Denmark is known internationally as the home of the Little Mermaid, Danish cookies, and its beautiful multicolored houses. However, it is also one of the best countries in the world to work. A huge part of this is a culture that prioritizes respecting everyone’s right to free time: employees in Denmark work fewer hours on average than those in other developed nations. When they do have to work extra hours, they are fairly and generously compensated.

If you’re a nurse, you will also have very few problems finding employment in Denmark. The country is currently dealing with a shortage of healthcare workers. Because of this, the government is actively seeking foreign nurses and trying to make the process of getting registered in Denmark simpler.

The process of gaining permission to practice nursing in Denmark is similar to that in other European countries. You will need to have your qualifications assessed, learn the language, and go through an administrative process. As with other countries in the region, this process is much simpler if you’re from the EU.

In this article, we will take you through the steps you need to take in order to become a registered nurse in Denmark!

Steps to Become a Nurse in Denmark

1. Get a Nursing Education

The first step to becoming a nurse in any country is to receive a relevant college degree. To work as a nurse in Denmark, you’ll need to submit your college diploma and transcripts, among other documents, to the Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed, or the Danish Patient Safety Authority. This is the official body responsible for regulating the health industry within the country.

If your diploma was not awarded in either English or Danish, you’ll need to have it officially translated to one of these languages. While Danish authorities accept diplomas from a wide range of education systems, you’ll have a much better chance if you studied in an EU country. Since nursing is a protected career, you will need an equivalent of a bachelor’s in nursing in Denmark to be eligible, consisting of 3-4 years of education at a university, whether in Denmark or abroad. The authorities will check the courses as well as the universities when you submit your application in step 2.

If you haven’t yet received a degree or if your degree has been assessed to be insufficient to practice in Denmark, your best option, if you’re set on working there, is to study in one of its universities. Fortunately, the country is home to a number of top-class institutions. As an aspiring nurse, you may want to consider a degree from the University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, and the University of Southern Denmark.

2. Submit Documents to the Danish Patient Safety Authority

Besides your diploma, the next step to become a nurse in Denmark is to submit related documents to the Denmark Patient Safety Authority Nurse Registartion Application . There are several other papers you’ll need to send to the Danish Patient Safety Authority for processing. These include an application form, evidence that you’re eligible to practice in your home country, and a valid ID.

You’ll also be required to submit a CV as the Danish Patient Safety Authority takes work experience into account when deciding whether to grant you permission to practice. For a full list of requirements, you should head over to the organization’s website.

While the entire process normally takes a few months, the Danish Patient Safety Authority has recently bolstered its staffing in an effort to expedite the inflow of nurses. If you want to apply to work as a nurse in Denmark, now is as good a time as any.

3. Learn Danish

As with anywhere else, being a healthcare professional requires knowledge of the local language. Danish is the official language of Denmark and is what doctors, nurses, and patients use to communicate.

In order to qualify as a registered nurse in Denmark, you must be able to communicate in Danish. Previously, the requirements included passing the language exam called the Prøve i dansk 3, or Danish 3 Exam. This roughly corresponds to a B2 level. The exam tests reading, writing, and oral communication. The maximum score for each section is 10, and you’ll need to get at least a 7 to pass. However, the requirements for Danish have been waived and are no longer a requirement, but you will still need be proficient in Denmark to get employment and to communicate with the patients.

4. Go Through a Supervised Employment Period in Denmark

After going through the first three steps of becoming a nurse in Denmark, you’ll be granted temporary authorization to work. This is for the purpose of completing an evalueringsansættelse, or employment for adaptation and training purposes. This is essentially an internship that lasts at least six months in which you’ll learn how to work in a Danish hospital setting under the supervision of more experienced colleagues.

During this period, you will also be assessed for suitability to work in Denmark. After completing your training period, your employer will get in touch with the Danish Patient Safety Authority and give their assessment on whether they recommend you receive permanent authorization to work.

5. Secure a Permanent Authorization and Find a Job

If your employer gives you a positive assessment, the Danish Patient Safety Authority will register you as a nurse and give you permanent authorization to work. This allows you to practice in public and private health institutions throughout Denmark.

Now that you’re allowed to work, your next step to be an official nurse in Denmark is actually finding a job. If you built a good working relationship with your employer during training, it’s possible they will offer you a position after it ends or recommend you to other hospitals with current openings. It’s also possible to apply directly to these hospitals. If you studied in Denmark, you might also find employment at a hospital associated with your university.

Many foreign nurses find employment in Denmark through recruitment agencies, which are specialized companies that are paid by hospitals to essentially act as an HR department. Many agencies will also help you with the other steps on this list.

