Life in North Denmark
North Denmark is in Danish called Nordjylland, and our life is characterized by the possibility to have a life close to nature with oceans and rivers surrounding our region with sandy beaches, forest and much more, but also at the same time offers the vibrant urban life in some of the bigger cities in our region.
Life in North Denmark gives you many possibilities for a good family life and career.
The nature found everywhere gives you many possibilities for outdoor life and sports.
North Denmark also offers many NGOs, sport associations and the possibility to enter evening-classes with many different classes from all to language to creative projects.
Denmark has free education for all, and this is a priority to ensure everyone can receive an education no matter what income they have.
Overall, the work-life balance is essential for the “good life” in Denmark. By working 37 hours pr. week, this gives everyone room for enjoying their private life. Flexible working hours are common, since most people work, mainly between 8am to 4pm. Since the covid-19 pandemic many companies have also given their employees the opportunity to work from home some days and some are currently also doing a 4-day week of employment.
According to OECD, Denmark has the best work-life balance. Here are a few facts from their research:
Danes work 1563 hours a year, lower than the OECD average of 1739 hours
The official working week is 37 hours. Overtime is usually compensated financially or with time off instead.
Employees are entitled to five weeks of vacation and to take time off with full pay on the first day their child is sick.
People in Denmark devote 68% of their day, or 16.3 hours, to personal care and leisure - well above the OECD average.
78% of Danish mothers are employed after their children begin school, higher than the OECD average of 66%, suggesting that mothers in Denmark have better opportunities to balance career and family life.
Finding a network, job or making new friends is essentielle for settling down in a completely new Country. At international House North Denmark we would like to help you in both the social, cultural and work life area.
Culture & Leisure
North Denmark is full of private, public, and volunteer organisations that organize and run social and cultural events for Danish and international residents in the region.
One of the unique pillars of International House North Denmark is our inclusion of civil society organisations in the house. There is a high diversity of organisations, some are student-focused and others are expat, which reflects the high level of activity among university students and expats in the region.
You can get more information about the NGOs and organisations by clicking the button below.
Get help through our programmes
Our Spouse Space program is aimed for you as an accompanying spouse or partner, and can help you if you are looking for a job, a network or general advice.
If you, on the other hand, mostly are looking for someone who can guide you through the cultural life in Denmark or are you looking for a job our Expat Host Programme might be something for you.
(Read more about our two programmes by clicking the button below each logo)
Learning Danish
We advice you to start learning Danish as soon as possible after your arrival.
This give you an advantage in your job search and the opportunity to learn about the Danish culture and living, but also to connect with other internationals in the same situation as you.
There are many different offers regarding learning Danish. Some are public others are private or volunteering offers.
If you are a citizen in Aalborg Municipality you should contact Language Center Aalborg (Sprogcenter Aalborg).
Sprogcenter Aalborg (The Language Center Aalborg) offers free Danish Education to newcomers to Denmark who:
are at least 18 years old
live in Denmark (Aalborg Municipality)
have a Danish identification number (CPR)
You can apply for Danish course via this link:
Tilmelding / Sign up - Sprogcenter Aalborg
For more information about the deposit and the Language school please read on following link:
If you are a citizen from another Municipality in North Denmark, please visit and contact your local Language Center.
You can find your nearest language center by visiting this link:
Volunteering offers of language help
The volunteer organisation Elsk Aalborg International also offers free Danish language lessons.
Time:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14.00 to16.00 at the Elsk Aalborg Café at Ansgars Kirken, Vesterbro 1A, 9000 Aalborg.
Contact Elsk Aalborg International:
Ansgars Kirken, Vesterbro 1A, 9000 Aalborg
E-mail: kontakt@elskaalborg.dk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elskaalborginternational
Frivillig Aalborg also offers free help as well at their language cafes.
They can help you with the following:
Homework
Reading letters from authorities
Writing job applications
Or just a chat in Danish
You can recieve their offers at 5 different locations i Aalborg
Haraldslund
Aalborg Main Library
Café Smukke Kulturer
University College of Northern Denmark, FIF education.
