before leaving

 

Why should I choose Denmark

There are a number of reasons why you should choose Denmark. Here’s 10 from Copenhagen Capacity (www.copcap.com) :

1.   An open and informal working culture and the ultimate work-life balance

2.   Quality of life - the highest quality of life in the world (Research: Highest quality of life: http://www.copcap.com/

3.   A safe, well-functioning society with no corruption, a high level of public services (Research: Denmark ranked second safest country in the world: http://www.copcap.com/

4.   An English-speaking community - 86% of the population speaks English

5.   A health-care system and socail security with free and equal access for all (Research: The second best healthcare system in Europe: http://www.copcap.com/

6.   An easily accessible location with Northern Europe's largest international airport (Research: Best airport in Northern Europe: http://www.copcap.com/

7.   A great mix of entertainment, castles, parks, open green areas and sandy beaches

8.   A safe environment

9.   Copenhagen is a leader in human capital (Research: Human resources and know how: http://www.copcap.com/

10. A green metropolis - experience that urban life is different and greener in Copenhagen (Research: Copenhagen selected as the cleanest city in Europe: http://www.copcap.com/

 

How can I find out more about Denmark?

There’s a number of websites which will give you information about Denmark. The official website is www.Denmark.dk, where you can read about visiting Denmark and living in Denmark.

On Work In Denmark’s website, you can get an introduction to Denmark. Here you can among others read about the Danish welfare society, languages spoken in Denmark, and security in Denmark. See http://www.workindenmark.dk.

 

What is the Danish mentality like?

There are quite a few introductions to the Danish mentality online. One example is on Work In Denmark’s website, where you can see a short introduction to among others the informal tone, democracy and humor. See http://www.workindenmark.dk.

 

How can my children get to know more about Denmark?

There is a children friendly introduction to Denmark. The guide gives a very sweet introduction to the Danish welfare state, famous Danes, Danish food, kids stuff, geography, Vikings, history and who’s in charge. By the way also a very good guide for grown-ups as a first introduction to Denmark. See http://www.denmark.dk.

 

How much do I need to pay in tax in Denmark?

  • Light introduction: On Work In Denmark’s website an overview of how the Tax system works - http://www.workindenmark.dk
  • Complete introduction: Read the comprehensive introduction to taxation in Denmark “Tax in Denmark An introduction – for new citizens”. This guide is written by SKAT (the Danish tax authority) and gives an overview of how tax is calculated for new taxpayers in Denmark. It gives examples of how much you need to pay in tax (http://www.skat.dk/SKAT.aspx?oId=338000&vId=200920). (You need to click on ”Udskrift” on the left hand side menu, then on ”Udskift med indholdsfortegnelse” in order to see the document. Furthermore, see the next question "Who only needs to pay 25% tax in Denmark?"

 

Who only needs to pay 25% tax in Denmark?

Researchers and key employees from abroad are able to pay a reduced tax percentage in Denmark. In the guide from SKAT (the Danish tax authority), you can read who is included in the scheme and how it works. See http://www.skat.dk/. You need to click on ”Udskrift” on the left hand side menu, then on ”Udskift med indholdsfortegnelse” in order to see the document.

 

What are the living costs in Denmark?

Living costs are obviously dependent on personal preferences and dependent on where you live. New to Denmark's site contains different information which should enable you to get a indication of the generel living cost for a family in Denmark - http://www.nyidanmark.dk.

An example given by Finn Kenneth Hansen & Henning Hansen in their book “At eksistere eller at leve”. The budgets are based on official expert’s evaluation (“Forbrugerprisindekset”) of what is needed to live in Denmark in 2005 per month and in Danish kroners. The budgets do not include housing.

