Challenges of being an expat in Denmark
Being an expat in Denmark can be an exciting experience, but it can also come with its own set of challenges. Here are some common challenges that expats may face in Denmark.
Navigating the Danish language
The Danish language is notoriously tricky to master. While the grammar and written Danish have many similarities with other Scandinavian and Northern European languages, the spoken variant is a whole different story. Danes tend to talk fast. However, they don't care about articulation very much.
Then we have the counting. You'd think learning basic numbers would be the first and easiest step when learning a new language. This is, however, not the case when it comes to Danish. Unlike their neighbors Sweden and Germany, the Danes use a system built around "scores" (i.e. groups of twenty).
If you want a good run-through of the system, we encourage you to read The Local's guide to Danish counting.
Luckily, a majority of the Danes understand English. So you will get on fine with your everyday life using English, with the addition of common Danish phrases like tak (thank you), undskyld (pardon/excuse me) and det er fedt (it's awesome).
Another tip to avoid misunderstandings is to use your phone's calculator and translation app.
Finding employment as an expat in Denmark
The Danish population may be small, but the country is home to an impressive number of multinational companies. Have you heard of brands like Lego, Carlsberg and Maersk? Like every other major enterprise, they are screaming for staff with the right competencies.
So, are you a native English speaker with experience working for a large company? Then you will have very good chances of building a career in your newly adopted home country. Just remember that as a non-EU citizen, you may have to apply for a job visa before starting to work in Denmark.
If you already have a work visa and competitive qualifications, the best way to get employment as an expat in Denmark is to reach out directly to the companies or niche recruitment agencies operating in your field of business.
For entry-level positions and part-time jobs, we advise you to use one of the many online job portals, such as Jobnet, Jobindex, and Work in Denmark. Most of them let you filter job openings based on language qualifications and industry. Then, you could also use Linkedin to scout the local job market.
There's also the old-school way where you visit places like hotels, shops and restaurants in person and ask if they need any help.
Building a social network
Building a social network in a new place takes time, effort and patience, and Denmark is no exception. Scandinavians are generally not known for being the most outgoing people. Still, if you learn how to approach the Danes the right way, you will eventually have a little circle of friends to call your own. In Denmark, like everywhere else, there are extroverted and introverted people. By being proactive and open-minded, you have all opportunities to make new acquaintances.
But where to start? We advise finding people in the same situation as you, namely other expats and Danes who have relocated to your new hometown. In the next paragraph we will list a couple of expat organizations in Denmark that you can contact.
If you have a special interest or a hobby, this is an excellent opportunity to get to meet others. Attend classes and participate in activities where you can socialize with like-minded people. It’s no harder than that!
Understanding the Danish healthcare and education system
The Danish systems for healthcare and education are quite different from, say, the American systems. To begin with, all Danes have access to tax funded healthcare, and the same goes with school and higher education. If you as an EU citizen (or from Norway or Switzerland) are covered by a public healthcare system in your country of origin, then you will most likely have the right to medical treatment in Denmark as well.
This means however that non EU/EEA citizens will have to pay for medical treatment in Danish hospitals and clinics (except for some emergency treatment). These medical costs can quickly grow to quite large sums. Therefore, we advise you to buy insurance that covers medical expenses before you relocate.
For students from EU/EEA member states or permanent residents, getting a university education in Denmark is free. For international students from outside the EU, the tuition fees can range from 6 000 to 18 000 EUR a year, depending on the programme.
Read more about the international schools in Denmark.
