Welcome

We appreciate your interest in Denmark

Welcome to Denmark – useful information which will make it easier for you to settle into your professional and private life i Denmark Welcome to Denmark

We are pleased that you have a job, what about social security, chosen to settle in Denmark. registration, bank account, tax + Denmark has a lot to offer - a many more questions. The pur- good work-life balance, excel- pose of this welcome brochure is lent working conditions based on to answer some of these questions teamwork and consensus in a flat and to help you get started on management structure, free wel- your new life in Denmark. If you fare. People living in Denmark have questions - don’t hesitate to are said to be the happiest people contact us. We are there to help in the world. you.

Moving to a new country is auto- Once again, Welcome - we hope matically associated with sur- you will enjoy living in Denmark. prises - both good and bad. Many questions arise - do I need a work permit, how does my partner find Workindenmark

Welcome – We appreciate your interest in Denmark Published by the Danish Agency for Labour Retention and International Recruitment, June 2012

Editor: Berith Findstrup Madsen, Translation: The Big Word, Graphic design: Karen Krarup Photos: Tomas Bertelsen, Thomas Søndergaard, Karen Krarup, Scanpix, Colourbox etc. Print: PrinfoTrekroner A/S, ISBN: 0000000

2 Denmark

Welcome to Denmark...... 2 Denmark – Country and People...... 4 Workindenmarkservices...... 6

First steps in Denmark

Check List – Moving to Denmark...... 7 If you work in Denmark for less than 3 months...... 9 Cross-border Workers...... 11 Register as a Citizen in Denmark...... 13

Working Conditions in Denmark...... 18 Tax...... 20 Working in Denmark Payslip...... 24 Banks and Bank Account...... 25 NemID...... 26 E-boks...... 26 Recognition of Foreign Qualifications...... 27 Criminal background Certificate...... 27

Learning the Danish Language...... 28 Life in Denmark Life-long Learning...... 28 Social Security and Sickness Benefits...... 29 Unemployment Insurance...... 30 Unions...... 30 Pensions...... 31 Maternity Leave...... 32 Children in Denmark...... 32 Child Benefits...... 36 Living Expenses...... 37 Private Insurance...... 39 Job search in Denmark Housing...... 41 Moving...... 42 Radio and Television Fees...... 43 Employment for your Partner ...... 52 Telephone and Internet...... 43 Graduates...... 53 Bringing your Private Vehicle to Denmark...... 44 If you loose your Job...... 55 Driving Licence...... 45 Workindenmark services...... 56 Domestic Transportation...... 46 Traffic Regulations...... 46 Passport...... 46 Money...... 46 Leaving Denmark Diplomatic Representations...... 47 Legal Assistance...... 47 Election and Voting Rights...... 47 Public Holidays, Celebrations and Cultural Events...... 48 Check List – What should I do Local Libraries...... 57 when I leave Denmark...... 58

Important Telephone Numbers and addresses

Workindenmark – services to Danish Employers

3 Denmark

Country and people

Denmark is a country with many islands. The Kingdom of Den- mark encompasses the peninsula of Jutland and more than 400 islands. No place in this country is more than 50 kilometres from the sea coast. These geographic realities present a real challenge, especially for engineers. Bridges are part of the Kingdom’s im- age, as are contemporary design, kilometres of sandy beaches and successful economic policies. People in Denmark enjoy a high standard of living. Probably not least for this reason, OECD stud- ies have concluded that Danes are very contented people.

4 Danes prioritize time with the family during their leisure time.

little respect for tradition. Danes are also perceived to be relaxed, happy and easy going. All the same, many foreigners find it dif- ficult at first to become acquaint- ed and make friends with Danes outside the work place.

The Danish people spend a large part of their free time with their families – the spouse, children and other close family members. They generally spend birthdays, The Danish labour market Danish companies place high Christmas, public holidays and serves as a role model for many demands on their employees, as vacations in close family com- countries. Liberal employment they expect their staff to develop, pany. regulations, a broad net of social propose and implement ideas security and a pro-active labour themselves. There is no need The social behaviour of Danes market policy are all combined to fear making mistakes here, can best be described by the term under the watchword of “flexi- because companies value their “bonding”. One distinguishes in curity”. As a result, the labour employees highly. They place general between those who build market in Denmark is described high priority on skills develop- bridges to other people and those, as deregulated. The unemployed ment, and most companies in who work to bond with others receive a relatively high level of Denmark offer continued train- and intensify existing bonds – unemployment benefits, as well ing for their employees. Team- family ties, friendship bonds, etc. as comprehensive retraining for work is also appreciated highly Bridge builders establish contact new jobs. The employment rate in in Denmark. Studies repeatedly quickly, but “bonders” like the Denmark is one of the highest in show that teamwork leads to bet- Danes are slow to do so. the EU. ter use of the knowledge pool and promotes creativity. It is probably Being a small population, the Informal social interaction for all these reasons that so many Danes are used to having some and democracy Danes are in full swing at work. kind of shared history with Most Danes place a high value They are motivated and commit- almost everyone in the country. on equal rights and democracy. ted employees. When they meet someone for the Compared with other countries, first time, they will immediately social interaction and the tone Getting to know people and try to find out what common ac- of voice are informal. Friends, making friends quaintances they may have. family and also colleagues are Most Danes have a high level of addressed informally on a first- education, and they take interest Homogeneous society name basis. It is also common to in their social circles and local – the clan-based society address superiors by their first communities as well as happen- In many respects, the Danes are names. The informal tone is also ings around the country. The a very homogeneous society: valid in educational settings, Swedes say that these informal incomes are about the same (net), where pupils address their teach- Danes are unassuming, humor- they dress similarly, they all have ers on a first-name basis. ous, cheerful and jovial folks more or less the same values, always likely to say, “Things will they travel to the same holiday Two basic elements of educa- work out”, but that they are short- destinations, celebrate the same tion in Denmark are discussion sighted, impulsive, individual- holidays and above all: almost all and debate, whether in public, istic, undisciplined, anarchic of them have the same nationali- in family relations or at work. people with a lack of earnest and ty. Foreigners are a relatively new

5 Facts about Denmark Where do Danes “hang out” after work? • Monarchy – Queen Margrethe II • Representative democracy • At evening classes, in lan- guage classes, cooking courses • 5,5 mill. inhabitants or creative activities • 43.000 km2 - more than 400 islands, 7.300 km. coastline • At Open University events • Official language – Danish (Danish: Folkeuniversitet) • Currency: Danish Krone (DKK) 1 Krone = 100 øre 1 € = 7,45 where they participate in lec- DKK tures and similar • 98 municipalities and 5 regions • At sports clubs, associations, literary circles, senior citi- • 75% of all 16 to 64 years old Danes have a job zens’ clubs, stamp collecting • 73% of all women and 78% of all men work associations, volunteer work • 72% of all employees are member of an union and etc. unemployment insurance fund • At the fitness studio • 83% of all children continue education after elementary school • At the theatre • More women than men have an academic education • At the swimming baths, indoor swimming pools, • 90% of all Danish citizens are member of at least one beaches association • Etc.

Your local library and town hall phenomenon in Denmark; com- • Meet other people who are are good places to find out what pared with other countries, there the same situation as you. A associations, clubs and events are relatively few non-natives in number of international clubs there are in your vicinity - other- Denmark. Anyone whose speech, arrange social events where wise ask you Danish colleagues traditions, attitudes or values are international families can and friends, you will find, that unlike those of the homogeneous meet and learn more about they are very helpful. “clan-based society” will initially Denmark and Danish culture. be perceived by Danes as “dif- • Be open minded. What is ferent”. Many Danes feel that to normal and accepted in your Workindenmark be “properly” Danish, a person home country may not apply services must above all master the Danish in Denmark. Even if you find language. the Danish traditions and Get help finding and changing ways of behaviour strange jobs in Denmark All of this makes it a challenge don´t be prejudiced. Remem- to get to know Danes and to find ber there are more similarities If you are looking for your first Danish friends. Here are a few than differences between the job in Denmark, or if you are al- tips: culture you are used to from ready working in Denmark and your home country and the are looking for a new job, you • Be active and invite people culture and tradition you meet should: over, rather than waiting for in Denmark. an invitation from the Dan- • have a realistic view of your ish side. Danes want to get to job opportunities based on know people, but they find it your education and work ex- difficult to take the first step. perience. • Join an association - Denmark • write a short, effective cover is a country full of associa- letter and CV that target Dan- tions and clubs. On average, ish employers. each Dane is a member of no • make sure that your cover less than five (!) associations. letter and CV are visible to • Learn Danish. Even though potential Danish employers. you might find it difficult to begin with, it really pays of. We can help you with all three.

6 First steps in Denmark

Check List – Moving to Residence certificates kort) which include your CPR Denmark and work permit in Denmark number will be send to you by post. What to remember in • Nordic citizens: You are free the first 30 days after to reside and work in Denmark More information in chapter without residence certificate. “Register as a citizen in Den- your arrival in Den- • EU/EEA Citizens: Apply for mark” mark? residence certificate at Inter- national Citizens Service in Tax Centre (tax registration) When newly arrived in Denmark Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense or When you work in Denmark you there are a lot of important issues Copenhagen or at the Regional must also have a tax card. This is to be aware of as foreign citizen. State Administration (Danish: issued to you at either the Inter- Statsforvaltningen) national Citizens Service or the In the following checklist we • Non-EU Citizens: Apply for local tax centre. have listed matters of particular a residence and work per- importance. The different sub- mit prior to start working in More information in chapter jects are discussed in more detail Denmark at the immigration “Tax” in the following chapters. The service in Denmark or to a check list mainly refers to people Danish representation (embas- Bank who signed an employment sy or consulate) in your home Open a bank account – preferably contract with a Danish company country an “Easy account” (Danish: Nem- and who will have residency in konto). This is generally a current Denmark. More information in chapter account, into which payments “Register as a citizen in Den- from you employer and from the In general it is advisable mark” state are made (e.g. tax refunds). to bring: Passport/ID, employment con- Social security and More information in chapter tract/admission papers, passport personal registration number “Bank” photo, birth certificate, insurance “CPR number” papers and tax card from your Everybody who is living in home country Denmark must be registered at the local municipal authorities. Optional: educational certificates, Fill in a form at the local Citizens marriage certificate, children cer- Service Centre (Danish: Borger- tificate, vehicle papers, driving service). At the registration you licence, visa, medical card, rental will choose a doctor. Your social contract, credit card. security card (Danish: sundheds-

7 Vehicle If you bring your vehicle with you from your home country, the vehicle may have to be re- registered with Danish licence plates or you must have obtained exemption.

More information in chapter “Bringing your private vehicle to Denmark”

Driver’s licence Driver’s licence issued within the EU is valid in Denmark

Driver’s licence issued in a non-EU country may be valid in Denmark

More information in chapter “Driving licence”

Further information Insurance and advice: Check you insurances from you In the International Citizens Ser- home country. Some of the most vice in Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense important insurances in Den- and Copenhagen you will receive mark are: free of charge advice concerning residence permit, social security, • Personal liability insurance tax, recognition of qualification, (Danish: Ansvarsforsikring) insurance and many other ques- • Household insurance tions that may arise when moving (Danish: Indboforsikring) to Denmark • Accident insurance (Danish: Ulykkesforsikring) More information in chapter • Unemployment insurance “Register as a citizen in Denmark (Danish: Arbejdsløshedsfor- – International Citizens Service” sikring) • Life insurance (Danish: Livsforsikring) • Legal protection insurance (Danish: Retshjælpsforsikring) • Car insurance (Danish: Bilfor- sikring) - optional • Dog insurance (Danish: Hundeforsikring) – optional

More information in chapter “Private insurance”

8 If you work in EU Citizens to make it easier for short term Denmark for less As EU Citizen you may freely en- employees to get a residence and ter Denmark to work. If you work work permit in Denmark. than 3 months in Denmark less than 3 months you do not need a residence per- Further information at www. If you work in Denmark for less mit. The only thing you have to newtodenmark.dk than 3 months you should con- do is to register at the tax authori- sider your: ties (Danish: SKAT). Step 2. Tax (Danish: SKAT) 1. Work- and residence permit Non-EU citizens When you work in Denmark, you 2. Tax As a Non-EU citizen you need must pay income taxes in Den- 3. Social security a work- and residence permit mark – you will need a tax card. 4. Bank account, insurance etc. before you start working. You This is issued to you at either must submit your application for International Citizens Service work and residence permit to the en Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense or Step 1. Work and residence immigration service in Denmark Copenhagen or at the local tax permit or to a Danish representation (em- centre. Your tax card will be bassy or consulate) in your home send directly to your employer Nordic Citizens country. and will include an individual As a Nordic citizen from Finland, “Tax number”, which is a 10 Iceland, Norway or Sweden you As a general rule a residence and digit number – birth day, month may freely enter Denmark to re- work permit will be issued on the and year + a 4 digit number (e.g. side or work. You do not need to basis of professional or labour 100855 – XXXX). have a residence permit. The only market considerations. However, thing you have to do, is to regis- a number of schemes e.g. the ter at the tax authorities (Danish: Working Holiday Programme SKAT). have been designed in order

You must have a tax card, even by short term work.

9 Step 3. Social security - Citizens Service Centre (Danish: Borgerservice)

Everyone who is working in Den- mark is entitled to be enrolled in the Danish health insurance system.

In order to be enrolled you must register at the nearest Citizens Service Centre as soon as you start working in Denmark. The Citizens Service Centre will issue a special health card (Danish: særligt sundhedskort). You will be given a medical doctor, who you should get in contact with in case of illness or accident. You have the same rights and duties as any other Danish citizen. A job in Denmark will give you access to free of charge medical Required documents: help • work contract – incl. your individual Tax number (the 10 digit number) • pay slip Insurance sion immediately after arrival When you work for a Danish to Denmark. Until a permit is employer you are covered by the granted, you should keep a copy Step 3. Bank, insurance etc. employers occupational accident of the application when driving Your employer will need a bank insurance held by your employer, in Denmark. account in order to be able to pay but only in the hours you are out your salary. As soon as you working. In you spare time you Note that, if you are staying in have your individual tax number will have to consider a private Denmark for more than half a you must open a bank account. It household and liability insurance year or 185 days within a period is an advantage to have an Easy and an accident insurance (more of 12 months, you are considered Account (Danish: Nemkonto). information in chapter “Private to be resident in Denmark, and This is generally a current ac- insurance”). You may have insur- therefore the vehicle must be count, into which payments from ance from your home country – if either registered in Denmark or your employer are made. The not, it is recommended to insure removed from Denmark. Nemkonto is also used by the yourself in Denmark. Danish state for e.g. tax refunds. You must complete the form Driving License 21.059 from www.skat.dk and Contact the bank you prefer If you are not resident in Den- return it to SKAT. Remember concerning opening of a bank mark you can use your foreign li- always to keep the permission in account. cense when driving in Denmark. your car.

Vehicles If you work in Denmark for a limited period of time - up to one year, and have retained your residence abroad, you can apply for a permission to drive a foreign registered vehicle, while in Den- mark. You must apply for permis-

10 Cross-border Workers Step 4. Bank, insurance etc. Your employer will need a bank Workers who maintain their resi- account in order to be able to pay dence in another country than out your salary. As soon as you Denmark and travel to Denmark have your individual tax number to work are considered as cross- you must open a bank account. It border workers. is an advantage to have an Easy Account (Danish: Nemkonto). If you are considered as a cross- This is generally a current ac- border worker you should con- count, into which payments from sider your: your employer are made. The Step 3. Social security - Nemkonto is also used by the 1. Work- and residence permit Citizens Service Centre Danish state for e.g. tax refunds. 2. Tax (Danish: Borgerservice) 3. Social security Contact the bank you prefer 4. Bank account, insurance etc. As a cross-border worker you concerning opening of a bank have a right to health insurance account. scheme services in both your Step 1. Work permit: country of residence and in Den- Insurance Cross-border workers from mark. When you work for a Danish Nordic- and EU countries do not employer you are covered by the need a work permit in Denmark. All of your family members, who employers occupational accident do not have health insurance of insurance held by your employer, Non-EU citizens need a work their own, are also insured via but only in the hours you are permit before start working. You the Danish national health insur- working. In you spare time you must submit your application for ance scheme. However, family will covered by your insurances work permit to the immigration members who live in your home from your home country. service in Denmark or to a Danish country may only receive medi- representation (embassy or consu- cal treatment in their country of Driving licence late) in your home country. residence and in accordance with As a cross-border worker you can that country’s laws. use your driving licence from Step 2. Tax: your home country. Cross-border workers are lim- In order to be enrolled you must ited tax payers in Denmark, register at the nearest Citizens Vehicles which means that you in most Service Centre as soon as you As a cross-border worker you are cases must pay tax of the income start working in Denmark. The allowed to use your foreign reg- earned in Denmark. You will Citizens Service Centre will issue istered vehicle to and from work need a tax card which is issued a special health card (Danish: in Denmark. If you return to your to you at either International særligt sundhedskort). You will home country on a daily basis Citizens Service en Aalborg, be given a medical doctor, who you don´t have to do anything. Aarhus, Odense or Copenhagen you should get in contact with in If you return to your home or at the local tax centre. Your tax case of illness or accident. country once a week it is recom- card will be send directly to your mended to apply for permission employer and will include an Required documents: to drive your foreign registered individual “Tax number”, which • Your work contract – incl. vehicle in Denmark – use form is a 10 digit number – birth day, your individual Tax number 21.059 from www.skat.dk . Ap- month and year + a 4 digit num- (the 10 digit number) ply as soon as you start working ber (e.g. 100855 – XXXX). Your • Your pay slip in Denmark. Until you get your employer will withhold your permission, you must bring the tax from your salary and pay it application whenever you drive directly to the tax authorities. in Denmark. Remember always to keep the permission in your car.

