Work and leisure time
Life cannot only be about work. There must also be room for oneself and one’s family.
Work and leisure time
Family life and leisure time are very important to Danes. Life cannot only be about work. Therefore, the normal working week in Denmark is 37 hours for full time employees. Many workplaces have a family policy and are flexible to the needs of families. For example, many workplaces permit part time work or flexible working hours.
The rules regarding overtime work vary from workplace to workplace. Within the public sector, one can take time off in lieu of overtime.
Read more about private life in Denmark.
Parental leave, child care and schools
When you have a child, you are normally entitled to one full year of paid parental leave. Parents decide whether and how they distribute this parental leave between them. An increasing number of Danish fathers chooses to take some of this parental leave. Most Danish children are cared for in nurseries and day care centres beginning at the age of ½-1 year until they begin in school around the age of six. The family and public sector both contribute to paying the cost of nurseries and day care centres, whereas schooling is free of charge. However, there are also private schools (including international private schools) where parents pay part of the schooling costs.
Read more about child care.