Moving to Denmark

The quality of the Danish lifestyle, along with a well-arranged work-life balance, makes Denmark so convenient to live in and gives you an opportunity to get the most out of life. Even if you love traveling, the country’s location allows you to simply visit neighboring countries such as London, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Hamburg. Entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation are the essential components of Danish culture.

If the idea of moving to Denmark is attractive to you, IMovingTo will guide you further and enhance your understanding of all the influential aspects of international relocation.

Brief Information about Life in Denmark

Denmark offers a calm and modern way of life. It is among the 10 happiest nations in the world. Here, individuals are delighted and genuinely support inclusivity and equality. The country is relatively small, which makes it simple to travel from the exciting cities of Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Odense to remote islands and magnificent beaches.

Denmark strongly emphasizes sustainability, so you will find excellent public transportation and safe bicycle routes here.

Considering the main aspects related to life in Denmark, the data is as follows:

The currency: Danish krone (KR, DKK)
Total population: 5.831 million
The capital: Copenhagen
Zone of time: GMT+1
The language: Danish (English and German are also widely spoken)
Average winter and summer temperatures: 1°C and 18°C

How to Apply for a Visa to Denmark?

In contrast to most other countries, applying for a Danish visa is relatively quick and simple. Expats should know that the conditions for obtaining a Danish visa can become very specific and complex.

Due to the speedy nature of the Danish visa application process, some visa types allow Danish companies to hire foreign workers within weeks. Others, such as visas for self-employment, require personal applications at a diplomatic office. A typical visa, which already includes a residency permit, costs about 3,025 DKK (445 USD).

Additionally, it is not necessary to apply for a visa to live, work, or study in Denmark for citizens of the EU and EEA. All other citizens should submit a visa application. Remember that if you enter Denmark with a Schengen Visa, you cannot apply for employment or permanent residency.

Work Permit Rules

If you enter Denmark on a Schengen Visa, you are not eligible to apply for a work permit, as it only enables you to stay in the country for 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, you should apply for a work permit.

For people with employment agreements that are less than 4 years, the work permit is only valid for the length of the employment agreement. A work permit is only valid for a maximum of 4 years.

With some work permits, you might be able to obtain permanent residency more easily. For instance, if a candidate has strong ties to Denmark, some work permits might be extended into permanent residency after 4 years and others after only 2 years.

Legal Requirements & Laws to Know About

After moving to Denmark, once you have your visa and accommodation arranged, you need to schedule an appointment with the local authorities to obtain your social security number, often known as CPR.

You will also receive a health insurance card, commonly known as “the yellow card,” a few weeks after registering with the local municipality. Your primary form of identification while staying in Denmark will be this card.

How to Find a Home in Denmark?

Renting a house in Denmark is much easier. However, you will need to present your Danish resident permit in order to be eligible for renting. Rental agents like Danish Homes, Find Your home, or Nordic Housing are good places to start the search process. Additionally, you can visit websites such as Lejebolig, AkutBolig, or Lejebolig.

Joining local Facebook groups and forums will also keep you informed on available properties.

Living in a rural region or on the outskirts of a city will generally result in lower costs. One thing to keep in mind is that most leasing agreements require a 3-month deposit, so when you find the ideal home, you should prepare to put down a sizable house deposit right away.

How to Manage Finances in Denmark?

Denmark has a strong financial management culture. Common brick-and-mortar banks like Danske Bank, Arbejdernes Landsbank, Nordea, and Saxo Bank are here. In addition, there are more recent Internet banks like Lunar.

You will also be required to have a NemKonto account in Denmark. You will become a part of Denmark’s public payment system once you open an account. The main difference between NemKonto and other bank accounts is that you will be paid there by a Danish employer or receive welfare, tax refunds, or other payments from the Danish government.

Danish bank account opening requirements are the following:

Your valid passport
The ten-digit ID (CPR) number of all Danish residents is issued
A Danish address proof

In certain banks, opening an account requires a minimum deposit as well. It is recommended to consult with certain banks to clarify all costs and account requirements.

Tips to Socialize Effectively in Denmark

The process of relocating to a new country can be unsettling. Foreigners could be concerned about feeling lonely without the social networks they were accustomed to in their prior location.

However, Denmark is distinguished by a thriving expat community; even locals are very hospitable. Surround yourself with the great people of Denmark, and you’ll have no trouble connecting with them or making new friends.

A great alternative for expats is to go to a cafe with groups of locals playing board games and looking for new players. Undoubtedly, you will be able to find meet-up groups in every Danish city.

Job Market Insights for Expats

As a result of the recent growth of the Danish labor market, Danes now enjoy some of the highest wages worldwide. The Scandinavian nation boasts a modern labor market with countless career opportunities.