If you do not return on a daily or weekly basis you must apply for

11 Get free of charge advice on driv- ers’ license and other questions that may arise.

permission to drive your foreign In English Most cross-border workers in registered vehicle in Denmark – https://www.workinden- Denmark are from Sweden and use form 21.059 from www.skat. mark.dk/Find+information/ Germany. dk . Apply as soon as you start Til+arbejdstagere/Publications/~/ working in Denmark. Until you media/AMS/Dokumenter/Fak- On www.oresunddirekt.dk get your permission, you must taark%20juli%202011/Graensear- (in Danish and Swedish only) you bring the application whenever bejder_Juli_2011_ENG.ashx find more information concern- you drive in Denmark Remember ing cross-border workers between always to keep the permission in In German Denmark and Sweden your car. Please note that if you https://www.workinden- stay in Denmark for more that 185 mark.dk/Find+information/ On www.eures-kompas.eu and days within one year you are con- Til+arbejdstagere/Publications/~/ www.pendlerinfo.org (in Danish sidered to reside in Denmark and media/AMS/Dokumenter/Fak- and German only) you find more you must register your vehicle in taark%20juli%202011/Graensear- information concerning cross- Denmark. bejder_Juli_%202011_DE.ashx border workers between Denmark and Germany For further information concern- In Polish ing cross-borders workers please https://www.workinden- More information concerning tax: check: mark.dk/Find+information/ Til+arbejdstagere/Publications/~/ In English: http://skat.dk/getFile. media/AMS/Dokumenter/Fak- aspx?Id=83337 taark%20juli%202011/Graensear- In German http://skat.dk/getFile. bejder_Juli_2011_PO.ashx aspx?Id=83342)

In Danish https://www.workinden- mark.dk/Find+information/ Til+arbejdstagere/Publications/~/ media/AMS/Dokumenter/Fak- taark%20juli%202011/Graensear- bejder_Juli_2011_DK.ashx

12 Register as a Citizen Useful information about and in Denmark personal guidance on:

After having obtained a work • Job search in Denmark contract for a job in Denmark • Finding a job for your partner you must decide whether you • Student jobs for international will change your residence to students Denmark or keep your residence • Danish courses in your home country. If you • The Danish tax system decide to register as a citizen in • Registration of foreign vehi- Denmark the following informa- cles tion will help you take the first • Living and working condi- steps in official matters with the tions in Denmark authorities in Denmark. You can • Authorization and approval of register in two ways - by using professional qualifications for the International Citizens Service regulated professions in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg • Danish driver’s licence International Citizen Service or Odense or by visiting the dif- • Study and career North ferent authorities needed. • Schooling Nytorv 7, 2.tv • Day-care for children 9000 Aalborg International Citizens Service – • Network and social activities Phone: +45 72 56 89 20 www.icitizens.dk in your area Mail: [email protected] In the International Citizens Ser- Office hours: Thursday 1pm - vice you find all relevant authori- Danish companies can also get 5pm and Friday 9am - 1pm ties under one roof – the Danish help and guidance with regard immigration service, the Danish to recruitment and retention of International Citizen Service Tax and Customs administra- foreign employees. West tion – SKAT, the Regional State Nordhavnsgade 4-6 Administration, the local munici- International Citizen Service is 8000 Aarhus C pal administration (Copenhagen, a nationwide service for foreign Phone: +45 72 22 33 75 Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense) and employees and Danish Compa- Mail: [email protected] Workindenmark. In most cases nies. Citizens not residing in Office hours: Thursday 1pm - the foreign employee only need to one of the four host municipali- 5pm and Friday 9am - 1pm visit International Citizen Service ties may have to visit their own in order to get the paperwork municipality in order to get a International Citizen Service done and find answers to possible social security number and medi- South questions. cal card. International Citizen Dannebrogsgade 3, 1 Service will refer to the relevant 5000 Odense C International Citizen Service of- authority. The service is of course Phone: +45 72 20 54 20 fers foreign employees, job seek- free of charge. Mail: [email protected] ers and their families: Office hours: Tuesday 12pm - The four International Citizen 4pm and Thursday 12pm - 4pm Help with the paperwork: Service have the following office hours and contact information: International Citizen Service • Residence permit for non-EU East citizens Nyropsgade 1 • Registration certificate for EU 1602 København V citizens Phone: +45 33 66 66 06 • Tax card Mail: [email protected] • Social security number (CPR) Office hours: Wednesday 1pm - • Medical card 5pm and Thursday 11am - 3pm

13 Required documents: Tax cards are issued by the Tax • Passport or personal ID authorities (Danish: SKAT) at • If applicable, documentation either International Citizens Ser- for changes of name, marriage vice or the local Tax centre. certificate, divorce certificate, etc. – (must be in English or Required documents: German language) • Passport or personal ID • If applicable, birth certificates • CPR number (in the National for children Register), if you already have • Proof of your address in Den- one mark (e.g. rental contract). • Employment contract or other income details When you register yourself at the • If applicable marriage certifi- Citizens Service Centre, you will cate, child certificate also choose your general practi- • Form 04.063 http://skat.dk/ tioner (GP) as your family doctor. getFile.aspx?Id=77649 ) Your GP (Danish: praktiserende læge) is your point of access to You should be aware that SKAT the public health system. For may at any time request that you some health problems, your GP provide documentation for the Register as a citizen will be able to help you directly. information that you have given in Denmark In other cases, this doctor can re- on this form (04.063). (not using the International fer you for tests or to a specialist Citizens Service) or hospital for further treatment. The income tax card is electronic, and it will be sent directly to It is of course possible to register Your health insurance card (Dan- your employer by the tax office. as a citizen in Denmark by using ish: sundhedskort), on which The employer sends the sum of the relevant authorities’ directly. your CPR number is printed, your withholding tax to the tax Which authority you need to visit will generally be sent to you by authority as a preliminary tax and in which order depends on post within one week. When you payment. You can see how much your nationality. receive a CPR number and health tax you have paid during the year insurance card, you will be cov- on your payslips. Nordic Citizens ered by the Danish health insur- Citizens from Finland, Iceland, ance system and will receive the Norway and Sweden may enter same benefits as other Danish Other steps – insurance, Denmark without restriction citizens. unions, car... to reside or work. They do not Registration at the Citizens require a residence permit, but Addresses, telephone numbers Service Centre is without doubt must register with the Citizen and opening hours can be found the most important step enabling Service Centre (Danish: Borg- on the municipality web-site you to work and live in Denmark. erservice) in the municipality www.municipalityname.dk However, you will of course have where they reside and must have (e.g. www.aarhus.dk ) to attend to some other things as a tax card. well, such as insurance, possibly Step 2 Tax card union membership and possi- Step 1. Social and health insur- As soon as you start working in bly also the importation of your ance and CPR number Denmark, you must pay tax on vehicle. Please read the informa- When you start working in Den- your wages to the Danish state – tion sheets on these topics in this mark you can (and must) regis- you will need a tax card. These welcome packet. ter in your local municipality taxes pay for the Danish welfare Citizens Service Centre (Danish: system, including child care, Borgerservice) within 3 months. education, elderly care, and ac- You will then obtain a CPR num- cess to doctors and hospitals. You ber and enrolled in the Danish also benefit from these welfare health insurance system. services.

14 Required documents: You can find Form OD 1 on the • completed Form OD 1 (will internet at: be handed out at the State http://www.nyidanmark.dk/re- Administration) sources.ashx/Resources/Blanket- • passport or personal ID ter/Ansoegningsskemaer/2008/ • one passport photo OD1_ansoegning_eu_opholdsdo- • employment contract (If you kument_statsforvaltningen.pdf do not yet have an employ- ment contract, you will need Step 2: Social and health EU Citizens to complete the appendix to insurance and CPR number Form OD 1 or provide evi- Registration in your municipality All EU-EEA citizens may freely dence of sufficient financial Citizens Service Centre (Danish: enter Denmark and start work- means. Borgerservice) Once you have ob- ing in Denmark without a reg- • if applicable, evidence for tained your EU residence permit, istration certificate. If you work changes of name (marriage you can (and must) register at the contract is for less that 3 months, certificate, divorce certificate, Citizens Service Centre where you only need a tax card. If you etc.) you are living. You will then be expect to stay in Denmark for • if applicable, birth certificates given a CPR number and enrolled more than 3 months, it is re- for your children. in the Danish health insurance quired that you apply for an EU system. registration certificate prior to Note: Family members moving to the expiry of the 3 month period - Denmark with you do not gener- Required documents: it is recommended that you apply ally need to complete their own • EU residence permit for the EU residence permit as application forms. They are listed • passport or personal ID soon as you start working. Only in points 4 and 5 of Form OD 1. • if applicable, documentation after you have obtained an EU for changes of name, marriage residence permit can you register Addresses, telephone numbers certificate, divorce certificate, in the Danish social and health and openings hours can be found etc.- (must be in English or insurance system. in the chapter “Important tel- German language) ephone numbers and addresses”. • if applicable, birth certificates Step 1: EU residence permit for children If you are not yet in Denmark, Processing time • proof of your address in Den- you can apply for the EU resi- Your application for an EU resi- mark (e.g. rental contract). dence permit at the Danish dence permit will generally take embassy or a Danish consulate two weeks to process (in individ- When you register yourself at the in your home country. You must ual cases, up to five weeks). The Citizens Service Centre, you will appear there in person. EU residence permit will be sent also choose your general practi- by post to your address in Den- tioner (GP) as your family doctor. If you are already in Denmark, mark. If you are not yet resident Your GP (Danish: praktiserende you apply for the EU residence in Denmark, the EU residence læge) is your point of access to permit at the State Administra- permit will be sent to your home the public health system. For tion office (Danish Statsforvalt- address. some health problems, your GP ning) that has jurisdiction for will be able to help you directly. you. Here, you will also need to Further information In other cases, this doctor can re- appear in person. You can find further informa- fer you for tests or to a specialist tion (in English) regarding the or hospital for further treatment. EU residence permit at http:// www.statsforvaltning.dk/site. Your health insurance card (Dan- aspx?p=4082 . ish: sundhedskort), on which your CPR number is printed, will generally be sent to you by post within one week. When you receive a CPR number and health insurance card, you will be cov- ered by the Danish health insur-

15 ance system and will receive the You should be aware that SKAT same benefits as other Danish may at any time request that you citizens. provide documentation for the information that you have given Addresses, telephone numbers on this form (04.063). and opening hours can be found on the municipality web-site The income tax card is electronic, www.cityname.dk and it will be sent directly to (e.g. www.aarhus.dk ) your employer by the tax office. The employer sends the sum of Step 3 Tax your withholding tax to the tax Non-EU Citizens As soon as you start working in authority as a preliminary tax If you are a citizen from a country Denmark, you must pay tax on payment. You can see how much outside the EU/EEA, it is essen- your wages to the Danish state – tax you have paid during the year tial that you have been granted a you will need a tax card. These on your payslips. work and residence permit before taxes pay for the Danish welfare you start working. Applications system, including child care, Other steps – insurance, for work and residence permits education, elderly care, and ac- unions, car... must typically be submitted to a cess to doctors and hospitals. You Registration at the Citizens Danish representative office, e.g. also benefit from these welfare Service Centre is without doubt an embassy or consulate general services. the most important step enabling in the applicant’s home country. you to work and live in Denmark. The application form and guide- Tax cards are issued by the Tax However, you will of course have lines may be found on the Danish authorities (SKAT) at either Inter- to attend to some other things as immigration service’s website national Citizens Service or the well, such as insurance, possibly www.newtodenmark.dk local Tax centre. union membership and possi- bly also the importation of your Step 1: Work and residence Required documents: vehicle. Please read the informa- permit – immigration service • Passport or personal ID tion sheets on these topics in this You must submit your application • CPR number (in the National welcome packet. for work and residence permit Register), if you already have to the immigration service in one Denmark or to a Danish represen- • Employment contract or other tation (embassy or consulate) in income details your home country. • If applicable marriage certifi- cate, child certificate As a general rule a residence and • Form 04.063 http://skat.dk/ work permit will be issued on the getFile.aspx?Id=77649 basis of professional or labour market considerations. However, a number of schemes have been designed in order to make it easier for highly qualified profes- sionals to get a residence and work permit in Denmark.

Sundhedskort For further information on the various schemes, procedures, and which application forms to use please consult the homepage of the immigration services: www. newtodenmark.dk

16 Step 2: Social and health Addresses, telephone numbers Other steps – insurance, insurance and CPR number and opening hours can be found unions, car... Registration in your municipality on the municipality web-site Registration at the Citizens Citizens Service Centre (Danish: www.municipalityname.dk (e.g. Service Centre is without doubt Borgerservice) www.aarhus.dk ) the most important step enabling you to work and live in Denmark. Once you have obtained your Step 3 Tax However, you will of course have work and residence permit, you As soon as you start working in to attend to some other things as can (and must) register at the Citi- Denmark, you must pay tax on well, such as insurance, possibly zens Service Centre where you your wages to the Danish state – union membership and possi- are living. You will then be given you will need a tax card. These bly also the importation of your a CPR number and enrolled in the taxes pay for the Danish welfare vehicle. Please read the informa- Danish health insurance system. system, including child care, tion sheets on these topics in this education, elderly care, and ac- welcome packet. Required documents: cess to doctors and hospitals. You • Work and residence permit also benefit from these welfare • Passport or personal ID services. • If applicable, documentation for changes of name, marriage Tax cards are issued by the Tax certificate, divorce certificate, authorities (Danish: SKAT) at etc. – (must be in English or either International Citizens Ser- German language) vice or the local Tax centre. • If applicable, birth certificates for children Required documents: • Proof of your address in Den- • Passport or personal ID mark (e.g. rental contract). • CPR number (in the National Register), if you already have When you register yourself at the one Citizens Service Centre, you will • Employment contract or other also choose your general practi- income details tioner (GP) as your family doctor. • If applicable marriage certifi- Your GP (Danish: praktiserende cate, child certificate læge) is your point of access to • Form 04.063 http://skat.dk/ the public health system. For getFile.aspx?Id=77649 some health problems, your GP will be able to help you directly. You should be aware that SKAT In other cases, this doctor can re- may at any time request that you fer you for tests or to a specialist provide documentation for the or hospital for further treatment. information that you have given on this form (04.063). Your health insurance card (Dan- ish: sundhedskort), on which The income tax card is electronic, your CPR number is printed, and it will be sent directly to will generally be sent to you by your employer by the tax office. post within one week. When you The employer sends the sum of receive a CPR number and health your withholding tax to the tax insurance card, you will be cov- authority as a preliminary tax ered by the Danish health insur- payment. You can see how much ance system and will receive the tax you have paid during the year same benefits as other Danish on your payslips. citizens. www.skat.dk

17 Working in Denmark

Working Conditions Working hours employee you are covered by the in Denmark The standard working week in same rules and regulations as Denmark is 37 hours split over 5 Danish employees. The law stipu- Danes loves their job – Danes days. The primary working hours lates that you must have an em- have the highest job satisfaction are Monday-Friday from 06:00 - ployment contract which speci- rating in Europe. 18:00. Lunch breaks are typically fies the most important terms and 30 minutes long. Lunch breaks conditions of your employment. 37 hours work week, 5 + 1 weeks are paid as regular working hours paid vacation combined with in the public sector, whereas The employment contract must at flexible working hours, at many most private employees pay for least contain information on the work places emphasises a good lunch breaks themselves. How- following: work-life balance. ever, this varies from workplace to workplace. 1. Employer’s and employee’s The general work conditions are: name and address. Working hours are not regulated • 37 hour work week by law in the private sector, but 2. The location of the work- • 5 + 1 weeks paid holiday pr. rather, are determined by col- place or, if there is no fixed year (after one year of work in lective agreement or individual workplace, where the work is Denmark) contracts. primarily performed/informa- • Salary also paid during illness tion that the employee is to • Full payment for the first 2 Employment contract work in various locations, and days if you need to stay at You have a legal right to get an the employer’s main office or home with your ill child employment contract from your address. Danish employer. As a foreign 3. Job description or employee’s job title, rank or job category.

4. Employment commencement date.

5. Expected duration of em- ployment, if not permanent employment.

6. The employee’s rights regard- ing holidays, including wheth- er salary will be paid while the employee is on holiday.

The Danes have the highest job satisfaction in Europe.

18 7. Employee’s and employer’s At least five weeks holiday per terms of notice. year and up to 37 hours work per week (leaves a great deal of spare 8. The applicable or agreed sal- time). ary to which the employee is entitled upon commencement of employment and allow- Collective agreements ances or other forms of remu- Conditions of employment and neration that are not included wages are normally regulated herein, e.g. pension contribu- through collective agreements tions, lodging and meals. The that are negotiated by trade frequency of salary payments unions and employers organi- must also be included in the zations. There is no minimum contract. salary determined by law in this right or not - please ask your Denmark. employer or your union. 9. The standard daily or weekly working hours. Certain areas of work conditions Qualifying year are however regulated by law – The qualifying year runs from 1 10. Information on which collec- holidays, equal opportunities and January to 31 December. For eve- tive agreements or other agree- health and safety are regulated ry month you work in Denmark ments regulate the employ- by law. you earn 2.08 days of holiday. If ment and working conditions. you work 12 months in Denmark If the collective agreements or Many employees are member of a you earn 12 x 2.08 = 25 days with agreements in question were trade union and many employers holiday pay/salary. If you have entered into by parties outside are part of an employer confed- only worked for part of the year, of the company, these parties eration. This ensures that collec- e.g. six months, you have earned must be identified in the con- tive bargaining agreements cover the right to 6 x 2.08 = 12.5 days of tract. a large percentage of employees holiday with holiday pay/salary. and are widely respected. In ad- On www.workinfo.dk (“See and dition to centralized agreements, Holiday year learn videos”- “Wage slip”) you the collective bargaining system The holiday year starts on 1 May find detailed information on can also be used at the workplace and ends on 30 April. Normally, how to read and understand your level. holiday dates are mutually agreed wage slip (in English, German between the employer and the and Polish language) Holiday employee. All employees have the As an employee in Denmark you right to three weeks’ uninterrupt- Terms of notice have the right to 5 weeks’ holiday. ed holiday in the period 1 May The employee’s and employer’s - 30 September (primary holi- terms of notice must also be In most collective agreements you day). Notice of this holiday must included in the employment have additionally 5 days holiday be given 3 months in advance; contract. pr. year – also known as the 6. notice of other holidays must be holiday week. Whether you have given 1 month in advance If the employee is covered by a collective agreement, the terms of notice are typically stipulated by this agreement. 2011 2012 2013

1. January 31. December

Qualifying year in 1. May 3. April which you earn 2,08 days holiday for each Holiday year year in minth you work which you hold your holiday

19 Holiday pay Tax To compensate for high taxes, If you are paid monthly, your Danish salary levels are among holiday pay will usually take Everyone working in Denmark the highest in the world, and the form of salary plus a holiday pays income tax and needs an many welfare services that strain supplement of typically 1% of the income tax card. The income tax household budgets in other qualifying salary from the previ- card is issued by the tax author- countries are either free or state- ous calendar year. Most people ity (Danish: SKAT) when you start subsidised in Denmark. Medical receive their holiday supplement working. help, hospital treatment, school- in late April or May ing and elderly care are all free In Denmark the tax system is – and day care for children is far If you are paid by the hour, you progressive which means that the cheaper than in other countries. get 12.5% in holiday pay of your more you earn the higher per- This means that the purchas- qualifying salary in the qualify- centage you pay in direct tax. ing power in the Danish capital ing year. of Copenhagen is the same as in The taxes consist of: other European cities. Even if you have not earned the right to five weeks of paid holi- 1. Base tax (Danish: Bundskat) This information only gives you day, you can still go on holiday. 2. Upper tax (Danish: Topskat) the most important tax informa- However, you have to pay for the 3. Health contribution tion. You should ideally discuss days off you have not earned. Em- (Danish: Sundhedsbidrag) all of your personal circum- ployers have the right to deduct 4. Labour market contribution, stances with an employee of the 4.8% from your salary for each AM-bidrag (Danish: Arbejds- Danish tax authority, SKAT. day off you take. markedsbidrag) 5. Municipality tax Addresses, telephone numbers The employer calculates the (Danish: Kommuneskat) and openings hours can be found holiday allowance to which you 6. Church tax in the chapter “Important tel- are entitled. The employer then (Danish: Kirkeskat) ephone numbers and addresses”. transfers the amount due to 7. Indirect tax – VAT Please be aware that the follow- FerieKonto, or issues a holiday (Danish: Moms) ing information only is valid for card to the employee. In both the tax year 2011 and that chang- cases, the amount due is paid to Denmark is a classic welfare es will apply. the employee at a later date, when state. Helping fellow citizens the holiday is taken. when they get ill, become old Tax year or lose their jobs is considered The tax year in Denmark coin- You take the right to paid holiday a joint responsibility. The same cides with the calendar year. The with you if/when changing jobs. goes for high quality childcare actual amount of tax is calculated and free schooling for everyone. after the end of the year, as a If you move to another country, result of which you will have to the money can be paid out before This explains why Danish taxes make an additional payment or they leave. are so high. In 2009, taxation you will receive a refund. The came to 48.2 percent of the GDP, Danish tax system consists of 3 making the Danes the highest steps: taxed population in Europe, a re- cord most people would not boast 1. Preliminary Income about. When it comes to income Assessment tax, the average citizen pays al- 2. Tax assessment notice most half of their salary in tax. In 3. Final tax notice addition, most goods include 25 percent VAT (’Moms’ in Danish). Cars, petrol, alcohol and other goods are also taxed in order to limit consumption.

