Living in Denmark

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Denmark. Read about how our embassyEmbassy in Copenhagen can help.

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

Read: *

• general guidance on moving or retiring abroad *
• Danish government’s guide on moving to Denmark *
• International House’s advice for people moving to Denmark

• Life in Denmark’s 10 things to consider before moving

To stay up to date: *

• sign up for email alerts to this guidance *
• follow the British Embassy in Denmark on Facebook, where details of embassy hosted meetings and events for you are posted, and Twitter

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

You must apply for a new residence status before 31 December 2021 to secure your rights.

Some parts of this guide only apply if you werehave been living in Denmark since before 1 January 2021. You Theseshould areread indicatedthis within sub-headings.

addition to the rest of the guidance in each section. You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizen’s rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and visit the:

• Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs websiteBrexit guidance
• Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration website
• Danish government’s guidance for UK nationals in Denmark

Coronavirus

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

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national living in DenmarkDenmark, seeread our coronavirus travel advice.

Visas and residency

ReadYou custodymust tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and residencetax ofif childrenyou inare moving or retiring abroad.

Check the entry requirements for Denmark.

Residency

You should read the Danish government visa guidance. Your residence permit application is part of the visa process. If your application is successful you werewill legallybe residentgiven a residence permit which shows this.

With your residence permit you must register with your local civil registration office (Folkeregistret). The Folkeregistret will give you a Central Person Register (CPR) number. You must register with the local Folkeregistret every time you move to another address.

Visas and residency if you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

If you mustapplied apply for ayour new residenceresidency document before(opholddokument) by 31 December 2021.2021, Theyour “Howrights toare apply”protected pagesby the Withdrawal Agreement pending a decision on theyour Danishapplication. government’sYou websiteshould listscontinue the supportingprocess documentationto get your new residence card if you needdo tonot provide.have it yet.

AfterSIRI you’ve(the appliedDanish online,Agency youfor International Recruitment and Integration) will receivecontact anyou invitationor toyour bookemployer anif appointmentthey atneed yourfurther nearestinformation. The SIRINew branchto officeDenmark website explains how long it will take for your residence application to be processed. If you have not had a response to your photoopholdsdokument takenapplication, phone the SIRI hotline on +45 72 14 20 05. It is available Monday, Wednesday and recordThursday yourfrom fingerprints.9 am to 3 pm and Friday from 9 am to 12 noon.

Appeal process

If your application is refused SIRI will notify you about the appeal process. Read the Danish government’sgovernment guidanceadvice on thehow to appeal a residency decision.

Late applications

The deadline for applying for a new residence documentstatus andwas application31 procedure.December 2021. You shouldcan alsostill readapply, SIRI’sbut FAQsSIRI onwill residency.only consider late applications if you have reasonable grounds for missing the deadline.

MovingFamily to Denmarkmembers

YouIf should:

• checkyou thehave entrybeen requirementsgranted foran opholddokument, your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Denmark
• read at any point in the Danishfuture. governmentFind guidancemore information on movingwho this applies to Denmark,in includingthe howLiving toin getEurope aguidance. visa
• registerThey withmust yourtravel localto civilDenmark registrationand officethen (Folkeregistret)submit oncean youopholddokument haveapplication receivedas your residencyfamily document.member. YouNationals willof receivecertain non-EU countries may need a Centralvisa Personbefore Registertravel. (CPR)The number
• registerDanish withauthorities theshould localissue Folkeregistretfamily everyreunion timevisas youfree changeof address

charge.

Passports and travel

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

Check the Denmark travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU /or European Free Trade AreaAssociation (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Denmark using your EU /or EFTA passport.

If you stay in Denmark with a Danish residence permit or long stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Denmark, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day long period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

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

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

When you travel, especially within the Schengen area, carry your opholddokument residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residency document, carryshow your certificate of application.

If you cannot prove that you are a resident in Denmark, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is incorrectly stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal AgreementAgreement, you can enter and exit your host country with a valid passport. You do not need any extraadditional monthsvalidity on yourthe passport tobeyond enterthe ordates exiton EUwhich countries.you are travelling.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on Healthcare in Denmark and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances. Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

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

If you’re leaving the UK with medicine that contains a controlled drug, check with the embassy about the rules for the country you’re going to before you travel and the NaTHNaC guidance for travelling with medicines.

