The Ultimate Guide on Relocating to Denmark
Picking up your life and moving to another country is no mean feat. Your family might be used to moving from one country to another, as career or personal opportunities open up for you, but that doesn’t make the process any less uprooting. As well as the excitement of embarking on a new adventure, you may be feeling a little daunted by all there is to learn about life in a new place as every country differs slightly from the rest. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide on relocating to Denmark — for families choosing to relocate to this Scandinavian nation. Here we hope to answer all of your questions about getting to Denmark, finding a place to live, choosing the right school for your children and settling into a new community.
Life in Denmark: the basics
- Currency: Danish krone (kr., DKK)
- Population: 5.831 million
- Capital city: Copenhagen
- Time zone: GMT+1
- Emergency number: 112
- Dialing code: +45
- Language: Danish (but many Danes also speak English and German)
- Climate: Average temperatures of 1⁰C in winter and 18⁰C in summer
Denmark is one of the top ten happiest countries in the world. People here enjoy a good work-life balance, that famous “hygge” contentment, and a real sense of inclusivity and equality.
The country is relatively small, so it’s easy to get from the vibrant and architecturally beautiful cities of Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense to far-flung islands and pristine beaches.
What else can we say about this wonderful country?
There’s a big focus on sustainability, so you’ll find excellent public transport and safe cycling routes in our cities. The food scene is innovative and exciting. Denmark is incredibly child friendly too, with plenty for kids to do — there are troll forests, fairy tale castles, and the world of LEGO sure to spark their imaginations.
All in all, Denmark offers a modern but peaceful lifestyle, which helps to explain why so many people from around the world choose to make this country their home.
Legal requirements for relocating to Denmark
Let’s get practical. What are the visa requirements for relocating to Denmark?
For Nordic citizens
Nordic citizens do not need a visa or a residency permit to relocate to, work or study in Denmark.
For EU citizens
EU citizens don’t need a visa to enter Denmark. Those planning to live and work in Denmark can do so for up to three months before obtaining a residence document.
Once you have this document, you can stay in Denmark indefinitely as long as you continue living and working in the country.
Once you have lived in Denmark for five years, you can apply for a permanent right of residence.
For non-EU citizens (including Australian, American and British citizens)
It’s a little trickier for non-EU citizens to live, work or study in Denmark.
To do so, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit before you leave your home country. Be sure to apply for the residence permit that matches your circumstances. You can take a look at all of the options here on the Danish immigration service website.
Your residence permit will usually be valid for the duration of your work contract or university course. And when you have a residence permit for work or study in Denmark, your family is entitled to come with you.
After living in Denmark for eight years, you can apply for permanent residency. You may be able to apply for permanent residency earlier — after four years in the country — if you meet four supplementary requirements.
For all expats relocating to Denmark
Once you have your visa and accommodation sorted, you’ll need to book an appointment with the local authorities to get your social security number, known as a CPR. If you are moving to Copenhagen, you can find all the information you need here: If you are moving to another municipality, check on that municipalities website to discover the necessary steps.
A few weeks after registering with the local municipality, you will all receive a health insurance card (also known as “the yellow card”). This card will be your primary documentation while you are in Denmark. It’s used for many aspects of life here and should be kept with you at all times. It also shows that you are entitled to free public healthcare.
When you register for your CPR you will also be asked to set up NEM-ID (which is in the process of changing to MitID). This digital signature is used as a secure identifier online, and you will need it to log on to things like your online bank, or to make any changes to your online digital profile.
It’s very important that you set up your NemID as soon as possible when you get to Denmark as you’ll have to have it to hand when choosing a doctor, setting up a bank account and registering your children at school. You can find out more about NemID here.
Finding a home in Denmark
When you first move to Denmark, it’s much easier to rent than to buy a home. To rent a home, you’ll need to show your Danish residency permit.
The rental market in Denmark is competitive, so it’s a good idea to cast your net as wide as possible.
You can talk to rental brokers like Danish Homes,Find your Home orNordic Housing.
You can conduct your own search online. A few popular property rental sites include:
You might also like to join local Facebook groups and forums that will help to keep you in the loop with available properties.
What should you expect to pay in rent?
Whether you’re planning to rent or buy a home in Denmark, you can expect high prices in big city centers, particularly in Copenhagen.
Prices are generally cheaper if you choose to live in the city outskirts or in a rural area.
You can expect to pay around 20,000-25,000 DKK per month for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center and around 15,000-18,000 DKK for a similar apartment outside the city center.
One important thing to note is that most tenancy agreements require a 3-month deposit, so you should expect to pay a large down-payment upfront when you find the perfect home.
What else can you expect when you rent a home in Denmark?
Tenants are well protected in Denmark. Tenancies tend to last for a minimum of a year and your landlord isn’t allowed to surprise you with unexpected rental price hikes.
Landlords are supposed to inspect the property two weeks before the start of your lease. If they don’t do this, they can’t withhold your deposit at the end of your tenancy. You should also be aware that some contracts stipulate a maintenance fee that a landlord deducts from your deposit.
