In recent years, more and more Dutch people have been living in Denmark. The country has so many advantages that people often find it worthwhile to leave their homes in the Netherlands and move to Denmark. moving to Denmark. Emigrating to Denmark is also a bit easier, because it is one of the European countries that is part of the European Union (EU). Are you moving outside the EU? Then there is a lot more to consider. For example, have you thought about an affordable moving company?
Furthermore, the Danes are more like us than you think and you will be able to enjoy the beautiful nature and the Danish mentality throughout Denmark. Do you want to know more about the pros and cons of emigrating to Denmark? Then we hope that this article can help you a little in making your choice.
Why would you actually want to live in Denmark?
It is not without reason that Denmark has become increasingly popular among emigrating Dutch people in recent years and that they are massively exchanging their Dutch nationality for Danish. The country has arranged almost everything super well! From public transport to their social security. You can also be assured of your safety when you go to live in Denmark. It is one of the safest countries in the world.
Furthermore, the country is very similar to the Netherlands and the Danish language and mentality are also very similar to the Dutch language and mentality.
Are you going to live in Denmark soon?
Are you moving to Denmark soon? Maybe you are going to work in Denmark and that is why you have made this decision. Or have you fallen in love and are moving for love? Whatever the reason, it is important to be well prepared. Especially when your goal is to apply for a permanent residence permit one day. Then it is of course very important to leave a good first impression.
Moving to most European countries, especially to countries that are members of the European Union (EU), is easier, but one important factor is that you should not underestimate it. There is a lot that you need to arrange properly. Yes, the necessary paperwork needs to be done, but this is not the only thing that is important during an emigration. You also need to do research on the country itself. Look at daily life in Denmark, at the people and the culture. Does this appeal to you? Or do you want to think about it a bit longer? In this article we want to discuss all the pros and cons with you so that you can see for yourself whether Denmark really meets your needs. This way you can adjust your expectations a bit and get a good picture of your move. This way you can of course also avoid the necessary disappointments.
Living in Denmark: advantages
Denmark is a beautiful country that also has some great advantages. Maybe you already know Denmark from holidays or maybe you lived there for a short time because of your studies. However, it is good to delve a bit deeper into all the advantages and disadvantages. In any case, we like to start with the advantages and who knows, you might discover some new points.
The high standard of living in Denmark
Denmark has a very high standard of living. And is known for this worldwide. The average income is €3100, the social safety net is fantastic and health care is also very well organized. Approximately 40% to 60% in taxes are paid, which makes all this possible. The Danes generally do not mind this and you will not hear much about it. The country has a universal insurance scheme. Childcare is subsidized for 75% and furthermore education is completely free. Also the university. The Danes are therefore often highly educated. You also get a year of maternity leave. This is half a year with full salary and half a year with benefits.
Work-life: the perfect balance
Denmark has an official working week of a maximum of 37 hours per week, but research has shown that Danes work an average of 33 hours per week. People usually start around 08:00 or 09:00 and work until 15:00 or 16:00. When you live and work in Denmark you will see that the Danes leave the workplace on time and they do not differentiate between positions in the company. The schools and childcare facilities also close around these times so that the family can eat together. Family is very important to the Danes and they really value it. If you decide to work overtime, you will not be appreciated in Denmark. They will rather see it as overworking or bad time management.
The Danish mentality
The Danes are an open and tolerant people. They also know few taboos. This makes life in Denmark particularly good, because the children are also raised that way. People also think that you should act 'normal', because that is crazy enough. They are, just like the Dutch, a fairly down-to-earth people. Furthermore, they are also known for their dry humor and irony. So in the opinion of many Dutch or English people, they also have a very good sense of humor.
One of the happiest people on earth are the Danes
The aforementioned high standard of living, the work-life balance and the Danish mentality together ensure that the Danes are voted the happiest people on earth every year. Furthermore, they also have a lot of confidence in the government and society, because everything in the country is fantastically arranged. Equality and the social safety net for the inhabitants of Denmark also make life a lot easier. And oh, we must not forget that Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world! When you live in a very safe country, that is of course also nice.
The nature
When you visit the capital Copenhagen or one of the other cities you might not think it quickly, but Denmark has beautiful nature reserves. The country has an endless coastline with beautiful chalk cliffs and unique nature parks. You can walk in the dunes, fjords and forests. Don't forget the beautiful lakes that the country has to offer.
We would like to give you some examples of beautiful areas in Denmark, so read on.
Jutland (Jylland)
Jylland is a beautiful peninsula that is half Danish and half German. It has many beautiful hills, peatlands and sandy beaches. It is very large so you can find everything there and there is something for everyone.
- Thy National Park
This is Denmark's first national park. It is an area with lots of untouched nature consisting of dunes and bushes. You will also find many quiet lakes where many birds come to rest. - West Jutland
Here you can find hundreds of kilometres of coastline, so it is ideal for water sports enthusiasts. You can surf, sail or fish. Don't feel like the colder sea? Then you can always visit one of the lakes. The beaches in this area are also popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. You can also visit the more central part of Just land. Here you will find many hills, forests, rivers and lakes. This is ideal if you are looking for peace and quiet. - South Jutland
Here lies the 'Gendarmenpad' or also called 'Gendarmstien'. It is one of the best and most famous hiking trails in Denmark. You can enjoy the beautiful coast along the way. - North Jutland
Do you like wild animals and rougher beaches? Then this is the area for you. In North Jutland you can find powerful drifting sands and you can get lost in the many wild areas. In the summer you can even find a palm beach here. A fake one of course. The palms are neatly removed in the winter and cared for so that they can be put back in the summer. - East Jutland
Here you can find many small fishing villages and old farmlands. It is very quiet which makes it a perfect place for holidays with children.
