The Danish citizenship test, explained in English

Format

45 questions

Written multiple choice, two or three options, one correct answer each.

Duration

45 minutes

About one minute per question. No dictionaries or electronic devices.

Pass mark

36 of 45

80 percent. You may get at most 9 answers wrong.

Second requirement

4 of 5 on values

Judged separately. You can reach the total and still fail here.

What is on the test

The 45 questions are not one undifferentiated set. They fall into three parts in a fixed order, and only the first can be revised from a book.

1. Questions 1-35

   The official study material

   Danish history, democracy and the political system, the economy, cultural life, geography and Denmark's place in the world. This is the predictable part: the answers are in the official material published by SIRI, and the same themes recur sitting after sitting.

2. Questions 36-40

   Current affairs

   Events covered in the Danish news media in the months before the sitting. They are not in the study material and they change every term, so old papers will not help you here. Follow Danish news while you prepare.

3. Questions 41-45

   Danish values

   Freedom of expression, gender equality, democracy and the relationship between religion and law. These five have their own pass requirement: you must get at least 4 right. You can score 36 overall and still fail if you get only two of these correct.

Registration, fee and deadlines

You register with an approved language school or test centre, not with the ministry and not with us. You choose where in Denmark to sit it. Registration must be complete no later than five weeks before the test day, and the fee is DKK 946. There is no resit for illness: if you cannot attend, you register for the next term and pay again.

ID you must bring

Bring original, valid photo identification. Photocopies and photos on your phone are refused, and without acceptable ID you will not be let into the room.

On the day

• Arrive early, at least fifteen minutes. You are given a booklet and write your name, CPR number and test number on the front.
• You mark your answers in the booklet. If you change your mind, cross the old answer out clearly.
• No aids of any kind: no dictionaries, notes, phone or smartwatch. You may not talk to other candidates or leave your seat without permission.
• If you pass you receive a certificate. It does not expire, but you are responsible for submitting it with your citizenship application.

How to prepare

The three parts of the test ask three different things of you, and the most common mistake is spending all your time on the first.

1. Learn the syllabus. Read the official material and practise the questions from previous sittings. The same themes return, so past papers are the best available guide to what will be asked.
2. Follow the news. You cannot cram current affairs the night before, but you can build them up a little each day.
3. Understand the values. Do not memorise answers. The questions test whether you recognise how freedom of expression, equality and the relationship between religion and law work in practice in Denmark.
4. Practise against the clock. Plenty of people know the material and still run out of time, because they never sat a full paper in 45 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Danish citizenship test?

The indfødsretsprøve is a written multiple-choice test about Danish history, society, culture and values. You must pass it to apply for Danish citizenship. It has 45 questions and lasts 45 minutes.

How many questions do you need to pass the Danish citizenship test?

You need at least 36 correct answers out of 45, which is 80 percent. On top of that you must answer at least 4 of the 5 questions about Danish values correctly. Both conditions have to be met.

How many mistakes are allowed in the Danish citizenship test?

At most 9 out of 45, and no more than one in the values section. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank.

How long does the Danish citizenship test take?

45 minutes for 45 questions, so roughly one minute per question. You may not leave your seat during the first or the last fifteen minutes.

How often is the Danish citizenship test held?

Twice a year: one sitting in early June and one in late November. There is no resit between sittings, so if you cannot attend you have to wait for the next term and pay the fee again.

How much does the Danish citizenship test cost?

The fee is DKK 946 for the 2026 sittings. You pay when you register at the language school or test centre where you want to sit the test. The fee can change from year to year.

Where do I register for the Danish citizenship test?

At an approved language school or test centre. You choose where in the country you want to sit it, and registration must be completed no later than five weeks before the test date.

What ID do I need to bring to the Danish citizenship test?

Original, valid photo ID: a passport, a residence card issued in Denmark, an alien's or convention passport, or a national ID card from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. A Danish driving licence is not accepted, and a photo or a photocopy is not enough.

What happens if I fail the Danish citizenship test?

You can sit it again at the next term. That requires a new registration and a new fee. There is no limit on how many times you may try.

Does the Danish citizenship test certificate expire?

No. No time limit has been set on the certificate. You are responsible for sending it to the Danish Immigration and Integration Ministry yourself when you apply for citizenship.

Is the Danish citizenship test in English?

No. The test is written in Danish and there is no English version, which is why you also need Prøve i Dansk 3 or an equivalent Danish exam to apply for citizenship. You can prepare in English, but you have to answer in Danish on the day.

This page is guidance. Binding rules, fees and deadlines are set by the Danish authorities and can change.Read the official information at nyidanmark.dk

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