Language Test

To work in the Danish healthcare system, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the Danish language. This means that you must be able to understand, speak, read, and write Danish at a certain level.

The Ministry of the Interior and Health has now approved the amendment regarding the authorization of healthcare professionals who are citizens of or educated in countries outside the EU/EEA.

With the amendment, the Minister has reintroduced the language test requirement in the authorization process, which nurses from third countries have been exempt from since 1 July 2023.

As from 1 July 2025, nurses who are citizens of and/or educated in countries outside the EU/EEA etc. will again have to pass the "Prøve i dansk 3" (Danish 3 Exam), with a minimum grade of 10 in oral communication, 7 in reading comprehension and 7 in written communication before they can start in an employment for adaptation and training purposes.

Who is covered by the language test requirement?

The language test requirement applies to all applicants for Danish authorization as a nurse unless:

  • As of 1 July 2025, you have already started or have been offered a specific employment for adaptation and training purposes OR
  • Your deadline for completing the authorization process (the 3-year deadline) expires before 1 July 2026.

However, you should be aware that if you want to work as a nurse in the Danish healthcare system, you must be able to communicate in Danish to obtain employment.

This means that even though you are not required to pass "Prøve i dansk 3" (Danish 3 Exam), you must still be able to communicate in Danish in order to obtain and complete a 6-month an employment for adaptation and training purposes.

It is up to your future employer to ensure that you have the right language and communication skills depending on the specific work functions you will be performing during your employment for adaptation and training purposes.

You can read more in Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om autorisation af sundhedspersoner, der er statsborgere i og/eller uddannet i lande uden for EU/EØS m.v. (danish only)

Who is covered by the language test requirement?

The language test requirement applies to all applicants who are applying for or are in the process of obtaining authorization as a nurse as of 1 July 2025, unless:

  • You  already have started or have been offered an employment for adaptation and training purposes by July 1, 2025, OR
  • Your deadline to complete the authorization process (the 3-year deadline) expires before 1 July 2026.

Danish 3 Exam

To demonstrate your Danish language proficiency, you need to pass the language test known as "Prøve i dansk 3" (Danish 3 Exam). This test consists of a written and an oral component, assessing your reading comprehension, written communication, and oral communication skills. You must pass the oral communication test and obtain a minimum score of 10. In the reading comprehension and written communication tests, you must obtain a minimum score of 7 in each.

You have several attempts to achieve the minimum grades in the three subjects mentioned, and the mentioned grade requirements do not all have to be achieved in the same test.

The Danish 3 Exam is administered at various language centers in Denmark. The exam takes place twice a year, in May/June and November/December. To find out where you can take Danish classes and the exam, please contact your municipality.

You can pass the Danish exam before submitting your application and documentation of formal qualifications. However, you must have passed the exam within the past 12 months prior to applying for authorization, unless you can provide evidence of continuous residence in Denmark since passing the language test.

Other options

You do not have to take the aforementioned language test if:

  • You have already passed the Danish 3 Exam and obtained the minimum scores no more than 12 months prior to the approval of your qualifications.

  • You have resided in Denmark since passing the exam and obtaining the minimum scores.

  • You have completed a Danish upper secondary education.

  • You have completed and passed one of the following exams and obtained a diploma:

    • Higher preparatory examination (enkeltfag) in oral and written Danish or Danish as a second language.
    • GIF (Gymnasiale indslusningsforløb for flygtninge og indvandrere) (A-level) in oral and written Danish.
    • International Baccalaureate (IB) in Danish (A-level) in oral and written Danish.
    • Further education in Denmark at universities, business schools, nursing schools, etc., unless the programs were conducted in a language other than Danish.
    • Studieprøven (cf. executive order no. 347 of 28 February 2023 on tests within Danish education for adult foreigners, etc.).

Documentation of Language Skills

You need to submit documentation of your Danish language skills to the Danish Patient Safety Authority by post, either as a certified copy or in its original form. Alternatively, you can hand in your documentation at the reception desk of the Danish Patient Safety Authority. For contact information and opening hours, please refer to the Contact page.

Contact

Your original diploma/documentation will be returned to you via registered mail.

Please allow up to 14 days from the receipt of your documentation of Danish language skills before receiving a confirmation email with further information about the process.

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