You should also read guidance on: *

• finding English speaking doctors in Denmark *
• checking your prescriptions are legal * healthcare when travelling in EuropeDenmark *
• travelling advicewith on foreign travel insurancemedicines
* bringing medicine containing a controlled drug into the UK

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

If you were registered for public healthcare as a resident before 1 January 2021, you will be able to use your Danish-issued EHIC when you travel outside of Denmark.

For more information, read:read our guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in Denmark and the STPS guidance on access to healthcare and Danish EHICs (in Danish)..

Working in Denmark

If you are planning to move to Denmark and work, you may need a visa.

Read the Danish government’s guidance on working in Denmark as a foreign national and how to get a visa.visa.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK police certificate.certificate.

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

Read: *

• working or providing services in Denmark. *
• working in an EU country
• EU guidance on working in an EU country

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement if you appliedhave for a opholddokument residence document or have applied for one.

If you live in Denmark and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers. .

StudyingProfessional in Denmarkqualifications

IfYou youmay planneed to studyget inyour Denmarkprofessional youqualification mustrecognised meetif all visa requirements before you travel.

Contactwant theto relevantwork higher education provider in Denmarka toprofession checkthat whatis feesregulated youin may have to pay.Denmark.

Read our guidance on:

• continuingrecognition yourof studiesprofessional in the EUqualifications
• studyinghow into theget Europeanyour Unionqualification recognised in Denmark.
• healthcareDanish forgovernment studentsguidance inon Denmarkhow to get your professional qualifications recognised

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

StudyingIf the relevant regulator in Denmark officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the Europeanrecognition Unionprocess includesby specificthis informationdate, formake thosesure whoyou wereunderstand alreadythe livingterms inof Denmarkyour beforedecision. 1You Januaryshould 2021.get advice from the relevant regulator.

Professional

Studying qualifications

in Denmark

YouIf mayyou needplan to getstudy yourin professionalDenmark qualificationyou recognisedmust ifmeet all visa requirements before you wanttravel.

Contact tothe workrelevant higher education provider in aDenmark professionto thatcheck iswhat regulatedfees inyou Denmark.may have to pay.

Read guidance on:

• recognitioncontinuing ofyour professionalstudies qualificationsin the EU
• howstudying toin getthe yourEuropean qualification recognised in DenmarkUnion
• Danishhealthcare governmentfor guidancestudents onin how to get your professional qualifications recognisedDenmark

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

IfStudying the relevant regulator in Denmark officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognitionEuropean processUnion byincludes thisinformation date,if make sure you understandwere thealready termsliving ofin yourDenmark recognitionbefore decision. Seek1 adviceJanuary from the regulator if needed.2021.

Money, tax and bankingTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Denmark toso ensurethat you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant authority your questions about double taxation relief.

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

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Denmark. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Denmark.

Read the guidance on:

• tellingtax HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
• the tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• payingtax incomeif taxyou inget Denmarka LINKpension DOESand NOTlive WORK!!abroad
• EU guidance on paying income tax in Denmark
• EU guidance on taxpaying andincome customs,tax includingin online shopping from the UKDenmark
• EU guidance on customs including preferential origin
• EU guidance on excise duties

Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs charges

If you regularly buy goods online or receive gifts from the UK, you need to be aware that these packages will, in most cases, be liable for Danish VAT (MOMS) and, in some cases, customs charges. Check the Danish guidance on online shopping.

National Insurance

Findand outthe ifEU youfactsheet needon tobuying paygoods Nationalonline Insurancefrom in the UK or social security contributionswebsites in Denmark..

Declaring your 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.

UK

National Banking

Insurance

WhetherNational UKInsurance-type bankscontributions can(NIC) provideare servicescalled ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Denmark. Find out if you need to customerspay livingNational Insurance in the EEAUK dependsor onsocial localsecurity lawscontributions andin regulations.Denmark.

