Living in Denmark

This page tells you what to do ahead of Brexit. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.

• readattend essentialone informationof forour UKcitizen nationalsoutreach inmeetings
• read the UK government website on how to prepare for EU Exit
• visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and the Ministry of Immigration and Integration website
• attend one of our citizen outreach meetings

Visas

Residency and residencyvisas

CheckYou may want to check the entry requirements for Denmark.

Read See also custody and residence of children in Denmark.

You must register as a Danish resident if you want to stay in Denmark for more than 3 months or more than 6 months if you are looking for a job.

Once you have an EU residence document (EU-opholdsdokument), you must register with your local civil registration office (Folkeregistret). When you register you will get a central person register (CPR) number.

ReadFor more information you can read the Danish government’s guidance for UK nationals in Denmark.

IfIn therethe areevent of changes to residency rules or registration processes after Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, we will update this guidance as soon as information is available. You should sign up for our email updates.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Denmark.

Passports andIf travelyou aftercannot Brexit

Checkget youra passport isin validtime for travelyour beforetrip, you bookmay your trip. You’ll need to renewget youran passportemergency beforetravel travellingdocument ifor you‘emergency dopassport’.

Passports notand havetravel enoughafter timethe leftUK onleaves yourthe passport.

EU

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, new travel rules will apply. You should have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

IfYou theshould UKcheck leavesyour thepassport EUis withvalid afor deal,travel nothingbefore willyou changebook untilyour thetrip. endYou’ll ofneed 2020.to Inrenew thisyour timepassport youbefore cantravelling continueif toyou traveldo freelynot inhave theenough Schengentime arealeft withon your UK passport.

If Whatthe happensUK afterleaves 2020 will form the nextEU partwithout ofa negotiations.

If there’s no deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the EU. You will be able to stay up to 90 days in another EU,EU EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You should retain evidence of travel (such(e.g. as train and plane tickets), in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EU,EU EEAMember orState, EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EU,EU EEAMember orStates EFTA countries to reach your country of residence. If you do not yet hold a residence permit from your Member State of residence, please check the entry requirements for your location before travelling. We will update this guidance as more information becomes available.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of 2020. In this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after 2020 will form the next part of negotiations.

Healthcare

If you are legally resident in Denmark, you will be entitled to treatment on the same basis as Danish insured citizens.

When you register at Folkeregistret (civil registration office) you will receive a national health insurance card (Sygesikringsbevis), which gives you access to free medical treatment.

If you live in Denmark and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.

If you are resident in Denmark, you should not be using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Denmark.

• you can may use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland
• the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home
• an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance
• for more information you can read our travel advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance

For an assessment of your Danish EHIC’s validity, please contact Udbetaling Danmark.

ReadYou can read the NHS guidance on healthcare in Denmark.

IfYou youcan are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.

You can find English-speaking doctors in Denmark.

You should also Checkcheck your prescriptions are legal in Denmark.

Healthcare after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Denmark will remain the same until the31 endDecember of2020, the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in Denmark. If you are registered for public healthcare as a resident, you will be able to use your EHIC when you travel outside of Denmark until the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals lawfully residing in Denmark before the day the UK leaves the EU will be entitled to the same healthcare benefits as today. UK nationals who obtain legal residency after Brexitthe date the UK leaves the EU will also be entitled to public healthcare in Denmark.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and there is no arrangement with Denmark to continue reciprocal healthcare, pensioners receiving coverage through the S1 form will not be covered.

Your EHIC may not be valid ifin there’sthe noevent the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme ifshould there’sthe noUK leave the EU without a deal, however this is reliant on Denmark continuing to accept UK EHICs.

More information about your right to health services if the UK leaves the EU without a deal is available from the Danish Patient Safety Authority.

ReadYou should read the NHS guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in Denmark and how it may change after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU.

Working in Denmark

If you are registered as a resident in Denmark, you have the right to work in Denmark. Read our guidance on working in another EU country and Life in Denmark.

Some jobs may require a UK police certificate.

Once you have registered residence in Denmark and have a CPR number, you should apply for an income tax card (Skattekort). Your employer will need this card.

ReadIf the guidance on providing services if you’re planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU, further guidance can be found here.

Working in Denmark after Brexit

the UK leaves the EU

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, your right to work will stay the same until the end of the implementation period.

If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal and you are registered as a resident in Denmark before Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, you will have the right to work in Denmark.

If you were legally resident in another EU Member State and working across the Danish border before Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, your right to work in Denmark will continue.

If you want to work in Denmark after Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, you mustshould apply for a work permit.permit.

Money and tax

Denmark and the UK have a double-taxation agreement to prevent income being taxed in both countries.

Once you have registered as a resident in Denmark and have a CPR number, you mustshould apply for an income tax card - Skattekort. Your employer will need this card.

ReadYou should read the guidance on:

• telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
• the tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Denmark

YouWe shouldrecommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Denmark. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Denmark.

Declaration of overseas assets

When you move to Denmark, you have a duty to inform the Danish Tax Agency (Skattestyrelsen) of any assets or savings you have abroad.

You will not be taxed on any savings or assets that you bring with you from abroad when moving to Denmark, but you may be taxed on interest income and any dividends.

