May 2023
Photo: VisitDenmark/Martin Heiberg
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First of all: a warm welcome to Denmark. I hope you enjoy your stay whether you are here for a short period of time or in it for the longer run.
The Danish welfare state and the country’s companies are looking for clever minds to secure future growth, new ideas and other points of views. Being a student, a junior or senior employee, or specialist or manager, I strongly believe you’ll get plenty of opportunities to reach your full potential.
Studies have shown that expats and foreign citizens in general are satisfied with their work in Denmark. Good conditions, interesting challenges and the management culture are among the reasons why.
On top of that, Copenhagen is a lovely city. And in fact more and more people living in the city are non-Danish citizens. The capital is becoming more and more international: English is spoken on the streets and at cafés, and it has become the common language at several companies.
Nevertheless, let me be honest with you: being a foreign citizen in Denmark can be challenging. Studies have also
Jesper Skeel CEO jesper@cphpost.dk
Lennart Nielsen Head of Sales lennart@cphpost.dk
Andy Horvath Key Account Manager andy@cphpost.dk
Hans Hermansen Contact Director hans@cphpost.dk
shown that it can be hard feeling at home and getting new Danish friends, and that the language can be hard to learn and understand etc.
But here at The Copenhagen Post we are here to help. In this supplement we’ve collected information you might find useful and interesting when landing in a foreign country. And every weekday we provide you with the news Danes are talking about – at cphpost.dk and in our newsletter. We write about other expats, their challenges and the solutions. We provide you with tips on what to do and where to go, and at our site you’ll find a calendar that’s always updated.
In short: our independent reporting helps you understand the Danes and Danish society. Let me finish by saying: thank you for coming – we need you. And please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, good ideas etc.
Best regards,
Uffe Jørgensen Odde Editor-In-Chief
Uffe Jørgensen Odde Ansvarshavende chefredaktør/Editor-in-Chief uffe@cphpost.dk
Nicolai Kampmann Co-Editor nicolai@cphpost.dk
Ben Hamilton Managing Editor ben@cphpost.dk
Christian Wenande News Editor christian@cphpost.dk
First things first! Do you have a CPR-number? For most things in Denmark, you will need a CPR-number (Civil Registration Number). This is easy to obtain through the website or office of your local kommune (council). In order to get one, you have to meet certain criteria: your stay in the country must last longer than 3 months; if you are an EU citizen, you have a registration certificate (does not apply to Nordic citizens); if you are a non-EU citizen, you have obtained a residence permit; and you have a place to live.
If you wish to stay in Denmark for longer than three months, you will need a residence permit. If you are not a citizen of a Nordic or EU country, you also need a work permit.
There is a fast-track scheme in place to enable certified companies to hire highly qualified foreign nationals at short notice without having to wait for an application to be processed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration. The scheme also offers foreign nationals the option of working alternately in and out of Denmark.
English information on all this, and more, can be found on the ‘New To Denmark’ website: nyidanmark.dk
You will need a bank account in order to receive your salary and any payments made to you by the authorities, such as tax refunds. Danish law allows any person with a CPR-number to
open a basic bank account. This will not include overdraft facilities, credit facilities or a debit card. These have to be agreed on with the bank individually.
EU rules stipulate that you will have to supply the bank with data such as your full name, address, and maybe other information, which has to be verifiable by the presentation of an identity document, preferably including a photo.
Another thing that everyone in Denmark needs is an Easy Account (Nemkonto) because all payments from public institutions (tax refunds, child subsidies, pensions, student loans, unemployment benefits, housing support and social welfare payments) are transferred directly to this account by default.
The easiest thing to do is to designate your basic bank account as your Easy Account. However, you can also open a specific separate account for this purpose. More information available here: nemkonto.dk/da/Servicemenu/Engelsk
Learning about Danish norms is crucial to understanding the social culture in Copenhagen. Denmark scores well in international polls on things as diverse as lack of corruption and happiness. It is also considered a safe and secure country to live in. Children often walk or cycle to school alone and crime rates against persons are low.
There is a high standard of living in
Denmark and Danish society is very egalitarian, both economically and when it comes to gender equality. Taxes can seem very high to newcomers but they go towards providing a comprehensive cradle-to-grave welfare state and most people pay them willingly.
Among other things, the system is geared to providing child-care right from the start, and there are generous maternity and paternity leave allowances, which encourage women to return to the workplace after having children. Local councils are obliged to offer child-care places within the state regime and there are also private child-care options, which are heavily state-subsidised.
Education and medical treatment are free of charge although there are private clinics and private schools available, should you wish to use them.
TRANSPORTATION
Cycling is extremely popular with people of all ages and social classes, and Copenhagen alone has over 390 kms of designated bicycle lanes. About 55 percent of the locals bike to work and school. In a city like Copenhagen, a bike is often the quickest way of getting around – and there are no parking charges. There are more bikes than cars here: last year, the number of bikes reached higher than 265.000, while there were only about 252.000 cars in the city.
However, if you live too far from work to bike, or you just sweat like hell when you do it, you will need to make use of the Danish public transporta-
tion system. In this case, buses, metros, and trains will likely be essential factors of adapting to life in Copenhagen. See page 10 for a comprehensive guide to public transportation.
Familiarising yourself with the Danish terrain and weather will help you better adjust to your new home. Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula (which is attached to Germany) and a number of islands in the Baltic Sea. The largest of these are Zealand, on which the capital city Copenhagen is situated, and Funen.
The island of Bornholm is located east of the rest of the country. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges: the Øresund Bridge connects Zealand with Sweden, the Great Belt Bridge connects Funen with Zealand and the Little Belt Bridge connects Jutland with Funen.