20 1. Preliminary Income mailed to you. Please check the tax authorities will be informed Assessment information on the tax card. If about you income, tax paid etc. (Danish: forskudsopgørelse) everything is correct, you do not by you employer in the number need to do anything else. Your will be written in the tax assess- When you start working in Den- employer will receive the tax ment notice. It is up to you to mark the tax authorities generates card directly from the tax author- check that the figures are correct. a preliminary tax card for the ity. If they are correct, you do not coming year. The preliminary tax have to do anything else. If they card is based on your expected If you are unable to provide a tax are incorrect, or if some figures income and deductions. Please card when you are paid for the are missing, you must notify make sure to give your annual first time, your employer has to SKAT via e-tax (Danish: TastSelv) income as accurately as possi- deduct 55 percent of your pay for on the Internet or by phone or via ble. Should your income change taxes! So it is advisable to acquire a tax return form. significantly in the course of the your tax card early on. year, you can have the informa- You can submit your tax return tion on the tax card changed at online via e-tax (TastSelv). any time. Since recently, this is 2. Submitting your tax no longer sent out in paper form, assessment notice but is kept on file in your elec- Every year in March you will re- tronic tax file at SKAT (www. ceive a tax assessment notice for skat.dk). You can view this the previous income year. The tax on your PC using your EasyID assessment notice is a statement (Danish: NemID). If you do not of your income, tax allowances have a PC or a NemId, you can and deductions and taxes paid call SKAT and have the tax card for a particular income year. The

Forskudsopgørelse

21 3. Final tax notice Tax rates • Church tax (Danish: Kirkeskat) (Danish: årsopgørelse) • Base tax (Danish: Bundskat): 0.7 percent (only if you are a 3,64% of annual income over member of The State Church) Changes made to the preliminary 42,900 D.kr. after deduction tax assessment within the dead- of the labour market contribu- • Indirect tax - Value Added line should be taken into consid- tion (AM-bidrag). Tax (Danish: moms) 25 % of eration in the final tax notice. If all goods and services. VAT is you identify any discrepancies, • Upper tax (Danish: Topskat): an indirect consumption tax. please notify the tax authority 15 % of annual income over immediately. If you are to receive 389.900 D.kr. after deduction Please note that tax rates and a tax refund, you do not have to of the labour market contribu- deductions may change. do anything. The amount will tion be transferred directly to your Allowances designated bank account. How- • Health contribution (Danish: All income is taxable, both ever, this requires that you have a Sundhedsbidrag) 8% of the money and payments in kind. EasyAccount (Danish Nemkonto) taxable income However, there are various allow- (see “Bank”). If necessary, ask ances that can be deducted from your bank to help you designate a • Labour market contribution, the taxable income, such as the bank account as your nemkonto. AM-bidrag (Danish: Arbejds- personal allowance, certain types This service is free. markedsbidrag): 8 % of annual of interest on loans, travelling income. This is a gross tax, expenses to work, union fees and If you have made an underpay- which means it is calculated contributions to unemployment ment of tax you will be charged before any deductions or tax insurance. It is worth having interests. related issues are taken in to these allowances entered in the account. tax card from the outset.

• Municipality tax (Danish: • Personal tax allowance Kommuneskat): approximately (Danish: Personfradrag) 25 % (varies from community to community) In 2011, every taxpayer over 18 years of age is entitled to a personal tax allowance of 42,900 kroner pr. year (approx. 118 kroner pr. day). This tax allow- Årsopgørelse ance is automatically taken into consideration by the tax authority and therefore does not need to be stated explicitly.

• Employee allowance (Danish: Beskæftigelsesfradrag)

This allowance is 4.25 percent, but it is limited to a maximum of 13,600 kroner

• Deduction of transport be- tween home and work (Danish: Kørselsfradrag)

If there is a long way between your home and your work, you are eligible for a commuting deduction (also referred to as “deduction for transport be-

22 Tax calculation:

Gross income 27.385

Income on which the labour market contribution is payable...... 27.385 Labour market contribution (8%)...... - 2.191 Taxable income...... 25.194 Personal allowance...... 3.575 Taxable income after allowances...... 21.619 Community tax and health contribution (33.3%)...... 7.199 Base tax...... 1.089 Upper tax...... 0

Total tax withheld (including labour market contribution) - 10.479 Supplements for on-call Net DKK 16.906 duty, overtime and week- (EUR 2.169) end/night work are extra.

tween home and work”). What These tax allowances depend on 60 months. If you include the can be deducted is not the actual the actual costs. Please submit mandatory labour market contri- expenses but a deduction based the appropriate documentation bution (8%), you will end up with on fixed rates, the number of (e.g. invoices for contributions) to 34 % tax. . kilometres driven, the number of your tax authority. working days per year etc. Researchers must be approved by Tax calculation example the universities in order to enjoy The means of transport you use is To give you some idea how much the reduced tax. irrelevant, and if several persons of your income will be left after ride in the same car, they are all taxes have been deducted we Key employees must earn at least entitled to a commuting deduc- have put together the following 69.390 D.kr. pr. months. tion. The deduction is calcu- sample calculation (information lated on the basis of the normal presented without guarantee): Further information transport route by car, no matter You will find further information what means of transportation you Gross salary = 27,385 kroner per on the tax system in Denmark at are actually using. Also, it must month the website www.skat.dk - “Tax- be based on the primary place ation - when moving to Denmark” of residence – even if you live • base pay only, with no bonus- and “Tax in Denmark - An intro- in a holiday home for part of the es duction for new citizens”. year and therefore have to travel • unmarried further to get to work. • not a church member Personal guidance • no union contributions You are welcome to contact SKAT Current deduction rates can be • 5 kilometres to work on +45 72 22 18 18 (in Danish). found on www.skat.dk or by personal appearance at the tax Key employees and researchers - Meet the tax authorities at the In- authorities. 26% tax in 5 years ternational Citizens Service or at the local tax office – see chapter • Tax allowances for certain If you come to Denmark as a “Important phone number and types of interest on loans, researcher or key employee, you addresses.” union fees and contributions may possibly enjoy a reduced tax to unemployment insurance rate of 26 percent for maximum

23 Payslip 1CVR number: Employers number. 4ATP - ATP) Arbejdsmarkedets All Danish employers are regis- tillægspension / Labour Market Payslips can look different de- tered in the CVR register Supplementary Pension Fund: All pending on the IT system or sal- employees between the age of 16 ary agency your employer uses. 2Månedsløn / Pay: Could also be and 66 will pay to this pension They may also contain different stated as “honorar” (fee), “ind- scheme. The amount is deducted information – though certain tægt” (income) etc. Your pay is from your full pay (gross pay) information is obligatory. usually stated at the top of the before your tax is calculated. payslip, and the amount is your Every time you receive your pay- full pay before tax is deducted. At 5Arbejdsløshedsforsikring – unem- slip, you should check that the the bottom of the calculation the ployment insurance figures are correct. You should following is usually stated: “Løn also save your payslips until the til udbetaling” (Pay for disburse- 6AM-bidrag - Arbejdsmarkeds- end of the tax year and until your ment), showing the actual amount bidrag / Labour market contribu- tax for the year has been calculat- that you will be paid. tion: All working citizens must ed (on the annual tax statement). contribute a labour market Your payslips are proof that you 3Fast tillæg: Flat rate allowance - contribution at a rate of 8 per. have paid tax. agreed payment e.g. if you have The contribution is deducted from special qualifications your gross pay after ATP has been deducted and before other allow- ances are deducted. Your tax is then calculated.

Payslip example

Employee: Hans Hansen Year of income 2012 Employer: Director Jensen Cpr-nr. 010101-0203

CVR-nr. 11-22-33-44 1 Month: January

Månedsløn2 Fast tillæg 3 28.620,92 kr.

1.941,24 kr. Indkomst i alt 108,35 kr. ATP 4 30.562,16 kr. Arbejdsløshedsforsikring 81,30 kr. 5 365,00 kr. AM-bidrag 6

A-skat 7 2.447,00 kr. 8.370,00 kr. I alt, fradrag 8

11.263,30 kr.

Beløb til disposition 31.1.2012

Ferie 9 19.298,86 kr. eSkattekort:

Fradrag: 7.727 kr. Trækprocent 41 pct.

24 7A-skat – Tax, decucted from your payment. The tax which is charged on A income, i.e. your ordinary income. Your employer will calculate your A tax based on your withholding rate and pay the tax authorities.

8Fradrag. Allowances and deduc- tions: The allowance correspond- ing to the pay period is deducted before the tax is calculated. From your tax card, your employer can see what your allowances and deductions are.

9Ferie: Holidays: number of earned holidays/holiday payment Dankort is the most popular debit card. All employees will usually be entitled to holiday paymnet. This means that in addition to your pay, you will receive 12.5 per cent Banks and Bank ally a current account, into which which is deposited into a holiday Account payments from the state are account and paid to you when made (e.g. tax refunds). This is you go on holiday. (See the fact There are 15-20 national and supposed to make state payment sheet regarding holiday pay for regional banks in Denmark. In transactions faster and easier more information) addition, there are about 170 and thus more cost effective. Any smaller local banks. All banks of- bank can report the wages ac- fer personal advice in the normal count that you have with them as opening hours. Most banks are your nemkonto. open from 9:30 am to 4 pm from Monday to Friday and until 6 pm Bank cards in Denmark on Thursdays. In Denmark, a distinction is drawn between cash withdrawal, debit and credit cards: Current account Most Danes uses netbank for With a debit card, you can with- payment. Many banks offer free draw money from various ATMs access to online net bank. If the and make cash-free payments. account is managed exclusively The account will be debited im- by online banking, this can have mediately. The most popular of a positive impact on the fees and these is the Dankort, which can you can save as a result. Your be used in most places for free, bank will issue a bank card for but only in Denmark. access to the account. With a cash withdrawal card, you Designated bank account can normally withdraw money (Danish: Nemkonto) from the ATM machines of the bank where you have an account, Since 2005, Denmark has had a but you cannot generally use it to special regulation that requires make cash-free payments. A cash all those who live or work in withdrawal card is always free. Denmark to report a designated bank account known as a nem- In most cases, you can use credit konto to the state. This is gener- cards for credit transactions. You

25 will receive a monthly bill which E-Boks you can pay either all at once or in part. To get a credit card in The e-Boks is a secure electronic Denmark, you need to be credit- mailbox where you can receive worthy. This means that you will and store documents that you need to be able to show regular NemID normally receive in the post. E- incoming payments. The most Boks is free to use. popular credit cards in Denmark NemID is digital signature with are Mastercard and VISA. Please a common log-in solution for With just a few clicks you can note that not all stores accept banks, local public and govern- choose which companies and credit cards. ment websites (e.g. Tax and public authorities you want to municipal authorities) and some receive mail from to your e-Boks. Automatic electronic payment private companies. If you are You can receive mail from all (Danish: Betalingsservice) more that 15 years old and have a Danish municipalities, almost all CRP number you are eligible for a banks and many pension, insur- If you have a bank account and NemID. You will be able to log in ance, energy and telecommuni- access to net bank you can use at web sites from all computers. cations companies. Businesses the automatic electronic payment cannot send any other material system – “Betalingsservice”. If Users of NemID are assigned a or unsolicited advertising to your you regularly receive bills from unique ID number which can be e-Boks. the same company, organisations used as a username in addition or public service institutions as to their CPR number or a user- The e-Boks is linked to your for instance rent, private insur- defined username. NemID offers social security number (Danish: ance, day care, sport club fees strong protection against intrud- CPR-nummer) and can follow etc. you can use Betalingsservice. ers and hackers. you if you move or change email You can register the bills in the address. You do not need to re- Betalingsservice system. The bills Users receive a card contain- member new passwords to access will automatically be paid on ing pairs of numbers, similar to your documents. Use your digital the payment day and the money transaction authentication num- signature, NEM ID pincode or will be drawn from your bank bers. After logging in with a user- online banking info to log into account automatically. You will name and password, NemID users your e-Boks. be informed via your net bank are prompted to enter a key cor- which bills will be paid when. responding to a number as part of This ensures that you bills will NemID’s two-factor authentica- be paid on time. tion scheme. These private keys are one time use only. After all of 90 % of all Danes use Betal- them are used the user must get ingsservice, which is free of new private keys. charge. More information and guidance in you bank. NemID is issued a the local Citizens Service Center – please remember personal ID papers e.g. passport.

NemID is created as a cooperation between the Danish state and all Danish banks.

More information at www.nemid. nu/om_nemid/about_nemid/

Danes prefer Netbanking and bills are paid via an automatic, electronic payment service.

26 Recognition of Foreign • Continuing your education Criminal Background Training Qualifications • Job search Certificate • Applying for admission to an Training qualifications obtained unemployment fund A private criminal background abroad do not always match those • Being pay graded as a graduate certificate contains information in Denmark. An individual as- in the Danish public sector regarding any judgements, previ- sessment may sometimes be need- ous convictions and punishable ed to evaluate your training and, If you have undocumented com- offences. In some cases, an em- if necessary, also your profes- petences or qualifications you ployer will require you to present sional experience as they relate will also find information on a criminal background certificate to employment in Denmark. The competence assessment before you start work. You must Danish Agency for International apply for the issuance of a crimi- Education (Danish: Styrelsen for You can download a form to ob- nal background certificate to the Universiteter og Internationaliser- tain recognition for your training police in your municipality. You ing) is responsible for recognising from www.ui.dk need to bring with you some form foreign training qualifications in of evidence which contains your Denmark. Please note that applications for CPR number (e.g. your health authorisation to practice in Den- insurance card). There are several ways of hav- mark as a medical doctor, dentist, ing your foreign qualifications nurse, midwife, physiotherapist assessed and recognised in and other health professions are Denmark. Which procedure is handled by the Danish National appropriate depends on how you Board of Health (Danish: Sund- plan to use your qualifications. hedsstyrelsen). The National Board of Health charges a fee for On www.ui.dk you can read more the certificate of authorisation. about recognition of your foreign Find more information on www. qualifications depending on how sst.dk you plan to use them

27 Life in Denmark

Learning the Danish Danish language courses are free market, the educational system Language of charge – a proficiency test fee and Denmark’s democratic tradi- may apply. Your municipality is tions required to offer you language If you wish to succeed in the tuition no later than one month You can get an overview of the Danish labour market and be part after you have applied for it. You different language centres at the of the Danish society – take part are entitled to language tuition Citizens Service Centres (Danish: in a Danish language course. In until you have passed a final Borgerservice) in your Danish most Danish companies working language proficiency test. How- municipality. language is Danish and proper in- ever, this must take place within tegration at work and particularly a three-year period. Learning Danish over the in Danish society is far easier if internet – E-learning you make the effort to learn to The language training is divided On www.newtodenmark.dk you speak Danish. into three different education will find a list of free online Dan- stages – Danish training 1, Dan- ish courses. Click “Integration” Danish courses are offered by ish training 2 and Danish train- and “Online Danish”. Online both public and private language ing 3. This division ensures that language courses will make it schools. Many of the courses you receive language tuition that possible for you to learn Danish on offer are tailored to suit both matches your level of education. in a flexible way - even before individuals and businesses. Each of these stages is divided coming to work in Denmark. into six modules, which you can If you are over the age of 18, have pass with an examination. Many a valid Danish residence permit of these language courses also Life-long Learning and a Danish CPR number, you include topics about the culture are entitled to up to three years’ and society of Denmark including Denmark has a long-standing Danish language tuition. a basic introduction to the labour tradition of lifelong learning. Nearly one in three of the popula- tion participate in the age bracket 25 to 64 years participated in educational activities, counting both publicly funded and work- place internal and private educa- tion programmes and courses in connection with employment or in some form of leisure time education.

On www.studyindenmark.dk you will find useful and profound information on

• the Danish education system • higher education • programmes taught in English • adult education and continu- ing training.

Integration is far easier if you learn to speak Danish.