National Insurance

FindYou outmay ifbe youable canto pay National Insurance while abroad so that you protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

Money and tax after Brexit

Brexitthe willUK notleaves changethe existingEU

If doublethe taxation arrangements for UK nationalsleaves livingthe inEU Denmark.without You should send your questions about double taxation as a taxpayer to the relevant tax authority.

If there’s no deal, it may become more expensive to use your bank card in Denmark. Read our guidance on using a bank card, insurance or other financial services if there’s no BrexitEU Exit deal.

The UK leaving the EU will not change existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Denmark. You should direct individual taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.

Pensions

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire in Denmark, you can claim:

• your UK Statestate Pensionpension or new UK State Pension. Please Contactcontact the International Pensions Centre to claim
• apply for a Danish pension, if you have worked in Denmark
• pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

Life certificatesCertificates

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Pensions after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

The UK government will continue to pay athe stateUK pensionState Pension to those eligible inUK thenationals EU after Brexitthe andUK willleaves upratethe yourEU. UKIf statethe pensionUK forleaves the fiscalEU yearwithout 2019/2020a indeal, allyou Brexitshould scenarios.

Readread our guidance on pensions ifin the UK leaves without a no deal scenario.

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Denmark, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Danish pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.

The UK government will uprate your UK state pension for the fiscal year 2019/2020 in any scenario.

Benefits

You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Denmark. You should:

• read our guidance on which benefits you can claim if you live abroad
• use our tool to check which benefits you can claim while you’re abroad

ManyIf you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.you.

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Danish benefits

You may be entitled to Danish benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Danish benefits and how to claim, you can read the EU´s guidance on Danish social security benefits. Your local municipality (Kommune) will be able to help you with any questions about Danish benefits.

Benefits after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

The UK government will continue to pay child and disability benefits to eligible UK nationals after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Denmark, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Danish contribution-based benefits.

If there’sthe noUK leaves without a deal and you were registered as a resident in Denmark before the day beforethe BrexitUK leaves the EU, you will have the right to contribution-based benefits. If you arrive after Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, you will not be entitled to contribution-based benefits until you have got a residence and work permit.

Driving in Denmark

If you are a UK licence holder living in Denmark, you should exchange your UK licence for a Danish one before the UK leaves the EU. If there’sthe noUK dealleaves onthe 31EU Octoberwithout 2019a anddeal youon have31 notOctober applied2019, to exchange your UK license for a Danish one beforehand, you will have to pass a controlling driving test to be able to carry on driving in Denmark. You can still use your Danish licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.

If you have an old UK licence that does not have a 10 year validity period, you must renew or exchange it for a Danish licence once you’ve been resident in Denmark for 2 years.

If you are in Denmark and your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will need to apply to the DVLA for a ‘certificate of entitlement’ in Danish to be able to apply for a Danish driving licence.

For information on driving in Denmark, read the guidance on:

• driving licence exchange and renewals
• what you need to drive abroad
• driving rules in Denmark (In Danish)

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Denmark

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

ReadYou should read the European Union’s guidance on car registration rules and taxes in Denmark.

You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Driving after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same until the end of the implementation period.

If you are a UK license holder living in Denmark, you should exchange your UK licence for a Danish one before the UK leaves the EU. If the UK leaves the EU without a deal andon you31 arriveOctober, after Brexit you will have to pass a controlling driving test to be able to carry on driving in orderDenmark. You can still use your Danish licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.

If you arrive after EU Exit and your driving licence was issued before the day the UK leaves the EU, you will be able to exchange your driving licenselicence regardlesswithout ofhaving whento pass a controlling driving test. If your UKdriving licenselicence was issued.issued after the day the UK leaves the EU, you will have to pass a controlled driving test.

ReadPlease read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

If you’re resident in Denmark, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.

You cannot vote in general elections in Denmark.

Voting after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU

UK nationals resident in Denmark by the day the UK leaves the EU will continue to be able to vote and stand in local and European elections after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.

If you move to Denmark after Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, you will be able to vote and stand in local elections if you have had permanent residency in Denmark for 4 years prior to the election. You will not be able to vote in European elections.

For more information about voting in Denmark after Brexit, please see the Danish Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Interior.

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Denmark, you will need to register the birth abroad.

If someone dies in Denmark you can:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Denmark

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for British nationals in Denmark.

Accommodation and buying property

Read guidance on how to buy or let property in Denmark.

Pets

YouWhen the UK leaves the EU, you will still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret but the rules will change. You can Readread guidance on pet travel to Europe after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU.

While the UK is still an EU Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport.

If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time youyou’ll musthave to visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.

For moving pet horses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number on 112 or:

• 114 for police
• 1813 for health emergencies
• 114 for firefighters
• 114 for local police

If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Returning to the UK

You should read our guidance on:

• accessreturning to benefitslive andin servicesthe UK
• returning to live in the UK ifin therethe iscase aof no dealno-deal
• bringing your family to the UK
• importing vehicles back to the UK
• bringing your pet back to the UK
• checking your tax status after returning to the UK
• movingto move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre. If you get UK State Pension or benefits payments, you must tell the International Pension Centre.

Before leaving Denmark

Read Life in Denmark’s information about leaving Denmark.

Disclaimer

This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Danish authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

You may also want to use this list of useful websites for British nationals living in Denmark.