Although Denmark is not part of the Scandinavian peninsula, it is considered a Scandinavian country because of its cultural affinity. It is part of the EU, so it is not a problem for EU citizens to move to Denmark, while non-EU citizens need a visa.
Denmark also includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The size of the Danish territory is equal to that of the Netherlands. Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula and 1,400 islands, of which only 78 are inhabited.
Denmark is completely surrounded by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, with the exception of Jutland, which connects the country with the European continent. It is divided into 5 regions, the capital is Copenhagen. It is a member of the EU and the currency is the Danish krone. The population is almost 6 million, the number of immigrants is about 400 thousand (7.5% of the population).
Moving to Denmark
EU citizens do not need a visa to move to Denmark. Non-EU citizensneed a visa to go to Denmark, (with some exceptions).
Short stay visas
- Business visa, for third-country nationals pursuing business purposes
- Visitor visa, for third-country nationals visiting a family member or friend legally residing in Denmark
- Cultural visa, for third-country nationals pursuing cultural activities or sporting purposes
- Tourist/visitor visa, for tourists from third countries planning to visit Denmark
Long stay visas
- Work visa, for third-country nationals who plan to work in Denmark
- Job-seeker visa, for third-country nationals who plan to stay in the country to look for a job
- Family reunification visa, for third-country nationals who want to visit a family member (Danish citizen)
- Researcher visa, for third-country nationals who want to work as a researcher in a Danish institute
- Visa for freelancers, for third-country nationals who have sufficient means of subsistence and will work regardless of location
- Visa for student internship, for third-country nationals who want to do an internship in Denmark
- Student visa, for third country students planning to study in the country
On the government website you can find all the information about entry visas to Denmark.
If you will be in Denmark for study or work purposes for more than 90 days, you must also apply for a residence permit
Moving to Denmark, useful resources
These are the most important websites for anyone who wants to move to Denmark:
- Denmark ,all information about the Danish people and culture
- Nyidanmark, website of the Danish Immigration Service, with all information for foreigners who want to move to Denmark
- Lifeindenmark, a useful guide for those who want to move to Denmark
- Guide: relocation to Denmark
Search for accommodation in Denmark
Once you are in Denmark, the first step is to find a place to live. As always, I recommend booking temporary accommodation in a hostel or a room in your home country. Only once you are on the spot, you can start looking for a permanent accommodation, firstly because the accommodations have to be visited in person, and secondly to avoid scams, which are very common. You will not even get the idea of sending money from abroad to an unknown, self-proclaimed flat owner. The main rental websites charge a fee, but the ads are verified and in most cases are reputable and truthful.
- Boligportal (in Danish)
- Akutbolig (in Danish and partly in English)
- Boliga (in Danish)
- Boligdeal (in Danish)
- Voreslejebolig (in Danish)
- Lejebolig (also in English)
- Danishhomes (also in English)
- Findroommate (in English)
- Findyourhome (in English)
- Charliesroof real estate agency in Copenhagen
Once you arrive, the best solution is certainly shared housing, which is popular in Denmark and elsewhere. Once you have settled in, you can consider moving into an apartment. In Denmark, there is a strong demand for apartments, especially in the major cities, most notably Copenhagen, and prices are constantly rising.
Be prepared to pay as much as 6 or 7 months in advance when you sign the contract: 3 months deposit (non-negotiable), plus 3 months in advance (negotiable), plus the current month. A room in Copenhagen currently costs 700/800 € per month. Nevertheless, you will have to make a lot of effort and the search may take months.
I can safely say that in Denmark (especially Copenhagen) it is most difficult to find accommodation without being cheated, especially if you have no acquaintances in the city. Therefore, I recommend that you also consider accommodation outside Copenhagen, at least until you have a permanent job. The inconvenience of taking the train or bus every day can really save you time (in finding accommodation) and money (for rent).
In your apartment search, you will come across ads that say, “No address for CPR,” which means you can not move in. These are usually people who are trying to rent illegally or do not have the legal requirements to rent. Ignore these ads if you want to move to Denmark and work there, because without a CPR you can do practically nothing and have no rights. Due to the high cost of living and the difficulty in finding housing, I have met people who initially rented these types of rooms and worked illegally until they managed to sort out their living and working situation.
Keep in mind that Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in Europe. You can read about the cost of living on Numbeo. Keep in mind that you can easily spend €1,500 / €2,000 per month to live. So finding a job is quickly becoming a priority.
If you have found accommodation, I hope everything goes well, but if you have any problems with the landlord, you must tell him immediately. In any case, it’s good to inform the Tenants Association for information and advice.
Civil registration number (CPR)
The next step is to obtain the Civil Registration Number (Yellow Card) tax code (CPR), which you need for practically everything (opening a checking account, signing an employment contract, accessing health services, etc.). It is issued to you by the immigration office of your municipality and can be applied for online, such as in Copenhagen. to get it you must have:
1 Rental contract or landlord’s statement. Even in hotels, hostels or rooms, it is possible to obtain this proof of residence if the owners/managers sign this declaration, because in reality it is not a proof of residence, but a residence. However, many city employees pretend not to know this.
2 Registration Certificate.This is the temporary residence permit issued to people who are allowed to stay in Denmark for more than 90 days. To obtain the registration certificate, you must present the following:
- Form OD1 compiled
- copy of your ID or passport
- ID or passport
- your photo
- document certifying your status as a student, (letter from the University), or as an employee (employment contract), or entrepreneur/freelancer. If you are not in these categories you will need to provide proof that you have sufficient financial means of subsistence, (bank account statement) and declare that you will not apply for benefits, (such as unemployment benefits), once you have got the certificate
Within a few days, the registration certificate will arrive directly at your home. Once obtained, you can apply online for the CPR or go to the Municipality.
In any case, I recommend that you take advantage of the free service, for foreigners, offered by the IHC. They are specialised in the reception and retention of international talent and give information and assistance in all the procedures to obtain CPR, Tax number, registration certificate, etc.
After a few weeks, the CPR (Yellow Card) will arrive at your home by post. In Denmark, all citizens are enrolled in the National Health System which is almost free, in fact 85% of the cost is paid by the state, while the citizen pays the remaining 15% if they want auxiliary services (physiotherapy, etc.).