Area-wise, Denmark is a relatively small country (43,560 square kilometres) with a population slightly over 5.7 million people. Almost 2 million of them live in the four largest cities – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg – with Copenhagen having the largest population at 1.3 million.
The country has a temperate climate characterised by mild winters, with mean temperatures in January of 1.5°C (34.7°F), and cool summers, with a mean temperature in August of 17.2°C (63.0°F). This does not mean, though, that it cannot get very cold here – on 8 January 1982 a record -31.2°C was reported in Hørsted in Thy.
Whether you are well prepared or utterly clueless, here are some of the important first things to do when tackling relocation.A smooth transition involves setting up a CPR number and bank account Photo: Christian Wenande
When
Now the darling buds of May are already blossoming and the days are lengthening at an almost alarming rate, surely the thoughts of every resident of Denmark will be stretching towards their summer holidays.
These are the days when we can bare our pasty, sun-starved skin to get those first few bouts of sunburn out of the way so we are ready to turn it into a glowing bronze(ish) tan by July.
And although it’s not very warm, it won’t really get too much warmer, which is a good thing: Denmark in summer is mercifully cool compared to its Mediterranean cousins, and it has enough islands to rival Greece (sort of).
So before you board crowded Ryanair flights to go south this August, why not consider visiting the homes of Hansens, Hamlet and Hans Christian Andersen? Unless you’re already here, in which case read on to find out what any Dane worth their salted liquorice does on their summer holidays.
Well, first of all: the seaside. Denmark
has 8,750 km of coastline. That’s more than Italy, but unlike Italy, where many of the beaches have been cordoned off and monetised by private companies, Denmark’s coast is largely wild and unspoiled.
During the summer months, the water is warm enough to swim in, and you have the right to roam on every inch of beach, so get out and explore the dunes and white sands found all around the country.
Particularly worth visiting are the vast dunes and beaches of western Jutland stretching up to Skagen, which inspired some of Denmark’s most celebrated painters, the stunning north coast of Zealand — from Helsingør to Hundested — and Odsherred, the ancient home of the sun-worshipping pre-Viking peoples (the weather must have been different back then).
The Danes love camping, and campsites saw a massive increase in summer visitors when people couldn’t leave the country due to the pandemic. Barbecuing, mini-golf, and campfires are typical activities on Danish campsites. There are numerous glamping options too.
And it’s not just paying campsites:
you are allowed to pitch a tent in many places in Denmark and, more often than not, purpose-built enclosures in the forest will have fire-pits and shelters in case it rains.
A slightly posher version of camping is a staple of Danish summer life: the summerhouse. Thanks to a democratic combination of decent wages and reasonably priced houses by the sea, a vast portion of Danes own a small and simple second home, which they will visit when they need a break from the pressures of the city.
If you find yourself in Denmark on June 23, don’t miss the festivities of St John’s Eve – Sankthansaften – when bonfires are lit to burn the effigy of a witch. This happens around the country to commemorate six months passing after the birth of baby Jesus, but it stems from ancient pagan rituals to mark the mid-point of summer. And for anyone who has seen the film ‘Midsommar’, don’t worry: that only happens in Sweden.
FRESH FRUIT PICKING
Another staple of summer in Denmark is fruit picking. The climate here is perfect for strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Many farms will allow customers to ‘selvplukk’ – picking your own.
You can enjoy your freshly-picked fruit with koldskål, a delicious traditional buttermilk drink, and kammerjunker, biscuits made specially to go with this thirst-quenching dairy drink.
Other fresh produce include Danish peas — sold in the pod in most supermarkets as well as roadside stalls — deliciously sweet, August apples, which are ripe in late summer and have a beautiful translucent green colour, and redcurrants.
What else to do in the summer then? Since Denmark is cycling mad, you could tour the country by bike, or even try your hand at hiking. And what better place to do those things than on Bornholm…
This island would have to be on anyone’s list of places to visit around Denmark, and with standard ferry prices costing just 99 kroner from Køge, you won’t break the bank getting there either.
Some geologists theorise that Bornholm was once attached to South America, strangely enough, and it would appear the South American sun has left a trace on the island – as it is known by Danes as the ‘Sunshine Island’.
you have almost 9,000 km of coastline at your feet, you're bound to be able to find a decent beach or two Photo: VisitDenmark/Roar Paaske
Sunshine, friendship and… Danish classes. At Studieskolen, you can study the official Danish Education. You’ll learn to speak, understand, read and write Danish, and you’ll get a better chance of finding work and enjoying life in Denmark. Oh, and it’s free. Read more and sign up at studieskolen.dk
If you have school-age children, you may be wondering what the Danish educational system is like. There are a number of questions that will spring to mind if you are a family with young children that have just arrived in Denmark. You may want to know about day-care and what the different options are. For those with older children, the question might be how does the education system function? Is it compatible with the one back home? Is it as good? Then you may need to decide whether to go state or private. All importantly, if my children don’t speak the language, how well will they integrate and will they make friends? It may also be relevant to ask what opportunities there are for higher education and will a degree or qualification taken in Denmark be recognised abroad?
The Danish school system is considered one of the best in the world and traditionally, Danish governments have always prioritised education highly. Denmark is a small country with few natural resources, so an educated population is vital in our globalised world. The National Reform Program adopted in 2013 was designed to get more young people to complete their education quickly, as well as ensuring high quality and efficiency within the educational system.