The service industry dominates the Danish labor market, which also has a low unemployment rate of about 5.66%. For expats, it is quite easy to find jobs in Denmark that demand you to speak and write in English as it’s widely used and appreciated.

Denmark provides its workers with leading working conditions. The labor market in this country operates on a flexible structure, allowing companies to hire and fire employees whenever required to meet the demands of the market.

In Denmark, there is a great demand for certain job categories, including:

Medical consultants
Mechanical and building engineers
Engineers in electrical and energy
Hospital doctors, dentists, and pharmacists
Radiographers
Teachers for primary schools
IT professionals
Psychologist
Careers in hospitality

Public Vs Private Health Insurance

One of the best healthcare systems in the world is available in Denmark. According to a global survey, over 90% of Danes are completely satisfied with the country’s medical services as it uses modern medical technology and infrastructure. Health insurance in Denmark is further divided into public and private health insurance programs.

Public Health Insurance

In Denmark, the entire public healthcare insurance system is supported by taxes and is easily accessible to all people. This is regulated by the federal government and includes all hospital visits and medical assistance. If you are moving to Denmark from abroad and want to use the public healthcare system, you need to submit your CPR number.

Private Health Insurance

If you find yourself in a long queue and want quicker treatment, going with private health insurance is an excellent idea. There are various private insurance coverage options available in Denmark. Contrary to public health insurance, private ones can include dental care, prescription drugs, and cosmetic surgery.

Cost of Living in Denmark

Living in Denmark may be fairly expensive, particularly in the two most populated cities: Copenhagen and Aarhus. Even though Copenhagen ranks among the most expensive cities in the world, the high cost of living is balanced by the high salaries.

Copenhagen has the highest monthly average salary of 53,000 DKK (7,850 USD), as the majority of corporate centers and highly skilled personnel are concentrated here.

Living in Denmark typically costs between $880 and $1050 per month.
The lowest-priced monthly pass for public transportation costs 50 EUR.
Depending on your shopping habits, your monthly food costs in Denmark will range from 200 to 270 EUR. You can save much money on food if you shop weekly at discount stores like Bilka, Lidl, Netto, Fakta, or Aldi.
In a pub, a beer or soft drink costs about 5 EUR.
The average cost of a meal out in the city is 25 EUR per person.

Best Places for Expats to Live in Denmark

For the purpose of making the right choice, here is an overview of some of the best cities to live in Denmark.

Reputed to be the happiest city in the world, Copenhagen is known for its canals, excellent food, Tivoli Gardens, community spirit, and beer breweries.
Aalborg is considered Denmark’s cultural center as a highly vibrant and modern city. Aalborg is famous because theaters and museums like the Opera Company and Aalborg Historical Museum are located there.
Randers is the sixth-largest city in Denmark. It is a well-known market town with a long history, as it offers distinctive gastronomic, cultural, and artistic experiences.
Horsens is an old industrial city that has managed to use its colorful past to its advantage. The town is exceptional both in culture and art, as well as in entrepreneurship and gastronomy.
Kolding is a maritime city located in southern Denmark. It is a perfect place for pizza lovers. Furthermore, the Jelling Stones, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is quite close to this little town.
Viborg is a community rich in history, culture, and natural wonders. This charming old town offers some of the most varied outdoor activities and stunning landscapes.

Pros & Cons of Living in Denmark

Pros

Desirable work-life balance

In Denmark, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is considered a crucial aspect of life. This approach includes not only the overall number of working hours per week and the number of annual vacation days. Companies concentrate more on daily productivity than on the total number of hours that employees put into work.

Convenient public transportation

Denmark has made significant investments in public transportation. A complex network of routes will take you anywhere throughout Scandinavia and outside the country. You’ll discover many bicycle lanes whenever you ride to work or to the store. Furthermore, buses and trains are clean, and the roads are kept in good condition.

Environmentally friendly nation

The parks and outdoor areas in Denmark are exceptionally well managed. There are countless islands that you may explore, and there is always somewhere to go to enjoy the great outdoors. Moreover, the water is incredibly pure; Therefore, it is obvious why so many people choose to reside close to coastal areas.

Cons

Challenging weather

The climate of Denmark is similar to that of the rest of Scandinavia. Most of the year is spent in the cold and the dark. It may be hot and sunny during the summer, but that is not always guaranteed. It tends to rain a lot. Therefore, you will need to adapt to the gloomy and foggy climate.

High-priced fuel

In Denmark, the petrol price is roughly 2-times more than in many other countries. Due to this, many individuals choose to travel long distances via public transportation.

In Denmark, it’s common for people to have bus and train passes valid for a month or more. When you have to drive somewhere, you’ll need to be ready for the higher fuel prices, which can significantly increase the expense of your journey.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, moving to Denmark is quite convenient. However, you still need to be aware of specific aspects of relocating to any foreign country, which is exactly why it is recommended to consider our unique recommendations.