Live and work in Denmark

Denmark flag

Latest available jobs in Denmark

Currency

Denmark uses the Danish crown/krone (DKK, kr) as their official currency

Famous people

Some famous Danes are H.C. Andersen, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Wozniacki, and Lukas Forchhammer (Lukas Graham)

Population

Denmark has ~5.8 million, residents, many living in Copenhagen

Typical food

Smørrebrød (open sandwich), stegt flæsk med persillesov (fried pork belly with parsley sauce), romkugle (truffles/rum balls)

Avg. working week

Denmark has an average of 37 hour work week,7- 8 hours daily, 5 days a week

Location

Denmark is located in northern Europe and borders Germany. It is part of the Scandinavian countries

Languages

The official language is Danish and they use the Latin script/alphabet

Healthcare

Danish healthcare is ranked very high, and the public healthcare is free for its citizens and residents. Dental care and physiotherapy is not included.

All you need to know before moving to Denmark 

You have probably heard somewhere that Danish people are some of the happiest people in the world. And it’s most likely true – depending on how you measure happiness. Denmark is also famous for its refined design and bike culture. It is in many ways a country with a healthy work-life balance and a perfect place to raise a family

Work in Denmark

Denmark is a highly ranked place to work because of the work-life balance. It’s part of their culture to have a meaningful balance in order to enjoy life, which means that they take the human side into consideration. And it has actually proven to provide happier employees with higher productivity. Here are some reasons why Denmark is the perfect place to work abroad:

  • WORK BENEFITS
    Yes, the salaries here are higher in Denmark compared to a lot of EU countries. According to the Danish law you also get a minimum of 25 days of vacation and in some companies it can be up to 30 days plus national bank holidays. It’s also not unusual that most companies have their catered lunch or canteens. Not to forget the famous Friday bar – something that Danes worship. Friday bar is the opportunity to connect with your colleagues and relax after the “long” week and slide into the weekend. 
  • WORK-LIFE BALANCE
    Family is very important to Danes and therefore balancing work and domestic life is not too complex. The normal work schedule is from Monday to Friday and office hours are usually between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. As the family life of employees is generally respected by Danish employers, it is not uncommon for many Danish workplaces to give you the opportunity to adjust your working hours based on your family’s needs. It is quite usual for Danes to live relatively close to their office to minimise the time spent on  commuting.
  • FREE STUDIES AND HEALTHCARE
    It’s not a mystery why expats love Denmark because of its free study programmes and free healthcare. Denmark has a state-run health system. Financing, planning and management are the responsibility of the authorities. The services are financed through income tax and there is only one legal state-run health insurance. If you are living in Denmark and you are paying taxes, you will also be insured in Denmark. No separate health insurance fees have to be paid. The public health insurance covers hospitalisation and medical consultations and also subsidises medicines and a range of treatments. 

Denmark is one of the most popular international study locations in Europe thanks to its low costs of studying, high-quality English-taught degree courses, and innovative teaching methods. Higher education in Denmark is free for all Bachelor’s and Master’s students coming from the EU/EEA area and for students participating in an exchange programme in Denmark.

Taxes in Denmark 

Once you get a job in Denmark, it’s important to get your Danish tax card and personal tax number. You can visit this site for more information about what document you will need and the correct time to do it. The taxes in Denmark are considerably higher than the rest of Europe, but it’s  also the country with the highest acceptance rate to tax increases since the citizens believe they see the results of their contributions in their day-to-day life. 

The percentage of income taxes in Denmark can go as high as 52.06% (55.89% including AM tax, which is also income tax for DTT purposes). However, you won’t end up paying this much since a number of deductions are applicable; therefore the rate is lower.

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Life in Denmark

With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, excellent healthcare, and high-quality education, Denmark provides a nurturing environment for personal growth and well-being. The concept “hygge” is  like a warm hug. It’s all about cosiness, comfort, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Imagine gathering with friends for a candlelit dinner, savouring mouth watering Danish pastries or snuggling up with a good book at home or in a cozy cafe. Denmark truly knows how to create a hygge-filled sanctuary, and the cold winters are perfect for living through this concept. 

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Basic facts about Denmark

Denmark has a population of around 5.8 million people and the capital is Copenhagen. The currency is the Danish krone. Their climate is temperate with cold winters and slightly warm summers with around 22º degrees. 

