WELCOME TO ODENSE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Info for International staff & students coming to Denmark
KMEB Molecular Endocrinology Department of Endocrinology FACTS ABOUT DENMARK
DID YOU KNOW
• Denmark is a part of the Scandinavian countries. • The land area of Denmark covers 43,100 sq km consisting of 406 islands, only Jutland is connected to the European mainland with its border with Germany. • The capital is Copenhagen situated on the largest island of Denmark, Sealand. Copenhagen has around 1,1 million inhabitants and all of Denmark has around 5,3 million inhabitants.
• Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The 'Folketing' is the name of the national parliament of Denmark which is unicameral. It consists of 179 members elected for a four-year term or until the Prime Minister calls for election. • Denmark is the oldest monarchy in the Westen Europe. • The national flag of Denmark, called Dannebrog, is the oldest country flag in the world still in use. • Denmark has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 1973. Denmark is a founding member of NATO and OECD.
• The Danes are homemakers and often meet with friends and family in their homes for meals. • The Danes are known for their love of cosiness (='hygge') - gather family and friends, light the candles or a fire, serve plenty of food and drinks and you have got 'hygge'. • The Danes are great bikers and bikes everywhere, there are made special cycle tracks which makes biking easier and safer.
• The official state religion is the Evangelical Lutheran. 95% of the population are Protestants, 3% Roman Catholic and 2% Muslim, but the Danes are not a very religious population, • The currency is Danish Kroner (DKK) and the language is Danish. FACTS ABOUT DENMARK / ODENSE
About Odense
Odense is the third largest city in Denmark with about 191,400 inhabitants(2011). It has a university and so a lot of students. Odense is the regional capital of Funen. The city is dated back to 988 and apparently has its name from the Nordic god, Odin. The sights in Odense are many and various, among them you can find the childhood homes of the famous writer Hans Christian Andersen and the composer Carl Nielsen as well as the Funen Village, Odense Zoo and art galleries.
Public Holidays 1 January - New Year's day (Nytårsdag) Thursday before Easter - Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag) Friday before Easter - Good Friday (Langfredag) Monday after Easter - Easter Sunday (2. påskedag) Fourth Friday after Easter - Prayer Day (Store Bededag) Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelfartsdag) Monday after Whitsunday (2. pinsedag) 25 and 26 December - Christmas Day and Boxing Day (1. og 2. juledag) PRACTICAL INFORMATION
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL IN DENMARK
Passport
Your passport must be valid for three months longer than your intended stay in Denmark.
Residence and work permit
If you are a Nordic citizen, you are free to study and work in Denmark. If you are an EU/EEA citizen or Swiss citizen seeking residence in Denmark based on the EU rules on freedom of movement, you may be subject to special regulations. However, some are required to hold a residence and work permit. The specific requirements in connection with living and working in Denmark depend, first and foremost, on a person’s nationality and qualifications. If you need to apply for a residence and work permit ('third country' citizens), you will have to fill out an application form which you can download as a PDF file from the webpage of the Danish Immigration Service, New to Denmark: http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-US/ or from the Royal Danish Embassy or Consulate of your country. You have to pay a fee as well and register this ID number to your application. Please note that you have to hand in your application at least two to three months before your arrival in Denmark. You are not allowed to start working in Denmark until you have obtained your residence and work permit.
Can your family come to?
If you are granted a residence permit as a researcher, your spouse or partner and children under the age of 18 may accompany you to Denmark. The family members must live together and be able to support themselves financially. BEFORE ARRIVAL IN DENMARK
Which papers should I bring to Denmark?
It is a good idea to bring all your educational papers (originals or copies) and any medical papers. Furthermore, you should bring your tax papers for annual returns (P60 in the UK) and a financial certificate for VISA.
Accomodation
We will help you find a suitable accomodation in Odense and as close to the KMEB laboratory as possible. Please contact Unit secretary, Tina Hansen Barbisan, [email protected], for further information and to obtain a specific accomodation application form.
