There are different rules and regulations depending on whether you want to move to Denmark for a longer period or only stay for a short time. It also depends on your nationality (Nordic Citizen, EU/EEA Citizen or Non-EU/EEA Citizen as well as commuter/cross-boarder-worker) and the reason for your stay; for example, if you want to work or study, or have other reasons to stay in Denmark.
Choose your situation..
Once you move to Denmark as a foreign citizen, there are many things you need to be aware of. The rules that apply to your stay depend, among other things, on your nationality and whether you are moving to Denmark to work, for family reasons or for other reasons.
Below you will be guided through the most important points to be aware of when moving to Denmark.
You will also be referred to the relevant authorities, which you should contact.
Step 1: Residence and work permit
EU/EEA or Swiss citizens
As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can freely stay in Denmark for up to 3 months. If you look for work during this period, the stay can be extended from 3 to 6 months. As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can start working in Denmark immediately after being hired.
If you, as an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, intend to live and stay in Denmark for more than 3 months as an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you are required to register yourself and obtain a Danish CPR number.
To register in Denmark, you must meet the following conditions:
- you must live and stay in Denmark for more than 3 months
- you must have acquired residence or permanent residence
- you must have a valid EU residence permit
You can apply for an EU residence permit at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). This can be done at ICS, which can also process your registration and assignment of a CPR number. See below in "Step 2: CPR registration".
Lolland Kommune cannot help with applications for EU residence permits.
Please note that with the UK's withdrawal from the EU, British citizens are no longer considered EU citizens. British citizens must therefore apply for residence and work permits as non-EU/EEA citizens.
Nordic citizens
As a citizen of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, you do not need to apply for a residence and work permit, as all Nordic citizens are allowed to live and work in Denmark, based on the Nordic cooperation. As a Nordic citizen, you are required to register if you intend to live and stay in Denmark for more than 6 months.
Citizens from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the Nordic countries
If you are not an EU/EEA, Swiss or Nordic citizen, it is important that you have a valid residence and work permit before you start working in Denmark. You are required to register in Denmark, when your stay lasts more than 3 months.
You can get more information, and apply for a residence and work permit, at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).
Apply online for a residence and work permit at SIRI
Lolland Municipality cannot help with applications for a residence and work permit.
Step 2: CPR registration
Lolland Municipality cooperates with the International Citizen Service (ICS) on registering foreign citizens moving to Denmark.
This means that you, as a foreign citizen, can contact ICS when you move to Lolland Municipality from abroad.
At ICS, the state and local authorities are all in one place. Here you can get help with your registration and find other relevant information – without having to go to multiple authorities. Here, your request is dealt with in a single workflow.
ICS can assist you with:
- registration of entry and assignment of CPR number and doctor
- setting up MitID
- advice and guidance on the Danish tax system and filling in of preliminary assessment of income
- guidance on rights and obligations in the Danish labour market
- Danish language lessons
- exchange of foreign driving licence
- finding accomodation
- school and day care for accompanying children
If you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can also apply for an EU residence permit through the ICS. See "Step 1: Residence and work permit".
Your inquiry to ICS will typically be processed within 1-2 weeks. You will then be invited to a personal meeting at ICS East, Nyropsgade 1, 1602 Copenhagen V.
An ID check will be carried out, and you will then be issued your CPR number and MitID. See "Step 3: MitID".
Register your entry with ICS (East)
Citizens from outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the Nordic countries
If you are not a Nordic citizen or a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, it is important that you have a valid residence permit before contacting the ICS for registration.
You can apply for a residence permit at the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).
Lolland Kommune cannot help with applications for residence permits.
Make an appointment with SIRI to apply for a residence permit
I have a residence permit and wish to register my entry with the ICS
Once you have received a valid residence permit, you can contact the ICS for the registration and assignment of a CPR number.
Step 3: MitID
MitID is the Denmark’s digital ID. You use it to proof who you are when you access online.
Digital solutions are renewed or replaced over time. That happens because of security requirements and new technology. MitID satisfy the newest requirements for security, so we also in the future can use the internet with confidence.
MitID is your digital ID that you will use to access the public self-service solutions. You will use the same log on whether you log on to your online bank or to do your taxes on skat.dk.