28 Social security in Denmark is tax funded.

Social Security and Sickness Benefit

The subject of insurance is a part of making the right start in a new country. You will certainly have obtained insurance of one kind or another in your home country. In this case, it is particularly important for you to talk with insurance representatives in your home country before immigrat- ing to Denmark. Of course, you If your insurance card gets lost or If you are unable to work due to do not necessarily have to cancel damaged, there is a 175 kroner fee illness, you may be required to all of your old policies if you take (January 2011) for a replacement give a doctor’s certificate to either work in Denmark. card. However, the replacement your employer or to the local card may be free in special cases health administration. Social security such as name changes after mar- Normally, this happens after 3 Social security operates on the riage or changes of address. days of illness, in special cases, principle that you are insured however, it can be earlier. in the country in which you are Either your employer or the working or in employment. This Health insurance health administration will pay means that if you are working in and sickness benefits for this certificate. Denmark, you have the same enti- tlement to social security benefits Health insurance Sickness benefits as Danish citizens. Social secu- There is an option to choose A sickness benefit is paid by the rity in Denmark is tax-funded. between two health insurance employer from the first full day Therefore, you do not pay health groups (I or II). Those insured lost. However, you should note insurance contributions, long- in group I choose a recognised that different rules apply for the term healthcare insurance, etc. general practitioner’s office prac- different collective bargaining here like in Austria or Germany. tice. They must have a referral agreements. Please contact your issued by the general practitioner Danish union, your employer or When you have registered at the (GP) for visits to specialists. This your municipality to get further Citizens Service Centre (Danish: medical treatment is free. You information - borgerservice) in the municipality may change doctors, if you wish. where you live. They will send However, applications to change Please note! you a personal ID number and an doctors must be submitted to the If an EU citizen has only been insurance card (Danish: sund- respective municipality. employed in Denmark, for exam- hedskort). The insurance card is ple, for three weeks, but has come the “entrance ticket” to the Dan- Those insured in group II have a from employment in another ish social security system. With free choice of doctors and spe- member state, the Danish munici- this card, medical care provided cialists. People insured in this pality must use Certificate E104 by doctors and hospitals is basi- group are sometimes responsible to obtain information regard- cally free of charge. However, for a portion of the costs them- ing previous employment and dental care is only covered in selves. Hospital care is free for use this as a basis for deciding part or not at all. Please bring both insurance groups, and all whether a person who is signed your insurance card with you to patients can freely choose any off sick is entitled to sickness each visit to the doctor. public hospital. benefits in Denmark.

29 Unemployment • Between 18 and 63 years of Unions Insurance age • Reside in Denmark (or another The Danish job market is regu- In Denmark there is a distinction EU/EEA country and work in lated primarily by means of between unemployment benefit Denmark) collective bargaining agreements and social benefit. Unlike many between unions and employer as- other countries, unemployment Furthermore you have to meet sociations. The state interferes as insurance in Denmark is volun- one of the following conditions: little as possible in regulating the tary. Thus, you are not automati- labour market, i.e. in wages and cally insured against unemploy- • Have paid work within a work conditions. Unions in Den- ment. This means that it is your profession covered by the un- mark therefore have a great deal own responsibility to become employment insurance fund. of influence and enjoy a positive a member of an unemployment As an employee, you cannot image. Most employees in Den- insurance fund (Danish: a-kasse). become a member of the insur- mark are members of a union. ance fund until the day that Membership of an unemployment you start working. In Denmark, there is no statutory insurance fund is a precondition • Have completed a graduate minimum wage. Instead, the un- for receiving unemployment ben- program of at least 18 months ions are continuously negotiating efit. If you choose not to become in duration. Please note, that collective bargaining agreements. a member of an unemployment you can only become member There is generally no “13th pay insurance fund you may not be of an unemployment insur- check” in Denmark (Christ- entitled to any kind of financial ance fund after graduation mas bonus) or “14th pay check” support in case of unemployment. if you had your residence in (holiday allowance) as they have, Denmark immediately up till for example, in Germany and If you decide to insure yourself start of your education. Austria. However, many unions when you start working in Den- • Be a business-owner or help regularly negotiate supplemen- mark (which is recommended in run your spouse’s business. tal pay based on performance or most cases!), you must register qualifications for their members. with one of the 27 state-recog- You can be full-time or part-time nised unemployment insurance insured. Once you have joined an Apart from representing their funds. Unemployment insurance unemployment insurance fund, members in collective bargain- funds are private associations you must pay a contribution. ing negotiations, the services of employees or self-employed provided by unions also include persons organised for the sole A list of all unemployment insur- expert legal advice in the case of purpose of ensuring economic ance funds can be found on conflicts with employers as well support in the event of unemploy- http://www.ask.dk/A-kasser/~/ as further job training options. ment. These are private associa- link.aspx?_id=AB806DAF75144E Furthermore, many unions offer tions that - in most cases - are F7BDB03485C0D539E0&_z=z cost-effective private insurance, associated with trade unions and such as liability and household other professional organizations. All unemployment funds offer contents insurance. You can become a member of an free of charge advice and guid- unemployment insurance fund ance on issues connected with Many workplaces have labour if you meet the following condi- unemployment benefit and job representatives (Danish: tillids- tions: search. mand), who speak for the inter- ests of employees in dealings with company management.

Which union you can organise with will depend above all on your training and your job. If you would like to become a union member, you should ideally look in your employment contract. In many instances, this contract

30 specifies the union responsible 1. The basic social to pension from Denmark accord- for your field of employment. Of security pension ing to the pro rata temporis prin- course, you can also ask your col- (Danish: folkepension) ciple. This means that you will leagues or your boss for advice. receive pension from Denmark The Danish folkepension, which according to the number of years Most unions also have an affiliat- is actually called ”socialpension” you have been working in Den- ed unemployment insurance fund (social pension) is a tax-funded mark. An example: you have been (Danish: a-kasse), which pays an social security pension in the working in UK for 20 years and unemployment benefit (Danish: form of one basic pension scheme in Denmark for 20 years. When dagpenge) in case of unemploy- for all. It consists of a base sum you reach your pension age you ment. You can decide yourself and a supplement that is depend- will receive your pension from whether you want to join both the ent on the recipient’s financial both countries - 50 % from each union and the unemployment in- situation. Recipients living alone country no matter in which EU/ surance fund or whether you only receive a higher supplement EEA country you choose to live want to join of one of the two. Of than those who live together as a pensioner. course, you may also choose a with another person. The rates different unemployment insur- are adjusted annually and can 2. Supplemental ance fund from the one offered by be viewed at www.borger.dk (in job-market pension your union (see also the informa- Danish). (Danish: ATP, arbejdsmarkeds tion about the unemployment tillægspension) insurance fund). In Denmark, everyone over the All wage and salary earners be- age of 65 is entitled to the general tween the ages of 16 and 67 years social security pension. However, of age who work at least 9 hours Pensions anyone who reached the age of 61 per week pay contributions into before July 1, 1999, is only enti- the ATP system. Employers also Old-age pensions in Denmark are tled to this government pension pay contributions. The monthly essentially based on four ele- from the age of 67. Due to recent contributions are relatively low ments: legislation, the pension able age and can be viewed at www.atp. in Denmark is going to be raised dk. You can also find them on 1. The basic social pension (Dan- gradually. your payslip. The additional ish: folkepension) pension you can expect from this 2. Supplemental job-market EU/EEA citizens who have been fund is relatively low. pension (Danish: ATP, arbejds- working in Denmark are entitled markeds tillægspension) 3. Company pensions 4. Private pension insurance (Danish: private pensionsord- ninger)

The Danish state offers to defer taxation as an incentive for sign- ing up with company and private old-age pensions. This means that contributions within certain limits are tax deductible, but will be taxed as income when the benefits are paid out.

Everyone over the age of 65 is entitled to general social security pension.

31 3. Company pensions Maternity Leave Children in Denmark The majority of employees in Denmark receive a company The main rule is that women are Denmark has a population of 5.4 pension, which in most cases is entitled to four weeks of mater- million, 453,000 of which are governed by collective bargain- nity leave before the birth and children up to six years of age. ing. A percentage of the salary 14 weeks after the birth. Men are The birth rate among Danish is paid into a company pension entitled to two weeks of leave women is above the average for insurance scheme, with the em- within the first 14 weeks. After Europe at 1.8. Almost 80 percent ployer paying part and employees that you both have 32 weeks of of Danish mothers work. in most cases paying a smaller parental leave, which you are free portion. The proportion payable to distribute between you. Childcare by the employee is deducted Denmark has a long tradition for as deferred compensation, as a There are many options for public childcare. All families in result of which this contribution spending your leave flexibly. For Denmark are offered public child- is not taxed. The actual personal example, you can divide a large care. In Denmark, 90 percent of contribution from the employee is part of the leave between you children aged 3–5 years are cared therefore relatively small. Taxes both as you wish, you can extend for in a day care facility. on these pensions are deferred your leave, or save some of it for and they fall due when the pen- later in the child’s life. The Danish public childcare sion funds are paid out. system is based on a partial free Your financial situation during system, and although some day 4. Private pension insurance your maternity/parental leave care institutions have waiting (Danish: pensionsordninger) depends on your job situations. lists, most guarantee a place for Most people have a right to mater- children from the age of one. The In Denmark, you can also obtain nity benefits during the leave. options consist of day nurseries what are known as ”pensionsord- However, some salaried employ- (birth to 3 years), kindergartens ninger”, a type of private pension ees have the right to receive sal- (3–6 years) and pre-school/after- insurance. These are also tax ary for part of the leave. school centres (6–10 years). In deductible to a certain extent. addition, there is local day care Anyone interested in pension Contact your municipality if you (“day nannies”) in which chil- insurance of this type should get are in doubt or have questions dren are cared for privately. comprehensive advice from their about the rules on maternity/pa- primary bank or from the insur- rental leave. ance companies. The advice of a tax advisor (Danish: revisor) can be helpful in this respect.

Please find more information at http://uk.penst.dk/

All parents are offered public child care (and it is normal for both parents to work once the child has turned one year old).

32 Both knowledge and social skills For children below the age of per week. You can register your are valued in primary school. three, parents can choose nursery child for one of these services in (Danish: vuggestue) or family day the municipality administration care (Danish: dagpleje). A nursery office (department: Pladsanvis- is an institution designed to look ningen). after larger groups of small chil- dren while family day care in- School system volves only four or five children, Apart from subject knowledge, Many pupils choose to complete looked after by a childminder in a great deal of value is placed year 9 or 10 at one of the so- his or her own home. on acquiring social skills (team called efterskoler. The efterskole skills, etc.). Learning together is a unique Danish independent Childcare for three to five year- and developing stable social residential school for students olds takes place in kindergartens. relationships with fellow pu- between 14 and 18 years old. Most Danish kindergartens are pils, teachers and educators are Presently some 28.500 students public, but you’ll find private important here. Therefore, classes attend one of the app. 260 schools ones, too – and almost all Dan- remain together up to the end of throughout Denmark. ish families send their children the 9th year. Value is placed on The schools are open to students to kindergarten. All Danish creativity, perceptions, learning from abroad, but please note that kindergartens have profession- by experimentation, independ- to attend you like Danish stu- ally trained staff, but children ence and self-reliance. For further dents must pay school fees (more don’t receive preschool teach- information and registration, info at http://www.efterskole.dk/ ing. Instead, Danish kindergar- please contact your local Citizens Top%20menu/english.aspx ) tens stimulate children’s social, Service Centre. linguistic and democratic skills, primarily through play. Basic school Apart from normal school topics Schooling in Denmark starts with the students at most of the efter- Childcare facilities receive the nine-year basic school (Dan- skoler are focussing on develop- financial support from the state. ish: folkeskole), which concludes ing other abilities - primarily The amount payable out of pocket with a final examination called social, artistic, sporting or musi- by parents is at most 30 percent the FSA (Danish: folkeskolens cal skills. of the actual cost. The opening afgangsprøve). After this final hours of the care facilities are in examination, pupils have several Because pupils are not required most cases 6:30 am to 5 pm and different options, depending on to take year 10, they can attend Fridays until 4 pm. A maximum their suitability for any walk of a upper secondary school after of 48 hours of care is offered life. either year 9 or year 10.

33 Level 20 19 18 PhD

17 16 Master’s programmes (candidatus)

15 14 13 Bachelor programmes Professional bachelor programmes Academy profession programmes

13 Vocational Vocational 12 Stx Hhx Htx Hf Adult upper education and education and secondary training level training Maritime 11 level course course education Egu 10 Upper secondary education Vocationally oriented education and training

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Basic school

Upper secondary school It normally caters for the (Danish: Studentereksamen, com- 16-19-year-olds and comprises mercial grammar school (HHX) and technical grammar school • the general upper secondary (HTX )). education provision of the Gymnasium Upper secondary school lasts for • the higher preparatory exami- three years. nation or HF-programme • the higher commercial exami- In Denmark, upper secondary nation or HHX-programme education divides into: • the higher technical examina- tion or HTX-programme 1. general education qualifying for access to higher education More information concerning the 2. vocational or technical educa- Danish school system and the dif- tion qualifying primarily for ferent programmes can be found Pupils 16 to 19 years old attend access to the labour market. on: http://eng.uvm.dk/Fact%20 upper secondary school. Sheets.aspx

34 International schools International Primary Schools in Some families who come to Denmark (March 2011) Denmark for professional reasons prefer to send their children to an international school. Some of the international schools have waiting lists, but the Danish government is prioritising the Copenhagen International School Skipper Clement Skolen Prins Henriks Skole creation of more places at Dan- Sankt Petri Skole Bernadotteskolen ish international schools –and Bjørns Internationale Skole Østerbro International School the Danish international schools Rygaards Skole were recently allowed to increase their student intake . Viborg private Realskole Interskolen

Nordsjællands Native language classes Grundskole og Ikast-Brande Gymnasium Children with other native lan- Internationale skole guage than Danish can attend classes in their native language. If Stenhus Kostskole Esbjerg you would like further informa- Realskole Køge Private Kolding Herlufsholms Realskole tion on this, please contact the Realskole Henriette Kostskole Hørlücks Skole Citizens Service Centres in the municipality in which you live. Privatskolen Als

IB Programme The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) is a two year inter- national upper secondary educa- • 19 independent primary • The primary teaching lan- tional programme designed for schools are currently au- guage in Danish international highly motivated young people thorised to teach in other schools is English - except at aged sixteen to nineteen who languages than Danish Prins Henrik’s Skole (French) would like to be part of an inter- • Two private and 10 state and Sankt Petri Skole (Ger- national community. schools offer the Interna- man) tional Baccalaureate (IB) • Tuition fees at Danish interna- The IB Diploma incorporates the Diploma Programme. The tional schools run from DKK best elements of several national IB Diploma qualifies stu- 15,000 to DKK 80,000 a year systems, without being based dents for higher education • For a full list of Danish inter- on any of them. Throughout the programmes in Denmark or national schools, please go to years, the course has earned a abroad www.eng.uvm.dk reputation of being demanding and having rigorous assessment. The Diploma guarantees holders access to universities throughout the world. In Denmark the IB Diploma is of- Herning Gymnasium, Herning fered in the following cities: Ikast-Brande Gymnasium, Ikast In Denmark it gives students the Kolding Gymnasium, HF-kursus same possibilities as the Danish Aarhus Cathedral School, Langkaer Gymnasium & HF, Studentereksamen (upper second- Aarhus Tilst, Aarhus ary education does. Birkerød Gymnasium, Birkerød Nyborg Gymnasium, Nyborg Copenhagen International Nørre Gymnasium, Brønshøj The IB Diploma Programme is School, Struer Statsgymnasium, Struer presently offered in 139 countries HellerupEUC SYD, Sønderborg and is taught in English, Spanish Grenaa Gymnasium, Grenaa and French. Hasseris Gymnasium, Aalborg More information at Herlufsholm Skole, Næstved http://www.ib-skoler.dk/

35 Grades Child Benefits Cross-border workers and work- Grades are only awarded in the ers who have kept their residence higher classes in Denmark (in (Danish: børnefamilieydelse) in the country of origin, are not most cases, from year 7). This eligible for child benefits. means that children can be more In Denmark parents receive free and experience no stress child benefits, regardless of their Quarterly child benefits with regard to grades at the start income, for each child under 18 (as of 2011) of their time in school. The grade years of age. In addition, vari- system in Denmark is divided ous allowances are payable for • Children 0 – 2 years old: 4,248 into a 12 point scale. The follow- children of single parents and for kroner (approximately €567) ing grades are awarded: 12, 10, multiple births (twins, triplets, each 7, 4, 02, 00, -3. Grade 12 is the etc.). • Children 3 – 6 years old: 3,363 highest grade and minus 3 is the kroner (approximately €448) lowest. A grade of 02 is generally The child benefits is paid on a each required to pass an examination. quarterly basis and in most cases • Children 7 – 14 years old: Compared with the international it is paid to the mother, although 2,646 kroner (approximately ECTS scale, the Danish grade it is paid to the father under cer- €353) each system is as follows: tain special circumstances. The • Youth 15 – 17 years old: 882 child benefits is tax free. kroner (approximately €118) each Danish scale ECTS scale In order to receive child benefits It is important to note that you 12 Outstanding A 1. The parent receiving the ben- must apply for Danish child ben- efits, must be a tax payer in efits and any other applicable al- 10 Superior, very good B Denmark. In most cases this lowances. In order to avoid delays 7 Good C means, that you are a resident in payment, you should apply 4 Average D in Denmark. for a child benefits as quickly 02 Satisfactory E 2. The child must reside in Den- as possible. Contact the Citizens 00 Not satisfactory F mark Service Centre (Danish: Borger- 3. at least one of the persons, service) to find out what evidence -3 Deficient G who hold custody of the child is required for the application. must have had residence or worked in Denmark in mini- If you have any questions regard- mum 2 years within the last ing children over 18 years of age, 10 years. If you have worked you can also contact the Citizens or resided in Denmark in less Service Centre where you live. than 2 years you are entitled They will check whether you to a percentage of the child are entitled to benefits for these benefit proportional to the children. You can find further time you have been in Den- information at www.borger.dk mark. (in Danish).

Work or residence in Denmark Entitled to child benefit in % 0 – 5 months ...... 0 % 6 – 11 months ...... 25 % 12 – 17 months ...... 50 % 18 – 23 months ...... 75 % 24 months ...... 100 %

36 Living Expenses Living expenses Medicine and medical expenses 2% Clothing and shoes 5% High prices, free welfare ….and Home supplies 6% high salaries Housing and Heating and electricity 7% maintenance 22% Consumer prices in Denmark are relatively high, but consumer Leisure equipment, entertainment 11% Food and beverages prices must be compared with (including tobacco) 17% free welfare services and the sal- Other products and services, e.g. childcare 13% ary level Transport and communication 17% The Danish salary levels are among the highest in the world } Medicine and medical expenses and many welfare services are either free or state-subsidised in Clothing and shoes Consumer Price index Denmark. Medical help, hospital Home supplies treatment, schooling and elderly – EU/EEA countries Heating and electricity care are all free – and day care for children is far cheaper then in Leisure equipment, entertainment other countries. This means that EU countries (27 countries) . . Other. . products . . . and . services, . 100 e.g. childcare the purchasing power is the same Transport and communication 17% as in most European countries. Finland ...... 125,4 Switzerland ...... Food. . and . beverages . . . (including. 138,4 tobacco) This figures show how much of Denmark 144,9 your income you spend on hous- Norway ...... 135,8 ing, food, transport etc. Iceland 98,5 Cyprus 90,0 Consumer prices in Denmark Spain 97,7 In this index you can compare Portugal ...... 88,6 prices levels of final consumption Malta 79,8 by private households including Hungary ...... 64,2 indirect taxes in the different EU/ Estonia 76,6 EEA countries. As you can see Czech Republic ...... 70,0 the consumer prices are 44.9 % Slovenia ...... 84,3 higher in Denmark that average Poland ...... 57,9 prices in Europe. Bulgaria ...... 49,7 Ireland 126,0 Sweden ...... 107,6 Netherlands ...... 109,0 Germany 105,8 Italy ...... 105,4 Belgium ...... 113,3 Luxembourg 121,0 United Kingdom 95,1 Austria 107,6 France ...... 114,2 Greece ...... 96,5 Latvia ...... 73,5 Lithuania ...... 66,2 Romania ...... 57,8 Slovakia ...... 72,4

Source of data: Eurostat Comparative price levels of final consumption by private households including indirect taxes, 2009

37 The relatively high consumer prices are compensated by the high salaries in Denmark. This figure shows that the average gross earning of a full time em- ployee in enterprises with 10 or more employees in Denmark is the highest in Europe

Source: Eurostat: “Europe in figures – Eurostat yearbook 2010” Purchasing power can be illus- trated by calculating how many In you combine the consumer minutes you have to work to buy price level with the salary level e.g. a Big Mac, one kg. bread or you get the purchasing power an iPod Nano. As you can see the which shows how many goods purchasing power in Denmark and services workers can buy is approx. the same as in most with their net wages. European countries.

