The Danish permanent residence test (medborgerskabsprøven) explained in English

Is this the same as the Danish citizenship test?

No. Denmark has two different knowledge tests:

According to nyidanmark.dk, a passed citizenship test (indfødsretsprøven) cannot be used to meet the citizenship condition for permanent residence. See Indfødsretsprøven eller medborgerskabsprøven? (in Danish).

Do I need the test for permanent residence?

Not necessarily. According to nyidanmark.dk you must meet all the basic conditions (for example 8 years of lawful residence, Prøve i Dansk 2 and 3 years and 6 months of full-time work within the last 4 years) and 2 of 4 supplementary conditions:

1. Passed Prøve i Dansk 3 (or equivalent)
2. Work for at least 4 years within the last 4 years and 6 months
3. Passed medborgerskabsprøve or at least 1 year of active citizenship
4. Average annual taxable income of at least DKK 346,155.57 (2026 level) over the last 2 years

If you meet all four, you can get permanent residence after 4 years instead of 8. See Krav for permanent ophold (in Danish) and always check your own case on nyidanmark.dk.

Active citizenship instead of the test

You can also meet condition 3 by documenting at least 1 year of active citizenship, for example on a parents' board, a school board, a social housing board, an integration council, or as a sports coach for children and young people. The year does not have to be continuous. See Medborgerskabsprøve eller aktivt medborgerskab? (in Danish).

Note: only the test held since 2016 counts. A test passed before 2016 does not.

Can I take the test in English?

We have found no option to take the test in any language other than Danish. The official study material and audio files are also in Danish. If you have a disability, such as dyslexia, you can apply through the language centre for special conditions, for example extra time, at least 4 weeks before the test.

Dates, registration and fee

You register directly with a language centre (sprogcenter) that holds the test, at least 5 weeks before. The fee is DKK 946 (2026) and is adjusted every year. There is no resit for illness: if you are ill, you register for the next test and pay again.

What to bring on the day

Original photo ID: a Danish residence card, fremmedpas or konventionspas; a passport or national ID card from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland; or another passport with a residence sticker. A driving licence is not accepted, and copies or photos on your phone are not accepted. If you lack valid ID, apply to SIRI for permission to use other ID at least 4 weeks before.

The study material

All questions are based on SIRI's Læremateriale til Medborgerskabsprøven – demokrati og hverdagsliv i Danmark. The August 2026 edition has 26 fact sheets and a glossary, and applies to the tests in winter 2026 and summer 2027. It is free as a PDF and as audio files. There is no printed version. SIRI also publishes past tests with answer keys on danskogproever.dk.

Results

Results can take up to 4 weeks. If you pass, the language centre issues a certificate (prøvebevis), which you send with your application yourself. If you fail, you can take the test again at the next session for a new fee, and you can complain to SIRI within 4 weeks of the assessment.

Frequently asked questions