Getting started - official matters

When moving to Denmark, you may need to apply for a registration certificate. The way to do that depends on your country of origin. Find all the information you need and how to apply at newtodenmark.dk

As a resident in Denmark, you will need a CPR number. CPR stands for Central Person Register. Your CPR number is important in relation to any contact with the Danish authorities and especially in connection with tax and social security issues.

To receive a CPR number, contact:

• International Citizen Service (ICS) which is located in the City of Aarhus.

ICS is a one-stop shop where you can receive your personal registration number (CPR number), NemID and Tax paper all at once. ICS assists with a number of other official matters as well as providing personal guidance on seeking jobs, the Danish tax system and more. You can also find information about living and working conditions, accommodation, childcare, social activities etc. The employees are trained in both bureaucratic and practical matters.

• Citizen Service (located at City Hall, Rådhustorvet 4, 8700 Horsens)

Please note that you must turn up in person and bring your passport, residence permit and lease in order to apply for a CPR number.

Learn more about CPR number at Life in Denmark -  the official citizen portal of Denmark. 

 

NemID is a common secure login on the internet, which will make is easy for you to use many online self-service solutions. It is a personal card with a large number of codes on it. You will be able to use it for e.g. doing your online banking, finding out information from the public authorities and registering a change of address.

You can request NemID:

• Online via the NemID website 
  You can request NemID online only if you have a Danish passport or Danish driving licence.

• At Citizen Service (Borgerservice), City Hall, Rådhustorvet 4, 8700 Horsens.
  You will need to bring a person who can be your witness. Also, you will need to bring a bring valid ID. Read about valid ID options.
• By contacting your bank.
• At International Citizen Service (ICS), Åboulevarden 31, 1st floor, 8000 Aarhus C. Here you can apply for NemID, the personal number (CPR number) and Tax paper, all at once.

Read everything there is to know about NemID at the official Danish citizen portal Life in Denmark.

Watch a short video about the advantages of NemID.  

In Denmark, various services such as libraries, roads, children’s schools and health sector are financed in part through taxes. Everyone working in Denmark is required to pay tax. The tax system is progressive, which means that the more you earn, the higher percentage you pay in income tax.

If you will work in Denmark, you need to apply for a tax card at SKAT (the Danish Customs and Tax Administration). You can request a Tax card:

• Online via the SKAT website:
  Danish tax card and personal tax number
• At International Citizen service (ICS). Here you can apply for a Tax card, NemID and the personal number (CPR number), all at once.

You can read more about the taxation in Denmark here:
Taxation in Denmark

In Denmark, all banks are private, so if you plan to have an income in Denmark, you will need a Danish bank account. Employers will pay your salary directly into your bank account, but other payments such as cash benefits, educational grant, child maintenance payments and pensions will be transfered directly as well.

To open an account, you will need:

• An employment contract (If you are a student you should bring your letter of enrolment from the Danish educational institution you attend).
• A passport or ID with photo.
• Proof of address in Denmark (such as a rental contract for your accommodation).
• Your CPR number.
• To ask the Bank to make the account a “NemKonto”.

If you are a cross-border worker, you will need to bring:

• An employment contract
• A passport or ID with photo
• A personal tax number/tax card

Ask the Bank to make the account a “NemKonto”.
Be aware that most banks in Denmark do not handle cash in house so it is not possible to make withdrawals or deposit money inside the Bank. Instead, ATMs are located all around Denmark and in general just outside the Bank.

Read more:

Bank and finance

Getting an account in a Danish bank

In some cases you will need to exchange your foreign driving licence for a Danish driving licence. Read about the rules at lifeindenmark.dk. 

If you need to exchange your license, please contact Citizen Service (Borgerservice), City Hall, Rådhustorvet 4, 8700 Horsens.

Telephone: 76 29 21 25

If you have a Danish CPR number you will receive Digital Post from public authorities.

You can find your Digital Post at lifeindenmark.dk at the top of the page. You will need to use NemID to log in. 

Learn more about Digital Post here.

Watch a short video about the importance of Digital Post. 

 

When you are covered by the national health insurance, you can register with a doctor and receive a yellow health insurance card. The health insurance card is documentation that you are entitled to the services offered under the national health insurance. 

The card is free of charge in connection if you change your address and if your change your name after getting married. When you are new to Denmark or have just been registered for residence here, you will automatically receive the yellow health insurance card.

Order the yellow health insurance card here (you will need to use NemID).

About two weeks after you have registered, your health insurance card will be sent to your Danish address. The card will show your name and address, your CPR number and the name and address of your doctor. 

It is a good idea to carry this card with you because it is required when you need to see a doctor, a dentist or go to hospital – or when you want to borrow books from the library.

If you need medical treatment during travels in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (EEA), or Switzerland you will have to use the blue European Health Insurance Card.

Who can get the European health insurance card?

You can get the blue European health insurance card if you live in Denmark, are a citizen of an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and you are covered by national health insurance in Denmark.

In special cases, you may be entitled to a European health insurance card if you:

• live abroad and work in Denmark.
• are posted by a Danish employer to work in another country.

Also, you may be entitled to a European health insurance card if you are a stateless person, a recognised refugee or a family member of a person covered by national health insurance in Denmark. A family member is your spouse or common-law partner and your children under 18 years of age. However, parents of children who are citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland are not entitled to a blue European health insurance card.

How to order the European Health Insurance Card

If you are covered by the Danish health insurance, you can order the card for free online here (you will need to use NemID).

If you are not able to order the blue card online, you can contact Udbetaling Danmark by telephone: 70 12 80 81.