Private Insurance, which covers all family members, costs approx. 2,500 dkr. per year.

38 Purchasing power Private Insurance Minutes you have to work in or- der to buy a Big Mac, 1 kg. bread and an iPod Nano Basic insurance (Danish: familiens basisforsikring or indboforsikring) Country 1 Big Mac 1 kg. bread 1 iPod Nano in Min. in Min. in Hours Basic insurance is one of the most important forms of insurance. In Finland 27 16 12,5 most cases, it is offered in an in- Switzerland 15 12 9,0 surance package with the follow- Denmark 17 12 11,0 ing forms of co-insurance: Norway 21 15 10,5 Cyprus 18 10 15,0 1. Household contents insurance Spain 27 21 15,5 (Danish: indboforsikring): This Portugal 23 30 19,5 covers your personal property Hungary 59 20 68,5 against fire, theft and water Estonia 41 29 74,5 damage. Czech Republic 38 12 43,0 2. Personal liability insurance Slovenia 34 25 32,0 (Danish: ansvarsforsikring): Poland 31 13 45,5 This covers damages you may Bulgaria 56 18 78,0 have caused to other people Ireland 15 9 10,0 or their property. It is strongly Sweden 20 25 11,0 recommended to have a per- Netherlands 19 10 13,5 sonal liability insurance. Germany 18 11 13,7 3. Legal protection (Danish: Italy 27 26 19,5 retshjælp): This covers lawyer Belgium 19 13 13,0 expenses for certain legal mat- Luxembourg 15 12 10,0 ters. United Kingdom 13 10 11,0 Austria 17 16 14,0 The cost of basic insurance France 20 22 15,0 depends on the age of the in- Greece 30 13 24,5 sured, the type of home and other Latvia 42 29 51,0 factors. It starts at 1,600 kroner Lithuania 41 29 74,5 per year. Coverage for the entire Romania 56 18 78,0 family costs approximately 2,500 Slovakia 62 23 45,5 kroner per year.

Accident insurance Source: Swiss Bank UBS: Prise und Löhne - Ein Kaufkraftvergleich rund um die Welt, Ausgabe 2009 (Danish: ulykkeforsikring)

Private accident insurance pays if you suffer lasting injury to your health due to an accident dur- ing your free time or an accident on the way to and from work. (Accidents at the workplace are covered by the occupational ac- cident insurance held by your employer.)

The price for private accident insurance depends on the policy limit. The minimum cost of ac- cident insurance coverage is ap-

39 proximately 400 kroner per year, The cost of loss of earning capac- that includes liability insurance. while the average cost is approxi- ity insurance depends on income, If there is no debt on the car and mately 1,200 kroner per year. age and state of health. The mini- if it is an older car, many set- mum cost is approximately 1500 tle for the compulsory liability Children’s accident insurance kroner per year, while the aver- insurance. A child’s accident insurance age cost is approximately 3,100 policy consists of disability cover kroner per year. Responsibility for motor for permanent injury and funeral vehicles cover in case of death. Private health insurance According to the Road Traffic (Danish: privat sundhedsfor- Act, the person responsible for a Damage to the child’s teeth may sikring) motor vehicle must compensate also be covered, or may be offered for any damage the vehicle causes as an extra cover for an addition- With private health insurance, in an accident, by explosion, or al charge. you can avoid waiting times in by fire stemming from the vehi- the public health system and cle’s fuel system. In other words, Some insurance companies will consult private clinics, doctors, the owner is always liable for cover your child automatically psychologists, acupuncturists, such accidents. Claims resulting in the first year(s) of your own etc. from such accidents are paid via accident insurance policy. Check the vehicle’s compulsory insur- with your insurance company. Life insurance ance. (Danish: livsforsikring – ved død) Group accident insurance Motor liability insurance Group accident insurance poli- With life insurance you can pro- Liability insurance for a motor cies are often purchased by work- vide your life partner and chil- vehicle is compulsory and cov- places, unions or union members. dren with a payment of money in ers any liability for damages its Some schools and daycare the event of your death. In this owner or user may incur. centres buy collective accident way, you can relieve the financial No coverage of the driver insurance covering the children situation of family members that Liability insurance does not cov- during their time in the school/ survive you when your income is er damage to the motor vehicle’s centre and on trips arranged lost to the family. driver. However, passengers are by the school/centre. In some covered. Nor does the insurance cases the children’s direct route The cost of life insurance de- cover damage to the policyhold- between home and the school/ pends largely on the policy limit. er’s or user’s objects or damage to centre is also covered. For a policy limit of 400,000 kro- any connected vehicles such as a ner, you will pay approximately trailer. 1,300 kroner per year. Loss of earning capacity Comprehensive insurance insurance Dog insurance In addition to the statutory li- (Danish: forsikring ved tab af (Danish: hundeforsikring) ability insurance, the owner of a erhvervsevne) motor vehicle (car, motorcycle or If you have a dog, pet insurance moped) can also take out compre- Loss of earning capacity insur- is a legal requirement. Insurance hensive motor insurance on their ance provides you and your fam- can also be obtained for other vehicle. This covers any damage ily with a monthly payment in pets as well, though not legally to the insured vehicle and the case you lose at least 50 percent required. theft of the vehicle. There are of your earning capacity due to however some exceptions – ask illness or an accident. If your Cost: approximately 300 kroner your insurance company. employer pays a company pen- per year. Further information at sion, you may possibly be insured www.forsikringogpension.dk against loss of earning capacity Car insurance (in Danish) through the company pension (Danish: bilforsikring) system. The vast majority of private car owners have insured their car with a comprehensive insurance

40 Housing Useful websites when looking for Rents housing in Denmark include: For a rental home, you will usu- In Denmark – just like many ally pay a security deposit of up other countries – you can either www.boligportal.dk to three months’ rent. In addi- rent or buy a home. Here there www.flytteklar.dk tion, an advance payment of one is also a special form of hous- www.boligstedet.dk to three months’ rent is often ing called the “condominium www.ledige-lejligheder.dk required. apartment or “housing coopera- www.husvild.dk tive” (Danish: andelsbolig). This Rents in Denmark vary widely, housing type can be considered Please note that you have to pay depending on the region. Homes to be something between renting a fee on some of these sites to be are most expensive in Copenha- and ownership. You buy a share able to view the contact details gen and Aarhus, while smaller in a building, then pay a monthly for the renter. towns and rural areas are con- housing fee, which is used by the siderably less expensive. Twenty condominium association (Dan- Apart from the internet, rental kilometres here can mean a big ish: boligselskab) for expenses homes are also advertised in difference in price. such as interest payments, repairs newspapers. You can find adver- and upgrades. tisements in regional and na- Rental contract tional newspapers. Another very The rental contract defines some Many Danes sooner or later useful place to look for housing of the rights and obligations of decide to buy a home or a condo- adverts is in the local newspa- the tenant and landlord. This minium. Younger Danes frequent- pers. Most of the advertisements includes the amount of rent pay- ly rent and wait to buy their own for homes in the daily papers able and the move-in and move- home later. The same applies for appear on the weekend. out condition of the home. For most of the foreign nationals who example, the contract will state work in Denmark. A lot of flats are let to members whether the home needs to be of housing associations (Danish: renovated when the tenant moves Because it is common practice to boligforening). Often there is a out and who is to be responsible buy a home in Denmark, rental waiting list, and those with the for maintaining doors, locks, etc. homes are a scarce commod- highest seniority will be offered If you rent a home from a public ity. This is particularly true of vacancies before others. You often housing enterprise, a written smaller rental homes in the lower have to pay an annual amount to rental contract is required by law. price segment. Anyone looking be a member of a housing asso- A rental contract is not required for low-price housing in Denmark ciation. There are many housing by law for homes in private hand, should therefore have patience associations in all Danish cities. but it is recommended nonethe- and be prepared for the possibil- ity that they will only get a short- term rental contract.

Finding a rental home (Danish: lejebolig) The best means of finding a home is the internet. There are many Danish websites that advertise housing offers. Some of the sites include the option of a personal search profile. As soon as a home is available that matches your search profile in such a setting, you will receive notification by email.

Finding a cheap rental home can be difficult.

41 It is common to sign a mortgage Moving when buying property. If you move your household within Denmark, you must in- form the Citizens Service Centre (Danish: Borgerservice) of your new address in the municipality that you move to. You can do this by either showing up personally or completing the appropriate change-of-address form (Danish: flytteanmeldelse) on the website of your new municipality. Please note that you have to do this less. If the landlord does not want on a home loan from your tax within 5 days after you move in to sign a rental contract, you calculation. to the new home! should take a close look at their reasons. When subletting, a writ- You can find links to real estate You should also inform the Dan- ten contract is required by law in agents at sites such as ish Post Office of your move and all cases. www.boligsiden.dk (in Danish). provide them with a forwarding address. In some cases, you can apply for Other living expenses a housing allowance from the Other living expenses are taken You can find an overview of municipality. Please contact your here to mean payments for heat- firms pertaining to a household local municipality to find our ing, electricity, water and pos- move on the internet. You can get more, and you can also find more sibly gas. In rental homes, these quotes from moving companies at information at www.llo.dk costs are usually charged on the website www.flyttetilbud.dk account, i.e. by instalments along (in Danish). The Danish Tenant Union can be with the rent. If the use of utili- found at www.llo.dk ties is higher than estimated, the tenant has to make up the differ- ence. If the use is lower, the over- Buying an apartment or house paid amount has to be refunded If you would like to purchase an by the landlord. apartment or a house, you can get information about home buying from real estate agents. Prices vary widely depending on the location, size and fixtures of the home.

It is common in Denmark for the buyer to obtain a loan from a building and loan association. For this purpose, the apartment or house serves as security. Gen- erally, a maximum of 80 percent of the property value can be fi- nanced using these loans, which have a repayment period of up to 30 years.

You pay taxes on the value of your property but in return, you A new address must be registered can deduct any interest payable within 5 days.

42 Radio and Television Fees

In Denmark, anyone owning a radio, a television or computer capable of receiving and display- ing pictures must pay a media fee (Danish: medielicens). The fee applies for the entire household.

You are legally obligated in Den- mark to pay fees for your fee-pay- able equipment. This even applies if you do not watch or listen to radio or TV channels. You pay for owning the equipment. The fee is a statutory equipment tax and it is payable in advance every 6 months. Telephone and phone, internet and television are You must register with the fees Internet bundled into a single package. office within 14 days after acquir- ing the equipment. If you own a Telephone: All Danish telephone Internet is widely used in Den- television, a computer and a ra- numbers consist of eight numbers mark and most households have dio, you only pay one media fee. and have the local code already private internet access. Because integrated. The international of this, much contact to Danish If you no longer own any fee-pay- code for Denmark is: +45. authorities takes place via the able equipment, you must cancel internet. You can use a free com- your registration in writing. Your foreign cell phone will of puter with internet access at the You can cancel your registration course also work in Denmark, Danish libraries. either on the internet at www. provided that it has roaming dr.dk/licens or send a letter to capability. You should note that the following address: using a telephone you bring DR Licens- og Programservice, with you (or a SIM card from DR Byen, 0999 København C your home country) will involve what are known as roaming The cancellation will only be fees. Please contact your current valid from the date on which cell phone provider for informa- DR Licens- og Programservice tion about the exact amount of receives your letter and is not the roaming fees that will be retroactive. charged. It may be a good idea for a start to use your mobile phone If you move within Denmark, from your home country and bay you do not need to do anything; a prepaid telephone card. the fee will move with you. You only need to send in notice and As in other countries, there are cancel a fee if you leave Denmark a large number of telephone and or move in with a partner who is internet service providers in already paying the fee. Denmark. Because the market here is also extremely difficult to News from Denmark in English navigate, it is recommended that www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Andre_ you research the prices of each sprog/English/index.htm provider in advance. So-called “compact solutions” are currently popular, in which telephone, cell

43 Bringing your Private in Denmark for a period of one • Cash to pay the registration Vehicle to Denmark to three years, you can seek tax permission from SKAT to pay • Registration form (form no. the registration tax quarterly in 21.016). You can find it at The vehicle must be registered advance. To do this, use form no. www.skat.dk under Borger – 14 days after arrival 21.033 (Danish version) or form Blanketter. If you bring a vehicle to Den- no. 21.036 (English version). You mark and you take up residence can find the forms at www.skat. SKAT will then calculate the in Denmark, the vehicle must dk under Borger – Blanketter. You registration tax based on the ve- be registered to Danish number must pay annual taxes and du- hicle’s market price inclusive of plates within 14 days of arrival, ties (vehicle excise duty or green registration tax if sold to a person and you must pay registration owner’s tax) when your vehicle is in Denmark. This price will be tax. If you are resident in Den- registered in Denmark. The taxes compared to the vehicle’s original mark, you must not use a vehicle and duties depend on the vehicle cost and loss in value. Our deci- which is registered in a foreign and how you use it, among other sion concerning the valuation of country. Contact SKAT if you things. Contact SKAT if you need the vehicle will be sent to you have any doubt as to whether you further information. To register (form no. 21.043). are resident in Denmark. You a motor vehicle in Denmark, can do so by filling in form no. you must first take out liability Number plates 21.059. The form is also available insurance. Contact an insurance When you have paid the reg- in English (21.059E). You can find company if you need further istration tax, the number plate the forms at www.skat.dk under information. desk at the tax centre will issue Borger – Blanketter. If you own a Danish number plates to you. vehicle which has been registered Contact a tax centre when the Please bring the following docu- in another EU country, you may vehicle has passed the vehicle ments and items with you: bring the vehicle to Denmark inspection without paying VAT if it has done Before the vehicle can be regis- • Vehicle inspection form and more than 6,000 kilometres and tered to Danish number plates, the customs inspection form is more than six months old. Cus- an ordinary technical inspection issued by the vehicle inspec- toms duty and VAT are normally and a customs inspection must tion authority charged on vehicles imported be performed by a vehicle inspec- • Foreign registration certificate from non- EU countries. tion authority to determine the • Insurance certificate identity, the number of kilome- • Decision concerning valuation Taxes and liability insurance tres on the clock, features and • Receipt for registration tax paid When you register a vehicle to general condition of the vehicle. • Cash to pay for number plates Danish number plates, you must (DKK 1,180 for cars). pay registration tax. If you stay When the vehicle has passed the inspection, you must visit your If you leave Denmark nearest tax centre. You will find If you leave Denmark and bring your nearest tax centre at your vehicle with you, you can www.skat.dk under Kontakt. apply for a refund if you have paid registration tax. The refund Please bring the following docu- corresponds to the registration ments and items with you: tax that would have to be paid if • Vehicle inspection form and the same vehicle was imported the customs inspection form from a foreign country less 15%, issued by the vehicle inspec- however a minimum of DKK tion authority 7,500 for private cars and DKK • Foreign registration certificate 4,000 for vans and motorcycles. • Receipt, if any, for payment of You can apply by filling in form customs duty (when bringing 21.044 (Danish). You can find vehicles from non- EU coun- the form at www.skat.dk under Bringing your private vehicle is tries) Borger / Blanketter. possible but some paperwork is necessary.

44

Driving Licence Non-EU Citizens Requirements for the photo in Non-EU citizens resident in your driving licence Denmark must exchange their There are special require- Exchange your driving licence driving license from their home ments for the photograph to be for a Danish licence country to a Danish driving used for your driving licence. If you have a driving licence from license within 90 days in order to See: http://www.politi.dk/NR/ an EU country or Iceland, Nor- drive in Denmark. When driving rdonlyres/8E37DFDF-9B14-48E9- way or Lichtenstein, you can use in this period you must bring: A9E2-5F1D171393EC/0/1058_pas- it in Denmark. If you are a resi- • Your current residence permit plakat_A4_web.pdf dent of Denmark you can choose (or proof of residence if you to exchange it for a Danish EU are an EU citizen). Temporary residence in driving licence without doing a • Your driving licence from Denmark driving test. your home country. If it is not If you are a foreigner with tempo- issued in the Latin alphabet or rary residence in Denmark, you Licences can also be exchanged if it does not exist in a transla- can use an international driving for a Danish licence without a tion into German, English or licence or a valid foreign driving driving test if they are issued in French you need a translation. licence. If you do not have one, the Australian Capitol Territory, The translation must be car- you can have a tourist driving Brazil, Japan, Chinese Taipei ried out by a state-authorised licence issued by the police. (Taiwan), the Republic of Korea translator or a translator ap- (South Korea), Russia, Switzer- proved by the Danish police. land or the Ukraine, but you must You can find the nearest bring a medical certificate issued state-authorised translator in by your own doctor. the yellow pages or on www. krak.dk (type “statsautoriseret An exchange for a Danish licence translatør” in the search box). costs DKK 260 (as of 2011). Driving licences issued in non- Where to get a driving licence EU countries can be exchanged Contact a citizen service centre after passing a driving test. (Danish: Borgerservice) in one of the country’s municipalities to The citizen service center helps exchange your foreign licence for if you need a Danish driver’s a Danish one. license.

You must bring: • a medical certificate issued by your doctor • a photograph • your driving licence • a valid passport.

If you do not have a valid pass- port, bring your original birth certificate and a photo ID.

