study, but they still need to meet the other conditions to register for a CPR number.
When and where to register
You must notify the local municipality within five days after the conditions are met, with ID documentation. You cannot do this before you arrive in Denmark.
Registration of residence is only done at the international citizen service centres in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense. So even if you live in another town, you will need to go to one of those four cities to register.
Bring ID documentation. The exact documents you need depend on your situation, so check with the international citizen service centre before you go.
What to bring and what happens next
The CPR number is issued after you register. You will need to show ID, and if you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you will need to show your residence permit.
Once you have your CPR number, you can use it for practical things like opening a bank account, borrowing library books or joining a gym. You will also need it for health insurance and other services. For more on health cover, see our guide to health insurance.
If you move, you must report your new address to the municipality. And before you leave Denmark, you must report to the municipality as well.
How this fits into your study plans
Getting a CPR number is one of the first practical tasks after you arrive. But before you get there, you need to apply for your course. Undergraduate applications are coordinated centrally through www.optagelse.dk, but they are assessed by the institutions themselves. The deadlines are 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon (CET).
Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and for students entitled to the same status as Danish citizens under EU law. Other full-degree students pay tuition fees set by each institution. Tuition fees and application deadlines on this site are shown as listed in the Study in Denmark register: you must confirm them with the institution.
This site lists 24 Danish higher education institutions and 422 programmes imported from the Study in Denmark register (studyindenmark.dk). You can browse all universities in Denmark to compare what is on offer.
If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you normally need a residence permit for study before you come. Apply through SIRI, and check nyidanmark.dk for details.
Before you arrive, it also helps to plan your budget. Our guide to the cost of living covers the basics, though it does not include a CPR number.
Sources
- Life in Denmark, how do I get a Danish ID number (CPR)
- Life in Denmark, how do I register my residence in Denmark
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Life in Denmark, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens
- Study in Denmark, guarantee for a quality experience
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a CPR number before I arrive in Denmark?
No. You can only obtain a CPR number after you arrive in Denmark. You must notify the local municipality within five days after the conditions are met, and registration is done in person at an international citizen service centre.
Where do I register for a CPR number?
Registration of residence is only done at the international citizen service centres in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense. Even if you live elsewhere, you need to go to one of these four centres.
What documents do I need to bring?
You need ID documentation. If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you also need to show your residence permit. Check with the international citizen service centre for the exact documents required for your situation.
What can I do with a CPR number?
Once you have a CPR number, you can open a bank account, use the library or join a gym.