Funen (Fyn)
This is the second largest island in Denmark and forms Funen together with all the small surrounding islands. It is also called the garden of Denmark. In addition to the beautiful gardens, you can also find beautiful hills and dunes. At the beach you can swim, fish, sail and sometimes even dive. A little further inland you will find wonderful peace in the forests. Here you can walk or cycle.
Zealand (Sjælland)
This is also a beautiful green island of Denmark where many Danes come to cycle. You can also find beaches that are popular with water sports enthusiasts. The capital Copenhagen is located on this island and you can therefore also combine a nice city trip with a short nature holiday. In the south of Zealand you have the world famous chalk cliffs that are definitely worth visiting.
Living in Denmark: disadvantages
Now that we have discussed a number of advantages, you may not be able to imagine it, but Denmark, like other countries, also has its disadvantages. Unfortunately, no country is perfect. We hope that after reading the disadvantages, you can make a good assessment for yourself and see if moving to Denmark is really something for you.
The Danish language
A frequently asked question is whether the Danish language is difficult for Dutch people to learn. What you may notice at first is that it is very similar to the Dutch language. This is of course not very strange, because they are both Germanic languages. One has more difficulty with it than the other. A difficult or confusing aspect of Danish is that the articles come after the noun. We will not go into this too much, because you will learn all this in your Danish course. What is nice is that the local population, whether it is in the countryside or in one of the larger cities, speaks very good English. In the large cities, such as Copenhagen, you will hear English a bit more. This of course is due to the foreign students who live and study there.
The weather
Often a very important factor during an emigration is the weather. Dutch people who emigrate are often also looking for nice weather. One thing you should know is that you do not have to move to Denmark because of the weather. The Netherlands is actually quite similar to Denmark in terms of weather. Maybe you really like the Dutch weather? Then we obviously did not say anything!
The climate in Denmark is somewhat milder than in the other Scandinavian countries. This is due to the warm Gulf Stream in the country. Furthermore, the country has all four seasons, just like the Netherlands. These are of course spring, summer, autumn and winter. The months of April and May are very mild and the summer months of June, July and August in Denmark are the warmest. Autumn starts in September and lasts until about November. The weather is then, just like in the Netherlands, quite rainy and cloudy. The winter months from December to March are very cold with a lot of frost and often snow.
The average temperature in the country is 7.7˚C. Of these, February is the coldest with an average temperature of 0.0˚C and August is the warmest with an average temperature of 15.7˚C.
Making new friends
Danes generally have very close social circles. They also have friends who they have often known since primary school. They are close and loyal people. This is also the reason why they have a hard time accepting a newcomer into their group. Once you are in, you will have friends for life, but it can certainly take a while before a Dane warms up to a new friendship. Fortunately, social life in Denmark often goes hand in hand with drinks, so you will meet many Danes in the weekends who will start conversations with you. But otherwise it is really a matter of building it up slowly. Give it all some time and then it should be fine.
Your personal and new challenge
It doesn't matter where you emigrate to, emigration is and remains a big step. Ultimately, it is your own decision and you know for yourself what is best for you to do. Look carefully at your personal situation, because you will have different reasons why you want to emigrate. Ultimately, no one knows these except you and you also know what feels good for you.
Think carefully about your wishes, expectations and ideas. Take your time to do this so that you can make a good decision in the right way.
Moving to Denmark with an international moving company
Moving within the Netherlands is of course already a hassle and stressful, so let alone moving abroad! In your case, Denmark. You probably have no idea what exactly you have to do and where on earth you should start. Are there any special rules and measures regarding corona? Can you just import your belongings into the country? And do you need a permit for this? When you read all these questions, it all becomes even more confusing and that is exactly why many people prefer to outsource everything when moving internationally. Make sure you hire an international moving company. They have years of experience with moving abroad, so they know exactly how they can help you if possible. The movers they employ will also have extensive experience with this, so you can rest assured that your belongings can be delivered safely and undamaged to your new home in Denmark.
Does hiring an international moving company involve high costs?
Many people want to know how much a move costs. Especially when it concerns a move abroad. Let's get straight to the point: it is very difficult to calculate the average costs for your move without any background information. You may also have noticed that the average price for a move is also difficult to find online.
Request moving quotes
To know what the average moving costs for your move will be, you can request moving quotes from moving companies. It is wise to do this with multiple moving companies in your region, because the prices for this can vary considerably. When making a request, make sure that it is free and that you will not simply be tied to an agreement. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you think, but of course you want to prevent this.
Free moving quotes at Moova.
We understand that during an already chaotic move, you may not have time to search for different international moving companies in your area. You also have to contact them one by one. That is why we at Moova have found a solution for this.
At Moova you can easily and conveniently request free quotes from various moving companies within two minutes. This is completely free and without obligation. This means that you will not be tied to anything. After the request, you will receive the quotes as soon as possible, after which you can make a decision at your leisure. This way you can calmly see which moving company suits you best.
Best books about emigrating to Denmark
Many people are thinking about making their dreams come true in Denmark. These books give you super good insight into everything that comes around the corner when emigrating to Denmark.
Enjoy reading!
Finally
As you have read, there are many advantages to living in Denmark, but unfortunately there are also a number of disadvantages. Take a good look at what suits you best so that you can make the right choice. Perhaps you can choose to first buy/rent a second home in Denmark and visit the country more often? Perhaps you can also live there for three months to see what you think of it. Then you can take all the official steps for your emigration. Everything is possible and it is up to you to make this decision for yourself.
Do you have any questions?
Are there any other questions you have or do you perhaps need some more information regarding emigrating to Denmark? Then of course you can always look around between the other articles on our website and who knows, your question might be answered there.
