Planning Your Move to Denmark

When planning your move to Denmark, there is a lot to think about and do. I have made a list of things which I think might help you. This is not a complete list, but it will help get you started thinking about things and help you realise what you have to do to make this move a successful experience.

Please consider these helpful tips from someone who has done this move several times and has learned from experience what to do and what not to do, when making a move to Denmark.

Before relocating to Denmark, you will need to get the correct documentation for your particular situation, so let's answer a few questions.

The reason you are moving to Denmark?

a. Job - have you been offered a job, than your employer should be getting the correct documentation.

b. Study - contact the university to help you with your documentation.

c. Starting a business - make sure to register your business and get legal advice from a lawyer and an accountant.

d. Marriage/relationship - probably the most problematic type of visa to get.

e. Other Each one of the above situations requires different types of visa depending on where you are coming from. 

Planning Your Move to Denmark Tips

1. How long are you planning on staying in Denmark? Again, you will need a visa, if you are staying more than 90 days.

2. When planning your move to Denmark, you need to decide where to live. Now, don't think you will be able to waltz off the street and rent an apartment. It rarely happens. Some Danes have been on waiting lists for 20 years to get an apartment. No, I didn't mean months or weeks - YEARS!

It is quite difficult to find a place to rent - not impossible, but if you are planning on living in Copenhagen or even Aarhus, the choices are few and far between. No need to fret, since I have some tips in our housing section

3. How much stuff are you planning to bring with you to Denmark?

My recommendation is to bring as little as possible with you - personal effects, mostly, and some medications. Everything else can be bought here. Yes, it is more expensive, but you will save a fortune in moving expenses, so it may be worth it. I have compiled a list of things I think you should bring and leave.

Before planning your move to Denmark and packing a lot of furniture, remember apartments and houses are much smaller here and much of your stuff may not fit comfortably into your new home. Many apartments do not have elevators and if they do, they will not accomodate a sofa, so you will hauling alot of stuff up many flights of stairs! The choice is yours to make, but experience says sell it and get something new here.

You can also rent furniture, find used stuff or get partially furnished places.

See our packing guide for things you may want to bring that you can not always get in Denmark.

4. Are you bringing your pets to Denmark?

If you are bringing your pets to Denmark, you need to read our pet guide and find out what to do.

5. Do you have school-age children who will be attending school in Denmark? What type of education do want for them? Depending on how long your stay will be, you need to decide if you wish for them to attend an English-speaking school or a Danish school.

Do you want them to learn Danish.  Will the Danish curriculum transfer over to England or the US or any other country that you will be returning to?

See our education guid for more details and helpful hints.

The above tips are only a guide to get you thinking about what needs to be done when planning your move to Denmark. For each person there will other things to consider, but we hope that these tips will at least get you going in the right direction. See our moving guide for more helpful advice.

Our getting started in Denmark information is very helpful in organizing the steps to take when you arrive in Denmark, so do take the time to read it and follow the steps. You will be glad you did.

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