45 Domestic Passport Transportation Your foreign passport is fully Rail/bus: Buses and trains travel valid in Denmark. If you live in hourly between Denmark’s major Denmark and need a new pass- cities. You can find further port, contact the representation information on the Danish State of your home country (embassy Railways website at www.dsb.dk ; or consulate) in Denmark. You information about specific routes can find information regarding can be found at www.rejseplanen. opening times, addresses, the dk. documentation required, etc. on the websites of each respective Air: With connecting flights, you representation. can travel from Copenhagen to Aarhus, Aalborg, Billund, Esb- Traffic Regulations You can find an overview of all jerg, Odense, Sønderborg, Karup foreign representations (embas- and Bornholm. Speed limits (in km/h) sies and consulates) in Denmark Cars on motorways – 130 km/h at: (however, only 110 near cities); http://www.um.dk/NR/ rural roads – 80 km/h, and in rdonlyres/2B4CA5EF-1173-4A99- built-up areas – 50 km/h. Cars 8CCD-2B9F4E2A3CA0/0/Diplo- with trailers: 70 km/h. maticMissions2010.pdf

The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per mil. Cars and motorcycles must have their dipped headlights on at all times when on the road. Motorcycle riders must wear a helmet. White triangles painted on the road surface mean give way (yield). The Storebælt and Øresund bridges are toll bridges.

You must have your driving licence on you when driving a vehicle. The major cities are connected by buses, trains, flights and motorways. Money

The Danish krone (DKK) con- sists of 100 øre. The following coins are in circulation: 50 øre, 1 krone, 2 kroner, 5, 10 and 20 kroner. Bank notes are available in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner. The rate of exchange is approximately 7.45 kroner to one euro (7.45 DKK = 1 €). Many shops, hotels and restau- rants accept credit cards.

See also ”Banks and bank account”

46 Elections and Voting Rights

The Danish electoral system In Denmark we have a representa- tive democracy. This means that at elections citizens choose the representatives to parliament and municipal and regional councils whom they want to make deci- sions on their behalf. Municipal elections In Denmark there is local self- Diplomatic General elections government, meaning that Representations According to the constitution, municipalities and regions have general elections to the national self-determination over a number You can find an overview of all parliament must be held at least of areas. The municipal elections foreign representations once every four years, since a are an umbrella term for elec- (embassies and consulates) in given parliament may not be in tions to municipal and regional Denmark at: power for more than four years. councils. http://www.um.dk/NR/ Elections are called by the prime rdonlyres/2B4CA5EF-1173-4A99- minister. These elections are held every 8CCD-2B9F4E2A3CA0/0/Diplo- four years, always on the third maticMissions2010.pdf The parliament’s 179 elected Tuesday of November. members are divided into parties. Only rarely is there a candidate EU parliamentary elections Legal Assistance without a party – a so-called Since Denmark is a member of independent. the European Union, the Danes Citizen’s advice office also elect their own candidates At the local citizen’s advice office When it comes to voting, you can for the EU parliament. 14 Danish (Danish: advokatvagten) in your either vote for a party or a spe- representatives are elected to the Danish municipality, you can get cific person. EU parliament. Elections are held information if you would like it every five years. in case of legal problems, such as tax errors, housing, contracts, etc. This information is free of charge Voting rights but you do have to visit the office The Danish parliament at personally. The local citizen’s Christiansborg in Copenhagen. advice office will primarily be able to help you to precisely iden- tify the legal problem and will provide you with advice about further steps you can take (pos- sible points of contact, etc.). You can find the addresses and open- ing times for your local citizen’s advice office at the website www. advokatsamfundet.dk

47 Local elections (Danish: kommunalvalg): EU citizens and citizens of the Nordic countries have active and passive electoral rights in lo- cal elections in Denmark. This means that EU citizens can both vote and stand for election. Non- EU citizens are awarded active and passive electoral rights once they have been living in Denmark for three years.

Regional elections (Danish: regionsrådsvalg) EU citizens and citizens from the Nordic countries have active and passive electoral rights in region- al elections in Denmark. Non-EU citizens are awarded active and passive electoral rights once they have been living in Denmark for three years.

European election: All EU citizens have active and passive electoral rights.

Parliamentary election (Danish: folketingsvalg): Only Danish citizens have the right to vote in the parliamentary elec- tion in Denmark. Christmas is usually spent with Parliamentary election in your the family and many people go Public Holidays, home country to church on 24th December. Celebrations and Even if you are living in Den- mark, you will generally retain Cultural Events your right to vote in parliamenta- ry elections in your own country. Statutory public holidays If there are forthcoming parlia- mentary elections in your home The statutory public holidays in country, please contact your Denmark are similar to those in country’s embassy. They will be many other European countries. able to provide you with details You can find an overview of pub- regarding your participation in lic holidays in Denmark on the the elections. website www.tlib.dk/kalender

Here is a list of the different pub- lic holidays, together with their Danish names: The swallow-tailed flag is used by state authorities and the royal family.

48 New year’s day Odense: Hans Christian Anders- (Danish: Nytårsdag) – January 1 ens birthday – in celebration of the birtyday of Hans Christian Maundy Thursday Andersen, the entrance to all (Danish: Skærtorsdag) of the Hans Christian Anders- Good Friday (Danish: Langfredag) ens’ museums is free of charge. Easter Sunday (Danish: Påskedag) Furthermore, various cultural Easter Monday happenings take place in Odense. (Danish: 2. Påskedag) – March/ (April 2) April (date of holiday varies) May Penance Day (Danish: Store Copenhagen and Aalborg: The Bededag) – fourth Friday after carnival jokers spend all year Easter (date of holiday varies) preparing for the hottest carnival Typical Easter egg decoration. in the North, with rambunctious Whitsunday (Danish: Pinsedag) dancing and exotic costumes awaiting. Since it was revived in Whit Monday (Danish: the 1980s, this festival has been 2. Pinsedag) – May/June (date of Celebrations and cultural taking place at Whitsun. Most of holiday varies) events throughout the year the costumed fools then gather at the Amagertorv fountain in Ascension (Danish: Kristi Him- Please find a complete list and Copenhagen (end of the month). melfartsdag) – sixth Thursday af- inspiration on ter Easter (date of holiday varies) www.visitdenmark.dk Ribe: Vikinger Marked – colourful Viking market with demonstra- Constitution Day January tions of old crafts and combat (Danish: Grundlovsdag) – June Nytårs Koncert – classical New techniques (first weekend in 5 (½ or whole day off depending Year concert in the major cities. May). on which collective agreement regulates your work place) April June Copenhagen: Fødselsdags Parade The longest day of the year is cel- Christmas Eve (Danish: Juleaf- – in celebration of the birthday ebrated throughout the country ten) – December 24 (depending of Margrethe II, the Palace Guard with fires and festivities on the on collective agreement) 1st and marches past Amalienborg Palace Eve of Saint John’s or Sankt Hans 2nd Christmas Day – (April 16) Aften (June 23). December 25 and 26

Christmas evening is time for presents. Midsummer is celebrated with bonfires and songs in the bright night.

49 The Danes love live music.

Silkeborg: Riverboat Jazz Festival Roskilde: Roskilde Festival Odense: Odense flower festival (www.riverboat.dk ) – this mu- (www.roskildefestival.dk) – the (www.blomsterfestival.dk). sic event draws more than 25,000 largest rock event in Northern (Five days in August). visitors. Europe attracts a good 70,000 fans (first weekend in July). Skanderborg: Frederikssund: Vikinge Spil Skanderborg Festival. (www.vikingespil.dk) – four-week Sønderborg, Aabenraa Danmarks Smukkeste Festival Viking spectacle, with open-air (www.ringrider.dk) and other (www.smukfest.dk) theatre and traditional food and locations in South Jutland: drink. Ringriderfest – ring rider games, Odense: Opera on the Meadow/ in which horse riders attempt Opera på engen Odense: Odense Sommerjazz to spear a small ring with their (http://odensesymfoni.dk) (www.odensesommerjazz.dk) lance at a gallop. (Usually 2nd Sunday of August) præsenterer nogle af de bedste udenlandske og danske jazz- Aarhus: International Jazz Odense: OFF Odense Internation- bands. Festival (www.jazzfest.dk) – at al Film Festival the middle of the month; thou- (http://filmfestival.dk/en/). Svendborg: Denmark’s largest ar- sands of jazz fans from through- Odense International Film Fes- tisan food producers fair (www. out Europe gather in Aarhus. tival is a short film festival that kulinarisksydfyn.dk). The fair annually celebrates films from offers a unique opportunity to get Copenhagen Jazz Festival across the globe and gathers film to know the diversity of excellent (www.jazzfestival.dk) enthusiasts from near and far. regional products. (End of August) Samsø Festival (www.samfest.dk) July Tønder: Folkfestival (www.tf.dk) Rebild Bakker: Rebild Fest – over August – major festival towards the end 10,000 participants celebrate US Horsens: Middelalderfest of the month, near to the German Independence Day on July 4 every (www.middelalderfestival.dk) – border. year. two days of celebrations, includ- ing jousting, minnesong, jugglers Skagen: Skagen Festival and revelry (second half of the (www.skagenfestival.dk ) – Inter- month). national bands play at Denmark’s northernmost folk and rock Copenhagen: Copenhagen Inter- event. national Ballet - ballet festival which includes performances of modern dance.

50 September December Local Libraries Rømø: Dragefestival Odense: Hans Christian Andersen (www.danskdrageklub.dk ) Christmas Market – Christmas Use your local library as a gate- – for three days, the most beauti- like in the day of Hans Christian way to you local community. ful kites fly in the sky (start of Andersen (http://www.hcajule- Apart from the classical services September). markedet.dk ). In the oldest part of lending out books, music and of Odense you can experience films, the Danish libraries of- Aarhus: Aarhus Festuge old fashioned market atmosphere fer an array of free events and (www.aarhusfestuge.dk) – this with Christmas decorations, services that will help you and/ ten-day cultural festival with booths, vegetable market and lots or your family getting settled in rock, jazz, classical music, thea- of entertainment inspired by the your local community. Make use tre and dance is held at the start fairy tale poet. (Two weekends in of individual counselling from of the month. November and/or December) librarians who can provide you with information on children’s October Tønder: Julemarked events, evening classes, over- Aarhus: Took it (www.tonderjul.dk ) – one of the views on spare time activities (www.aarhustookit.dk ) – North- most beautiful Christmas markets for adults and children, cultural ern Europe’s largest hip-hop in Denmark (from the middle of events etc. Through most libraries festival takes place at the start of November to the weekend before you can also gain online access the month. Christmas). to more than 1700 international newspapers (Library Press Dis- Copenhagen and Aarhus: Aarhus: Julemarked play). Should you miss anything, Kulturnat (www.kulturnatten. (www.dengamleby.dk) – Christ- you can order any material (from dk) – on culture night, which is mas market in The Old Town of abroad as well) to pick up for free held on the second Friday of the Aarhus. The Old Town is a 5- star at your local library. month, museums, galleries and world experience. theatres open until midnight and Find your nearest library here: show their exhibitions and an ad- www.bibliotek.dk/?lingo=eng ditional cultural programme.

Denmark offers a large variety of festivals all year round, and some are free of charge. Libraries can also be used free of charge, and they offer many cultural events.

51 Job search in Denmark

Employment for Websites in Danish: Join Workindenmark’s Spouse Your Partner www.jobnet.dk Programme Jobnet.dk is the official website of the Danish Employment Service As a spouse, you may have put If you would like to find out and contains a comprehensive your career on hold to accompany about employment opportuni- list of job postings and an appli- your partner to Denmark. Having ties for your partner in Denmark, cant database. settled in Denmark, you might these websites offer useful point- like to pursue a professional ca- ers: At https://info.jobnet. reer at a Danish workplace too. dk/jobs%c3%b8ger/ Websites in English: link+for+jobs%c3%b8gere/job- A job is the quickest way to build www.workindenmark.dk banker you find an up dated list a network in Denmark. However, On this website you will find a with more than 80 databases with many spouses experience diffi- wide range of jobs submitted by 1000 of jobs. culties finding a job in Denmark. Danish employers directed at for- eign nationals looking for work. In addition, many Danish com- Finding a job requires that: Here you will also find some use- panies have a menu heading ful information regarding how to on their website (Jobs) where • you have a good overview write a CV and cover letter “the you can submit applications for of your education and work Danish style” and some useful specific vacancies as well as CV experience. tips on job seeking in Denmark. databases where you can register. • you can write a short, effec- The majority of the vacancies are tive cover letter and a CV that published in Danish, although appeal to Danish employers. some are also in English. • your CV and application are visible to Danish employers. • you have knowledge of Danish labour market requirements and working conditions.

Workindenmark can help you meet these four requirements and assist you in your job search.

Accompanying partners can receive help with their CV and application.

52 Graduates can register as unemployed jobseekers.

Graduates permit e.g. a Greencard or a per- Jobcenter can also guide you con- manent residence permit in order cerning the registration proce- Students from abroad who have to receive unemployment benefits dure, your rights and your duties completed a graduate program in – more information below. as unemployed. Denmark of at least 18 months in duration can join a Danish unem- If you comply with the above You can also register as a jobseek- ployment insurance fund if: mentioned preconditions and er on www.jobnet.dk (in Danish want to stay in Denmark as a only).If you choose to register via • You had a permanent address jobseeker with unemployment www.jobnet.dk , please remember in Denmark no later than one benefits it is important to remem- to print and save a copy of the day before the start of your ber to: receipt of your registration and to education. print an unemployment declara- • You are in Denmark no 1. Register at the Jobcenter as tion form (Danish: ledighedser- later than 14 days (including unemployed on the first day klæring) and an unemployment weekends) after you end your after your graduation benefit card (Danish: dagpenge- education, i.e. you must apply 2. Send your admission form to kort) for membership within two an unemployment insurance weeks (14 days) of completing fund within 14 days Please note, that you have no your education. 3. Get a tax card right to unemployment benefits 4. Check you work- and resi- until the day you have registered Membership of an unemployment dence status at the Jobcenter. insurance fund is a precondi- tion for receiving unemployment 2. Send your admission form benefits. 1. Register at the Jobcenter to an unemployment insurance On the first day after your gradu- fund within 14 days EU citizen will be entitled to ation you must register as a job- Send your admission form to unemployment benefits after the seeker at a Jobcenter. The easiest your unemployment insurance same rules as Danish citizens. way to register is to register by fund. As a graduate you will re- personal appearance at a Jobcent- ceive graduate privileges, which Non-EU citizens must hold a er in Denmark (you can choose entitle you to unemployment valid Danish work and residence any Jobcenter in Denmark). The benefits already a month after

53 completing your education. Your 4. Work and residence status you the right to work full-time. A education is considered ended: work permit which is limited to EU Citizens a specific job or a certain amount • When student activities have While studying you have been of hours is not sufficient for stopped, you have received registered as a student at the having unemployment benefits. your final grade and passed Regional State Administration. Neither is the ‘Student work per- your exams After graduation you must change mit’ (15 hours pr. week) you were • If your certificate is issued your status. If you receive unem- granted during your study time. when the student activities ployment benefits your residence have ended, then the date of status must be changed to “Suffi- Greencard scheme: It is possible sending the degree certificate cient funds” (unemployment ben- to be granted a residence permit will be considered the date of efits = “sufficient funds”), which for the purpose of seeking work, ending education means, that you have enough and subsequently working, in money to live in Denmark, with- Denmark. A residence and work If your education ends with a out claiming other benefits from permit under the Greencard thesis or speciality paper, your the social assistance system. scheme is issued on the basis of education can be considered end- an individual evaluation using a ed already at the time when you You can change your registration point system designed to assess receive an advance approval from status at either the International the likelihood that the applicant your examiner or counsellor. It is Citizens Service in Aalborg, will be able to find qualified required that all grades have been Aarhus, Odense or Copenhagen work in Denmark. awarded and all student activities or at the Regional State Adminis- have stopped. Student activities tration. More info at If you are granted a residence per- include participating in tutorials, www.statsforvaltning.dk mit under the Greencard scheme, exams or defending a thesis etc. you do not need to obtain a work Please note, that your unemploy- Non-EU Citizens permit. A residence permit under ment insurance fund must have While studying you have been the Greencard scheme gives you received your admission form granted a residence permit as the right to carry out paid or un- at the latest 14 days after your a student by the Immigration paid work. If you hold a Green- graduation. This deadline is ex- service. This residence permit card you can receive unemploy- tremely important. allows you to work 15 hours pr ment benefits, if you comply with week (and full time in June, July the registration and admission All unemployment insurance and August) and allows you to directives (see above) funds offer personal guidance search for a job in Denmark after concerning job search and your graduation, but does not allow You can submit your applica- rights and duties. you to start working full time in tion for extension, apply for Denmark. Greencard, ask questions and get 3. Tax card personal guidance at either the Unemployment benefit is taxable Your residence permit is often International Citizens Service in income in Denmark. The Danish valid for an additional six months Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense or Co- tax authorities (Danish: SKAT) after you complete your study penhagen or at the immigration calculate your tax, issue your tax programme – if not, you can have service in Copenhagen. More info card and offer personal informa- your residence permit extended. at www.newtodenmark.dk tion and guidance on tax ques- This is done by submitting an tions. application for extension to im- migration service. More info at www.skat.dk . You meet the tax authorities at either You are only entitled to unem- the International Citizens Service ployment benefits if you have a in Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense or work- and residence permit. Your Copenhagen or at the local tax work- and residence permit must offices. be valid through the whole peri- od of which you apply for unem- ployment benefits, and also give

54 If you lose your job Step 1. Register as unemployed Step 2: Contact your unemploy- at the local Jobcenter. ment insurance fund Not member of an unemploy- To be entitled to unemployment ment insurance fund Step 2. Contact your unem- benefits, you must have had at ployment insurance least 52 weeks of work within the Financial support fund last three years and been a mem- Membership of an unemployment ber of an unemployment insur- insurance fund is a precondition Step 3A. Contact the Regional ance fund for at least one year. for receiving unemployment ben- State Administration efits. If you are not a member and for advice concerning Unemployment insurance peri- lose your job in Denmark, you residence status (EU ods earned in another EU/EEA may not be entitled to any kind of Citizens only) country can be included in the financial support. To clarify, you calculations for entitlement to must register at the local Jobcent- Step 3B. Contact the immigra- unemployment benefits. Your un- er and ask for advice. tion service for advice employment insurance fund will concerning residence guide you how. Work and residence permit/ status (Non-EU Citizens registration certificate only) Your unemployment insur- Your Danish work and residence ance fund is responsible for the permit/registration certificate is Step 1: Register as unemployed payment of benefit, but also for based on your employment. If you You can register by personal checking whether you comply loose your job you must contact appearance at a Jobcenter in with the regulations for un- the authority which granted your Denmark (you can choose any employed. Right after having work and residence permit/regis- Jobcenter in Denmark). Please registered at the Jobcenter you tration certificate. note that you must register on the must contact your unemploy- first day of unemployment. ment insurance fund. You must EU citizens must contact the provide the fund with: Regional State Administration At the Jobcenter you must com- for advice regarding residence plete a declaration of unemploy- • The unemployment declara- certificate. ment that must be submitted to tion form (www.jobnet.dk) your unemployment insurance • Your tax card Non-EU/EEA citizens must fund. • Your notice of resignation/no- contact the immigration service tice if discharged for advice regarding work and The Jobcenter will also guide • Your pay slips for the last 14 residence permit. you concerning the registration months (if you have worked procedure, your rights and your that long) duties as unemployed. Members of an unemployment Important insurance fund You must be actively seeking If you are not a Danish citizen, employment and be willing to ac- you must have a valid Danish cept offers of employment when work and residence permit or a you are unemployed and receiv- registration certificate in order ing unemployment benefits. to get unemployment benefits from an unemployment insur- There are several rules and ance fund. The permit must be regulations concerning un- valid through the whole period employment benefit. It is your for which you seek benefits, and responsibility to comply with the also give you the right to work regulations. If you fail to comply, full-time. your unemployment benefits will be stopped. Please ask for advice If you loose your job in Denmark concerning rules and regulations and want to stay as a jobseeker at your unemployment insurance with unemployment benefit it is fund. important to:

55 The Jobcentres and the unem- Workindenmark ployment insurance funds offers services information and guidance – please ask if you have any doubts Help finding a new job or questions. Workindenmark job-search Taking part in job search Step 3A: Contact the Regional services focus on three areas: courses State Administration for advice making your qualifications vis- concerning residence status ible, job search courses and Workindenmark offers a job (EU Citizens only) individual job search counsel- search course, covering If you loose your job in Denmark ling. subjects such as: you may have to change your residence status – from “Worker” Making your qualifications • the actual employment situa- to “Sufficient funds” (Unem- visible tion and job opportunities in ployment benefits = “Sufficient Denmark. funds”) which means, that you Workindenmark can explain how • an introduction to job and CV have enough money to live in to make your qualifications vis- banks. Denmark without claiming other ible to relevant Danish companies • how to write your CV and job benefits from the social assis- and ensure that it happens by: applications. tance system. • job search – how to improve • helping you find relevant your job opportunities. You can change your registration information on • Denmark from a work per- status and get advice at either the workindenmark.dk. spective and Danish corporate International Citizens Service • offering free use of our job and culture. in Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense or CV banks on Workindenmark. Copenhagen or at the Regional dk. In our job bank you can State Administration. More info see vacant jobs and you can at www.statsforvaltning.dk enter your CV in the CV bank so Danish employers can find 3B. Contact the immigration it. service for advice concerning • advising you on how to residence status (Non-EU Citi- formulate your CV. zens only) • helping you find a job if your Non-EU citizens have the same CV and qualifications are right as EU Citizens regarding within a field where there is a membership of an unemployment labour shortage in Denmark. insurance fund as well as rights to unemployment benefits in case of unemployment, but please note, that apart from registration at the Jobcenter and the member- ship of an unemployment insur- ance fund, it is a precondition for receiving unemployment benefits, that you have a valid work- and residence permit e.g. a Greencard or a permanent residence permit. More information concerning Greencard and work- and resi- dence permits for non-EU Citi- zens at www.newtodenmark.dk

56 Getting individual help with • helping you compile a CV job search and application that target a specific job and specific com- Workindenmark can give you pany. individual help to • helping you formulate your find work in Denmark by: CV so that Danish employers can easily understand it. We • clarifying wishes and levels of can help explain international ambition, such as geographi- educations and international cal radius, industries, full- work experience to Danish time or part-time/freelance employers. work, types of companies, • finding relevant jobs and language skills. putting you in contact with • clarifying job opportunities in relevant companies. relation to wishes and qualifi- • offering a permanent contact cations. person as a source of support • explaining how your partner during the entire process. can increase his or her job op- • advising on all aspects con- portunities in Denmark. cerning job search and set- • helping you look for jobs on tling in to a job in Denmark. the internet – via workinden- mark.dk and other job data- bases.

You can improve your job opportunities by taking part in job seeking courses.

57 Leaving Denmark

Check List Tax Bank Contact The Danish Tax Authori- Inform your bank that you are – What should I ties (Danish: SKAT) to finalize leaving Denmark. It may be nec- do when I leave your taxes. Please provide the essary to keep a Danish account Tax Authorities with your future for e.g. the last salary payment, Denmark ? address outside of Denmark. In tax refunds etc. the end of the tax year the tax When leaving Denmark there authorities will calculate you Pensions are a few important issues to be final tax. SKAT might contact Contact The Danish Pensions aware of as foreign citizen. In you regarding tax issues such as Agency (Danish: Pensionssty- the following checklist we have tax refunds for instance – if they relsen) (www.penst.dk) to sort listed matters of particular im- know you future address! out your pensions. This is espe- portance. cially relevant if you are retiring Holiday pay outside of Denmark or if you have Deregister yourself from Remember to contact Feriekonto worked in or/and are going to the Danish National Register of – more information on www.atp. work in a third country. Persons dk (in 6 different languages) to Before you leave Denmark you collect any outstanding holiday should contact your local munici- pay before you leave Denmark. pality Citizens Service Centre (Danish: Borgerservice) to deregis- Insurances in Denmark ter yourself as a resident in Den- Inform your insurance company, mark. Please provide the Citizens that you are leaving Denmark. Service Centres with your future address outside of Denmark.

Inform SKAT and other relevant authorities that you are leaving the country.

58 Cancel media fee, subscrip- tions e.g. mobile phone and newspaper, membership of clubs, associations etc. If you are member of an union you must inform the union, that you are leaving Denmark.

You must cancel your registration for media fee on TV and Radio in writing. You can cancel your reg- istration on the internet at www. dr.dk/licens. The cancellation will only be valid from the date on which DR Licens- og Program- service receives your letter and is not retroactive.

When you cancel your newspa- pers subscription, membership of clubs, associations etc. you may be entitled to payment refund.

Withdraw subscriptions in due time.

59 Important Telephone Numbers and Addresses

– Region North Denmark

(Danish: Region Nordjylland)

International Citizens Service Nytorv 7 2.tv 9000 Aalborg Telephone: +45 72 56 89 20 [email protected] www.icitizens.dk

Opening hours Thursday 13.00 – 17.00 Friday 9.00 – 13.00

All the service you need in one place. At the International Citizens Service you meet all the Danish authorities you need to register after arrival in Denmark – The State Administration, The State Administration Tax Centres Immigration Service, The Dan- Statsforvaltningen Nordjylland Skattecenter Aalborg ish Tax Administration and The (EU Department) Skibsbyggerivej 5 Municipality Citizens Service Nytorv 7 2.tv 9000 Aalborg Centre. 9000 Aalborg Telephone +45 72 56 87 00 Skattecenter Hjørring [email protected] Parallelvej 11 9800 Hjørring Residence permit – The State Opening hours Administration Monday 08.30 – 12.30 Skattecenter Thisted (Danish: Statsforvaltning) Tuesday 08.30 – 12.30 Thisted Kystvej 4 Wednesday 08.30 – 12.30 7700 Thisted If you work and live in the North Thursday 13.00 – 17.00 Jutland area (Region North Den- Friday 09.00 – 13.00 Telephone +45 72 22 18 18 mark - Nordjylland), you must apply for your residence permit at Opening hours the state administration (Stats- Tax Card Monday 10.00 – 16.00 forvaltning) in either the Interna- Tax cards are issued by the tax Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00 tional Citizens Service in Aalborg authorities (Danish: SKAT). Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 or at the administration office in Apart from the Tax centres you Thursday 10.00 – 14.00 Aalborg can apply for your tax card and Friday 10.00 – 14.00 get personal guidance about tax questions at the International Citizens Service in Aalborg.

60 Social and health insurance After-hours medical assistance Sygehus Himmerland and CPR number – Telephone +45 70 15 03 00 Højgårdsvej 11 CPR number and health Cards After-hours medical assistance is 9630 Farsø are issued by the Municipality available 16.00 to 08.00 Monday Citizens Service Centre to Friday and 24 hours a day at (Danish: Borgerservice) weekends and on public holidays. Emergency dental service An after-hours doctor is available (Danish: tandlægevagten) Addresses, telephone numbers after GPs’ surgeries close. and opening hours can be found Call the after-hours doctor in If you need dental care outside on the municipality web-site the event of sudden illness or if practice office hours, you can www.cityname.dk (e.g. www. your condition worsens. You will contact the emergency dental aarhus.dk) speak to a doctor who will decide service. whether or not you should attend At the International Citizens Ser- a medical unit. In special circum- Telephone number: vice in Aalborg you get personal stances the doctor may visit you +45 70 20 02 55. The telephone guidance and general information at home or call an ambulance. gives information about the emer- on social security, CPR number You must have an appointment gency service and opening hours. etc. with the after-hours doctor to visit the after-hours medical unit, Filstedvej 10 International Citizens Service so please do not leave home with- 9000 Aalborg Nytorv 7 2.tv out calling first! Telephone +45 70 20 02 55 9000 Aalborg Telephone: +45 72 56 89 20 Emergency room Opening hours [email protected] In the event of injury, involving Saturdays, Sundays and public www.icitizens.dk e.g. broken bones or severe bleed- holidays 9.00 – 10.00 ing, and need to be treated at Opening hours Accident & Emergency, you must Payment Thursday 13.00 – 17.00 first contact a doctor. During the Please note, that you will be Friday 9.00 – 13.00 daytime you should call a GP. charged a fee for using the Emer- After 4 pm, at weekends and on gency Dental Service. public holidays, call an after- Accident & Emergency hours doctor on +45 70 15 03 00. Emergency (ambulance) The doctor will refer you to A&E Police/fire brigade – Tel: 1-1-2 if necessary. Emergency number: 112 The police can also be contacted In the event of accident or life Accident & Emergency depart- at 114 threatening situations, call 1-1-2 ments are at the following loca- (non-emergency number). tions:

General practitioners Regionshospitalet i Aalborg Vehicle breakdowns General practitioners’ (GPs) are Hobrovej 18-22 Falck +45 70 10 20 30 open 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to 9000 Aalborg Dansk Autohjælp +45 70 10 80 92 Friday. Contact a GP in the event of sudden illness – on holiday, for Sygehus Thy-Mors example. The nearest GP is listed Højtoftevej 2 in the phone book under “Læger, 7700 Thisted praktiserende”. The GP will refer you to Accident & Emergency if Sygehus Vendsyssel necessary. Bispensgade 37 9800 Hjørring

Sygehus Himmerland Stolbjergvej 8 9500 Hobro

61 Important Phone Numbers and Addresses – Central Region Denmark (Danish: Region Midtjylland)

International Citizens Service Nordhavnsgade 4-6 8000 Aarhus C Telephone: +45 72 22 33 75 [email protected] www.icitizens.dk

Opening hours Thursday 13.00 – 17.00 Friday 9.00 – 13.00 Statsforvaltning Midtjylland Skattecenter Herning All the service you need in Lyseng Alle 1 Brændgårdvej 10 one place. At the International 8270 Højbjerg (Aarhus) 7400 Herning Citizens Service you meet all the Telephone +45 72 56 83 00 Danish authorities you need to [email protected] Skattecenter Skive register after arrival in Denmark Jægervej 2 – The State Administration, The Opening hours 7800 Skive Immigration Service, The Dan- Monday 10.00 – 14.00 ish Tax Administration and The Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00 Skattecenter Grenå Municipality Citizens Service Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 Bredstrupvej 40 Centre. Thursday 10.00 – 17.00 8500 Grenå Friday 10.00 – 14.00 Residence permit – The State Skattecenter Struer Administration Fabriksvej 13 (Danish: Statsforvaltning) Tax Card 7600 Struer If you work and live in the Mid Tax cards are issued by the tax Jutland area (Region Central authorities (Danish: SKAT). Telephone (all Tax Centres) Denmark/Midtjylland), you must Apart from the Tax centres you +45 72 22 18 18 apply for your residence permit at can apply for your tax card and the state administration (Stats- get personal guidance about tax Opening hours forvaltning) in either the Interna- questions at the International Monday 10.00 – 16.00 tional Citizens Service in Aarhus Citizens Service in Aarhus. Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00 or at the administration office in Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 Ringkøbing or Højbjerg Thursday 10.00 – 14.00 Tax Centres Friday 10.00 – 14.00 Statsforvaltningen Midtjylland St. Blichers Vej 6, Postboks 151 Skattecenter Århus 6950 Ringkøbing Lyseng Alle 1 Social and health insurance Telephone +45 72 56 83 00 8270 Højbjerg and CPR number [email protected] CPR number and health Cards Skattecenter Horsens are issued by the Municipality Opening hours Løvenørnsgade 25 Citizens Service Centre Monday 9.00 – 15.00 8700 Horsens (Danish: Borgerservice) Tuesday 9.00 – 15.00 Wednesday 9.00 – 15.00 Skattecenter Randers Addresses, telephone numbers Thursday 9.00 – 17.00 Toldbodgade 3 and opening hours can be found Friday 9.00 – 12.00 8900 Randers C on the municipality web-site

62 www.cityname.dk (e.g. www. first contact a doctor. During the Regionshospitalet Horsens aarhus.dk) daytime you should call a GP. (Open 24 hours) After 4 pm, at weekends and on Sundvej 30, 8700 Horsens At the International Citizens Ser- public holidays, call an after- vice in Aarhus you get personal hours doctor on +45 70 15 03 00. guidance and general information The doctor will refer you to A&E Emergency dental service on social security, CPR number if necessary. (Danish: tandlægevagten) etc. Accident & Emergency depart- If you need dental care outside ments are at the following loca- practice office hours, you can Accident & Emergency tions: contact the emergency dental Emergency (ambulance) service. – Tel: 1-1-2 Regionshospitalet Holstebro In the event of accident or life (Open 24 hours) Telephone number: threatening situations, call 1-1-2 Lægårdvej 12, 7500 Holstebro +45 70 20 02 55. The telephone gives information about the emer- Regionshospitalet Herning gency service and opening hours. General practitioners (Open 24 hours) General practitioners’ (GPs) are Gammel Landevej 61 Tandklinikken Brobjergskolen open 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to 7400 Herning Frederiks Allé 20 Friday. Contact a GP in the event 8000 Aarhus C of sudden illness – on holiday, for Regionshospitalet Ringkøbing example. You find the number on (Open 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to Opening hours your Yellow Card (Sundhedskort). Friday) Friday 18.00 – 21.00 The GP will refer you to Accident Nørreport 9, 6950 Ringkøbing Saturdays, Sundays and public & Emergency if necessary. holidays 10.00 – 13.00 Regionshospitalet Viborg After-hours medical assistance – (Open 24 hours) Tandlægevagten Telephone +45 70 15 03 00 Heibergs Allé, 8800 Viborg Regionstandplejen After-hours medical assistance is Regionshospitalet, Holstebro available 16.00 to 08.00 Monday Regionshospitalet Skive Lægaardsvej 12 to Friday and 24 hours a day at (Open 08.00 to 23.00 every day) 7500 Holstebro weekends and on public holidays. Resenvej 25, 7800 Skive An after-hours doctor is available Opening hours after GPs’ surgeries close. Regionshospitalet Randers Saturdays, Sundays and public Call the after-hours doctor in (Open 24 hours) holidays 12.00 – 15.00 the event of sudden illness or if Skovlyvej 1, 8930 Randers NØ your condition worsens. You will Payment: speak to a doctor who will decide Regionshospitalet Grenaa Please note, that you will be whether or not you should attend (Open 8 am to 22.00 every day), charged a fee for using the Emer- a medical unit. In special circum- Sygehusvej 6, 8500 Grenaa gency Dental Service. stances the doctor may visit you at home or call an ambulance. Regionshospitalet Silkeborg You must have an appointment (Open 24 hours) Police/fire brigade with the after-hours doctor to Falkevej 1-3 Emergency number: 112 visit the after-hours medical unit, 8600 Silkeborg The police can also be contacted so please do not leave home with- at 114 out calling first! Århus Universitetshospital, (non-emergency number). Århus Sygehus (Open 24 hours) Emergency room Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Århus C Vehicle breakdowns: In the event of injury, involving Falck +45 70 10 20 30 e.g. broken bones or severe bleed- Regionshospitalet Samsø Dansk Autohjælp +45 70 10 80 92 ing, and need to be treated at (Open 24 hours) Accident & Emergency, you must Sygehusvej 26, 8305 Samsø

63 Important Phone Numbers and Addresses – Region of Southern Denmark (Danish: Region Syddanmark )

International Citizens Service Dannebrogsgade 3, 1. 5000 Odense C Telephone: +45 72 20 54 25 [email protected] www.icitizens.dk

Opening hours Tuesday 12.00 – 16.00 Thursday 12.00 – 16.00 Opening hours Opening hours All the service you need in (EU residence department) (EU residence department) one place. At the International Citizens Service you meet all the Monday 9.30 – 14.00 Monday 11:00-14:30 Danish authorities you need to Tuesday 9.30 – 14.00 Tuesday 11:00-14:30 register after arrival in Denmark Wednesday 9.30 – 14.00 Wednesday 11:00-14:30 – The State Administration, The Thursday 12.00 – 16.00 Thursday 12:00-16:00 Immigration Service, The Dan- Friday 9.00 – 13.00 Friday Closed ish Tax Administration and The Municipality Citizens Service or Centre. Tax Card Statsforvaltning Syddanmark Tax cards are issued by the tax in Odense authorities (Danish: SKAT). Residence permit – The State Mogensensvej 24 c, 1. Apart from the Tax centres you Administration 5000 Odense C can apply for your tax card and (Danish: Statsforvaltning) Telephone +45 72 56 79 00 get personal guidance about tax [email protected] questions at the International If you work and live in the South- Citizens Service in Odense. ern part of Denmark (Region Opening hours of Southern Denmark/Region (EU residence department) Syddanmark), you must apply for Monday 10:00-15:00 Tax Centres your residence permit at the state Tuesday 10:00-15:00 administration (Statsforvaltning) Wednesday 10:00-15:00 Skattecenter Odense in either the International Citi- Thursday 10:00-16:00 Lerchesgade 35 zens Service in Odense or at the Friday 10:00-13:00 5000 Odense C administration office in either Aabenraa, Odense or Ribe. or Skattecenter Svendborg Bryghusvej 30 Statsforvaltningen Syddanmark 5700 Svendborg State Administration in Ribe Statsforvaltningen Syddanmark Sorsigvej 35 Skattecenter Middelfart in Aabenraa 6760 Ribe Teglgårdsparken 19 Storetorv 10 Telephone +45 72 56 79 00 5500 Middelfart 6200 Aabenraa [email protected] Telephone +45 72 56 79 00 Skattecenter Haderslev [email protected] Christian X’s Vej 22 6100 Haderslev

