When you move to Denmark, it also means working in Denmark. Emigration is exciting and it is even more exciting when you also have to think about finding a good job. Maybe you have already found your dream job or maybe you still have to look for a job in Denmark. Whatever it is, you have come to the right place!
Are you going soon? emigrate to Denmark? How does working in Denmark actually work? Do you need to know the Danish language? Do you need a work visa? What about housing, education and healthcare? Is this well arranged through your work? We will discuss all these matters and more in this article so that you no longer have to worry about them.
On the hunt for jobs
Do you want to work in Denmark as soon as possible? Then you don't have to worry. In Denmark you can easily find a job. Most jobs are on the internet. Think of various websites where vacancies are posted. Certain Facebook pages also have this. The capital Copenhagen, for example, is a nice city that probably has a Facebook page where jobs are offered.
Do you need to be able to speak Danish to work there?
Of course, there are certain jobs that require you to speak Danish fluently, but in many cases this is not necessary. There are also plenty of companies that are looking for foreign employees. Think of an international company that has established itself in Denmark. Of course, it is always useful to learn Danish, but you can also get very far with English. This is due to the fact that Danish people speak English very well.
Do you need a work permit?
Denmark is a member state of the European Union (EU). This means that you can stay there for up to three months. You are going to emigrate and live in the country, so you have to register yourself. Whether you need a work permit depends largely on your qualifications. There are also 2 types of permits:
- Positive listThis list shows professions in which Denmark has a shortage. These are often professions that require qualified professionals. The minimum education level for this must be a bachelor's degree. If you find a job on this list, you will have easy access to the Danish labour market. You must be able to demonstrate this by means of an employment contract.
- Pay Limit SchemeDo you have a job with an annual income of at least DKK 375,000? Then you will also have easy access to the Danish labour market. However, you must also be able to show this by means of an employment contract.
Taxes
Have you taken the plunge and found a job? Then it is also wise to delve into the Danish tax system. The country not only has one of the easiest systems in the world, but also one of the most expensive. The country has a progressive tax system, just like the Netherlands. This means: the more you earn, the more tax you pay. Denmark has 2 tax brackets:
- From DKK 44,000 to DKK 466,729 = 9,08%
- From DKK 467,300 and above = 15%
You have to take into account that in Denmark the employer withholds tax from your salary. Part of the tax goes to the government, part is for your health care and part also goes to the municipality in which you live. It is super nice that each municipality has its own tax rate, because do you live in one of the cities with a high tax rate? Then you can always move! Public transport is very well organized, so traveling is not a problem.
What is in high demand?
When you move abroad, this is of course quite exciting. Many people worry about employment in a country or the economy. These are exactly things you don't have to worry about. The Danish economy is very good. There are also certain skills that are in high demand. These are:
- Engineers
- IT
- Medicine
- Education
Major companies in Denmark
There are many companies that have established themselves in Denmark and have created many jobs. Below we give you some examples and who knows, you can search for open positions on their website:
- The Carlsberg GroupThe famous Danish brewery.
- Danske BankThis is also active in Norway, Sweden and Finland.
- The Lego GroupLegoland
Working as a freelancer in Denmark
Nowadays, more and more freelancers are also moving to Denmark. The country encourages entrepreneurship and offers these people the necessary opportunities. First of all, you will of course need a work permit. Furthermore, you must register with the Danish Trade and Business Agency. You must do this no later than 8 days before you start your business. When registering, you must be able to demonstrate that there are certain Danish business interests that your business is related to.
You must also be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to set up your business.
After your registration
After the aforementioned, your company is registered. You will receive a Central Business Registration Number (CVR). This is your company identification number and you must use this number for government affairs or private institutions that request it. A good example of where you need the number is for your tax return.
The health care
Living in Denmark means that as a Dutch citizen you have to arrange your insurance properly. Also when you want to work there. A reassurance is that the health insurance in Denmark is almost free. This means that everyone is entitled to care. Of course, you have to live and work in the country. You have to be registered as a resident and have a Danish insurance card.
How do you find a house in Denmark?
In Denmark there are a number of well-known websites where you can look around for houses. However, you do need to register for this and this often involves the necessary costs. Some examples of these types of websites are Nybolig.dk, Danbolig.dk and Lekebolig.dk. However, you should keep in mind that it can be very difficult to find an affordable house, just like in the Netherlands. Also, the deposit for houses in Denmark is often 6 months rent, so you should be prepared for this.
Brokers
It is actually best to hire a real estate agent. It is very difficult to get into the good Danish network as an expat or foreigner. You are new and this unfortunately means that you often do not have a good network yet. Perhaps you can also look at certain Facebook groups of expats in Denmark. They often leave after a few years and who knows, you might be able to take over the house!
Immerse yourself in the language and culture
In Denmark, the official language is Danish. In some parts of the country, German or Faroese are also spoken. Furthermore, Greenland is of course also part of Denmark and Greenlandic is spoken there. Danes are very similar to the Dutch. The Danish population is down-to-earth and generally likes dry humor. Danish culture revolves around family, friends and conviviality. You will soon notice that many events are often organized in large cities. Incidentally, the country is also in the top 3 of happiest countries in the world every year.
The Danish work culture
A big difference between Danish and Dutch work culture is the working hours. In Denmark, people work from about 09:00 to about 16:00. Overtime is not done, because it is seen as working too hard. So you will see at 16:05 that the entire office will be empty. From the management to the cleaners. Everyone goes home. Work-life balance is simply very important in Denmark.
Furthermore, Danes are very punctual and informal. You will not encounter any hierarchy and you will soon notice that people in Denmark also like to negotiate. The boss does not make decisions without reason and everyone is allowed to give his/her opinion.
You take advantage of it
If you look into these kinds of things in advance, you will see that you will be able to adapt much more quickly and you will feel at home more quickly after your emigration.
Finally..
We hope this article has helped you, but we understand if you are still looking for more information. Do you want to know more about emigrating to Denmark? For example, do you want to know what the most visited castle in the country is or what the national holidays are? Or maybe you want to know what good restaurants are or where you can go out? Whatever it is, we have information about it on our website! It is definitely worth exploring the other articles on our website.
Do you have any other questions?
Is your question not answered in the other articles? Or do you have another specific question? Then of course you can always contact us and who knows we can help you further!
