Denmark Cuts Nine State Benefits for Foreign Students on Visas

The government of Denmark has officially announced a series of strict new restrictions regarding foreign nationals living in the country on student residence permits. According to the updated regulations, international students will no longer be permitted to access a wide range of government-provided welfare benefits during their stay.

Under the newly implemented rules, students residing in Denmark on a student visa are barred from receiving nine distinct types of state assistance. This significant policy shift directly impacts foreign students from various countries around the globe, with the affected individuals notably including Bangladeshi students currently pursuing their education in the Scandinavian nation.

The administrative framework underpinning these restrictions dictates that individuals holding a student residence permit must remain financially self-sufficient throughout the entirety of their stay in Denmark. The authorities have explicitly stated that students are not granted permission to rely on public assistance or government-backed financial support while completing their academic programs.

The comprehensive list of state benefits now denied to foreign student visa holders encompasses several crucial forms of financial aid. Among the barred provisions are direct cash assistance, sickness benefits, and maternity or paternity allowances designed to support parents during leave periods.

Additionally, the restrictions eliminate access to unemployment support and housing allowances that typically assist residents with living expenses. Other notable exclusions from the welfare system for these visa holders include child support payments, the Danish state educational grant known as SU, and the discounted public transportation pass recognized as the Ungdomskort.