  • Budget for a single adult without children (per month in DKK): Food 1.485, beverages 343, clothes 404, footwear 179, hygiene 680, communication 620, TV/newspapers 368, exercise 148, other spare time 906, holidays 408, groceries 219, durable consumer goods 865, transportation 636. Total DKK 7.261
  • Budget for two adults and two children over 6 years old (per month in DKK): Food 5.184, beverages 721, clothes 1.398, footwear 721, hygiene 1.501, communication 1.132, TV/newspapers 468, exercise 379, other spare time 1.989, holidays 555, groceries 538, durable consumer goods 1.396, transportation 4.919. Total DKK 20.899
  • Housing costs: As in any other country, housing prices vary considerably depending on preferences. Apartments and houses in the Copenhagen area will normally be more expensive than in the rest of Denmark. Here are three examples from Copenhagen:
    1. Low budget: A 2 bedroom apartment on 39 m2 in Søborg near Copenhagen, DKK 5.000 per month (seen on www.dba.dk)
    2. Medium budget: An apartment on 121 m2 in Copenhagen Ø., DKK 13.900 per month (seen on www.scandiahousing.dk)
    3. High budget: A house on 350 m2 in Hellerup north of Copenhagen, DKK 44.000 per month (seen on www.scandiahousing.dk)

    The three examples do not all include other housing expenses as heating, water, electricity, taxes and insurances.

 

Do I need a work visa?

Whether you need a work visa or not depends on your nationality. For Nordic and EU citizens, the following apply:

  • Nordic: Citizens from other Nordic countries do not need a visa to work or stay in Denmark. See more on http://www.nyidanmark.dk
  • EU: Citizens from other EU or EEA countries and Switzerland may stay in Denmark under the EU rules of free movement of persons and services. If staying for more than 3 months, a registration certificate or a residence card is required. See more on http://www.nyidanmark.dk/

If you are a citizen from outside EU, there are a number of special programs which might apply for you:

  • The Positive List: The positive list consists of a number of professional fields currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals. There’s a list of job titles which are included in the positive list, as for example building engineers, electric engineers and IT architects. See the complete list here http://www.nyidanmark.dk On this side you can also see a complete description of how to apply and which application forms to use.
  • The Pay Limit scheme: Persons who have been offered a highly paid job in Denmark have easier access to the Danish labour market. The annual salary must be above DKK 370.000. Read more on http://www.nyidanmark.dk/. On this side you can also see a complete description of how to apply and which application forms to use.
  • The Corporate scheme: Companies with operations in Denmark are able to transfer employees from foreign departments with special abilities or qualifications to Denmark. See more on http://www.nyidanmark.dk/. On this side you can also see a complete description of how to apply and which application forms to use.
  • The Greencard scheme: It is possible to obtain a three year residence and work permit in Denmark on the basis of an individual evaluation using a point system. The point system covers the areas of educational level, language skills, work experience, adaptability and age. See a description of the system on http://www.nyidanmark.dk/ On this side you can also see a complete description of how to apply and which application forms to use.
  • Researchers: Researchers have particularly easy access to the Danish labour market. But there must be a precise reason why the research should be carried out by a specific researcher from abroad. See more on http://www.nyidanmark.dk. On this side you can also see a complete description of how to apply and which application forms to use.
  • Trainees: It is possible to be granted a residence and work permit as a trainee for the purpose of working in Denmark for a limited period of time for educational purposes. Read more on http://www.nyidanmark.dk/. On this side you can also see a complete description of how to apply and which application forms to use.

 

What are the Danish terms of employment?

One way to get advice on the legal terms of employment for engineers is with the Engineer Association, IDA. For members there is free counseling on contracts, salaries, and terms of employment. See http://ida.dk/

For associations in other areas see among other www.prosa.dk, www.lederne.dk, www.laegeforeningen.dk,www.dtfnet.dk, www.dsr.dk or www.hk.dk.

 

What must be included in employment contract?

There are some basic elements which should be included in a Danish contract. For a brief overview see http://www.workindenmark.dk.

 

Who can help me move my furniture to Denmark?

There are various moving companies, who can assist in moving furniture to Denmark. Allied is one example of an international moving company. See www.allied.com.

 

Can I bring my car?

The Danish tax authorities, SKAT, have made guidance on what to do, if you want to bring your car on foreign number plates to Denmark. See the following link www.workindenmark.dk.

 

How do I bring my pet?

If you are travelling from an EU-country to Denmark, your cat or dog needs a passport, an ID and a valid rabies vaccination. For all the details and if travelling from a non-EU country, see the following link http://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/.

If you have a question, that you didn’t find an answer to, then please send us an email. If it’s a common question for expats, then we’ll try to include the question and answer on our site and let you know.

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