Living in Denmark

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Danish Government and your local authority. You can also read our Denmark travel advice for our latest guidance.

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up for email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy in Denmark on Facebook and Twitter

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

The British Embassy holds events across Denmark for UK nationals to present the information in this guide. Details of upcoming events will be posted on the British Embassy in Denmark Facebook page.

You can also:

• visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
• visit the Ministry of Immigration and Integration website
• visit the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration website

The Withdrawal Agreement

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Passports

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.

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

Passports from 1 January 2021

YouCheck your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From 1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Denmark, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

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.

You will need to Renewrenew your passport before youtravelling book your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. YouYour passport may alsobe needstamped tofor showvisits ato returnthese or onward ticket.countries.

Entry requirements

YouFrom can1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period.

To stay for longerlonger, than 90 days in any 180-day period to work or study, or for business travel, you mustwill need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travellingtravelling. to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of timestay authorised byunder a visa or permit will not count towardsagainst yourthe 90-day limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Driving in Denmark

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If you are a UK licence holder living in Denmark, you should exchange your UK licence for a Danish one. 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 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)

Driving in the UK with a Danish licence

You can use your Danish licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Denmark

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

Read the Danish Customs and Tax Administration’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.

Healthcare

If you are living in Denmark or move there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Denmark as you do now, provided you remain resident.

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

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

Read our guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in Denmark.

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(EHIC)

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  If you are registered for public healthcare as a residentresident, before 1 January 2020, you will be able to use your Danish issued EHIC when you travel outside of Denmark until the end of the transition period.

  You should also read guidance on:

  • finding English-speaking doctors in Denmark
  • checking your prescriptions are legal in Denmark

  Working in Denmark

  If you wereare legallyregistered as a resident in DenmarkDenmark, before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work,work asin longDenmark. as you remain legally resident.

  Read our guidance on working in an 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.

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  Frontieryour workers

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  Education and professional qualifications

  If you liveare resident in theDenmark UKon or another EU or EFTA country and regularly commuted to work in Denmark before 131 JanuaryDecember 20212020, you needwill acontinue frontierto workeraccess document.higher Readeducation the Danish government’s guidance on the newsame documentterms andas applicationyou procedure.

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  Read our guidance on:

  • on continuing your studies in the EU
  • healthcareEuropean for students in DenmarkUnion
  .

  Moving

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  Professional qualifications

  You may need to get your professional qualificationqualifications recognisedrecognised, if you wantcan tosubmit workan inapplication aunder professionthe thatcurrent isrules regulateduntil in31 Denmark.December When doing this, you will be subject to the third country regulations.2020.

  Read the Danish government guidance on how to get your professional qualifications recognised.

  If your qualification was officially recognised by the relevant regulator in Denmark before 1 January 2021, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision by checking with that regulator.

  Money and tax

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

  Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Denmark have not changed. You should send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.

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

  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

  You should 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

  Find out if you needcan to pay National Insurance inwhile theabroad UKso orthat socialyou securityprotect contributionsyour inState Denmark.

  Banking

  WhetherPension UKand banksentitlement can provide services to customersother livingbenefits in the EEA is a matter of local law and regulation.allowances.

  If Your bank or finance provider should contact you ifare theyemployed needor toself-employed makein anythe changesEU to your product or theEEA wayand they provide it. If you have anya concernsUK-issued aboutA1/E101 whetherform, you mightwill beremain affected,subject contactto yourUK providerlegislation oruntil seek independent financial advice.

  Read the Moneyend anddate Pension Service guidance on banking,the insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.form.

  Pensions

  Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Denmark.

  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 State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact 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

  Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

  Life certificates

  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.

  Benefits

  Pensions after 31 December 2020

  ReadThere ourwill guidancebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on entitlementclaiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

  If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.

  If you are living in Denmark by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

  If 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 31 December 2020.

  If you are considering moving to Denmark on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

  You whilecan youcontinue areto livingreceive your UK State Pension if you live in Denmark.the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

  Benefits

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

  CheckYou whichmay 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 whileif you live abroad
  • use andour howtool to check which benefits you can claim them.
    while you’re abroad

  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 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 31 December 2020

  There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

  If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.

  If 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. This will happen even if you claim contribution-based benefits after 31 December 2020.

  If you are considering moving to Denmark on after the 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

  Voting

  You cannot vote in general elections in Denmark.

  If you were registered as resident in Denmark before 31 January 2020 you can vote and stand in local and European Parliament elections.

  If you moved to Denmark after 31 January 2020, you will be able to vote and stand in local elections after you have been a permanent resident for 4 years. You cannot vote in European Parliament elections.

  Read the Danish government’s guidance on elections and voting in Denmark.

  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

  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 UK nationals in Denmark.

  Accommodation and buying property

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

  Pets

  IfCurrent you have a pet passport issued by Denmark or another EU member state, you can use it to travel withrules yourwill petstay tothe Greatsame Britainuntil and31 elsewhereDecember in the EU.2020.

  AIf GB-issuedyou’re EUtravelling petwith passportyour ispet not valid for travel to the EUfirst ortime Northernyou Ireland.must Youvisit should speak to your vet before you travel to get thea necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.passport.

  Read guidance on:

  • on bringing your pet to GB
  • travelling with your pet in the EUUK
  • travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

  Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

  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

  Tell the UK and Danish authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

  Read Life in Denmark’s information about leaving Denmark.

  Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

  Disclaimer

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