 

We hope that this article on Steps to Become a Nurse in Denmark was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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24 Comments

  1. Samsunnahar Mow - Reply

    I completed my 3year diploma in medical facilities and one year internship. My Academy name is medicine assistant training course (MATS). Can i get a offer letter for my higher education in Denmark nursing/medical university.

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hi, we don’t offer admission because we are not an institution. However, if you will like to get admission, you need to apply to Denmark nursing schools.

  2. Amin ur rehman - Reply

    Hello I’m completed my 1 year diploma in general nursing and 1year post basic ICU specialization. Can I apply for a Denmark patient safety authority? Please tel me about this. Can I eligible for a 3 year general nursing and 1 year post basic ICU specialization?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hi, so Denmark patient safety authority requires an equivalent of bachelor’s nursing degree in Denmark, which consist of 3-4 years of school with training. I do not think that your 1 year diploma in nursing will pass their standards. However, you can apply for a nursing programs in Denmark, in your home country, or in other places and get 3-4 years degree in nursing to be eligible.

  3. Lima - Reply

    I just finished my diploma in nursing science and midwifery course from Bangladesh (3 year based)..so now do I fit for then job of nurse in Denmark.. If the answer is yes, then what I need to do?? full guidelines plz??

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hi Lima, the next step is to submit your nursing application to the Danish Patient Safety Authority. Since it is a 3 year based, you do meet the basic criteria, but it will be up to the authorities to access your application and your curriculum’s strength. This is step 2 of this article, “2. Submit Documents to the Danish Patient Safety Authority”

  4. Nathan chindongo - Reply

    Hello am kindly asking if you have any recommendations for agencies that recruit nurses for Denmark. Thanks

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hi, we don’t have any recommendations.

  5. Anonymous - Reply

    I have over 24 years experience in nursing and I have diploma in nursing. Can I apply as a nurse in Denmark?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, that depends on the length of your diploma of your nursing degree and also the strength of your education evaluated by the Danish Patient Safety Authorities. If you think that you are eligible, you can submit your paperwork to the authorities and see if you do pass their requirements.

  6. Anonymous - Reply

    Hi I am non-EU but will be studying in Vilnius, Lithuania at SMK University of Applied Sciences to get a bachelors in Nursing. Would it be easy to apply to Denmark if I studied in Europe?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Yes, it should be definitely easier to be a nurse in Denmark if you have studied at an accredited EU university for nursing than at other non-EU institutions.

  7. Anonymous - Reply

    My wife had 3 years diploma in nursing as RN and practiced for about 7years and BSc in critical care nursing and has been practicing for about 3 years in ( the theater and recovery ward). He currently hold IELTS result of total grade 6.5. Does she qualify to practice in Denmark? She is willing to learn Denmark language if she get the offer.

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, it does seem like she is a good candidate since she has 3 year degree and work experience. However, Denmark has their own standards, so your wife should apply and see if she can get in.

  8. Eunice murugi Ndwiga - Reply

    Can a foreigner learn nursing in Denmark if they can speak good Danish?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      You are more likely, but you do need to meet other requirements that Danish universities require for studying nursing. Each university have different requirements, so it is best if you check with the official university website of the universities that you are interested in.

  9. Adjei - Reply

    Hi,
    I’m from Ghana. I completed a 3 year General Nursing diploma degree and 1 year post training internship.
    I currently have 11 years of work experience as a general nurse.

    Am I eligible for employment in Denmark?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, I don’t know if you are eligible or not. The only way to find out is to submit your paperwork to Danish Patient Safety Authorities as outlined in step 2.

  10. sulochana - Reply

    I am the one who finished three year diploma in nursing and worked as nurse in government hospital 1 year and 4 months. I am following a bsc nursing degree under private university. Can I apply for nursing profession in denmark?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hi yes, you can apply, but as I’ve commented on others, you don’t know you will be accepted until you apply to Danish Patient Safety Authorities.

  11. Anonymous - Reply

    Hi, I am a GNM nurse from India. It’s a diploma which is 3 and half year course. Now I’m in Denmark. I got rejected for Authorization. They are asking for comments. Is there any chance they accept me?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, what were their reasons for rejecting the authorization?

  12. chandima Manori senanayake - Reply

    Hi, I am Chandima from Sri Lanka. I have successfully completed my BSc Nursing degree, masters in Human Resource Management, and reading for PhD also. I have experience as a nursing officer and a nursing lecturer. Is there any chance to enroll as nurse in Denmark?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      Hello, I believe you have a good chance since you have the degree and the experience.

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