Schools for Religious Communities

Religious communities can establish schools as an alternative to the Danish municipal primary and lower-secondary schools (the Folkeskole).

Denmark has ten years of compulsory education. Most pupils attend the Folkeskole, but you may also establish schools that are an alternative to the Folkeskole. These may be schools that are, for instance, based on a particular religious view of life or a specific theory of education

This kind of school is called "free elementary schools" and they might, for instance, be free schools, private schools or progressive free schools.

Read more about primary and lower-secondary schools.

A religious community may establish an independent primary and lower-secondary school and receive grants from the Danish state, if the school fulfils certain conditions. If you wish to establish an independent primary and lower-secondary school, you must register with the Ministry for Children, Education and Gender Equality.

Find guidelines on grants and contact information.