You save money in Denmark by asking for a student discount every time you pay, cycling instead of bussing, and buying things second-hand. Cooking at home matters too. None of this needs a special trick; it needs a habit.
Start with your student ID
The simplest saving is the one people forget. Many shops, cafés, gyms, cultural venues and online services offer student discounts, so ask before you pay. Not every place advertises it. If you say nothing, you pay full price.
Keep your student card in your wallet next to your bank card. When you are at a till, at a ticket window or signing up for a service online, ask. The worst answer is no.
Food: pack a lunch and cook at home
Cooking at home and bringing a packed lunch, a madpakke, cut costs more than most discounts will. That matters because grocery stores generally do not offer a standard student discount. Your saving at the supermarket comes from planning, not from your card.
Two habits help. Cook in batches and take leftovers to campus. And shop with a list, so you buy what you will actually eat.
For takeaway and bakery surplus, Too Good To Go sells food at reduced prices. It is a good way to try things without paying full price, and it saves food that would otherwise be thrown out.
Getting around: bike first, then the right ticket
Cycling is one of the cheapest ways around. A second-hand bike can quickly pay for itself compared with buying tickets every day. Buy used, get a decent lock, and you are set for most short trips.
When you do need public transport, know your options:
- Ungdomskort is a public transport pass for eligible students and young people travelling between home and an educational institution. Check whether your route and situation qualify.
- DSB Orange tickets are discounted fares on selected departures. They are not on every train, so book when you can be flexible.
- Students may be eligible for further discounts on top of that. Ask at the ticket office or check the operator's own pages.
Offers and prices change, so check current information before you rely on a fare you saw last month.
Furniture, clothes, bikes and books: buy second-hand
Furniture, bikes, clothes and textbooks are often much cheaper second-hand. Students move in and out constantly, so there is a steady supply. For textbooks, ask your lecturer whether an older edition is fine before you buy anything.
This is where your accommodation guide pays off twice. A furnished room means you are not buying a bed and a desk you will sell again in a year.
Use a discount service, but check it
Studiz is a student discount service, so it is worth a look to see whether the offers match what you actually buy. Do not sign up for things just because they are discounted. A discount on something you did not need is not a saving.
Before you build a budget, get the big numbers right. Our cost of living guide sets out what to plan for, and it is a better starting point than guessing from what friends spend.
Know what you are actually paying for your course
Your fees shape your budget more than any lunch deal. 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.
If you pay fees, the figure comes from the institution, not from a general rule. Our catalogue lists all universities in Denmark, 24 institutions and 422 programmes imported from the Study in Denmark register, and shows fees as listed in the Study in Denmark register. Confirm the number with the institution before you budget around it.
If you are applying, undergraduate applications go through www.optagelse.dk but are assessed by the institutions. The deadlines are 15 March and 5 July, both at 12 noon (CET). Missing one costs you a year, and that is an expensive mistake.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland normally need a residence permit for study before they arrive, applied for through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Details are on nyidanmark.dk. SIRI decides on permits, and the institution decides on admission.
A budget that holds up
Put the fixed things first: rent, transport, food. Then use discounts to trim what is left. Decide in advance which ticket you will use for commuting, and stick to it rather than buying singles.
All Danish higher education institutions use ECTS credits and follow national rules on teacher qualifications, degree structures and examinations, so your study pace is predictable. That helps you plan a term without surprises.
One last thing: check current offers and prices yourself. Discount schemes, fares and surplus-food apps all change.
Sources
- Study in Denmark, studying in Denmark: money-saving tips
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Study in Denmark, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens (nyidanmark.dk)
- Study in Denmark, guarantee for a quality experience
- Study in Denmark register (studyindenmark.dk), as imported into this site's catalogue
Frequently asked questions
Do shops in Denmark give student discounts?
Many do, but they often will not offer unless you ask. Carry your student ID and ask before you pay at shops, cafés, gyms, cultural venues and online services. Grocery stores generally do not offer a standard student discount.
What is the cheapest way to get around as a student in Denmark?
Cycling is one of the cheapest options, and a second-hand bike can quickly pay for itself. For longer trips, check whether you qualify for the Ungdomskort pass for travel between home and your institution, and look at DSB Orange tickets on selected departures.
Is there a student discount app in Denmark?
Studiz is a student discount service, and Too Good To Go sells surplus food at reduced prices. Offers change, so check current information before you rely on one.
Do I pay tuition fees to study in Denmark?
Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, and for students with the same status as Danish citizens under EU law. Other full-degree students pay fees set by each institution, confirm the amount with the institution, as figures in the Study in Denmark register must be checked there.