Art Of Living Denmark
Rodney Liuzzo
When relocating, the cost of living in another country is always important to consider, and this is especially true when talking about Denmark. Living in the Danish country can be quite expensive. However, you will likely receive a high salary. Free education and healthcare are a plus, but this also comes at the expense of almost half of your salary being deducted after taxes.
The Kingdom of Denmark includes two autonomous territories: Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Greenland is not part of the European Union although it has the status of Overseas countries and territories of the EU.
Although a few African countries have embassies in Denmark, most expats from the continent seeking diplomatic services will need to travel to neighboring capitals: Stockholm, Oslo, Brussels, Berlin, London, or Paris.
It can be quite expensive to live in Denmark, especially in the most popular cities: Copenhagen and Aarhus. Copenhagen is among the most expensive cities in the world and both cities are in the top 15 of the most expensive in Europe.
The cheapest areas in Denmark are Southern Zealand, Langeland, and the southern islands, Lolland and Falster. Keep in mind that employment, cultural activities, public transportation, and the like are scarce in these areas.
If you opt for private schools, know that enrolling your kids in kindergarten will cost around 3,000 DKK (400 USD) a month. If they are attending international school, you should expect to pay around 56,500 DKK (8,400 USD) a year.
The state healthcare system is free for all residents in Denmark, so you would not need to have expenses related to healthcare. You would still need to pay for medication. This could be around 56 DKK (8 USD) for regular painkillers, or 78 DKK (11 USD) for antibiotics. If you wish to visit a private doctor, that will cost you around 1,700 DKK (250 UD).
Greeting in Denmark is casual with a firm handshake and a smile. Introductions are usually on a first-name basis. You greet each person individually when arriving and leaving, and you should typically shake hands with women first.
Your tone of voice should be moderate in public as drawing attention to yourself in any way is usually frowned upon (i.e., playing loud music on public transportation). Danes like their spoken (or unspoken) rules to be followed. Failure to comply may create confrontation with Danish locals.
If you are invited to dine at a Danish home, it is customary to bring a gift. This could be a bottle of good wine or a box of high-quality chocolate. Flowers make an excellent gift too, which you can send in advance. Be sure to arrive on time. Danes are punctual, whether it is for a social gathering or business meeting.
Do not sit at the table without being assigned a seat. You may if you are told to do so but try and avoid being the first to sit down. You should keep your hands visible while dining. Rest your wrists on the table, never your elbows. You are generally offered seconds, which you may politely refuse without insulting the host. Do try and finish what is in your plate as food waste is generally looked down upon.
If you are eating out at a restaurant in Denmark, know that tipping is uncommon. That also goes for other services such as taxis. Of course, you can do so if you wish but it is generally not expected.
Danes have a very egalitarian social structure. This is true for family, business, genders, and social groups. Even the Danish language tends to use gender-neutral words. You will find that both women and men are equally respected, receive equal pay, and occupy leadership roles in business. The majority of people are on a first-name basis.
Danes enjoy spending time with their friends and family. The nuclear family tends to be the norm when it comes to family structure. The way children are raised may not be quite what you are used to. Kids are brought up to be independent and self-reliant from a young age. Most one-year-old kids are sent to daycare once parental leave ends and parents get back to work.
International driving permits only allow non-residents to drive in the country. Residents in Denmark registered with a CPR number will need to either exchange their existing license or take the Danish driving exam.
European licenses are valid in Denmark. There is no need to exchange it and you can use it as long as the license itself is valid. Greenland is an exception. To drive there, you will need to take lessons and a driving test.
You may also be able to exchange your license if you are from a country outside the EU or EEA. The countries include Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Isle of Man, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the US. These licenses can be exchanged within one year. The driver must sign a declaration stating that they have been driving for the last two years and have not had their license revoked in the previous five years.
Regional trains connect several towns and outskirts of a city to a main station. Intercity trains are the best way to travel between cities, especially the InterCity Lyn (ICL) which is faster and around the same price as regular intercity trains. With an intercity train from the capital, you should take an hour and a half to visit Odense, three hours to visit Aarhus, and one hour to reach Aalborg.
Taxis can be quite expensive in Denmark. You should expect a normal tariff to start at around 48 DKK (7 USD) and every kilometer to cost 15 DKK (2.20 USD). For example, a ride from the airport to the city center in Copenhagen would cost around 200 DKK (30 USD).
Work/life balance and the social safety net: I think there are a lot of aspects of Danish society that work hand-in-hand to make the quality of life so good here. Some that I really appreciate are:
Prices of everything: Everything is expensive here. Everything. Denmark in general has a higher cost of living than the US in general, but Copenhagen in particular is pricey. A latte? 45 kroner ($7.50). A casual takeout dinner? 150 kroner ($25). A nice 2 bedroom apartment in the city? Easily 6 million kroner ($1 million). Gahhhhhh.
I'm Ilana, and I'm an American who has been living in Copenhagen since 2018. On the Lykke Charm, I write about my life as an immigrant in Denmark; everything from food and fashion to moving and learning the language. Thanks for reading!
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As an EU citizen in Denmark, you can choose whether you want to vote in the elections in Denmark or in your home country. It is optional if you want to vote in the Danish elections. If you want to vote in the elections in Denmark, you cannot vote in the elections in your home country.
You must send your application to your local municipality, i.e. the "kommune" where you live. You can send secure (encrypted) mail to your local municipality with your MitID at Lifeindenmark.Borger.dk:
If you vote on election day, show up at the polling station you belong to. It says on the poll card that you receive in the mail approximately five days before election day. Your polling station is open from 9-20.
If your application is accepted, you can vote in the European Parliament elections in Denmark as long as you live in Denmark. Therefore, you do not need to apply to vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections. However, if you move abroad, to the Faroe Islands or Greenland or ask to be struck off the electoral register in Denmark, you will have to reapply to vote in Denmark.
You can always ask to be struck off the electoral register (e.g. because you prefer to vote in your home country). You can do this by asking the municipality where you live. If you want to be struck off the electoral register for the European Parliament election on 9 June 2024, the deadline is Friday 24 May 2024. If you request to be struck off the electoral register later than this day, it will not take effect until the 2029 election.
You can find the declaration form here (only in Danish). The declaration must be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior and Health at the same time as the party, you stand for, submit their list of candidates.
Application for inclusion in the electoral register by a citizen of one of the other Member States of the European Union registered with the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (EU-diplomats etc.)
We know that moving to a new country has its ups and downs. The excitement of something new can mix with the feeling of fear of the unknown. Leaving your ordinary, well-known environment behind and starting a journey in a new country takes courage. Before a change of this proportion, it might be a good idea to plan and investigate the new country and city you want to settle down to. We are here to help you with that.
This does not mean that Danes are not working much, or that your employer will be fine with you being lazy. Danes just simply think separating your personal and work life is resulting in better productivity.
Denmark is famous for its free healthcare system. Of course, it is only technically free, every citizen has healthcare included in their taxes, which means that you will not be charged directly when you visit the doctor.
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