All children are entitled to free tuition at Danish municipal primary and lower secondary schools, as are adult students living in Denmark, depending on the level and nature of the institution. However, private schools are also fairly common and as these are heavily state-subsidised, the fees are not as high as they might be in other European countries. Private schools may be faith-based or following particular educational precepts, such as Rudolf Steiner schools. There are also schools for the German minority in Denmark. International schools exist where the curriculum, which often follows a UK, US or French model, is taught in English, French, Spanish, German or Japanese. Although there may be some Danish students, the student body is typically international. These schools are private and approved by the Ministry of Education to teach in languages other than Danish, either for the whole school or parts of it.
Children whose mother-tongue is not Danish and are enrolled in a daycare facility may be given a language assessment if there are linguistic, behavioural or other grounds to suggest that the child may be in need of language stimulation. The language assessment is compulsory for all children aged 3 who are not attending a day-care facility. If the assessment shows that language stimulation is needed, the local council must provide it. In primary and lower secondary schools, bi-lingual children can take ‘Danish as a second language’. If basic instruction is needed, the child will be assigned to a reception class, a scheme for teaching in teams, or individual instruction. Bilingual children can participate in ordinary teaching but those who need extra support are referred to supplementary teaching. The number of lessons is tailored to the needs of the individual. A limited number of bilingual children in primary and lower secondary schools are offered tuition in their mother-tongue.
Denmark has a long tradition of lifelong learning and many Danes participate in adult education. It is also common for workplaces to expect staff to upgrade their skills through educational schemes throughout their working careers.
There are so-called folk high schools in Denmark: they offer a broad range of courses lasting from 4 days to 36 weeks. No particular educational or professional qualifications are required to attend these and most students are between 18 and 24 years old. You sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no exams – but you get a diploma as a proof of your attendance.
As for language schools, though studying Danish has recently become an expensive quest (unless you’re a refugee), some organisations offer free Danish courses – Red Cross and Bethesda church are two examples. Red Cross also does other relevant volunteer work such as their couples’ integration program, which provides help managing your relocation. As for digital means of language learning, you can start by checking out duolingo. com.
There are six stages of education in Denmark:
1. Pre-school
2. Primary and lower secondary education
3. Upper secondary education
4. Vocational education and training
5. Higher education
6. Adult learning.
Before they start pre-school, most Danish children have attended day-care, either in a nursery school or kindergarten.
After preschool, which is optional, children go on to do nine years of compulsory education in primary and secondary school, with an option to take a tenth year.
Pupils are divided into year groups by age, and progression from one year to the next is automatic. The same pupils stay together for all the 9 years. Classes usually consist of between 16 and 26 children.
The tenth form can be taken in the existing school if it is offered there, but is also available at an efterskole, ungdomsskole or frifagskole. As well as providing academic programs allowing entry into higher education, upper secondary education can offer programmes of a more vocational nature.
These are aimed at giving direct entry into the labour market and are often in conjunction with internships in various top Danish companies.
When it comes to education, there are some important aspects to be aware of Photo: Pixabay/coyot
The Danish school system is considered to be one of the best in the world
Our passion is education: Preparing young people to embrace the challenges ahead of them and to equip them with life skills in the global society in which their futures lie.
The key to success in our school is a highly qualified, experienced and inspirational team of teachers committed to helping the students in our care to be the best they can be - whether it is through Cambridge IGCSE assessment or the Danish national exams.
We are committed to academic excellence, achieved through nurturing the personal development of every student in all aspects of their learning, in a caring and supportive atmosphere.
Buying a place to live can be a complicated process because there are a number of requirements which apply to non-Danish citizens.
Unless you have lived in Denmark for more than 5 years, you will need to get permission to buy from the Danish Ministry of Justice (Justitsministeriet). They will issue you with a permit, but this is not just a formality and you will have to prove that you are taking up permanent residence in Denmark. The permit is free of charge and is normally issued within 2 weeks.
However, this does not apply if you are an EU citizen and if the property is going to be your permanent residence.
Citizens from countries included in the European Economic Co-operation (EEA) are also exempt from this rule. The EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia and Finland.
It is wise to consult a lawyer in order to clarify your specific options.
TYPE OF PROPERTY
When you are ready to buy, you will have to decide which type of property you wish to buy. There are a number of different options, as listed below:
HOUSE (DETACHED OR TERRACED)
Typically, houses are very expensive in the Copenhagen area, and they are often located a little outside the city centre. Broadly speaking, the further away you get from Copenhagen, the cheaper houses become.
When you buy an owner-occupied flat, you own it once you have paid off the mortgage, and you can take out home equity loans.
Co-operative housing (Andelsboliger) is based on the idea that everyone in the co-operative has bought a small part of the whole association. Therefore you share the expenses, but you cannot take out loans in your apartment. Co-operative housing used to be cheaper than owner-occupied apart-
ments, but today they can be more expensive.
HOW DO I FIND A PROPERTY?
There are a number of internet property portals where you can find all the properties offered for sale by Danish estate agents.
Boligsiden is one of the biggest, but all the information is in Danish, although the presentation of the properties is usually good in terms of pictures and hard facts. In any case, most estate agents speak passable English, so you can contact the agent for further information.
Another site, BoligPortal, has quite a lot of the information in English (boligportal.dk/en/). Findbolig.nu has a help page where you can download some material in English to enable you to search on the site.
In short: Yes! The Danish property market is highly regulated and the purchasing agreement is an extensive document. Sellers are typically rep-
resented by an estate agent and you need a competent advisor as well.
HOW DO I FIND A GOOD LAWYER?
There are several law firms specialising in foreign buyers. For example, Ret&Råd (ret-raad.dk) have a country-wide chain of law firms that specialise in the buying and selling property and they have offices across the country. Their website also has an English-friendly option.
