Changes to requirements for third-country national students
Denmark’s Ministry for Immigration and Integration introduced new rules for (prospective) university students from outside Europe. Because it holds an ‘opt-out’ from EU legislation on justice and home affairs, the 2016 Students and Researchers Directive – which establishes a unified EU framework for admitting non-EU nationals for study and research – does not apply in Denmark.Admission requirements and document checks are now stricter, a higher proportion of the study fee must be paid at enrolment, post-graduation job search time has been reduced from three years to one and non-attendance of courses now risks expulsion. The previous right to bring a working spouse has also been abolished to ensure that study permits are used primarily for education.
In 2024, 6 100 students from outside Europe were enrolled in higher education in Denmark. Among these, according to statistics published by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, 77% of Nepalese and 58% of Bangladeshis were granted permits at state-approved higher education institutions. In these cases, family member(s) can accompany the students and be granted a residence permit linked to the one of the sponsor.
Recommendation on strengthening language education
The Association of Municipalities in Denmark (KL) published a new proposal for Danish language education. The document advocates for raising Danish language skills for foreigners and refugees, citing research showing language as key to successful integration.
KL urges the state to improve teaching to meet labour market needs, reduce bureaucracy, maintain municipal roles, focus on practical everyday language, expand e-learning for skilled migrants, extend language school access from 5 to 10 years, and strengthen initiatives like workplace teaching and language partners to reduce dropouts.
The effect of the local environment on migrant children’s integration
A new study by the Rockwool Foundation and Aarhus University finds that refugee children’s integration outcomes are significantly shaped by the areas in which they grow up. Living in areas where many neighbours share their native language can hinder school performance, according to the study, while growing up near adults with the same background who are employed tends to support on-time completion of primary school. Denmark’s mandatory municipal quota system for allocating refugees enables researchers to track and compare these long-term effects.
National Council for Integration to close in 2026
Denmark’s new Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rasmus Stoklund, proposed the abolishment of the National Council on Integration when its current contract expires in 2026. A bill for the abolishment is expected to be introduced in February 2026 and is scheduled to enter into force on 1 June. Beyond underlining integration primarily as an individual responsibility and the importance of active participation in education, employment, and civic life, Minister Stoklund emphasised the importance of the adherence to Danish values such as democracy, equality, and personal freedom (also referred to in Denmark as the fight against “negative social control”). The council has in recent years served primarily as an advisory body to the minister, with most members appointed directly by the ministry.
Study compares the reception of people displaced from Ukraine in Denmark and Poland
UCL Policy Lab in the UK compared the reception of people displaced from Ukraine in Denmark with the reception in Poland since February 2022, highlighting shared challenges and country-specific approaches and detailing recommendations based on research findings.
Similarities identified between the two countries as far as those displaced by the war in Ukraine are concerned include swift, facilitated labour market integration and uncertainty over their future. Differences emerged in asylum and migration policies towards people with Russian citizenship. Key recommendations made by the study include the implementation of better data collection systems and more planning for the future of people displaced by the war in Ukraine in their host countries once the period of temporary protection ends.
Disability pension cases among migrants to be reviewed
The Danish government ordered municipalities to review 5 000 disability pension cases involving third-country nationals and introduce new tools to safeguard the disability pension scheme. The review – which applies to cases approved after 2003 in 74 designated housing areas – will include interviews with people affected by disabilities and reassessment of existing medical and work-ability documentation. Selected municipalities will conduct further investigations to decide whether pensions will be upheld or withdrawn.
Newly arrived migrants finding employment increasingly quickly
A new analysis from SME Denmark shows that a growing share of newly arrived immigrants from countries outside Europe find work within six months of arrival. Employment rates have risen markedly since 2015, including among Turks, Bosnians and Iranians. The trend is mainly driven by Denmark’s prolonged economic boom and labour market reforms that increased incentives to work. Ukrainians are an exception, reflecting their recent arrival primarily as refugees. Significant differences remain depending on the migration profile and reasons, similarly to many EU countries, , with refugees (for example from Afghanistan, Syria and Eritrea) showing lower employment rates than labour migrants (for example Nepalese and Indians).