64 Telephone +45 72 22 18 18 the event of sudden illness or if Emergency dental service your condition worsens. You will (Danish: tandlægevagten) Opening hours speak to a doctor who will decide If you need dental care outside Monday 10:00-16:00 whether or not you should attend practice office hours, you can Tuesday 10:00-14:00 a medical unit. In special circum- contact the emergency dental Wednesday 10:00-14:00 stances the doctor may visit you service. Thursday 10:00-14:00 at home or call an ambulance. Friday 10:00-14:00 You must have an appointment Telephone number: with the after-hours doctor to +45 65 41 45 51. The telephone visit the after-hours medical unit, gives information about the emer- Social and health insurance so please do not leave home with- gency service and opening hours. and CPR number out calling first! CPR number and health Cards Odense are issued by the Municipality Emergency room Regionstandplejen, Heden 7, 3., Citizens Service Centre In the event of injury, involving 5000 Odense C (Danish: Borgerservice) e.g. broken bones or severe bleed- ing, and need to be treated at Opening hours Addresses, telephone numbers Accident & Emergency, you must Saturdays, Sundays and public and opening hours can be found first contact a doctor. During the holidays 9.00 – 12.00 on the municipality web-site daytime you should call a GP. www.cityname.dk (e.g. www. After 4 pm, at weekends and on Esbjerg odense.dk) public holidays, call an after- Regionstandplejen, Sundhed- hours doctor on +45 70 11 07 07. shuset Sct. Joseph, Nørregade The doctor will refer you to A&E 63A, 6700 Esbjerg Accident & Emergency if necessary. Opening hours Emergency (ambulance) Accident & Emergency depart- Saturdays, Sundays and public – Tel: 1-1-2 ments are at the following loca- holidays 9.00 – 12.00 tions: In the event of accident or life Payment: threatening situations, call 1-1-2 Sydvestjysk Sygehus Esbjerg Please note, that you will be Finsensgade 35 charged a fee for using the Emer- 6700 Esbjerg gency Dental Service. Children General practitioners are treated for free (the munici- General practitioners’ (GPs) are Vejle Sygehus pality pays the bill). Adults pay open 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to Kabbeltoft 25 immediately after treatment. The Friday. Contact a GP in the event 7100 Vejle minimum cost for treatment on of sudden illness – on holiday, for Saturdays is 850 kroner and for example. The nearest GP is listed Kolding Sygehus Sundays and public holiday, 1,150 in the phone book under “Læger, Skovvangen 2-8 kroner (as of 2011). praktiserende”. The GP will refer 6000 Kolding you to Accident & Emergency if necessary. Sygehus Sønderjylland Aabenraa Police/fire brigade Egelund 10 Emergency number: 112 After-hours medical assistance 6200 Aabenraa The police can also be contacted (Danish: Lægevagten) at 114 Odense Universitetshospital (non-emergency number). – Telephone +45 70 11 07 07 Sdr. Boulevard 29 - bygning 1 - After-hours medical assistance is indgang fra J.B. Winsløwsvej available 16.00 to 08.00 Monday 5000 Odense C Vehicle breakdowns: to Friday and 24 hours a day at Falck +45 70 10 20 30 weekends and on public holidays. OUH Svendborg Sygehus Dansk Autohjælp +45 70 10 80 92 An after-hours doctor is available Valdemarsgade 53 after GPs’ surgeries close. 5700 Svendborg Call the after-hours doctor in

65 Important Phone Numbers and Addresses – Region Sjælland/Zealand (Danish: Region Sjælland)

International Citizens Service Nyropsgade 1 1602 København V Telephone: +45 33 66 66 06 [email protected] www.icitizens.dk

Opening hours Wednesday 13.00 – 17.00 Thursday 11.00 – 15.00

All the service you need in Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 Tax Centres one place. At the International Thursday 10.00 – 16.00 Citizens Service you meet all the Friday Closed Skattecenter Roskilde Danish authorities you need to Universitetsvej 2 register after arrival in Denmark Statsforvaltning Sjælland 4000 Roskilde – The State Administration, The Afdelingskontoret Roskilde (EU Immigration Service, The Dan- residence department) Skattecenter Næstved ish Tax Administration and The Algade 12, 3. Toldbuen 2 Municipality Citizens Service 4000 Roskilde 4700 Næstved Centre. Telephone +45 72 56 76 00 [email protected] Skattecenter Holbæk Jernbanevej 6 Residence permit – The State Opening hours 4300 Holbæk Administration (EU residence department) (Danish: Statsforvaltning) Monday 10.00 – 14.00 Skattecenter Køge Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00 Gymnasievej 21 If you work and live in the region Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 4600 Køge Sjælland (Region Zealand/Sjæl- Thursday 10.00 – 16.00 land), you must apply for your Friday Closed Skattecenter Korsør residence permit at the state Storebælts Erhvervspark 3 administration (Statsforvalt- 4220 Korsør ning) in either the International Tax Card Citizens Service in Copenhagen Tax cards are issued by the tax Skattecenter Maribo or at the administration office in authorities (Danish: SKAT). Apart Brovejen 15 A Nykøbing Falster or Roskilde. from the Tax centres you can ap- 4930 Maribo ply for your tax card and get per- Statsforvaltningen Sjælland sonal guidance about tax ques- Telephone (all Tax Centres) +45 Dronningensgade 30 tions at the International Citizens 72 22 18 18 DK – 4800 Nykøbing F. Service in Copenhagen. Telephone +45 72 56 76 00 Opening hours [email protected] Monday 10.00 – 16.00 Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00 Opening hours Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 (EU residence department) Thursday 10.00 – 14.00 Monday 10.00 – 14.00 Friday 10.00 – 14.00 Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00

66 Social and health insurance Emergency room Emergency dental service and CPR number In the event of injury, involving (Danish: tandlægevagten) e.g. broken bones or severe bleed- If you need dental care outside CPR number and health Cards ing, and need to be treated at practice office hours, you can are issued by the Municipality Accident & Emergency, you must contact the emergency dental Citizens Service Centre first contact a doctor. During the service. (Danish: Borgerservice) daytime you should call a GP. After 4 pm, at weekends and on Slagelse Addresses, telephone numbers public holidays, call an after- Region Sjællands Tandpleje and opening hours can be found hours doctor on +45 70 15 07 00. Æblehaven 2 on the municipality web-site The doctor will refer you to A&E 4200 Slagelse www.cityname.dk (e.g. www. if necessary. +45 29 60 01 11 roskilde.dk) Accident & Emergency depart- Opening hours Accident & Emergency ments are at the following loca- Telephones: Monday-Friday: 9.30 tions: a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Emergency (ambulance) Opening hours: – Tel: 1-1-2 Holbæk Sygehus Saturdays, Sundays and public (Open 24 hours), Smedelundsgade holidays: 10 a.m. -12 a.m. In the event of accident or life 60, entrance A, 4300 Holbæk threatening situations, call 1-1-2 Contact: Telephone and Kalundborg Sygehus Show up in person (Open Monday-Friday 14-22 and General practitioners weekends 10 – 20), Nørre Allé 27, Guldborgsund General practitioners’ (GPs) are entrance 2, 4400 Kalundborg Nr. Alslev Klinikken open 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to Guldborgsund Tandpleje Friday. Contact a GP in the event Køge Sygeghus Børre Alslev Parkevej 12 of sudden illness – on holiday, for (Open 24 hours) Lykkebækvej 1, 4840 Nr. Alslev example. The nearest GP is listed 4600 Køge +45 29 60 01 11 in the phone book under “Læger, praktiserende”. The GP will refer Nakskov Sygehus Telephones: Monday-Friday: 9.30 you to Accident & Emergency if (Open Monday-Friday 14-22 and a.m. – 11.30 a.m. necessary. weekends 10 – 20), Hoskiærsvej Opening hours: 17, 4900 Nakskov Saturdays, Sundays and public After-hours medical assistance holidays: 10 a.m. -12 a.m. – Telephone +45 70 15 07 00 Nykøbing F. Sygehus (Open After-hours medical assistance is 24 hours), Fjordvej 15, 4800 Contact: Telephone and available 16.00 to 08.00 Monday Nykøbing F. Show up in person to Friday and 24 hours a day at weekends and on public holidays. Næstved Sygehus Payment: An after-hours doctor is available (Open 24 hours), Ringstedgade 61, Please note, that you will be after GPs’ surgeries close. 4700 Næstved charged a fee for using the Emer- Call the after-hours doctor in gency Dental Service. the event of sudden illness or if Odsherred Sundhedscenter your condition worsens. You will (Open Monday-Friday 14-22 and speak to a doctor who will decide weekends 10 – 20), Sygehusvej 5, Police/fire brigade whether or not you should attend 4500 Nykøbing Sj. Emergency number: 112 a medical unit. In special circum- stances the doctor may visit you Roskilde Sygehus The police can also be contacted at home or call an ambulance. (Open 24 hours), Køgevej 7-13, at 114 (non-emergency number). You must have an appointment entrance 14, 4000 Roskilde with the after-hours doctor to visit the after-hours medical unit, Slagelse Sygehus Vehicle breakdowns: so please do not leave home with- (Open 24 hours), Ingemannsvej Falck +45 70 10 20 30 out calling first! 18, entrance 18, 4200 Slagelse Dansk Autohjælp +45 70 10 80 92

67 Important Phone Numbers and Addresses – Region Capital of Denmark (Danish: Region Hovedstaden)

International Citizens Service Nyropsgade 1 1602 København V Telephone: +45 33 66 66 06 [email protected] www.icitizens.dk

Opening hours Wednesday 13.00 – 17.00 Thursday 11.00 – 15.00

All the service you need in Wednesday 9.00 – 12.00 Cross Border Tax Centre Øresund one place. At the International Thursday 13.00 – 16.00 Sluseholmen 8B Citizens Service you meet all the Friday 9.00 – 12.00 2450 København SV Danish authorities you need to register after arrival in Denmark Statsforvaltning Hovedstaden, Skattecenter Nærum – The State Administration, The Afdelingskontor Bornholm Rundforbivej 186-188 Immigration Service, The Dan- Storegade 36 2850 Nærum ish Tax Administration and The DK - 3700 Rønne (Bornholm) Municipality Citizens Service Telephone +45 72 56 70 00 Skattecenter Fredensborg Centre. [email protected] Kratbjerg 236 3480 Fredensborg Residence permit – The State Opening hours Administration Monday 9.00 – 12.00 Skattecenter Høje Taastrup (Danish: Statsforvaltning) Tuesday 9.00 – 12.00 Helgeshøj Allé 9 Wednesday 9.00 – 12.00 2630 Taastrup If you work and live in the greater Thursday 13.00 – 16.00 Copenhagen area (Region Capital Friday 9.00 – 12.00 Telephone (all Tax Centres) +45 of Denmark/Hovedstaden), you 72 22 18 18 must apply for your residence permit at the state administration Tax Card Opening hours (Statsforvaltning) in either the Tax cards are issued by the tax Monday 10.00 – 16.00 International Citizens Service in authorities (Danish: SKAT). Apart Tuesday 10.00 – 14.00 Copenhagen or at the adminis- from the Tax centres you can ap- Wednesday 10.00 – 14.00 tration office in Copenhagen or ply for your tax card and get per- Thursday 10.00 – 14.00 Rønne (Bornholm). sonal guidance about tax ques- Friday 10.00 – 14.00 tions at the International Citizens Statsforvaltningen Hovedstaden Service in Copenhagen. Borups Allé 177, blok D-E Social and health insurance DK – 2400 København NV and CPR number Telephone +45 72 56 70 00 Tax Centres [email protected] CPR number and health Cards Skattecenter København are issued by the Municipality Opening hours Sluseholmen 8B Citizens Service Centre (EU residence department) 2450 København SV (Danish: Borgerservice) Monday 9.00 – 12.00 Tuesday 9.00 – 12.00

68 Addresses, telephone numbers ing, and need to be treated at Emergency dental service and opening hours can be found Accident & Emergency, you must (Danish: tandlægevagten) on the municipality web-site first contact a doctor. During the If you need dental care outside www.cityname.dk (e.g. www. daytime you should call a GP. practice office hours, you can københavn.dk) After 4 pm, at weekends and on contact the emergency dental public holidays, call an after- service. At the International Citizens hours doctor on +45 38 69 38 69. Service in Copenhagen you get The doctor will refer you to A&E Copenhagen (København) personal guidance and general if necessary. Oslo Plads 14 information on social security, 2100 Copenhagen CPR number etc. Accident & Emergency depart- (near Østerport Station) ments are at the following loca- Accident & Emergency tions: Opening hours Monday-Friday: 8 p.m. – 9.30 p.m. Emergency (ambulance) Amager Hospital (Open 24 hours), Saturdays, Sundays and public – Tel: 1-1-2 Italiensvej 1, 20, 2300 København S holidays: 10 a.m. -12 a.m. and 8 In the event of accident or life p.m. – 9.30 p.m. threatening situations, call 1-1-2 Bispebjerg Hospital (Open 24 24th and 31st of December: hours), Bispebjerg Bakke 23 - 7C, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. General practitioners 2400 København NV Contact: Show up in person General practitioners’ (GPs) are open 08.00 to 16.00 Monday to Bornholms Hospital (Open 24 North Zealand (Nordsjælland) Friday. Contact a GP in the event hours) Ullasvej 8, 3700 Rønne +45 70 25 00 41 of sudden illness – on holiday, for example. The nearest GP is listed Frederiksberg Hospital (Open 24 Opening hours: in the phone book under “Læger, hours), Nordre Fasanvej 57 - Road Monday-Friday: 4 p.m. – 7 1.m. praktiserende”. The GP will refer 2, entrance 3A Saturdays, Sundays and public you to Accident & Emergency if 2000 Frederiksberg holidays: open 24 hours necessary. Contact: Telephone Frederikssund Hospital (Open After-hours medical assistance 24 hours), Frederikssundsvej 30, Bornholm – Telephone +45 38 69 38 69 3600 Frederikssund +45 56 95 67 00 After-hours medical assistance is Opening hours: available 16.00 to 08.00 Monday Gentofte Hospital (Open 24 Saturdays, Sundays and public to Friday and 24 hours a day at hours), Kildegårdsvej 28, 2900 holidays: weekends and on public holidays. Hellerup between 10 am and 10:30 am An after-hours doctor is available Contact: Telephone after GPs’ surgeries close. Glostrup Hospital (Open 24 Call the after-hours doctor in hours), Nordre Ringvej 57, 2600 Payment the event of sudden illness or if Glostrup Please note, that you will be your condition worsens. You will charged a fee for using the Emer- speak to a doctor who will decide Helsingør Hospital (Open 24 gency Dental Service. whether or not you should attend hours), Esrumvej 145, 3000 Hels- a medical unit. In special circum- ingør stances the doctor may visit you Police/fire brigade at home or call an ambulance. Herlev Hospital (Open 24 hours), Emergency number: 112 You must have an appointment Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev with the after-hours doctor to The police can also be contacted visit the after-hours medical unit, Hillerød Hospital (Open 24 at 114 so please do not leave home with- hours), Dyrehavevej, entrance 04 (non-emergency number). out calling first! 29, 3400 Hillerød

Emergency room Hvidovre Hospital (Open 24 Vehicle breakdowns: In the event of injury, involving hours), Kettegård Allé 30, 2650 Falck +45 70 10 20 30 e.g. broken bones or severe bleed- Hvidovre Dansk Autohjælp +45 70 10 80 92

69 Workindenmark – services to Danish Employers and foreign Jobseekers

Where does your next Benefit from Before you start, consider: employee come from? international talent • where and how you will find the most qualified candidates? Talent is everywhere – so why Danish companies are increas- • how you plan to make your only look for it in Denmark? ingly looking outside Denmark new colleague a part of your Workindenmark helps compa- when they need to increase their company? nies find the right international workforce or recruit people • the level of language profi- candidate outside Denmark. We with specific skills. ciency your candidate needs also make sure they get off to to have – will he/she need a good start in their new job – Every year, thousands of em- Danish courses? and in Denmark. ployees come to Denmark from • if you need to help the em- Europe and the rest of the world. ployee’s partner find a job? • what you can do to help your The German doctor and the West new colleague’s family settle African engineer are already in Denmark? working here. So is the Columbi- • who to go to for help with the an researcher, the Polish carpen- necessary paper work? ter, the computer game developer from London – and many more. Some relocate for a short period; others bring their families in the hope of staying in Denmark long term.

International recruitment is still a new concept for most Danish companies. But it’s an option many will have to consider to meet the need for labour. Already, certain sectors have positions they cannot fill. And in the not too distant future, labour market research predicts that Denmark will be short of labour.

70 Workindenmark is Our services are directed at Dan- vacant positions internation- here to help ish companies as well as foreign ally employees. In many cases, we • a network of 800 European are able to offer counselling in recruitment consultants who We can help you and your new your employees’ mother tongue. work together via the Euro- employee through the entire pean EURES collaboration process – from recruitment until • a hotline in Danish, English the international employee is Professional service and Polish settled at work in Denmark. If • a newsletter in Danish, ’Em- your employee is bringing his or As a public service, Workin- ployees from abroad’ her family, we can also help them denmark gives companies and settle in Denmark. foreign job seekers access to: Contact us to find out about our All our services are free of charge • three regional centres, offer- services and how we can help – both for you and your new ing a high level of expertise you – or read more at employee. and great experience in inter- www.workindenmark.dk national recruitment Finding the right match • an internet portal, Workind- Workindenmark helps to: enmark.dk, which provides companies and job applicants • make open positions in Dan- with relevant knowledge – in ish companies visible interna- Danish and several foreign tionally languages • advise companies and appli- • a CV bank with CVs from cants on job ads and how to international applicants advertise • a job bank where Danish • find relevant international companies can advertise their candidates for open positions • manage the initial contact be- tween Danish companies and foreign job applicants Workindenmark provides professional services to any Settling in at work organisation that would like to take advantage of interna- Workindenmark provides: tional recruitment.

• assistance with the initial We work with large companies running international op- contact to Danish authorities erations as well as smaller companies that are about to take • help getting the new employee on their first foreign employee. We make it easier, quicker off to a good start in the work and more effective for private and public employers to find place the right people – and fully enjoy their qualities. • a welcome package to new employees

Getting settled as a family Workindenmark offers:

• job-seeking advice to the part- ners of foreign employees • company membership to our nation-wide job exchange for partners • advice on issues such as Dan- ish courses, housing, schools and childcare

71 Denmark

First steps in Denmark

Working in Denmark

Life in Denmark

Job search in Denmark

Leaving Denmark

Workindenmark West Nordhavnsgade 4-6 8000 Aarhus C

Important Telephone Workindenmark South Numbers and addresses Dannebrogsgade 3, 1. 5000 Odense C

Workindenmark East Nyropsgade 1, 1. 1602 København V Workindenmark – services to Danish Employers