In Denmark the estate agent is paid by the seller, while the buyer carries the cost of his/her own advisor, usually a lawyer. The typical fee for a lawyer (including the permit application process) ranges from 10-20,000 kr.
In addition to the lawyer’s fee you must pay a deed tax of 1,660 kr plus 0.6 percent of the purchase price. If you take out a mortgage (which is available for foreigner buyers) you must pay an additional 1,660 DKK plus 1.5 percent of the mortgage value.
If you are thinking of a longer stay in Denmark, here is your guideNavigating the housing market as an international in Denmark can be a tricky proposition Photo: Pixabay/dimitrisvetsikas1969
derstanding the supply of international workers looking to Denmark, it is well matched by demand within the country too. A small country with a small population, companies of all size are beginning to look abroad to fill vacancies. Reliance on exports also plays its part, with a steady demand for natives of important foreign markets to provide local insights and linguistic support. With this twofold action of desire and demand, it is tempting to think that a move to Denmark would be an easy one. For many, however, it is not so straightforward.
Many are fortunate enough to enjoy the support of the Danish government in making Denmark a permanent place of work. The Greater Copenhagen Career Program is a free six-month programme set up by the City to support international students in making the move to Denmark after they finish at a Danish university. It offers seminars and workshops on interview and presentation technique, CV and cover letter advice, and even LinkedIn tailoring.
With the support of a personal career mentor, participants are encouraged to explore their preferences and consider their qualities in order to land a job in the Danish job market. But they are not the only ones that enjoy support from the state.
Job-hunting is an unappealing prospect at the best of times, not least during a global pandemic. For those looking to not only embark on a new career but do so also in a new country, the struggle is even greater.
There are a number of obstacles between applicants and their dream job abroad – some of them obvious, some of them less so. Fortunately, in Denmark there is a plethora of resources out there to make the challenge that bit easier, moving
you one step closer to a new life of a more Danish variety.
For many internationals, a move to Denmark is hugely appealing. With a high quality of living and a work-life balance famed the world over, the small European state has much to envy. Furthermore, with some of the best English-speakers outside of the Anglophone world, many from these countries might think the move to be a simple one.
If this goes some way towards un-
A similar set-up is available for those who move to Denmark as a result of their partner’s career. The Copenhagen Career Program is a free five-day job-hunting course, also run by the City. It represents a conscious effort to encourage assimilation into the workforce, and includes matchmaking events and company visits.
Others, however, are left without the same welcoming party on their arrival in Denmark. For those that are neither partner nor student, kicking-off a job search in Denmark can be a formidable task. This is the case for a number of reasons: the language is one most internationals are unlikely to be unfamiliar with; the work culture, though an improvement on most, is a unique one; and that’s before they set out on tackling the whole pile of paperwork!
Whilst English is a tongue that the majority of Danes can slip into with ease, Danish is still the language of business domestically. Whilst perhaps not explicit, there is certainly a sense in which employers expect Danish proficiency from their employees – a hurdle unexpected by many job-seekers. With all these obstacles, you might be forgiven for thinking it is more trouble than it’s worth, but thankfully there are many organisations and individuals out there eager to motivate and support your job search.
One such organisation is English Job Denmark – a relocation and accommo-
dation service consultancy located in the centre of Copenhagen. Its guiding mission is to ‘provide support every step of the way to a new life abroad’. Itself run by expats, the organisation provides support for everybody from those first thinking about making the leap to those already embedded in Denmark looking to further assimilate.
For job-hunters more specifically they offer 1-2-1 coaching sessions, CV reviews, LinkedIn support, and presentations concerning cultural integration. Their services provide talented internationals with guidance on how to shape their skills and experiences to specifically Danish employers.
Leslea Petersen, the CEO at English Job Denmark, puts it simply: “It’s about understanding what you have and what you can offer.”
You might have the perfect CV, fantastic previous experiences and great interview technique, but what Duevang believes many overlook are the cultural differences between Denmark and the applicant’s country of origin. Danish work culture is unique, and something people here take great pride in. Without taking it into consideration, many applicants are likely to fall at hurdles they didn’t even realise were there.
“The biggest challenge is cultural understanding. People can arrive in Denmark with the best, most accomplished CV and some wonderful experience, but unfortunately unless you understand how to communicate that to a Danish workplace then you’re not going to succeed,” Petersen contends.
“It’s not just about the salary at the end of the month here. What recruiters in Denmark are looking for are people that are committed to their values –their mission as a company.”
One way English Job Denmark in particular has sought to raise awareness here is through the ‘Academy’ – an organisation set up by the group to ‘guide, advise and support internationals into employment in Denmark’. This is achieved through courses, workshops and up-skilling programmes, with regular Q&As with recruiters and events covering everything from CV writing to an ‘employment assistance hotline’.
One happy graduate, Geoff Oakley, stated that it provided him with the “confidence, tools, and cultural awareness that I feel I need to truly understand Danish market conditions, Danish society, and etiquette.”
For Petersen, there are three golden rules: “one, prove that you can deliver on the job; two, prove that you can fit in with the existing team; and three, prove that you will stay once you get that position”. With these in mind, the job-hunt might just get that little bit easier.
Petersen describes the market for English-only speakers as “tough” but, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, nothing worth doing comes easy!
The
If you’re new to Copenhagen, there’s a good chance you will have never heard anything quite like the Danish language.
You’ve also noticed the Danes seem to speak pretty good English. And so, you could easily convince yourself that learning the language isn’t a priority.
But really, there are a myriad of advantages to learning the language –especially given the strong possibility that you won’t want to leave.
EMPLOYMENT: AVOID THE CREEK!
Some ability in Danish will present you with a wider range of choice in your chosen profession.
