What do you need to get up and running and what are your options? Whether you are from a Nordic country, an EU country, or a non-EU country, there are a couple of things you must attend to and consider.
Before you move to Denmark and start working, you need to find out whether or not you are required to apply for a residence and work permit. The conditions for a permit vary according to the purpose of your stay.
If you are coming to work in Denmark, it is important that you apply for a residence and work permit before you start working. Be aware that voluntary or unpaid work may also require a work permit.
Please note that special EU regulations apply to citizens of EU/EEA/Switzerland and their families.
The internet is by far the most useful method for searching for housing in Denmark. It also provides the advantage of allowing you to begin your search for housing before you arrive in Denmark.
There are many free and fee-based websites and portals that deal with housing. Often the websites are structured so that you can search for housing based on various criteria, for example rental period, location, price, and size. On certain websites it is also possible to create a search profile so that you can receive automatic email updates when a new house that meets your criteria is found.
Apply for a CPR number:
– a civil registration number
In Denmark each person has a civil registration number, which is called a CPR number. CPR stands for Central Person Register.
The CPR number is essential in relation to any contact with the Danish authorities and especially in connection to tax and social security issues.
If you intend to stay for a period of 3 months or more (6 months if within EU/EEA or Nordic countries) you must notify the municipal authorities (Folkeregistret).
Note that a permanent address in Denmark is mandatory to obtain a CPR number.
You must show up in person to get a CPR number at a Citizen Service centre or at an International Citizen Service centre.
Documents you need to apply for a CPR number:
Once you are registered in the Civil Registration System, you are entitled to choose a general practitioner (GP) whom you can contact if you fall ill. Your GP will also handle prescriptions, vaccinations, and certain types of contraception, and will also assist you with regard to disease prevention. You will need to make an appointment before going to see your GP. Contacting and seeing your GP is free of charge. Please note that seeing a physiotherapist or a chiropractor is not entirely free of charge even if your GP has made a referral. The same goes for prescribed medicine.
Book a meeting at www.Haderslev.dk (link) to get your MitID
In Danish – “sundhedskort”
The health insurance card is documentation that shows you are entitled to the services offered under the national health insurance scheme.
The health insurance card is issued when you register for a CPR number with Citizen Service in your municipality or in one of the International Citizen Service centres.
Approximately 2 to 3 weeks after you have registered for your CPR number, your national health insurance card will be sent to your Danish address. The card will show your name and address, your CPR number and the name and address of your doctor (general practitioner).
We recommend that you always carry the yellow health insurance card with you as it is required whenever you need to see a doctor, a dentist or go to hospital – or when you want to take out books from the library.
When you come to Denmark to work, you will need to apply for a tax card. In Danish, a tax card is called “skattekort”. In order for your employer to know how much tax to deduct from your salary, you will need a tax card. A tax card contains information about your withholding tax rate, tax deductions, and allowances. Please note that the tax card is in electronic form. To get a tax card you need a civil registration number (CPR number) or a tax number. If you are working here for three months or less, you will get a tax number instead of a civil registration number.
Read more about the Danish tax card and personal tax number (link)
Find contact information for healthcare professionals, public and private hospitals, and pharmacies on the website sundhed.dk (link)
When you receive a salary from your employer, it is useful to have a bank account. To open a bank account, you just need to contact a bank of your own choice. Remember to bring photo ID (e.g. your passport) and details of your address. You can only open a bank account with a Danish bank once you have obtained your tax card. As you are not a registered citizen in Denmark, the bank will want to see your passport, tax card, contract of employment, and payslip.
