Yes, you can learn Danish for free as an international student in Denmark. International students are entitled to Danish courses at no cost. You'll need to meet a few practical conditions, and there's a refundable deposit, but the teaching itself doesn't charge tuition.
Who can get free Danish courses
If you have a residence permit, are aged 18 or over, and have a registered address in the CPR register, you're entitled to municipal Danish courses. That's the main route for international students. The courses are offered by public and private language centres, as day or evening classes, and they end with a state-approved test aligned with the Common European Framework.
There is a deposit of DKK 2,000. You get it back when you pass the final exam or finish a module on time. So it's not a fee in the usual sense, more a nudge to keep you going. Budget for it upfront, but expect to see it again.
Courses at your institution
Many higher education institutions offer intensive Danish courses at the start of the academic year or as part of a summer university. These can be a good way to get a head start before your degree gets busy. Ask your institution's international office what's available and when it runs.
If you're still choosing where to study, it's worth checking what each institution offers. You can browse universities to compare, or look at find programmes to see what's on offer. Our catalogue lists 24 Danish higher education institutions and 422 programmes imported from the Study in Denmark register.
Online and abroad options
Study in Denmark names several online options: IA Sprog, Copenhagen Language Center, VSK dansk and Lærdansk. These let you start before you arrive or fit lessons around your timetable. Danish courses are also taught at several universities abroad, and the Danish Cultural Institute offers courses in its branches. If you're still in your home country, that's a way to begin.
Why it's worth the effort
Most Danes speak English quite well, so you can get by without Danish. But some Danish helps socially and in the job market. Even a little goes a long way, ordering in a café, understanding a lecture announcement, or joining a conversation in the kitchen. It also signals that you're settling in, which employers notice.
Don't worry about fluency. The municipal courses take you through the levels, and the final test is state-approved. Just keep showing up.
Practical steps
- Check your residence permit and CPR registration. You need both for the municipal route.
- Ask your institution about intensive courses at the start of the year or in summer.
- If you're not in Denmark yet, look at the online options or courses at universities abroad.
- Budget for the DKK 2,000 deposit and plan to pass the exam or finish the module on time to get it back.
For application deadlines and fees, always confirm with the institution, they're listed in the Study in Denmark register but can change. Undergraduate applications go through www.optagelse.dk, with deadlines of 15 March and 5 July at 12 noon (CET), as of the current rules. Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland; other full-degree students pay tuition set by each institution. If you're from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you'll normally need a residence permit for study before you come, applied for through SIRI, see nyidanmark.dk. You can see all universities in Denmark in our catalogue.
Sources
- Study in Denmark, learning Danish
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Study in Denmark, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens
- Study in Denmark, guarantee for a quality experience
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free to learn Danish in Denmark?
Yes, international students are entitled to Danish courses for free. There's a deposit of DKK 2,000, but you get it back when you pass the final exam or finish a module on time. The teaching itself doesn't charge tuition.
What do I need to qualify for free Danish courses?
You need a residence permit, to be aged 18 or over, and to have a registered address in the CPR register. Once you have those, you can sign up for municipal Danish courses.
Can I learn Danish online before I arrive?
Yes, Study in Denmark names several online options: IA Sprog, Copenhagen Language Center, VSK dansk and Lærdansk. Danish courses are also taught at several universities abroad, and the Danish Cultural Institute offers courses in its branches.
Do I need to speak Danish to study in Denmark?
Most Danes speak English quite well, so you can study and get by without Danish. But some Danish helps socially and in the job market, and many institutions offer intensive courses at the start of the academic year or in summer.