Perhaps you’re here in Copenhagen because you work for a large international company and the official language is English. However, there is no doubt that new opportunities within such firms – in different departments or new projects – will be available to you if you can grasp Danish.
The truth is that even if you find a job that specifies mother tongue English, they will very often still want you to speak Danish when socialising with the other workers. Such a situation can spoil the office hygge!
Within the service industry there are some employers who don’t have a preference on your Danish language skills and there are some that do. The point
remains: you will have more options if you can get to grips with Danish.
Whatever your profession, you will eventually find yourself in a situation in which knowledge of Danish is highly advantageous at work.
EDUCATION: JOIN THE CLIQUE!
Learning Danish will also help at uni. For example, imagine you're the only non-Dane in a group work project and you head out for a quick coffee. Upon your return your peers are chattering away in Danish – no big deal, right?
Wrong. It turns out that as you were gazing off into the distance, important decisions were made about the direction of the group project. If only you had understood, you could have recognised the importance of the conversation.
SOCIALLY: POWER WHEN YOU SPEAK!
It’s also important to consider your social life outside of work. Making friends with Danes can be a tough audition. Being able to converse in Danish will really allow you to immerse yourself in society and glide through social interactions and feel more at home.
The day-to-day situations in which a good command of Danish can be an advantage are numerous, but here are a few examples.
‘GETTING AROUND’
Place names, directions, announce-
ments on transport – particularly out in the regions where far fewer Danes tend to speak English well. Imagine you’re sat on the train and it fails to depart – there’s an announcement and everyone gets off the train. You can assume this train is going nowhere –but what did the announcement say?!
‘LIFE ADMINISTRATION’
Paying bills, making purchases online, understanding receipts and terms and conditions, checking the small print etc. You are responsible for your own tax assessment in Denmark – receiving a large tax bill at the end of the year is not ideal.
‘BASIC COMMUNICATION’
Not just with the Danes, but with a sizeable chunk of the 10 percent of the population who aren’t Danish, but don’t speak English. Immigrating from countries like Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria, they wouldn’t have learned English as a child, but most will speak Danish
1. When you enter each room, take a picture of the whole room.
2. Continue taking pictures of: walls, ceilings, the floor, windows, doors and cabinets.
3. Take pictures of any damage (scratches on floors, missing paint on walls, holes, etc).
4. Open and close any windows to check if they are working properly.
For newly-arrived expats, securing a rental property is an important first step. Once you have signed a lease, the next step will be the property handover.
The move-in inspection is a critical part of renting a property in Denmark,
where you should document the condition as you received it. This documentation is necessary when moving out, when the condition of the property will be assessed again.
ESSENTIAL GUIDELINES
Here are some guidelines which should help you during this process.
5. In the bathroom, inspect and take pictures of: walls, ceilings, the floor, the shower and appliances (for example, check the drawers of the washing machine and lint filter in the dryer).
6. Check for limescale on the sink, shower, and toilet, and take pictures if present.
7. Turn on taps to check if they are working properly
after being here for a few months.
‘MAKING NEW FRIENDS’
Not just with the Danes but also the social outlet offered by language school. Many often remain friends for decades, and it’s not unknown for some to start sports clubs once the learning experience is over.
‘COMPLAINING’
Whether it’s in a checkout queue or at the traffic lights, if you’re speaking in English, will they admit to understanding you?
‘EAVESDROPPING’
Fun in any language.
‘SAFETY’
Last, but by no means least. In an emergency situation, Danish language skills could prove to be the difference – offering crucial clarity and timesaving.
8. Check for mould in the shower and take pictures if present
9. In the kitchen, take pictures of: walls, ceilings, the floor, windows, cabinets (inside/out), stove (inside/ out), fridge (inside/out) and dishwasher (inside/out, corners & filter).
The move-in inspection is typically done with the landlord or a representative of the landlord (I.e. building caretaker). They will prepare the move-in report and you will have 14 days to report additional defects that you might find after the inspection.
Using professional relocation services to assist with the inspection can relieve stress and save you money. Copenhagen Relocations has 30+ years of experience and would be delighted to help with your moving process.
For assistance, contact: COPENHAGEN RELOCATIONS contact@relocate.dk +45 / 7020 9580
By Stephen Gadd
INTERPRETER
GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
If you are dissatisfied with your GP, you can change to another one. Changing a GP without moving to a new address at least 15 kilometres from where your current GP is will incur a 190 kroner fee. If you change GP as a result of moving, that is free of charge.
If you need medication, your GP will prescribe it for you. Prescription medicines can only be bought at pharmacies.
SPECIALIST DOCTORS
be referred to a specialist. Some specialists require no referral, such as eye specialists and ear, nose and throat specialists.
OUT-OF-HOURS SERVICES
In most cases you will have to go to a treatment centre yourself to see an out-of-hours doctor. The out-of-hours service is open from 4 pm to 8 am on weekdays, weekends, and on public holidays.
EMERGENCY ROOMS
ALARM 112
PREGNANCY
When you are pregnant, the first examination in your pregnancy will be carried out by your GP, who will create a maternity record that you must bring along to all subsequent appointments. Your GP will notify a midwife of your pregnancy. The midwife will then contact you to make an appointment. Together with your GP you can decide at which hospital you want to give birth to your child. You can also elect to give birth at home with the assistance of a midwife.
Registering
with a
In Denmark all women have the right to opt for termination of the pregnancy at a hospital in the first twelve weeks. In order to obtain a termination you must contact your GP, who will then refer you to a hospital.
You will receive assistance from a health visitor in your home when your child has been born up to the age of 2. In addition to examining your child, the visitor can answer any other related questions you may have.