Important: be sure that any place you rent allows for CPR registration, as there is a limit on how many people can be registered at any one address. Be sure to ask your prospective landlord if you can register your CPR there and for how many people.
Wondering where to stay while you search for your next home? Airbnb has a number of long-term rental solutions you can use as temporary accommodation to help you find your feet.
Education in Denmark
If you’re moving to Denmark as a family, you’ll be keen to find out what education is available for your children.
You’ll be pleased to hear that Denmark has one of the best education systems in the world.
Children in Denmark usually start school during the year in which they turn six. However, if the school and parents are in agreement, children can start school a year earlier than this.
School is compulsory until children reach the age of 16. Once they reach this age, children can move into upper secondary school until they are 19.
Public education
Your children will automatically get a place at the public school associated with your residential address.
However, you have free choice and can choose which primary and lower secondary school you want your children to go to — whether those schools lie inside or outside your school district.
Private schools
There’s a long tradition of private education in Denmark. About 15% of all students attend private school, in part thanks to the government subsidies that make it more affordable.
It generally costs between DKK 1,000 and DKK 2,000 per month to send your child to a private school in Denmark.
You’ll find private independent schools, religious schools, and alternative education schools (like Steiner) in Denmark.
Each private school has its own enrolment process, and there may be a waiting list, so it’s worth contacting the school you are interested in as early as you can.
International schools
Many expats relocating to Denmark choose to send their children to an international school like CIS.
International schools in Denmark teach an international curriculum so it’s easier for your child to transition to education in another country should the need arise.
The majority of international schools in Denmark teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. These schools tend to be based in Copenhagen and other big Danish cities, but there’s a good selection across the whole of the country.
At international schools, English is often the primary teaching language. But don’t worry! If you’d like your child to learn Danish, international schools always include this as part of their curriculum too.
You have to pay fees to send your child to an international school in Denmark. But you can count on high standards of learning, small class sizes and excellent facilities.
If you and your family are immigrating to Denmark, take a look at Copenhagen International School (CIS). We offer student-centered and inquiry-based learning, as well as a diverse and caring expat community.
How to open a bank account in Denmark
In Denmark you’ll find typical bricks and mortar banks like Danske Bank, Arbejdernes Landsbank, Nordea and Saxobank. You’ll also find newer, online banks like Lunar.
You can open as many Danish bank accounts as you like, but you may have to pay a fee for them.
As a Danish citizen, you will also be required to have a NemKonto account. Opening this account will establish you in Denmark’s public payment system. NemKonto works just the same as any other bank account — the only difference being that this account is the one you’ll need to be paid in to by a Danish employer or when receiving welfare, tax refunds or other payments from a Danish authority.
To open a bank account in Denmark you need:
- Photo ID, such as your passport. Some banks ask you to provide a notarised copy of this document.
- CPR number. This is the ten-digit ID number given to all residents in Denmark
- Proof of address in Denmark. This can be your health insurance card, a recent utility bill or your rental contract
- For employees: a copy of your employment contract
- For students: proof of your place at university.
Some banks also require a minimum deposit in order to set up an account. It’s worth checking with individual banks so you’re clear on all fees and account requirements.
How to find a job in Denmark
Depending upon your visa requirements, you may be able to enter Denmark without securing an employment contract first.
If you decide to look for a job once you’ve arrived in Denmark, take a look at the following portals:
- Work in Denmark – this website contains insider knowledge about the Danish job market: how to apply for a job in Denmark, what to expect from the recruitment process, Danish workplace culture and practical tips for job seeking, too.
- Graduateland – if you or someone in your family is making their first steps into the world of work, and doing so in Denmark, then Graduate Land is the perfect springboard.
- The Hub – Denmark has a blossoming startup scene, and for the most exciting tech and startup roles, head to The Hub.
English is spoken in the vast majority of Danish offices, although you should be prepared for Danes to speak in Danish among colleagues and then switch to English once you need to be included!
How to make friends in Denmark
We know that moving to a new country can be an unsettling process — both for kids and their parents. Many families worry about feeling isolated without the social networks they relied on where they lived before.
But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many families choose to relocate to Denmark and there’s a thriving expat community.
Families moving to Denmark will find plenty of opportunities for networking and making new friends. You can find Meet-up groups in every Danish city, join a Danish class (where you’re sure to meet other non-locals!) and you can also make the most of the close-knit Copenhagen International School community.
Surround yourself with the wonderful people of Denmark
Here at CIS, we teach children from as far and wide as the US, the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Japan and right across Europe. We also teach lots of Danish students too.
Because we were once newcomers, we know how important it is to create and support our school community — our students and their families — through social events and practical help.
It’s something we’ve taken into the heart of our school ethos. We’re committed to supporting the whole family as they transition to a new life here in Denmark.
Walk around our campus and you’ll see parents stopping by for coffee mornings, fitness classes or just connecting with each other through our proactive and welcoming PTA.
Want to find your Copenhagen community here at CIS? Contact our friendly team today to talk about your move and arrange a virtual tour of our school.
