Checklist for EU/EEA/Swiss citizen

If you do not already have a job, you can find some useful links to various job databases here.

Remember to check your rights as an employee regarding holiday, parental leave, working hours, etc.

Program for newcomers
Copenhagen Host Program matches newcomers who have been in Denmark for less than 5 years, with local volunteer hosts who speak the Danish language and know about the local community and job market. The host can help you in your job search and help you practice your Danish skills. 

Accompanying spouses
Accompanying spouses who live within the City of Copenhagen can join the Copenhagen Career Program for information about courses, employment with salary subsidy, internships and much more.

Students
Students who live within the City of Copenhagen can join the 6-month career program, Greater Copenhagen Career Program.
The program combines different job search seminars with matchmaking events taking place in different settings such as private companies, unions, etc.

Denmark tops the United Nations Education Index and Danish qualifications are recognised throughout the world. Study in Denmark has a useful website.

Finding a place to live is often difficult. Get started as soon as possible, especially if you plan on renting or buying a home in the city center. Get more information about finding a home at lifeindenmark.dk or international.kk.dk.

Be aware that you cannot apply for a CPR number before you have found a place to live and actually live at the address.

You might be able to get Housing Benefits, so called Boligstøtte. You can check this as soon as you have moved to Denmark and hold a NemID – see the tab 'When you arrive'.

Start exploring the different options. Please note that you cannot begin the enrollment process before you have actually moved to Denmark.

Get information about Daycare.

Schools: You can choose a Danish or international school for your child – some are public, some are private. Here is an overview of international basic schools in Denmark.

Please check the customs regulations.

It is possible to bring your foreign registered motor vehicle to Denmark. See what to do at skat.dk.

You will in some cases need to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Danish driving licence.

The family pet is of course welcome; however, there might be some requirements.

Get the following documents ready and have them at hand at all times during your stay – that goes for all family members joining you in Denmark:

• A valid passport / national ID card

If relevant:

• Residence permit (only applicable to family member from non-EU countries)
• Marriage or registered partnership certificate
• Birth certificates for children joining you in Denmark 

We recommend that you start practising Danish as it will often be much easier for you to network, private and professionally, if you speak and understand basic Danish – get started here! Held og lykke!

Finding a place to live is often difficult. Get started as soon as possible, especially if you plan on renting or buying a home in the city center. Get more information about finding a home at lifeindenmark.dk or international.kk.dk.

Be aware that you cannot apply for a CPR number before you have found a place to live and actually live at the address.

You might be able to get Housing Benefits, so called Boligstøtte. You can check this as soon as you have moved to Denmark and hold a NemID – see the tab 'When you arrive'.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen and your stay lasts more than three months, you must apply for an EU residence document.

Book an appointment at icitizen.dk or visit SIRI Copenhagen's Main Office.

If you stay more than three months, you need to apply for a CPR number. You use your CPR number in many situations: to get your salary, to transfer money, to buy a place to live, to get an insurance policy, when you are at the doctor and library, etc.

Please apply for your CPR number at ihcph.dk.

You can fill in the application whenever you please – but no earlier than 1 month before the date you move into your Danish home.

You will be called in for a final approval, when the International Citizen Service (located at International House Copenhagen) has processed your application.

Please note that if you are actively seeking a job in Denmark, you can stay in the country for up to six months before you register for a CPR number.

If you live in Greater Copenhagen, you also need to apply for your CPR number online. See the list of municipalities on Zealand, that International House Copenhagen cooperates

After you get your CPR-number, you will receive a health insurance card (yellow card) within 2-4 weeks, and then you can request a NemID.

NemID is a digital signature, you can use to do your online banking, get information from the public authorities or engage with one of the many businesses that use NemID.

Once you have your NemID, you can use Digital Post (e-boks) where you will receive e-mails from public authorities.

SKAT (the tax office) has made a guide for you.

When you have a place to live and a CPR number, you are ready to choose a bank and open a bank account.
Locals usually use Dankort, the most common cash card, and Mobilepay, a smartphone app for credit card payments.
Read more about opening a bank account.

You need to sign up for services such as electricity when moving into your residence.

You can read about mandatory insurances (for instance a dog insurance if you have a dog) at lifeindenmark.dk.

Courses and educational programs are available if you need to improve your Danish language skills.

If you get another place to live in Denmark, don’t forget to change your address within 5 days of moving and reorder a health insurance card.

Once you have your CPR number, you can schedule an appointment with your doctor - find the number on the top left side of your yellow card. Almost all examinations, etc., are free of charge.

Call 1813 if you live in Copenhagen and you need a doctor outside of your doctor’s opening hours.

Call 112 if you need emergency assistance (police, ambulance, fire department).

Call 114 if you need general police assistance.

If you do not already have a job, you can find some useful links to various job databases here.

Remember to check your rights as an employee regarding holiday, parental leave, working hours, etc.

Program for newcomers
Copenhagen Host Program matches newcomers who have been in Denmark for less than 5 years, with local volunteer hosts who speak the Danish language and know about the local community and job market. The host can help you in your job search and help you practice your Danish skills. 

Accompanying spouses
Accompanying spouses who live within the City of Copenhagen can join the Copenhagen Career Program for information about courses, employment with salary subsidy, internships and much more.

Students
Students who live within the City of Copenhagen can join the 6-month career program, Greater Copenhagen Career Program.
The program combines different job search seminars with matchmaking events taking place in different settings such as private companies, unions, etc.

If you work in Denmark, you have to apply for a Danish tax card and a personal tax number. SKAT (the tax office) has made a guide for you.

Please note that some researchers and highly paid employees are able to get certain tax advantages.

Check your preliminary income assessment at skat.dk.
 

In case you lose your job, help and assistance is available from a Danish job center.

If you want to be insured against unemployment when working in Denmark, you have to join a Danish unemployment insurance fund. Once you have joined an unemployment insurance fund (a-kasse), you must pay contributions.

If you decide to move before you retire, you can transfer your pension to a bank outside of Denmark.

Denmark tops the United Nations Education Index and Danish qualifications are recognised throughout the world. Study in Denmark has a useful website.

Read about the scheme and the conditions for grants and loans (SU).

You can have your diploma, degree or certificate assessed and recognised in various ways. The Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education provides assessments of foreign qualifications.

Greater Copenhagen has a well-developed infrastructure with good conditions for cars, bicycles and commuters.

For information about Southern Sweden, please visit visitskane.com.

Greater Copenhagen has a lot to offer when it comes to activities and cultural experiences that you can make use of, and many are free of charge. Many Danes are members of a sports club or do volunteer work. It’s a good way to network after working hours – and it’s fun too! Visit these websites for more information:

• international.kk.dk
• ihcph.dk
• denmark.dk
• visitcopenhagen.com

The International House Leisure Guides can help you find leisure activities and clubs that suit your needs. Furthermore, everyone is welcome to participate in their many informative and social events about banking, housing, daycare, trade unions, volunteering, workplace culture, leisure and much more.

If you live within the City of Copenhagen, you can also join the Copenhagen Host Program and get a local culture host to help you settle in.

Be sure to follow International House Copenhagen on Facebook for relevant information about events and activities in Copenhagen.

If you want to have a say in matters that affect your life in Greater Copenhagen / Southern Sweden, you can join the online survey-based community, International Talent Forum. Here, you will receive an online survey twice a year and be invited to social events.