During your semester abroad, you are required to register your residency in Denmark and obtain a CPR Card. Refer to our resources outlining the Legal Residence Process and what the CPR Card is used for here.
The guidelines outlined on this page are relevant to students holding a passport from EU/EEA/EFTA (except Nordic) countries. If you hold a passport from a Nordic country, please refer to the instructions for students with a Nordic passport.
Your Legal Residence Process depends on both 1) the passport you enter Denmark on and 2) where you live in or around Copenhagen during your time as a DIS student. It is therefore very important to pay attention to your specific process, as it may differ from that of your peers.
Read the information here closely; DIS will send you individualized instructions about your Legal Residence Process. Please be sure to add or whitelist the Student Hub email (studenthub@dis.dk) to your ‘safe senders’ or contact list by following these instructions based on your mail provider.
Timeline for Your Legal Residence Process as an EU/EEA/EFTA Passport Holder
Your Legal Residence Process consists of two main steps:
Step 1: Register at Immigration
During your first week in Copenhagen, you are responsible for going to Immigration Services (SIRI-EU) to register your residence in Denmark. You will receive information about how to book your appointment time and necessary documents you must bring a few days before you arrive in Denmark.
Shortly after your appointment you will receive a registration letter from SIRI-EU that confirms your eligibility to apply for a CPR Card (step #2).
Step 2: Applying for Your CPR Card
Your yellow CPR Card is equivalent to a social security number. It gives you access to social systems, including the use of free Danish healthcare while living in Denmark. Obtaining a CPR Card is a mandatory second step in your Legal Residence Process.
After you have registered at Immigration Services, you will need to refer back to the email you received from DIS about your Legal Residence Process (the one sent a few days before arrival). This email includes detailed instructions for applying for your CPR Card, which involves registering with your kommune (the municipality you reside in) in Denmark. Depending on where you live, you will either complete an online application or apply in person at your local kommune. Remember to pay attention to your individualized process!
Please note that you are responsible for registering and applying for your CPR Card before the last 90 days of your semester in Denmark. Failure to apply before then may result in the municipality denying you a CPR Card. We therefore strongly recommend you initiate your CPR application process immediately after your appointment at SIRI-EU.
Receiving Your CPR Card
Approximately 2-3 weeks after you have applied for your yellow CPR Card, your CPR Card will be sent to your home address in Denmark. Please make sure that your name is on your mailbox at your housing site. If you do not receive your CPR Card, make sure to contact your kommune to check on the progress.
Need to see a doctor before you receive your CPR Card? You can still access Danish medical care. Find information about visiting a doctor or hospital in Denmark here.
What Should I Do Before Departure?
- Ensure you have added the Student Hub email (studenthub@dis.dk) to your ‘safe senders’ or contact list. Follow these instructions based on your mail provider
- As your semester approaches, look out for emails from DIS with important information about your Legal Residence Process