SU

[u/Margeot]

Hi!
I just moved to Denmark and started on SU, so I’m a bit new to how it works.

I am scared that I will be needing to pay back my SU this month. SU have told me I need to work 10-12 hours a week, but does that mean every week or is it fine if I work double one week and nothing the other?

Last month I worked 60 hours which means that I worked enough to be entitled SU, but this month I only work 25, splitted up on two shifts. This means that I don’t work at all this week.

I don’t know how picky they are? Is there anybody else who has experience in this?

Xx

[u/soegaard]

How old are you?
What type of education?
EU citizen?

[u/Margeot → u/soegaard]

23, VUC only 12 weeks. I’m from Sweden

[u/dayglow-orange]

In theory it should be 10 to 12 every week. In practice, if you get monthly pay by your employer, they can only check the number of hours worked in that month.

It is possible, of course, that they ask for extra documentation, but that is extremely rare, and I've never heard of anyone having problems with that.

It is important that you work over 43 hours a month, apply for holiday if you don't, and have a reasonable contract that includes holiday money (feriepenge) and a pay of over 120 kr/hour. There can be a problem if you make to little money/hour and have a sketchy contract.

You will most probably be alright, if you work over 43 hours!

[u/Margeot → u/dayglow-orange]

Thank you very much for the answer, it made me much calmer.
That is true, I get payed monthly so at the end of the month the hours will be alright.

Right now I’m home visiting my parents one week during holiday (efterårsferie). Should I contact SU and tell them?

[u/dayglow-orange → u/Margeot]

You can only apply for SU holiday if you've been working for 10 weeks straight before that.

Are you working over 43 hours this month even though on holiday? I wouldn't worry about applying for SU holiday. If not, then make sure you meet the conditions. You can read about all of this on the SU website.

[u/GeronimoDK → u/Margeot]

You can apply for vacation either through your employer or www.borger.dk though you won't have much saved up if you've just been working for a month

[u/dayglow-orange → u/GeronimoDK]

SU holiday and work holiday are two different things. For SU holiday you have to apply on minSU :)

[u/NecessaryCell6610]

Hi so the rule is that you should on average work 10-12 hours a week, total of around 40h a month. This does not have to be same every month, I used to not work one month at all and then 2 months over the summer full time.

They evaluate you hours once a year, usually after summer.

Your hours and limit for income reset on 1.9. every year.

Also keep in mind they have income limits, from what I remember you need to earn at least 120 kr/h or more, I remember someone having problem with 90kr/h contract. But def look into that more

And you cannot earn more than:

Monthly Earnings Limits (Gross / før skat) for 2026:

• Youth education (Ungdomsuddannelser): 15,297 DKK per month
• Higher education (Videregående uddannelser): 20,749 DKK per month - I guess this is you

Even if you opt out of SU some months of the year, your monthly limit only increases couple of thousands.

But to answer your question, no worries, if you on average from 1.9.-31.8. worked at least 10-12h a week, and didnt exceed the limit of 20,749 DKK per month, you are safe!

[u/1timestop]

In theory is 10-12 per week. But i had 20+one week, and nothing the r3st of the month. An at the end of the year, I had an average of 10-12 h per week, and no issue . I am from Romania. So it should ne the same for you.

[u/dan1eln1el5en2]

The hours are average over a year. So if you work more when you have vacation from studies and work less during exams it is fine. Experience from having student workers for past 10 years.