You can find more information on their website
Official Paperwork
Official Paperwork
At International House North Denmark, you can get help with your official paperwork at SIRI (the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) and ICS – North (International Citizen Service).
You can receive help with the following:
• CPR registration
• EU residence permit
• Health insurance card
• Nem-ID/Mit-ID
• Tax card
SIRI
SIRI is the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration. SIRI is the authority that processes EU registration papers and working permits for living and working in Denmark.
If you are seeking a residence permit regarding work, studies, au pair, trainees, and the working holiday order/scheme, SIRI is your destination.
Opening Hours
Monday - 8.30 to 15.00
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - 8.30 to 16.00
Friday - 8.30 to 13.00
For further information and booking appointment, please visit the New to Denmark website at this link: https://nyidanmark.dk/en-GB
ICS North
International Citizen Service North Denmark is for international citizens who have moved to North Denmark. It consists of SIRI, Citizen Service, and International House North Denmark.
Here you can get help with all official paperwork, including residence permit, CPR number, and guidance on obtaining a tax card. You can also get guidance in your job search.
You can also download guides to what paperwork to bring in order to make sure you have the right documentation.
ICS - North is located on the first floor in the building of International House North Denmark, Rantzausgade 4, 9000 Aalborg.
Opening Hours
Monday - 8.30 to 15.00
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - Closed
Thursday - 8.30 to 16.00
Friday - 8.30 to 13.00
For questions, please contacts us by phone number: 9931 1530
Questions regarding the authorities in Denmark
Life in Denmark website.
At lifeindenmark.dk you can find a quick guide to all newcomers starting with what to consider before moving to Denmark, as well as what you need to know when you have arrived. It answers most of the questions you might have in the following categories:
Housing and moving
Working
Family & children
Economy & tax
School & education
Healthcare
Travel & transport
Pension
Rights
Leisure & networking
Digital services
Digital Post as a citizen in Denmark
In Denmark, residents communicate with public authorities through the public sector’s Digital Post platform by default. People can access their Digital Post on the national citizen portal, borger.dk and lifeindenmark.dk.
In Denmark, people communicate with public authorities digitally through the public sector’s Digital Post platform.
Lifeindenmark.dk is the united digital entry to your interactions with public authorities, which is run in collaboration between state, municipalities and regions.
Therefore you can login to your Digital Post on lifeindenmark.dk and have your post from authorities shown to you. When you login to Digital Post on lifeindenmark.dk you will experience the following:
Your inbox contains Digital Post from public authorities.
You can read, write, answer, delete and move your Digital Post.
If another person has granted you read only access to his or her Digital Post, you can change between mailboxes with few clicks.
You can read more about Digital post and login here: https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk/apps-and-digital-services/Digital-Post
You can also download the Digital Post App, for both Android and IOS.
For Android at Google store: Digital Post App
For IOS at Apple store: Digital Post App
The Danish Tax Agency
The Danish Tax Agency in Denmark is called “Skattestyrelsen”. When you are working in Denmark, you are required to pay taxes from your income. The tax rate depends on your salary and the deductions you can claim. The tax system in Denmark is, in general, online and automated, however, some procedures require registration in person. Click the button below to visit their website
Workindenmark
Workindenmark is a public employment service, focused on helping highly qualified international citizens who are looking for a job, and helping companies searching for qualified Internationals employees. If you need information, guidance or tools regarding job seeking or attracting international candidates, Workindenmark is your destination. Read more by clicking the button below.
Danish Immigration Service
The immigration office handles residence permits and extended stays in Denmark for asylum seekers, family reunification and religious workers. The immigration office also issue permanent residence permits for citizens, regardless whether or not your prior time-restricted residence permit were given by either the SIRI or the immigration office.
NB: SIRI and The Danish Immigration Service share a website but are NOT located at the same address. If you have booked an appointment at the Danish Immigration Service in Aalborg, you need to go to the following address: Gammel Gugvej 17b, 9000 Aalborg.
To visit their website click the button below.