Insurance
It is your own responsibility to take out insurance while you are staying in Denmark and Odense University Hospital nor Southern University of Denmark will be liable for any losses that may occur during your stay in Denmark. There are several insurances that we recommend: • Liability insurance (ansvarsforsikring) - this insurance covers any losses you may have if you have to pay compensation to another person • Accident insurance (ulykkesforsikring) - this insurance covers the financial consequences of an accident • Home insurance (indboforsikring) - this insurance covers your possesions in case of theft, accidents etc. according to the agreement with the insurance company You can contact the insurance company in your home country for more information. ON ARRIVAL IN DENMARK
FIRST THINGS TO DO ON ARRIVAL IN DENMARK:
1. REGISTER AT THE CITIZEN SERVICE CENTER Address: Skulkenborg 1, DK-5000 Odense C
Within 5 days from arrival in Denmark, you have to go to the local citizen service center to register your arrival in Denmark. You have to bring your residence and work permit, your passport and your contract. You will obtain a Danish CPR number (Danish social security number) which is issued from the national registry office and used when dealing with various authorities, banks etc. in Denmark. You will receive a yellow health insurance card (sygesikringsbevis) which will be your documentation that you are entitled to health care (public health care is free in Denmark except dentist care). The card will show your name, address, CPR number and name of your choice of general practitioner. You will be asked to choose a local general practitioner when filling out the forms at the citizen service center. You should always bring the card with you everywhere in Denmark in case emergency. If you lose your card, you will have to pay a fee to receive a new one.
2. REGISTER AT THE TAX OFFICE Address: Lerchesgade 35, DK-5000 Odense C (website: www.skat.dk)
After your registration at the citizen service center, you have to go to the local tax office to report your arrival in Denmark. You will have to pay tax when working in Denmark, but there are various rules for researchers and students - please ask at the tax office or contact Tina Hansen Barbisan for a brochure in English or Arabic. Remember to bring your passport, your new CPR number (Danish social security number), residence and work permit and your employment contract. Note there could be other rules if you are financially supported from your home country or self funded. In these cases, please contact your embassy for more information. OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT
You have to go to one of the local banks to open a Danish bank account in order to receive your wages, pay your rent or other fees etc.You are free to chose any bank in Denmark, but we should mention that the bank 'Danske Bank' has online banking in English. You have to bring your residence and work permit, your Danish CPR number, contract and passport. All citizens must have a NemKonto: A NemKonto (NemAccount) is an account into which payment from the region such a your wages etc. are paid. This account will normally be your ordinary account. If you have any questions, please ask in the local bank in Denmark.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Danish language course It is possible to join a free Danish language course at the University of Southern Denmark. Please ask your colleagues or Tina Hansen Barbisan.
Work insurance Accidents that may occur while your are working at Odense University Hospital, will be covered through the insurance of the hospital. If you travel outside of Denmark in connection with your work at Odense University Hospital, the hospital will cover you through their insurance. You will have inform the hospital administration of your travel (your Danish social security number, destination with information of city and country and travelling dates).
Introduction to the KMEB laboratory and work During your stay at the KMEB lab you will have a contact person and supervisor. Linda Harkness will meet you and arrange your introduction to the KMEB laboratory and work. You are welcome to contact her if you should have any questions, mail to: [email protected] . NICE TO KNOW..
Renewal of residence and work permit
You are personally responsible for extending your residence and work permit if applicable. Please, be aware to submit your application for extension two months before expiry of your current permit. You have to pay a fee and fill out a form before going to the police, see further instructions on http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/coming_to_dk/work/extension.htm - choose form B. Your application has to be submitted to the Danish Immigration Service in Copenhagen or the local police station: Odense Police station (Fyns Politi - Odense - Udlændingekontoret) Odense Railway station (Odense Banegård Center) Østre Stationsvej 27, second floor 5000 Odense C
You should bring the following documents: • valid passport • passport photo • employment contract
Changing address when living in Denmark
If you change your address while living in Denmark, you have to notify the National Registry Office (Folkeregisteret) within five days after your move to a new address. You will have to fill in a form. This goes for all citizens in Denmark. It is also a good idea to go to your local post office to notify them - in this way, your post will immediately be sent to your new address. Furthermore, the post office will hand you a 'travel kit'. NICE TO KNOW
Transportation in Denmark
Train transportation in all of Denmark, see link: www.dsb.dk or in English http://www.dsb.dk/Om-DSB/In-English/ The main bus and train terminal in Odense is Odense Banegård Center, address: Østre Stationsvej 27, 5000 Odense C.
For bus transportation in the island of Funen and the islands Langeland and Aeroe (DK: Ærø), please see link: http://fynbus.dk/wm141103 - you will find timetables at this webpage.
