Emigration to Denmark: how can Ukrainians move there in 2025?

Denmark is considered one of the countries with the highest standard of living in Europe, so it is no surprise that many migrants choose it as their destination for long-term residence. Find out how to move to Denmark from Ukraine, as well as how to obtain a residence permit and citizenship in this country

Legal advice on migration issues

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Emigration to Denmark is becoming increasingly popular among Ukrainians. Denmark is attractive to Ukrainians due to factors such as a high standard of living, a stable economy, and a developed social security system (which includes payments to refugees in Denmark). According to official data, in 2024, the number of foreigners who moved to Denmark continued to grow, and Ukraine is among the countries with the largest number of migrants. This is largely due to the full-scale war, as Denmark accepts refugees from Ukraine, providing them with temporary protection under a special law.

We discussed the challenges faced by Ukrainians in Denmark in our previous article.

Official information about the rules for entering Denmark, types of visas, and document requirements is published on the websites of two key agencies: the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and the Danish Immigration Service. These resources are the main sources of reliable data for anyone planning to move.

In this article, we explain how to get to Denmark and outline the next steps.

Are you planning to emigrate to Denmark? Visit Ukraine specialists will help you every step of the way.

Visa to Denmark: types and requirements

Do Ukrainians need a visa to Denmark? For legal residence and work, yes. The most common are work and student visas.

For detailed information on how to apply for a visa to Denmark, please visit the portal at the link.

Work visa to Denmark

Applying for a work visa requires prior permission to work. Denmark has several schemes for attracting foreign specialists:

Positive List: This list contains a list of professions that are in demand in Denmark (e.g., engineers, doctors, IT specialists). If your profession is on this list, the process of obtaining a permit is simplified.

Pay Limit Scheme: This permit can be obtained by specialists who are offered a high annual salary that exceeds the established minimum threshold (in 2024, 485,500 Danish kroner per year).

Special schemes: Working in Denmark for Ukrainians also includes programs for startups, researchers, and other categories.

To apply for a work visa, you must have an official letter of employment from a Danish employer.

Student visa to Denmark

This type of visa is intended for those who have been admitted to a higher education institution in Denmark. The main requirements for obtaining a student visa are:

1. Confirmation of admission to a recognized educational institution.

2. Proof of financial capacity (documents confirming that you have sufficient funds to pay for tuition and living expenses).

3. Receipt for payment of the first year of study in Denmark.

4. Health insurance policy.

How to move to Denmark: preparation stages

The process of obtaining a visa and residence permit is sequential and requires a careful approach.

Step one: choose the type of visa

At this stage, you must clearly define the purpose of your trip and choose the appropriate type of visa (work, student, etc.). Your choice will determine the package of required documents and further steps.

Step two: submit your documents

Most applications for residence permits are submitted online through the SIRI portal. You must fill out a questionnaire and upload scanned copies of all the necessary documents. After that, you will receive confirmation of your application and its number.

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Step three: provide your biometric data

After submitting your documents, you must appear in person at a Danish diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate) or visa center (e.g., VFS Global) within a certain period of time (usually 14 days) to have your fingerprints taken and your photo taken. This procedure is mandatory for identification purposes.

Step four: Obtaining a visa

After your application has been processed, you will receive a response. If the decision is positive, a visa will be affixed to your passport, allowing you to legally enter Denmark.

How to obtain a residence permit in Denmark?

The visa you receive is an entry permit. A residence permit in Denmark for Ukrainians (residence card) is a separate document that you receive after crossing the border. Usually, after arriving in the country, you must contact the local police station or SIRI service center to obtain your residence permit in the form of a plastic card. This card confirms your legal resident status.

For detailed instructions on how to obtain Danish citizenship, follow the link.

In what cases can you be denied a residence permit in Denmark?

The decision to issue a residence permit is made on an individual basis. Denial may be caused by the following main reasons:

Incomplete set of documents. Your application did not contain all the necessary documents, or some of them were filled out incorrectly.

Inaccurate information. Providing false information about yourself or forged documents is one of the most serious reasons for refusal.

Non-compliance with requirements. You do not meet the criteria for the selected visa scheme (for example, your salary is below the required threshold).

Criminal offense. A criminal record or serious offenses may be grounds for refusal.

Security threat. If a person may pose a threat to Denmark's national security.

Consultation at any stage of migration can be obtained on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Photo: generated by Gemini

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