The landscape in Denmark is characterised by flat land with low elevation of about 32 metres over the sea level, sandy coasts and big forest.  

5 fun facts about Denmark

  1. It has the oldest flag in the world: With more than 800 years, it is the oldest flag still used by an independent nation.
  2. Denmark has the two oldest amusement parks in the world: Bakken and Tivoli Bakken is 20 minutes outside of Copenhagen and Tivoli is right next to the central station. So it’s the perfect place to have a really fun weekend.
  3. LEGO was invented by a Dane: Ole Kirk Christiansen founded LEGO in 1949 and you can visit the original LEGOLAND here.
  4. The harbour water is so clean you can swim in it: Not only the Copenhagen harbour has clean water but also other big cities like Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg.
  5. LGBT friendly: Denmark was the first country to legalise same-sex unions in 1989 and same sex marriage since 2012.

The “cosy” culture in Denmark

Denmark is worldwide known for its values, being cosmopolitan, well educated and open-minded. It’s often been said to be the happiest country in the world and equality is very important here. Almost all families belong to the middle class and the poverty percentage is low. Denmark has no mountains, which makes it a great country for cycling and it’s a popular form of exercise and transport there. Danes love to cycle in all weather conditions. That keeps them in shape, healthy and looking good and also saves them money on unnecessary transport. So if you’re a lover of a good stretch before work and fancy a breath of fresh air, Denmark is the right place for you. Furthermore, thare beautiful landscapes and forests and it’s almost impossible not to see the sea.

Danes really care about their homes and decor so everything needs to be according to hygge rules – pretty, cosy, welcoming, and nice. This includes lots of candles, nice furniture, books and social activities such as hanging out together while watching TV, playing board games or just drinking wine and dining. 

Danish people have a mindset about equity which means no one is better than the other, which is reflected in many aspects of their life. Especially in jobs, which means that it’s rare to find a cocky boss in Denmark or a haughty attitude towards others. The level of English is excellent which makes it  easier for expats to find a place to work and live. In fact, Denmark is one of the firsts countries ranked in the Working Abroad Index and has been more than 4 years continuously in the first position of relatives index. 

Danish cuisine

Danish food is diverse and has a wide range of fresh products, cereals and meats. Traditionally they use a lot of pork meat, boiled potatoes, and gravy. But younger generations opt for a lighter and more internationally inspired diet. Even though Danes still consume a lot of meat it has become more and more normal for Danish families to have “meat-free-meals” every week for climate concerns. Danish lunch is a traditional open-face sandwich called smørrebrød. Corn products such as wheat, barley and rye have been grown in Denmark for at least 1,000 years. Porridge was eaten in staples in most of Denmark, with bread as a luxury. Barley grits were a common evening meal and eaten with brown sugar or butter. Breakfast is an important meal for most Danes. Many people eat rye bread or oatmeal – and of course drink coffee.

There are two traditions of open-faced sandwiches in Denmark, smørrebrød and koldt bord. Slices of rye bread are covered with cured fish, meat or cheese, or a combination of all three, along with raw onion and pickles. 

Danish food often includes a lot of potatoes, so if you’re looking for tasty balanced food then Denmark may be the best suit for you. Spicy food is not part of typical Danish food.

Renting in Denmark

Finding accommodation in Denmark is quite difficult if you’re planning on living in the big cities like Copenhagen or Aarhus. You may find different options between furnished and unfurnished apartments but we recommend you to be open to share flats since it’s more possible to happen. In Denmark, it is common that the tenant pays a security deposit of 1-2 months rent. This deposit is refunded at the end of the lease. It is common practice to put the deposit in the form of a bank guarantee, which is the easiest way to ensure the security deposit is returned.

Tips to find accommodation in Denmark:

  1. Get all your documents ready: Your passport and work contract are a must.
  2. Network: Try to tell your coworkers about your searching in case they know about some opportunity
  3. Explore in Facebook groups: we recommend you consider flatsharing if you choose to live in Copenhagen, and in Facebook you can find several groups of renting and sharing apartments.
  4. Visit the website lejebolig: This website is the best one to find accommodation in Denmark in case you weren’t lucky with facebook groups.
  5. Register your CPR number: Make sure your landlord allows you to register your CPR number in order to be able to get healthcare insurance

However, the Danish government is very interested in securing a smooth stay in their country, that’s why they launched this website to help all those expats to get used to the lifestyle there.

