Getting Started in Denmark

Getting started in Denmark can be easy or it can be a case of learning by trial and error. For every expat moving to a new country, the question of what steps to take is always foremost in their minds.

And when you realize you forgot to do something, you rush to get it taken care of and hope that it can be resolved quickly.

Unfortunately, doing the wrong thing or taking too long to do something else can cause you heartache, cost you time and money and, more importantly, sometimes prevent you from staying in your new home.

Getting started in Denmark is just a matter of taking the appropriate steps.

Every expat should follow the 10 steps below to avoid a lot of needless aggravation. This is not to say you won't have problems and suffer some aggravation, but it will be much less if you do these things.

Remember, other expats have done these same things when they were getting started in Denmark and they are now comfortably living and enjoying their lives.

You can too!

Tip: If you skip some of these steps, you will find it much harder to complete some of the others.

Follow the simple steps below – complete each one before going to the next one. If something does not apply, like schooling, just move on to the next step.

Each step has a link to a page that gives you more details and information about that step.

This is assuming that you have already decided to move and know where you are going to live and work. If you haven't, check out housing and employment for ideas and tips.

10 Steps for the Expat

2. When you get your residence/work permit, your next step is a stop at the Folkeregister in the kommune which you are moving to. At the Folkeregister, you will apply for your CPR Number. Remember, you can't get a CPR number without having a residence permit.

3. When you get your CPR card, you can open a bank account and do so many other things which are all based on your CPR number; e.g., apply for a Dankort and also set up a NEM Konto. Check out Banking in Denmark.

4. Stop in at the tax office to apply for a tax card. You will get two cards – an A kort and a B kort. Learn more about your tax card at skat.

5. Check in with the kommune and register for Danish language classes. They will either enroll you, put your name on a waiting list or give you a list of schools and let you contact them and make your own arrangements. Find your local kommune and learn more about the Danish language.

6. If you have a driver's license from outside the EU, get it switched to a Danish license within 14 days. It is illegal to drive on a foreign license for more than 14 days after receiving your CPR number and being officially registered. This is also done at your local kommune / borgerservice.

7. If you have children get them enrolled in school, kindergarten , etc. The kommune will assist you with this, so the time to talk to them is when you are doing steps 5 and 6.

8. If you are starting work immediately and planning on staying in Denmark for some time, it is worth getting unemployment insurance or A-Kasse. If you are on a short-term contract, 6 months to 1 year, it is not worth the bother. See Working in Denmark for more details on working and the A-Kasse employment system.

9. Do get home or renter's insurance. It is not expensive and well worth the cost in case of problems. See insurance for more details.

10. Familiarize yourself with the area you are living in. Take lots of walks, visit as many stores as possible, locate the post office, bank, drug store, library -- explore, explore and explore some more. The more you know of the area in which you live, the quicker you will begin to feel at home.

Exploring the FYI Denmark website will also give you lots of information on things like shopping , transportation , housing and much more.

If you are looking for something on FYI Denmark, use the google site search tool.

Further tips on things you should do:

If you follow the ten steps above, you will be off to a good start and I will give you many more tips to help you acclimatize to Denmark.