Published 01-07-2020

New regulations expands the Establishment Card Scheme

On 1 July 2020 changes will be introduced to the Establishment Card Scheme. The changes mean that you as a foreign national with a Danish bachelor or professional bachelor's degree are now also able to be granted an establishment card. In addition, the Establishment Card can now be extended by an additional year, if you are employed in a job relevant to your Danish education.

Previously the scheme only included foreign nationals with a Danish Master's or PhD degree. From 1 July 2020 the target group is expanded to include foreign nationals who have completed a Danish bachelor or professional bachelor's degree.

In addition, the period in which you are able to apply is changed from 6 months to 1 year after completion of the Danish educational programme. Also, it becomes possible to extend the Establishment Card by an additional year for foreign nationals employed in a job relevant to the completed educational programme.

The expansion also applies to foreign nationals currently holding a valid Establishment Card and employed in a job relevant to the completed educational programme and to foreign nationals who have completed a Danish professional bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree, Master's degree or PhD degree after 1 July 2019.

Foreign nationals who have completed a Danish professional bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree, Master's degree or PhD degree are thereby given the opportunity to reside in Denmark under the Establishment Scheme for a total of 3 years after finishing their educational programme.