SU in Denmark: All about the State Educational Grant

What is SU in Denmark?

The Danish SU is a financial support system the Danish government provides to students studying in Denmark. It is designed to help students studying in Denmark cover the costs of living in Denmark - such as rent, food, study books, and other expenses while studying.

There is a limit to how long you can receive SU. SU is divided into monthly grants awarded in a “punch-card” (or ‘klippekort’ in Danish). In higher education, the points will amount to 70 in total, meaning you can get SU for up to 70 months . In some cases, you can apply for extra points.

Who is eligible for SU in Denmark?

To be eligible for SU in Denmark, you must meet the following criteria:

• Study programme must be approved for SU
• Must be of a certain age
• Be a Danish citizen or have an ‘Equal Status’ certificate
• Must be actively studying

The conditions vary. Read more about the criterias here

European students who meet these eligibility criteria are eligible for SU in Denmark - but will need to apply for the ‘Equal Status’ to be at the same level as the Danish students . This confirms that the student is a resident in Denmark and is entitled to the same benefits as Danish citizens. Only students from certain countries can obtain the certificate.

Read more about the process of getting SU as a foreign citizen here.

How to apply for SU?

You can apply for SU online via the SU application portal MinSU . You must provide personal information. To apply for SU in Denmark, you must follow these steps .

1. Have a MitID and CPR number ready. You also need education details and bank account information ready.
2. Upload documentation: You must upload documentation, including proof of enrollment in an educational program, a rental agreement, and documentation of any income.
3. After submitting your application: The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science will process the application for SU. You will receive a decision within four weeks - either granting or denying your application. If granted, you will receive monthly payments directly to your bank account.

Do you need a bank account in Denmark? Get a free account and digital card with Lunar.

When should you apply for SU?

You should apply for Equal Status (if necessary) and SU in Denmark as soon as possible after you have been accepted into an educational program. It can take up to four weeks for your Equal Status application to be processed, so it’s important to apply early to ensure you receive your SU promptly.

Your SU may be affected if you take a leave of absence from your studies, change your educational program, or study abroad. In this case, you must notify the relevant authorities.

How much SU can you receive in Denmark?

The amount of SU you can receive in Denmark depends on your age, living situation, current income - and whether you started studying after or before 2014.

As of 2023, the maximum monthly amount of SU is 6,589 DKK before taxes for students not living at home and enrolled in higher education .

Other than the regular SU payments, supplementary SU options are available for certain groups of students who may have additional financial needs.

The SU lån - state student loan

In addition to the monthly SU payments, you may also be eligible for the SU lån - a student loan provided by the Danish government.

Note that while the SU lån can be a helpful source of financial support, it is still a loan you will have to pay back eventually (within 7-15 years after) .

Can I work while receiving SU?

Yes, you can work while receiving SU. However, there are limits to how much you can earn while still receiving the grant (‘fribeløbet’ in Danish). The maximum limit will vary on the calculation - composed of 12 monthly ‘fribeløb’ with different rates (lowest, medium, and highest monthly limits). If you earn more than this, your SU payments will in many cases be reduced.

Tip: Read more about the rates, calculations, and maximum limits of SU here .

Get a Danish bank account for your SU

Ready to open your Danish bank account?

Lunar is a Danish, award-winning digital bank. If you become a user, you can open a free Danish bank account that includes a digital card as well as an easy-to-use banking app. You can also open your NemKonto with Lunar, so you can receive payments from the Danish authorities – such as SU.

With MitID, the sign-up process is easy and 100% digital. And if you’re approved, we can offer you an account within days instead of months.

Learn how to open a Danish bank account