All children can be examined and vaccinated free-of-charge. All children in Denmark are also entitled to free dental care until they reach the age of 18. Upon reaching school age, local authority doctors and nurses will perform preventative examinations of children in their first and last years of schooling, and children will receive automatic appointments with the school dentist. If your child encounters problems at school, you can talk to the school psychologist about them.
Special services are offered to elderly people who need care and assistance. Elderly people may apply for home help for personal care, cleaning and as-
sistance with shopping. You can also apply for help if you are very ill.
Elderly people and those who are very ill can also request a district nurse to come to their home to provide care and administer medication. A doctor will assess your needs in this respect. If you have been hospitalised you may need home help or a nurse to help you when you return to home. Normally, the hospital will contact your local authority to make sure you will be given the help and assistance you need.
The information in the above article is taken from a brochure issued by the Danish Health Authority and the Danish Cancer Society. The easiest way to obtain this brochure is to visit cancer. dk/international/english, click on ‘Cancer prevention’ and find the link that reads: The Danish healthcare system. For information about the coronavirus in Denmark, see the Health Authority’s website: sst.dk/en/English
In Denmark, bikes are more than just a mode of transportation. For Danes, cycling is historically a symbol of equality and freedom. Some say that it was also a symbol of resistance during the German Occupation. In Denmark’s biggest cities, like Copenhagen and Aarhus, bikes are the main mode of transport since cars and parking prices are not that affordable.
BIKE LIKE A DANE
Danish kids learn how to bike at a very young age. Often, it is part of the school program to learn how to bike in traffic, so most Danes know the basic rules. Even if you already know how to bike, you still have to adhere to the following general rules: if there is a separate lane for cyclists, keep in that lane. If you can’t find it, make sure you are on the right side. Follow the traffic rules, and always use hand gestures if you’re going right, left or stopping.
On top of this, make sure your lights, brakes, reflectors, and bells do their
Another option is learning from the pros. Cyklistforbundet (The Danish Cyclists Federation), usually provides lessons for adults in different regions in Denmark. It is also worth trying to check out bike shops or rental agencies to ask if they provide bike lessons for adults.
COMMON CRIME: BIKE THEFT
Statistics show that at least one in six Danes have stolen bikes – a surprising figure given the high level of trust in Danish society. It’s estimated that 200 bicycles get stolen every day, and most thefts never end with criminal charges. It’s a good idea to make sure your bike is insured. If you don’t, you just have to let it go when you get unlucky as the police won’t take action in cases of theft of uninsured property. The more expensive the bike is, the likelier it is to get stolen. However, second hand bikes are great and surprisingly cheap – usually less than 1000 kroner.
to take your bike, but sometimes only during a certain period of time, and you have to check with the operators.
CARS
One piece of advice Danes will give you when you think you need a car is: ‘Maybe ... you don’t”. For decades, Denmark has been consistent in taxing motorists, while at the same time profiting economically from cyclists. The government considers every kilometre travelled by bike in Copenhagen to equal health benefits, reduced CO2 and decreased sick leave. Driving cars, however, equals the exact opposite.
In 2019, a Car Cost Index released
on where you settle. In Copenhagen’s most central residential areas, and close to gentrified culture hubs, public transport will almost always be available. While there has been a lot of debate about how expensive public transportation is in Denmark, will driving actually work out to be cheaper?
In contrast, you may want to consider a car when you live in smaller municipalities where public transport is not always readily available. You may also think about owning a car when you have a family of four or more and public transportation can be very costly. Figures from the National Cycling Report show that the further
Arriving in a new country where everybody cycles is amazing – but it can be incredibly frustrating if you don’t bikeGet on that iron horse to really appreciate Denmark VisitDenmark/Niclas Jessen
In good weather Denmark really does have it all: from sandy beaches and forests, to islands and historical attractions.
Nowhere is this more true than the island of Bornholm, Denmark’s jewel in the Baltic. How the Swedes must wish they still owned it – as was the case for long periods up until 1660.
No Danish youth is complete without climbing the hill leading up to the ruins of Hammershus, or cycling the full length of the island, taking in gorgeous towns such as Svaneke and Gudhjem.
Such is its popularity that it’s often sold out well in advance of the summer holidays – the same is true of Skagen, the popular resort on the northernmost tip of Denmark in northwest Jutland.
But fortunately for inexperienced internationals new to the game of booking at least six or seven months in advance, there are numerous other islands ripe for exploration.
After all, Denmark has 1,419 islands, of which 78 are inhabited, and 7,314 km of coastline – and here are just a few of the options available this summer.
Most people go to Møn to visit its impressive white chalk cliffs at Møns Klint. But while the views are impressive, and the water just as turquoise as you see it in the pictures, there’s a lot more to enjoy on the island. If you are looking to do some hiking and reconnect with nature, Møn is perfect. Similar to Camino de Santiago in Spain, you’ll find Camønoen, a 175-km hiking trail taking in the three islands of Møn, Bogø and Nyord. The routes are for both experienced and unskilled hikers with magnificent natural landscapes that range from forests and large plantations, to fields populated by Hereford cows and fantastic sandy beaches. Along the trails, you’ll find plenty of benches, toilets and shops to re-energise after your long walk. A good
point to start your journey is at Stege, where you’ll find Møn’s main museum. Here you can get a map of the trails and recommendations from the staff. Stege is a beautiful town with charming restaurants and small shops where you can buy local products such as gin or honey. For a long sandy beach, visit Rytsebæk – it’s ideal for sunbathing and swimming. Also visit Klintom Havn for a stroll in the harbour and to sample great seafood and ice cream.