Cost of living in Denmark

Many expats choose Denmark because of the work-life balance and benefits, and you can see this yourself by looking at their cost of living and comparing them to their wages. Depending on the city you’re working in the minimum salary is around DKK 17.000 (EUR 2.280) and DKK 21.280 (EUR 2.861). From this, you will subtract the costs of accommodation, leisure, transportation, phone expenses, services, socialising, and food which is around DKK 13.400 (EUR 1.800) and you can see there is a general profit even considering the minimum wage. 

Expats in Denmark

Life in Denmark is a great experience considering so many beneficial aspects that are part of their lifestyle. Living in Denmark as an expat is most of all comforting. If you want to be part of social life you can easily find expat groups on social media, and join groups and meetings. This way you can get all the tips and recommendations people have and also you expand your network, which will be useful to find better opportunities.

Language in Denmark

Learning Danish will allow you to have a better understanding of the country and it’s useful for reunions and social events. However, it is not necessary if you don’t expect to live in Denmark for too long. On the other hand if you plan to stay in Denmark, there are several ways to learn Danish for free with public and private organisations to offer this service around the country. But you can also learn it online at Danish Online studies at IA Sprog, and Vestegnens Sprog & Kompetencecenter. They offer all courses as online, long distance learning.

Still not convinced about Denmark?

Denmark is a great destination for those who seek balance, comfort, and organisation but also having the opportunity to explore different cultures between regions. Working abroad in Denmark will give you the opportunity to gain experience, learning a new language and new customs that will surely forge your personality in a different way than just following the standard life-path of your community.

Denmark offers several attractive places to live, depending on your preferences. Copenhagen, the capital city, is vibrant and culturally rich, with a diverse range of amenities and job opportunities. Aarhus, the second-largest city, combines a youthful atmosphere with a thriving arts scene and a strong focus on education. Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, is a charming city with historical sites, a vibrant city centre, and a strong sense of community. Aalborg, situated in Northern Jutland, is a charming harbour city that hosts the annual Aalborg Karneval (carnival) which is the largest in Northern Europe!

Denmark’s design scene is world-renowned, making it a haven for creative souls. From sleek Scandinavian furniture to cutting-edge architecture, artistic inspiration is around every corner. Immerse yourself in the innovative atmosphere and join the thriving art and design community.

Nature lovers will be in awe of Denmark’s “natural designs” and landscapes, that indeed are very flat but hold gems. From the stunning cliffs of Møns Klint to the pristine beaches of Skagen, outdoor adventures await at every turn. Explore the picturesque countryside, hop on a sailboat along the coast, or simply enjoy a picnic in one of the many parks throughout the country.

FAQ

No, citizens from Nordic countries, EU/EEA and Switzerland do not need residence and work permits. Citizens from other countries must apply. You can read more about getting your work permit here.

You can attend both online/virtual language courses as well as classes. And there are also apps like Duolingo available. In general, Danish people are considered to have a high level of English and most places you will go it will be no problem to speak in English with the locals.

The Danish climate is temperate. The summers are mild with temperatures averaging between 20 °C and 26 °C, but it is not unusual to also have 16 °C and rainy periods during summer. The winters are cold with a mean temperature of 0 °C and with longer periods of snow and temperatures below freezing.

Denmark is known for its bicycle-friendly culture, and cycling is a common mode of transportation for commuting to work. Many cities and towns in Denmark have well-developed cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes and paths. Besides this there are extensive networks of buses, trains and metro system in e.g. Copenhagen.

  • Yes, Denmark has a great healthcare system known for its high quality of care. The healthcare system is publicly funded and accessible to all Danish residents. It provides comprehensive coverage for essential medical services, including doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription medications. The country also invests in medical research and has a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare. Overall, Denmark’s healthcare system is considered to be among the best in the world. It is paid for through taxes and therefore citizens never have to pay when going to doctor’s appointments or in case of emergency.

AccoDenmark has a high cost of living compared to many other countries. Monthly expenses for a single person, including rent, utilities, and groceries, can range from €1,500 to €2,500, depending on the location and lifestyle. Dining out can be relatively expensive, with an average meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around €15 to €25, while a basic lunch can cost around €10 to €15.rdion Content

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