For bus transportation in Odense, please see link: www.bybussen.dk (only in Danish).
Bicycles In Denmark, bicycling is a very common mode of transportation. In most towns you will find bicycle paths. It is easy to find a second-hand bicycle at a local bicycle dealer. Odense Kommune has bicycle courses for women, please ask Tina Hansen Barbisan for further information in case you should be interested in learning how to bicycle.
Shopping
Some of the shopping facilities for daily needs in Odense are: • Supermarkets: Bilka, Brugsen, Kvickly and Føtex • Low-price supermarkets: Fakta, Netto, Aldi, Lidl and Rema1000
Odense has a large shopping centre called Rosengårdcentret where you will find all kind of shops. NICE TO KNOW
Opening hours General opening hours for smaller shops: Weekdays 10:00 to 16:00/18:00 Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 Sunday closed
Department stores and supermarkets: Weekdays 09:00 - 19:00/20:00 Saturday 09:00 to 16:00/17:00 Sunday closed (but some stores/supermarkets are open a few Sundays) However, you will find some shops open outside normal opening hours.
Every Saturday, there is an outside market where you can buy all sorts of things but mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. This is situated in Claus Bergs Gade, just outside the Blu Radisson Hotel H C Andersen from 07:00 to 14:00.
International school for your children In Denmark, education is compulsory for children below the age of 15. The schools are either public schools or private schools offering the education matching laws and guidelines set out by the Danish Ministry of Education. Odense University hospital as well as University of Southern Denmark has a cooperation with Odense International School at Henriette Hörlyck School in the city centre of Odense. Odense International School aims to provide high quality international education in English for children aged 5-16. Link: http://www.odenseinternationalschool.com/
Leaving Denmark
You need to notify the National Registry office (Folkeregisteret) when you leave Denmark and return your yellow health insurance card. It is also a good idea to contact your local tax office to clarify any tax issues and get a clearance certificate from the police which may be needed to show with your future workplaces. IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
Emergencies
In case of emergency, dial 112 - this call will be free of charge.
Emergency room (Skadestuen) Sdr Boulevard 29 (ground floor, building 1) 5000 Odense C Tel: 6541 2271
Hospital After hours duty doctor (Odense Universitetshospital) (Lægevagten) Sdr. Boulevard 29 Heden 9 5000 Odense C 5000 Odense C Tel.: 6611 3333 Tel.: 70110707 www.ouh.dk
Emergency dentist (Tandlægevagten) Heden 7 5000 Odense C Tel.: 6541 4551 Opening hours on Weekends and Holidays: Phone: 9 to 12 a.m. Treatment: 10 to 12 a.m.
Police (Politiet)Hans Mules Gade 1-3 5100 Odense C Tel.: 114 or 6614 1448 www.politi.dk/fyn/ IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
The Danish Immigration Service (Udlændingeservice) Ryesgade 53 2100 Copenhagen Ø Tel.: 35366600 www.newtodenmark.dk
National Registry Office/Citizens Service Center (Borgerservice - Folkeregisteret) Skulkeborg 1 5000 Odense C Tel.: 6551 8000 Opening hours: Mon-Wed: 10:00 to 15:00 Thursday: 10:00 to 18:00 Friday: 10:00 to 13:00
Tax office (Skattekontor) Lerchesgade 35 5000 Odense C Tel.: 72221818 Opening hours: Mon-Wed: 10:00 to 14:00 Thursday: 10:00 to 17:00 Friday: 10:00 to 14:00 USEFUL ADDRESSES
POST
The main post office (next to the railway station): Dannebrogsgade 2 DK-5000 Odense C
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 to 18:00 Saturday 10:00 to 13:00 Sunday closed
City Post office Brandts Passage 31 B-E DK-5000 Odense C
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:30 Saturday 10:00 to 13:00 Sunday closed USEFUL LINKS
Odense Kommune (local authorities) www.odense.dk/english.aspx
Tourist information www.visitodense.com www.visitdenmark.com
Residence and work www.newtodenmark.dk www.workindenmark.dk
Travelling www.rejseplanen.dk
Other links http://sdu.dk/?sc_lang=en (University of Southern Denmark) www.ouh.dk (Odense University Hospital) http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/citizenship/citizen_in_denmark/ (citizen in Denmark) THE KMEB GROUP regionsyddanmark.dk
Contact: [email protected] /2012/18217