Denmark is an expensive country. Study in Denmark says so plainly, and adds that the standard of living is among the highest in the world. But expensive does not mean impossible. If you cycle, cook at home and share a flat, most students get by on a budget that would surprise them.
What a month actually costs
Study in Denmark publishes a rough monthly budget. Add the lines together and you land somewhere between DKK 8,450 and 13,700 a month. At the register's own rate of about 7.5 kroner to the euro, that is roughly EUR 1,130 to 1,830.
These are estimates, not a quote for your city or your habits. Treat them as a starting point and then adjust.
| Expense | Approximate cost per month (DKK) |
|---|---|
| Rent (utilities usually included) | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| Food | 2,000 to 3,500 |
| Books and supplies | 400 to 650 |
| Transport | 300 |
| Insurance | 300 |
| Mobile phone | 250 |
| Streaming licences | 200 |
| Other personal expenses | 2,000 |
Internet is around DKK 250 a month and may already be included in your rent. Tuition is not in this table at all, because higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland. If you are outside that group, check the official figures on tuition fees before you budget anything else.
Rent is the number that moves everything
Look at the table again. Rent swings from 3,000 to 6,500. Nothing else comes close. Housing in the bigger cities is relatively pricey, and the closer to the centre you want to live, the more you pay.
The cheapest fix is also the most Danish one: share. Students here commonly share apartments or live in a collective, and it is a good way to build a network at the same time. If you want a city-centre address, search for a room rather than a whole flat. Whole flats in the centre are hard to get and often very expensive.
Start with your host institution's own housing pages and follow their recommendations. Our guide to student housing covers where to search and how to spot a scam.
The money you need before you arrive
Your first month costs more than your second. You will need cash or a credit card to cover the first few weeks, and you will need housewares for your new room.
On top of that comes the deposit. A landlord may ask for up to three months' rent as a deposit and up to three months' rent as prepaid rent. That is a maximum of six months' rent in total, and it is worth planning for before you start viewing rooms.
Two safety rules from the official housing pages. Never pay a deposit in cash, because a bank transfer can be traced. And never pay rent or a deposit through a service where you cannot reverse the transaction.
Setting up a bank account and a Nemkonto
All international students are advised to open a Danish bank account. You need a CPR number first. Then bring your passport or ID card and your CPR card to a branch. Opening it is simple, and asking fellow students which bank they use is a sensible shortcut.
Register the account with the Danish tax authority as your Nemkonto. That is the public payment system, and it lets authorities pay you directly, whether that is wages, a tax rebate or maintenance payments.
Moving money from home usually takes a few days and most likely costs a fee. Check with your bank. Also check that your credit card works in Denmark and what your cash withdrawal limit is.
Everyday prices, so nothing surprises you
The register lists a few examples. A second-hand bicycle runs DKK 400 to 2,000. A cinema ticket is about DKK 150. Dining out is around DKK 300. A coffee at a café is DKK 40 to 60, and a beer or soft drink at a bar is DKK 45 to 70. The same drink from a supermarket is DKK 10 to 25. Nightclub entrance is DKK 0 to 100.
See the pattern? The supermarket is where your budget survives. Cooking at home is popular here, and many Danish students do it most of the week. Pack a lunch instead of buying one on campus. A packed lunch, a madpakke, is a normal habit, not a sign of being broke.
Ways to spend less without trying hard
- Cycle. A second-hand bike pays for itself quickly if you use it instead of public transport, and Denmark has extensive cycling infrastructure.
- Buy second-hand. Furniture, kitchen equipment, bicycles, clothes and textbooks are all much cheaper used. Try second-hand shops, flea markets, student groups and online marketplaces.
- Carry your student ID. Shops, cafés, gyms, cultural venues and online services offer student discounts, and not all of them advertise it. Ask before you pay.
- Check transport passes. If you travel regularly between home and your institution, see whether you are eligible for an Ungdomskort. For longer trips, DSB offers discounted Orange tickets on selected departures.
- Shop the budget brands. Compare stores, look at weekly offers, and use food-waste services such as Too Good To Go for surplus food at reduced prices.
- Enjoy the free stuff. Many museums and cultural activities are free for students, sometimes on selected days. In Copenhagen you can swim at harbour baths such as Islands Brygge free of charge.
Offers and prices change, so check current information before you plan around a discount.
Working, tax and insurance
Many Danish and international students work alongside their studies, but the rules depend on your citizenship. If you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and you are on a state-approved programme with a Danish residence permit for study, your limited work permit allows up to 90 hours a month from September to May and full-time in June, July and August. Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens need no work permit and have no student-specific hourly limit. Always check your own permit before accepting a job, because working more hours than allowed counts as illegal work and may affect your residence permit.
Wages are taxed. Once you have your CPR number, contact the tax authority, Skattestyrelsen, and apply for a tax card.
On health, public healthcare is open to registered students, but cover for your belongings is a separate matter. Read our page on healthcare and insurance so you know what you have and what you still need.
One last thing worth knowing: learning Danish is free of charge while you are studying at a higher education institution here, and it widens the range of student jobs you can apply for.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Denmark as a student?
Study in Denmark gives a rough monthly budget of about DKK 8,450 to 13,700 when you add up rent, food, books, transport, insurance, phone, streaming and personal expenses. That is roughly EUR 1,130 to 1,830 at about 7.5 kroner to the euro. It is an estimate, so your city and habits will shift it.
How much deposit do I need for a room in Denmark?
A landlord may ask for up to three months' rent as a deposit and up to three months' rent as prepaid rent, so up to six months' rent in total. You will also need money for housewares and the first few weeks. Never pay a deposit in cash, because a bank transfer can be traced.
Can international students work while studying in Denmark?
Yes, but the rules depend on your citizenship. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland on a state-approved programme can usually work up to 90 hours a month from September to May and full-time in June, July and August. Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens need no work permit. Check your own permit before accepting a job.
How do I open a Danish bank account as a student?
You need a CPR number first. Then bring your passport or ID card and your CPR card to a branch. Register the account as your Nemkonto so public authorities can pay you directly, and remember that transfers from your home account can take a few days and usually cost a fee.
Sources
- Study in Denmark, Bank & budget, Monthly budget in DKK; bank account and Nemkonto; 7.5 DKK per euro
- Study in Denmark, Finding housing, Deposit and prepaid rent limits
- Study in Denmark, Money-saving tips, Student discounts, Ungdomskort, second-hand
- Study in Denmark, Student jobs, 90 hours a month September-May; full-time June-August
- Study in Denmark, Paying taxes, Tax card
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts change; confirm them on the official page before you act on them. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
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