Love birds travel to get married on the ‘Wedding Island’ – and for good reason. But even if you are not attending a wedding, it is well worth a visit for its colourful and quaint houses and its peaceful environment. It looks like something out of a Danish fairy-tale. To get there from Copenhagen you can either drive or take a train and then the ferry to Ærøskøbing Havn – in total, it takes about 3.5 hours. Once on the island explore great beaches such as Søby
and Vester Strand, which are ideal if you are travelling with children. For the traditional colourful beachside cabins you have to go to the shores of Eriks Hale, near the town of Marstal, where there is a charming marina. This beach is an isthmus. On one side of the bay, you can enjoy the calm, shallow and warm water, while on the other one you’ll find the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea. Ærø is certainly best enjoyed by bike. With 150 km of biking trails, the best option to experience the island to the fullest is to rent a bike and explore. To indulge in some local tastes we recommend you stop by Den Gamle Købmandsgaard. They sell local products and serve an unforgettable brunch. Also, try smoked specialties at Ærøskøbing Røgeri and don’t forget to try Ærø’s famous thick pancakes, Løvtens Paa’kar – surely the island’s masterwork!
ZEALAND
There’s far more to Zealand than the capital of Copenhagen. A short drive
away is Camp Adventure. Ideal for all ages, you can visit for the climbing park or the forest tower, or both! Towering above the forest canopy, fully 95 metres above sea level, good views are guaranteed – and a good workout!
A 3.2km wooden boardwalk takes you through the forest, up the tower and back. The tower is designed to give visitors a new and exciting way to embrace nature and the natural forests of Denmark. The structure itself is majestic and the views vary according to where you are standing. The Climbing Park offers 10 courses encompassing different levels. You move from tree to tree via obstacles or zip lines. Expect to spend at least four hours if you do both. Our second recommendation is Stevns Klint, a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to a clay layer in which you can find fossils of animals such as sharks and sea lizards that lived there 66 million years ago. Take the footpath ‘Trampestien’ from Bøgeskov Harbour to Rødvig. This 20 km path stops at all the points you need to see: the beach, the cliffs, the cold war museum and the picturesque lighthouse. The best place to catch a glimpse of the fossils is at the beach in Højerup. Last stop, we recommend Karlstrup Kalkgrav in Køge for a day of picnicking and swimming. Karlstrup Kalkgrav is a limestone quarry formed millions of years ago. It covers around 30 hectares and its lake is about 6 hectares in area. Parts of the lake are 14 metres deep. Enjoy a swim or stroll to appreciate the flora and fauna surroundings.
SAMSØ
Samsø once belonged to the king of Denmark, but he gave it as a present to his mistress in 1678. But with its apples, potatoes and peaceful surroundings, it turned out to be a gift for the entire nation. It is also the home of a lot of legends – did you know, for example, that trolls can be found in the hills of Dansebjerg or St Vorbjerg. Samsø is mostly flat and best enjoyed by bike, offering wide bike paths that take you from Tranebjerg in the middle of the island to Nordby
in the north. Look out for the roadside tables filled with strawberries, potatoes and asparagus that you can pick up and pay for with MobilePay. With a 120 km coastline, you’ll find a sandy beach wherever you look. In the north, check out Mårup Østerstrand and in the west lookout for Sælvigbugten. We recommend you visit Samsø Bær, where they make fantastic jams and schnapps using local products. On Wednesdays, there’s a tour of the premises with tastings. For the best smørrebrød with local potatoes head to Carlo’s Corner. To get to Samsø from Copenhagen take a train to Kalundborg. From there take the ferry to Ballen.
The fourth-largest island in Denmark mixes history with nature and long beaches. Less than a two-hour drive from Copenhagen, these are the three areas in Lolland you must visit. Start at Maribo’s Cathedral and admire its lakes by taking a boat tour: here you’ll encounter extraordinary birdlife, meadows and beautiful old manor houses. If you are travelling with children, a good option is to visit Knuthenborg Safari Park where you’ll see Siberian tigers and the largest elephant enclosure in Europe. Next, visit Nakskov and its fjord. The town is historically charming and they have the best cherry wine, as well as the oldest pedestrian streets in Denmark. Take a tour in the old ‘Post Boast’ through the fjord and visit Albuen for fine sand beaches and an eye-catching lighthouse. Last but not least is the Dodecalith, Denmark’s answer to Stonehenge, where the visit is enhanced by an art project by sculptor Thomas Kadziola. Take the Glentehøjstien trail starting at Kragenæs Harbour and in 15 minutes you’ll arrive to see the 12 menhirs carved in granite facing inwards in a circle. Each weighs 25-45 tonnes and is 7-9 metres high. Inside the 40-metre circle, there are stones where you can sit and listen to music by composer Wayne Siegel. It is an outstanding piece of art where nature, history and music blend together.
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Although more than 50 percent of Denmark is comprised of arable land,16 percent consists of forest and heath and 7 percent of wilderness areas such as lakes, bogs and meadows.
Added to that is the marvellous Danish coastline. Extending for 8,750 kilometres, it outstrips Chile and even India!
So there are plenty of opportunities for newcomers to get the most out of their new country even in these socially distanced times; it is just a matter of your personal preference – and choosing the right clothes.
ROWING
Rowing clubs are always looking for
new members and you don’t have to be an experienced oarsman. If you are a newbie, why not try it out at a special free trial session organised by Denmark’s oldest rowing club, Roforeningen KVIK.
You’ll find more information on their website: roforeningen.dk/english. To help you with settling in, other expats in the club provide a special mentoring service to newcomers.