Read more about what MitID is and how to get it on mitid.dk
Step 4: Income tax and tax card
If you live or work in Denmark, you must pay tax according to the applicable Danish rules. In order to pay taxes, you need a CPR number and a tax card.
A tax card is a digital card issued by SKAT (the Danish Tax Authority) that tells your employer how much tax you have to pay on your salary. The tax card is sent to your employer.
You can apply for a tax card at SKAT
You can get advice and guidance on the Danish tax system from ICS East in connection with your registration at the national register or you can read more about the tax rules at workindenmark.dk
Read more about the Danish tax rules on Work in Denmarks' website
Step 5: NemKonto
All citizens in Denmark are required to have a NemKonto. A NemKonto is a bank account linked to your CPR number. In order to receive your salary, you must have a Danish NemKonto account. You can only get a NemKonto account once you have a CPR number.
Get more information about NemKonto from the Danish Agency for Digitisation
Are you a Cross-border worker?
Cross-border workers do not have to apply for a registration certificate or a residence and work permit. However, you have to get a personal tax number and pay tax in Denmark.
You are a cross-border worker if you are an EU/EEA citizen and you:
- Work in Denmark
- Have a permanent address in your home country
- Regularly return to your country of residence
Special Health Insurance Card for Cross-border workers
As a cross-border commuter, you will be covered by Danish health insurance. We recommend you to order a special health card, which gives you the right to use the Danish healthcare system on the same terms as citizens living in Denmark. Your personal tax number ddmmyy-xxxx is used in the application.
Visit Udbetaling Denmark to apply for the special health card on borger.dk (lifeindenmark.borger.dk)
In order to obtain a special health insurance card, it is a precondition that you:
- Work a minimum of nine hours a week, 18 hours per 14 days, or 39 hours a month
- Contribute to the ATP (Danish Labour Market Supplementary Pension Scheme)
- Do not work in your country of residence
See more information about Healthcare for cross-border commuters (lifeindenmark.borger.dk)
Tax and Tax Card for Cross-border workers
You need a tax card when you work in Denmark. SKAT is the Danish tax authority which issues tax cards. As a crossborder worker you will receive a personal tax number and a tax card as a cross-border commuter at the tax centre.
Bank Account for Cross-border workers
You should have a bank account (Nemkonto) in order to receive your salary. As a cross-border worker you can only open a bank account after you have obtained a tax card.
If you do not get a Danish bank account, you can assign your foreign account.
Please find information on the procedure (NemKonto.dk)
Commuter consultation service
For more assistance on cross-border issues, you can contact our partners from Southern Jutland.
During the years to come, the Femern Belt Fixed Link will make cross-border commuting much easier and provide opportunities for an integrated labour market in the Danish-German border region, with cross-border commuters able to move across the border.
Therefore, Zealand Region is collaborating with the Region of Southern Jutland Schleswig to enhance cross-border commuter consultation for employees, employers and organisations in the Femern Belt Region.
The consultation can help with questions concerning taxation, sickness benefits, social security, moving and family benefits. The consultation itself can be done by phone, in writing or at a personal meeting. Various initiatives will be undertaken to assist citizens and companies.
The consultation service is based on many years of experience in the Danish-German border region in Jutland. Since 2004, the cross-border commuter consultation service has helped 55,000 citizens or companies in the area and has taken part in solving jurisdictional challenges with living or working across the border. Telephone enquiries Monday-Thursday from 08:00 to 16:30 and Friday from 08:00 to 15:00.
Contact
Region Southern Jutland Schleswig
Regional Office & Information Centre
Tel: +45 74 67 05 01
Digital solutions
Please note that Denmark is a very modern country, where IT and digital solutions are used to a very comprehensive extent. Therefore, you should expect that much of the information and documents you need will be downloaded online, and a large part of your contact with the official authorities will take place digitally, often via online self-service solutions.
In Denmark, e-Boks is a crucial digital platform used for official communications, banking, invoices, contracts, and insurance documents. Checking e-Boks regularly is vital to meet deadlines, maintain data security, fulfill legal obligations, and manage finances efficiently. It's an essential tool for modern living in Denmark.
Import your vehicle
If you want to drive your vehicle in Denmark, you need to have Danish number plates. Danmark has higher taxes on vehicles than other countries, thats why you will have to pay a registration tax in order to get Danish number plates. Be aware off, that you need to register your car in Denmark no later than 30 days after having moved to the country.
