CPR Number

A CPR number is probably the most important thing you will need when it comes to living your life in Denmark. Everyone has and needs what is known as a cpr number or civil registration number.  Each person has a unique 10 digit number, which entitles them to reside and work in Denmark.

A CPR card (Civil Personal Registration / centrale person registernummer) is usually referred to as a sygesikringskort or sundhedskort, which loosely translated is a medical card or health card. These cards are very important in the medical and health fields. You must have it when visiting a doctor, hospital, pharmacy for meds, and accessing any government website, bank and many other facilities. It is nearly impossible to live and work in Denmark if you do not have a CPR number.

Once you have permission to reside in Denmark, you will need to get your CPR number, which enrolls you in the National Register of Persons. You have five days from when you arrive to get registered. It should be one of your first stops.  You will receive a yellow card that has a unique number assigned to you. (see photo below).

This card will be your unique identification card. It takes about one to four weeks to be mailed to you once you have registered. This is another good reason to register quickly, since you cannot work until you get your number.

The first part of the number is your birthdate and the last 4 numbers make up your personal identification number. If your number is, for example, 120671-7661, it would mean that you are a male person born on June 12, 2024 and 7661 would be your unique number.

The final 4 digits are your personal number and also discloses your sex: numbers ending in an even number indicate that the card holder is female and numbers ending in an odd number indicate that the card holder is male.

This card is unique to you, and no other person will have your number. The card is used to identify you for medical care, government services, opening bank accounts, paying your salary, buying a house, insurance, registering for utilities and much, much more.

Your  number will never change, but you will have to exchange it if you move to a different kommune or more than 15 miles away from your present location. Also if you leave Denmark, you need to notify the kommune that you resided in.

You must have the card if you plan to work and live in Denmark.

Sample CPR Number Card

Above is a sample card. This card will have information unique only to you.

1. Your name and address would replace Lone Hansen on Strandvejen in Vejstrand
2. The 10 digit number (99999-9996) would have your unique ID number as explained above.
3. In the top left yellow corner you will see the word "Læge" which means doctor. The name below will be the name and address of your doctor with his phone number listed to the right.
4. In the upper right white corner is the name of the kommune you reside in and their phone number. The xxxx will be replaced with the kommune name.
5. In the upper left corner is the name of the region you reside in. On this card it is listed as Hovedstaden. (which is the Copenhagen area)
6. The bar code on the bottom is unique to your card too. When you go to a doctors, dentist, chiroprator, etc. office, you will slide the card through a scanner. This registers you at their office and informs the doctor that you have arrived. Often there is no reception area, so remember to scan your card when you arrive. See example of a typical office scanner below. There are several types, yet this is probably the most common.
7. The last piece of information on the card is located to the right of your name and that is the date the card was issued.

Now you know what all that information on your card means and why it so important to have one.

Obtaining a CPR Card

In order to get a CPR number and your sundhedkort, you will need to be living at an address in Denmark, where you can receive mail in your name. A hotel or hostel is not usually acceptable, but there are exceptions if the hotel allows it and you have a long term contract with the hotel. There are several ways to get your card. You can apply online. You can also go to your local  borger service for the kommune , where you will be living in and bring the following documents with you. Remember you must have a residency permit before you can get your card.

Bring along these documents:

• Residence permit
• Passport
• Marriage certificate (if you are married)
• Any birth certificates (if you have children)
• Your own birth certificate
• Proof of where you lived before arriving in Denmark
• Proof of where you are living in Denmark, which includes rental contract and housing confirmation documentation
• Job offer if you have one

It is always best to take along as much information as you have that will prove who you are, where you came from, your financial status, etc. The lines are usually long and having to return to the office because you needed another document is frustrating. If in doubt, bring it along. It’s better to have too much information at hand than too little.

Learn more about getting off on the right foot as an expat in Denmark.

Where to find the National Registers Office

The International House at Gyldenløvesgade, 1600 Copenhagen, Tlf : +45 3366 1000, is the best place to start if you are arriving in Copenhagen.  (see above video)  Use www.krak.dk to locate any address in Denmark.

Most of the Borger Services in each kommune can handle your request. Here are some of other locations of the National Registars Office.  Some places move, so always call before heading out to make sure you are going to the right office. Can save you a lot of time and some places ask that you make an appointment and not just show up in person.

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