SURFING
Denmark isn’t the next Hawaii or Australia, but given its weather conditions, big waves can be found along the west coast of Jutland, especially between Klitmøller and Agger, where you’ll find
plenty of would-be surfers cutting their teeth ahead of heading off to sunnier climes.
Conversely perhaps, the tendency for strong wind but small waves in Danish waters favours windsurfing.
Kitesurfing is another popular pastime. Combining aspects of snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and gymnastics, it’s one of the ultimate sports for adrenaline junkies.
Beginners can start by enrolling in a course or taking part in a camp at places like copenhagensurfschool. dk/en , coldhawaiisurfcamp.com and klitmoller.en.westwind.dk
SAILING
Whether it’s a rowing, sailing or speedboat, a kayak, canoe or pedalo, or even a floating spa, given the proximity of water, you’re never far away from a rental company in this country. But if you want to learn to sail properly, the Royal Danish Yacht Club offers beginner, intermediate and advanced sailing courses in English (learn more at kdy. dk) with the opportunity of earning a Danish sailing licence.
FISHING
With its long coastline, and over 5,000 lakes, Denmark has a great selection of places to fish to suit all tastes. Along the seashore, Jutland’s
west coast offers the best conditions thanks to its large population of cod, flatfish, and mackerel. From there, sail a cutter to the Yellow Reef – remember your sea-sickness pills because it’s going to get rough! –where most of the country’s biggest fish records have been set. Heading freshwater, but staying in Jutland, the Brede Å, Kongeå, Skjernå and Varde Å streams are all recommended for monster trout and salmon. Fyn’s seashore is also highly recommended, particularly for trout, while the Øresund is good for trout and cod –especially during the winter.
Staying in Zealand, the freshwater lakes at Furesø and Esrum are famed for their record-breaking pike and perch, and Isefjorden is another excellent location for trout.
Join Copenhagen’s network of anglers at fishingcopenhagen.com or check out fishingzealand.dk if you’re ready to wander away from the capital. Head to fiskeristyrelsen.dk/english for more information on acquiring a fishing license.
SPEAR FISHING
Speargun hunters don’t use any scuba gear as they rarely leave the surface, surveying the marine wildlife through their masks with a gun that is rubber or air-powered, or a hand-held spear. This tends to make the pastime tricky during the summer as most fish seek out deeper waters due to the heat – remember that it’s illegal to spear fish in freshwater areas – so your best bet is trying it out in the spring or the autumn.
On Zealand, Asnæs is recommended for flatfish, while the north coast is good for mullet, flounder and turbot, as is Sejerø Bay, which also provides good conditions for flatfish and dab.
The best place, however, is Jutland, and particularly around Djursland and Hirsholm, which both offer large populations of coal-fish, sea-bass and cod, with the latter also offering superb conditions for mullet. On Funen, Kerteminde and the north shore around Sprogø are excellent for mullet and cod.
HUNTING
Despite being protected by hunting laws, the vast majority of animals in Denmark are fair game – provided it’s the right season. The difficulty is finding somewhere to do it; you can’t just go out into the wilderness and start shooting.
You will need to get a Danish hunting licence, so your first step should either be joining a club or befriending a club member. On Zealand, roe deer and birds (especially mallards, greylag geese, pheasants, pigeons) are the most popular prey.
Among the best estates are Bielefeld, Giesegård, Bregentved, Gisselfeldt and Svenstrup Gods. But for fallow deer and red deer, head to Jutland. Skagen and the northern part
of Djursland are home to some of the biggest populations of the highly-coveted red deer.
For additional information, visit eng.mst.dk.
Though Denmark’s countryside isn’t too hilly, it’s still beautiful, boasting a huge variety of flora and numerous footpaths to follow. Copenhageners’ first choice should be Jægersborg Dyrehave where 2,000-plus deer inhabit an 11 sq km area full of ancient oak trees.
You know that part of Denmark, the one stuck between Jutland and Zealand, called Funen? The 165th largest island in the world? No? Of course not… Well, now’s your chance to explore at least some if it through one of the country’s longest hiking trails (220 km): The Archipelago Trail (visitfyn.com/fyn/ experiences/archipelago-trail). Afterwards, pay a visit to H.C. Andersen’s house in Odense (Denmark’s third-largest city).
Lille Vildmose in the eastern part of Jutland between Randers and Aalborg is also exceptional and the only part of the country where you might encounter wild boar, eagles, cranes, beavers, red deer and elk. Also recommended are the following national parks: Wadden Sea (eng.nationalparkvadehavet.dk), Thy (eng.nationalparkthy.dk) and Mols Bjerge (eng.nationalparkmolsbjerge. dk). Finally, make sure to embark on some island journeys as well (there are plenty of opportunities), for which Bornholm or Møn would be a great start.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are plenty of off-road tracks in Denmark offering good exercise, fresh air and an adrenalin-inducing challenge. Be warned, though, that some locations forbid mountain biking because the rough wheels can tear the ground up.
While flat Zealand and Funen have limited possibilities restricted to the odd wood and bog, they still have a number of locations where challenging tracks have been laid out. Try the Red Track in Hareskoven, Store Dyrehave in Hillerød and Teglstrup Hegn if you’re near the capital. Other tracks on Zealand include the Blue Track in Himmelev and the White Track in Bidstrup Skovene by Roskilde. You can also opt for a trip to Funen and bike through Trunderupskoven, Kongebroskoven and Langesøskoven. And, if you do end up visiting the island of Møn, give Klinteskoven a try.
Jutland, with its hillier terrain, is the best option if you want to test yourself. Try Mols Bjerge, Hasle Bakker, Rold Skov, Fussing Lake or the Hammer Hills.
For more options check out: singletracker.dk
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