Work and live on Lolland
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Digital Platform: e-Boks
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.
Read more about e-Boks on their website
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.