The permanent residence test, explained

The test at a glance

• 25 questions, multiple choice, with 2 or 3 answer options each.
• 30 minutes.
• You pass with 20 correct answers. There is no separate rule for any group of questions.
• Written, in Danish, at a test centre. You can't bring any aids, such as a dictionary or your phone.
• Held twice a year, in late spring and late autumn, on the same day as the citizenship test.

What the questions are about

The questions are based on SIRI's official study material about democracy and everyday life in Denmark. The material is free and also comes as an audio version you can listen to.

• Democracy: the Folketing, elections, the government and the courts
• Rights and duties: freedom of expression, equality and the rule of law
• Work and tax: the labour market, unions and how tax pays for welfare
• Health and welfare: the health service, the municipality and social support
• School, children and family
• Everyday life, traditions and culture
• Danish history: the big events and turning points

How it is different from the citizenship test

The permanent residence test is shorter and only covers the study material. The citizenship test (Indfødsretsprøven) has 45 questions, includes questions on current events and Danish values that are not in the study material, and you need 36 correct answers. If you are aiming for citizenship later, preparing well now gives you a good start.

How to prepare

1. Read the official study material once, or listen to the audio version, to get the overview.
2. Practise with questions in Danish. The test is in Danish, so get used to the words the questions use.
3. Check every answer you get wrong and read why. That is where you learn the most.
4. Take timed practice tests of 25 questions in 30 minutes until you pass them comfortably, with more than the 20 correct answers you need.

Permanent residence has more conditions

The test is only one part of a permanent residence application. The full rules, such as how long you must have lived in Denmark and the work and language requirements, are set out by the Danish Immigration Service on nyidanmark.dk. Always check the rules that apply to you there.