Step-by-step guide to starting life in Denmark

EU/EEA nationals

Citizens of the following countries may be employed by a company and commence work immediately.

United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Austria, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Lichtenstein, Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Rumania and Bulgaria. Citizens of Switzerland follow the same rules as EU/EEA countries.

If a foreign employee chooses to give up foreign residence and settle in Denmark, they must register as a Danish resident. Alternatively, the employee can work in Denmark as a border commuter.

(See Border commuters).
In the following, the employee is referred to as "you".

Step 1 – Regional State Administration (Statsforvaltningen) – EU certificate of residence

If you live in a foreign country when you apply, your application may be delivered to a Danish diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your home country.

If you intend to stay in Denmark for more than three months, you must apply for an EU certificate of residence within the initial three-month period.

Complete form - OD1, or ask for one at the Regional State Administration (statsforvaltningen) and deliver it in person to:

Statsforvaltningen
St. Blichers vej 6
6950 Ringkøbing

Hours of opening:

• Original passport or national ID card
• 1 passport photo
• Relevant documentation for your stay in Denmark (contract of employment and recent (not more than one month old) declaration from your employer
• If applicable, your marriage certificate. If you are accompanied by your partner and you are not married, you must document that you have been living at the same address for 1½-2 years, that your partner has money in the bank and is financially self-supporting and/or that you can support your partner financially.

After 2-3 weeks you will receive a certificate of residence by post. Make sure your name is on your postbox!

Proof of registration will not be issued for any particular period of time. Proof of registration is valid as long as the conditions on which the proof of registration were issued are still met.

After five year's uninterrupted legal residence in Denmark you are entitled to apply for permanent residence. 

When you have received your EU certificate of residence, you must register with the Civil Registration Office (Folkeregistret) at the Municipal Citizen Service Department (Borgerservice).

There are several local Citizen Service Centres in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality:

                                                                    Hours of opening: 

Bring the following with you:

• Passport or personal identification with photo
• EU Certificate of residence / residence permit
• Marriage certificate and child's birth/baptism certificate (if applicable)

When you register at the Civil Registration Office (Folkeregistret), you will receive a Civil Registration Number (CPR nummer) and a Health Insurance Card, after which you are insured under the Danish Health Insurance scheme. When you enrol at the Civil Registration Office and if you are registered in Health Insurance Group 1, you will be asked to choose a general practitioner/doctor.
See Public Health Insurance in Denmark.

Approximately 14 days after enrolment, you will receive a yellow Health Insurance card. This card documents that the holder has the right to Danish Health Insurance services. You must always bring the card with you when you require treatment and we recommend that you keep the card with you at all times so that it is available if you need to contact a doctor, hospital or dentist.
See Doctors and Dentists

At the Citizen Service Centre, ask about the blue EU Health Insurance Card if you need one.

You can also use your yellow Health Insurance Card to borrow books free of charge from the public library.

If you move to a new address, you must contact your local Citizen Service Centre.

If you have children, you can apply for family allowances at the Citizen Service Centre (Borgerservice).

Step 3 – Taxation - Tax Card

As an employee in Denmark, you will pay Danish income tax. You must therefore have a tax card. You and your employer must complete the form and send it to:

Tax Centre (Skattecenter) Herning
Brændgårdvej 10
7400 Herning

Download the form here 21.063EN

Complete the form and send it to Tax Centre (Skattecentret) Herning.

Enclose copies of the following documentation: 

• Passport or ID card with photo

• Contract of employment

• Certificate of residence in your home country

  • 02.034 (English version)

  • 02.035 (German version) – if you wish to claim travel allowances

• If applicable, you should also bring your marriage certificate.

  Note: If your income changes significantly or if you buy a house, set up a loan, etc, you must provide SKAT with this information.

Note: If your income changes significantly or if you buy a house, take out a loan, etc, you must provide SKAT with this information. A new tax card will be issued.

Read more about tax and importing used passenger vehicles at:

Vihicles - Driving Licence

Step 4 – Opening a bank account

If you wish to open a bank account, you must bring the following with you to the bank:

• Contract of employment
• Passport
• Civil Registration (CPR) number (shown on your tax card) Your employer may be able to recommend a local bank or branch.

Remember to inform your employer's accounting department of your bank account number.

Read more about banks at:
Bank