Banking in DenmarkBanking in Denmark is quite easy and opening an account is just a matter of having a CPR number and than you can get a Dankort and Nem Konto. Before you open a bank account in Denmark, it is important that you have obtained a CPR Number , which make opening an account much easier. It is sometime possible to open an account without one, but it is not easy. Once you have an account open, you should transfer money from your home account immediately. Even if you have a job, it can take weeks or months before the first paycheck is put into your account. Also, if you only have a residence permit and not a work permit, you must prove that you are financially capable of supporting yourself. Having money in a Danish bank will help appease the government that you are self sufficient and not here to sponge off the system. Once you have an account open, you can get a banking cash card, so that you can withdraw your funds from cash machines all over Denmark.
It is usually Free to withdraw money from a cash machine from your bank or one of its branches. If you use it from other bank teller machines, you will be charged. Shop around for a bank that has internet banking (preferably in English or your native language). It is also nice to know that there is someone at the bank who speaks your language. Most bankers will be proficient in English. Dan KortYou want to apply for a Dankort as soon as you can. Some banks maya) make you wait several months b) want to see copy of your paychecks c) require a healthy bank balance before issuing you a card. They may require any of the above or may just put you in for a card. It can take several weeks to get a card. It is good to discuss the conditions for getting a Dankort before opening an account. Shop around for a bank who is accomodating in this regard, since a Dankort is the "national currency" The Dankort is a debit card which can be used nearly everywhere in Denmark and is more used than credit cards or cash. When you are ready to buy something, just pop it in the reader and punch in your security code and the money is taken directly out of your bank account. You can even get cash back. If you use credit cards, which can also be obtained at your bank, you will be charged for the credit cards and also pay interest on the purchase financed. The Dankort is given to you, free of charge, and there is no charge for using it. Hey, it is your money. If you don't have sufficient funds in your account, you can not use the card. Nem KontoWhen you set up your bank account, ask to have a Nem Konto set up at the same time. This is an account linked to your personal bank account, but it is also linked to your CPR number and the government uses it when sending you payments. Every resident in Denmark is required to have a Ne, Konto.Yes, the government does send you money for various reasons; tax refunds, child payments, presciptions subsidies, pension, etc. They use your CPR number for such payments and if you have your Nem Konto set up properly, the money gets sent directly to your bank account. Either ask your bank to do it for you or you can do it online at www.nemkonto.dk, which has the information in Danish, English and German. See the letter sent to all Denmark residents. LetterHere is a letter from the Danish Agency for Governmental Management explaining the reasons behind a Nem Konto and why all those banking in Denmark must have one.
We need you to designate a NemKonto (Easy Account) Most residents in Denmark occasionally receive payments of some kind from the public sector. These payments can be tax refunds, child subsidies, pensions, student loans, unemployment benefits, housing support or social welfare payments. Everybody in Denmark – citizens and companies alike – must have a NemKonto Easy Account. A NemKonto Easy Account is a bank account that you already use and have designated as your NemKonto Easy Account. In order to make it simpler and easier for all parties, future payments from Danish public-sector institutions will be transferred directly to the NemKonto Easy Account. This applies to payments from the Danish state, and from local and municipal institutions. We ask you to please designate a NemKonto Easy Account as soon as possible. It is easiest to do this in one of the following ways: · By contacting your bank and informing them which account to designate as your NemKonto Easy Account · By visiting www.nemkonto.dk and typing in a new account number. You can do this if you have a digital signature, which you can get at www.digitalsignatur.dk · By changing your NemKonto Easy Account in your home banking system – 90 pct. of the Danish banks offer this service. There is no need to open a new account. Instead you decide which of your existing accounts you wish to use as your NemKonto Easy Account. If you have several bank accounts, you decide which one you wish to use as your NemKonto Easy Account. Also private enterprises are able to make payment to your NemKonto Easy Account. Enterprises such as insurance and pension companies, etc. can therefore also make payments to your NemKonto Easy Account. You can find more information and answers to the most typical questions about NemKonto Easy Account at www.nemkonto.dk, see the “In English” option at the top of the page. You are also welcome to contact NemKonto Support at +45 44 60 63 68 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Or send an e-mail to support@nemkonto.dk. Yours truly, Økonomistyrelsen Banking HoursBanking in Denmark hours are unfortunately not very good and you will rarely have time to actually enter your bank if you work normal hours.Banks are only open Monday to Friday. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm, except on Thursdays when most banks are open to 5 pm or 5:30 pm. These hours may vary a little bit especially in Copenhagen, but these are the normal banking in Denmark hours.
That is why it is nice to have internet banking. You can also email your bank with questions and they are pretty good about calling you back the same day.
Additional TipsHere is a list of top banks for banking in Denmark. If you use foreign credit cards, you will be charged a surcharge and it is best to avoid using them in Denmark. Many places do not accept them and some do not even accept Danish credit cards.Personal note: We had many places refuse our Mastercard from Danske Bank. One time when shopping at Bilka, we had a cart full of groceries and other items, already scanned and ready to pay, when the clerk said we could not use the card. At that time we had not gotten our Dankort and had to leave everything behind, since we didnt have any cash on hand. Best to check that the store or shop will accept your cards before shopping. It was irritating and a bit embarrassing! If you need foreign currency exchanged and you have an account at a bank, it is wise to check on their competitive exchange rates plus they will often waive any commission on the the transaction which can save you money. When banking in Denmark, you can not just walk up to a teller. Every bank - I mean every bank - has a ticket machine and you must take a number. Even if there is no else in the bank. The ticket machines are located just inside the main lobby door. Once you get your ticket wait for the number to be lit up on the screen above the tellers counter. They will also call out the number (in Danish). Now you can approach the teller. Just toss the ticket in the bin at the counter. You don't need to show it to the teller.
Personal story Last year, I was at a branch of my bank and the lobby was empty. The teller saw me come in and even said "hej", so I went directly up to the counter. He looked at me and asked for my ticket. Went back to get a ticket and a lady walked in and got a ticket before me, so I had to wait 15 minutes while she paid bills and got some other banking done. Duh! Last time I forget to get a ticket.
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