Working migrants and their families are welcome in Denmark
Since 2003, there has been a shift in immigration to Denmark. Many new arrivals come from the new EU countries like Poland, Romania and Lithuania, as well as from Germany and India.
Are you among the newcomers, who have come to Denmark in connection with work? If so, we hope the information in this guide will prove useful.
In the guide you will find information on practical matters and life in Denmark, as well as links to other sources of information. You will find many of the answers to questions you might have as a newcomer.
We asked many people who moved to Denmark for work in recent years what they felt were the most important questions that needed answering. Based on their responses, we have provided this guide in cooperation with the relevant authorities and organisations.
In the menu on the left you will find links to sites with information on eleven selected topics. Each topic includes a brief introduction and links to websites where you can find out more.
This guide will help you on your way, but you will probably need further information. Furthermore, the Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs has compiled “Welcome to Denmark – a Guide for Employees and Students from Abroad”. This guide focuses on the possibilities of coming to Denmark and is intended for employees and students from abroad as well as their families. The guide also includes information that you will find useful after your arrival in Denmark. In contrast to this guide, which is only available on the Internet, the additional guide, in the form of a booklet, is available from the Danish Immigration Service, the four International Citizen Service which are established in January 2011 in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense, the Citizen Service Centre in your municipality, the Regional State Administrations and the three Workindenmark centres in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense. “Welcome to Denmark – a Guide for Employees and Students from Abroad” can be viewed on the Internet by clicking on the link to the right. Furthermore we have provided a comprehensive list of links to other websites.
- Work in Denmark
Workindenmark.dk is the official website in Denmark for international recruitment and job seeking. Behind this website are a number of Danish government authorities. The Danish Labour Market Authority developed the site and is responsible for it.
- New to Denmark.dk
This is the official portal for foreigners covering the topic of integration. It is run by the Ministry for Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs (aka the Integration Ministry) and the Danish Immigration Service, which is a department within the Integration Ministry.
- Denmark
Denmark.dk is Denmark’s official internet representative. It is hosted by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Expat in Denmark
Expat in Denmark is the country’s first official network for foreign professionals. The Expat in Denmark network is jointly run by the Danish Ministry of Economics and Business Affairs and a consortium made up of the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv), The Copenhagen Post newspaper, and the Danish Bankers Association (Finansrådet).
- Let's meet
Let’s meet! is an initiative aimed at creating international friendships throughout Denmark, financially supported by the Integration Ministry. Through the online platform, you can search for, find and match up with open-minded Danes, who are curious and interested in getting to know foreigners (Expats) living in Denmark. Your new Danish friends can help you find your footing in this country, can show you to the local football club; practise Danish with you; introduce you to Danish culture, and so on.
- Worktrotter
This website was started by an expat as a tool for networking, job hunting and other relevant issues of life in Denmark as an expat.
Local service and information
- International Citizen Service
You can find International Citizen Service in Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen and Odense. To make your contact with the Danish authorities as easy as possible all the authorities a foreign employee typically need to contact are represented and in most cases you only need to visit International Citizen Service in order to get the paperwork done and find answers to possible questions.
- workinindenmark (mid-west region of Denmark )
If you live in the mid-west region of Denmark you can find a lot of relevant information in this website for newcomers who are considering or have moved to Herning, Ikast-Brande, Holstebro, Struer or Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipalities You will also find information on the forms you need to fill out when you arrive in Denmark, and on working life and leisure.
Relevant guides
- Living and working in Denmark - An Expat Perspective
Expat in Denmark and The Danish Chamber of Commerce has published a book on work life in Denmark, from an Expat perspective. The publication offers a description of everything from workplace dynamics, the ins and outs of Danish social life, and how your family can get the most out of their stay here – all in the words of people like yourself: Expats.
We hope that you and your family will feel at home in Denmark.