ARRIVING IN DENMARK

To receive a personal CPR-number, you need to be able to document that you hold a permanent address in Denmark. On the day you’re applying for a CPR-number, you therefore need to provide proof of an address you’ll hold the coming 3 months (or longer).
The following documents can be presented as proof:

• Valid rental contract/lease, that has come into effect (signed by both you and your landlord)

• Proof of ownership of a flat/house

• Statement in your employment contract stating employer-provided housing and its terms

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If you live with a friend, family member or your employer (“host”) and do not hold a rental contract, you need to:

• Bring you host with you the appointment or

• Have Citizen Service send a formal request to your host (this will delay the process slightly)

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If you currently live in a hotel, AirBnB, hostel or similar, you need to present:

• a receipt for paid accommodation until the effective date of a future lease or

• proof of a pre-paid booking for at least 3 months

‍You can download and view the standard rental contract (lejekontrakt) in Danish and English here.

‍See also: Our tips on where to find housing

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The so-called “yellow card” (sundhedskort/ “det gule kort”) is your national health insurance card in Denmark. It will be sent to your address in Denmark after you have received your personal CPR-number.
You need to present your yellow card or yellow card app at many occasions, e.g., when going to the doctor.
Besides your CPR-number, name and address, your general practitioner’s (“praktiserende læge” / “egen læge”) name, address and phone number will be stated on your yellow card.

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Remember to order the additional blue health insurance card, if you are planning on travelling within the EU. Please note that you need to fulfil certain criteria to be eligible for the blue card.

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When you come to Denmark to work, you need to apply for a digital tax card (skattekort). Through your tax card, your employer knows how much tax to deduct from your salary. If you don’t have a tax card, you will pay 55% income tax.
To get a tax card you need a CPR-number or a tax number. If you are working here for 3 months or less, you will get a tax number instead of a CPR-number.

Please familiarize yourself with the rules and apply for a tax card (requires MitID or E-tax password) on the official website of the Danish Tax Agency.

When receiving salary in Denmark and making payments here, it is very useful to have a Danish bank account. To open a bank account, you need to contact a bank of your own choice (usually online or in person at one of their branches). The fees for bank accounts differ between different banks. It is therefore advisable to do some research and talk to e.g., your new colleagues before choosing a bank.

‍If you are a member of a Danish union, it can be worth it checking whether your union collaborates with a certain bank – leading to free or discounted bank accounts for their members.

Please note that most banks in Denmark heavily rely on online banking solutions. It is therefore important that you familiarize yourself with your banks online banking self-service (website, app) in order to ensure a smooth experience and continuous access to your bank account.

Basic payment account:

Everyone residing legally in the EU holds the right to open a basic payment account. A basic payment account enables you to make deposits, withdraw cash as well as receive and carry out payments.
If you are experiencing issues with opening a bank account in Denmark, ask for a “basic payment account” (in Danish: almindelig bankkonto or basal betalingskonto).

You can read more about this right on YourEurope

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