ReadYou can request proof from HMRC of the Moneytime you’ve worked in the UK and Pensionyour Service’sUK MoneyHelperNational guidanceInsurance onrecord.

Read banking,guidance on:

• national insurance andfor financialworkers servicesfrom changesthe UK working in the EEA or Switzerland
• social security contributions for moreworkers informationcoming onto cross-borderthe banking.
  UK from the EEA or Switzerland

Benefits

PensionsUK benefits

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

IfCheck youwhich areUK movingbenefits oryou retiringcan claim while abroad, and how to claim them.

Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you mustif tellyou’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

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 UKEU´s governmentguidance officeson thatDanish dealsocial security benefits. Your local municipality (Kommune) will be able to help you with yourany benefits,questions pensionabout andDanish tax.benefits.

Pensions

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

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension

If you retire in Denmark, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pensions Centre tofor claimfurther information
• apply for a Danish pension,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’s MoneyHelper 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 must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Benefits

Read

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

banking

IfWhether you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UK governmentbanks offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax.

Check which UK benefits you can claimprovide whileservices abroad and how to claimcustomers them.

Manyliving income-relatedin 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 from HRMC of the timeEEA you’vedepends workedon inlocal thelaws UK and of your UK National Insurance record.regulations.

Danish benefits

YouRead maythe beMoney entitled to Danish benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Danish benefits and howPension toService’s claim,MoneyHelper you can read the EU´s guidance on Danishbanking, socialinsurance securityand benefitsfinancial services. Yourfor localmore municipalityinformation (Kommune)on willcross-border be able to help you with any questions about Danish benefits.banking.

Accommodation and buying property

Read the Danish government’s guidance on housing and moving. If you want to buy property in Denmark, you normally need permission from the Danish Department of Civil Affairs.

Driving in Denmark

ThisYou guidancecannot forrenew UKor drivingreplace licencesyour alsoUK, applies to licences from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey andor the Isle of Man.

YouMan cannotlicence renewif oryou replacelive yourin UKDenmark. If your licence ifis lost, stolen or expired you livewill inneed Denmark.to apply for a Danish licence and may have to take a driving test.

Read ourthe guidance foron UKwhat licence-holdersactions about: *you must do to drive legally in Denmark:

• what you need to drive in the EU *
• driving licence rules in Denmark if you live there

• road travel in Denmark

If you are resident in Denmark, you must exchange your licence for a Danish oneone.

This table explains when you need to exchange your licence and whether you need to take a test:

Where your licence was issued	When your licence was issued	When you moved to Denmark	Deadline for exchanging your licence	Test requirements
UK or Gibraltar	before 1 January 2021	before 1 January 2021	30 June 2021	no test required (in all categories)
UK or Gibraltar	before 1 January 2021	on or after 1 January 2021	within 180 days of moving to Denmark	no test required (in all categories)
UK or Gibraltar	on or after 1 January 2021	at any time	within 180 days of moving to Denmark	no test required to exchange it for a category B (normal car) licence
Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man	at any time	at any time	within 180 days of moving to Denmark	no test required to exchange it for a category B (normal car) licence

IfYou yourcannot licenceuse issuedan byInternational theDriving UK,Permit Gibraltar,(IDP) Guernsey,instead Jersey or the Isle of Manexchanging isyour lost,licence.

Disabled stolendrivers

If or expired, you cannothave exchange it for a DanishUK one.Blue You will need to apply for a Danish licenceBadge and maylive have to take a driving test.

For information on driving in Denmark, readyou themust guidancereturn on:

• drivingit licenceto exchangethe andoriginal renewals
• whatUK youissuing needauthority. toYou drivecan abroad
• rulesapply for exchanginga drivingnew licencesDanish issueddisabled inparking card.

  Read the UK,EU Gibraltar,guidance Jerseyon andthe GuernseyEU (inparking Danish)

• drivingcard rulesfor inpeople Denmarkwith (in Danish)

disabilities.

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.Denmark.

You

Driving mayoutside beDenmark exemptwith froma someDanish oflicence

You thesecan taxes.use Ifyour so,Danish youlicence willwhen needvisiting certificatesthe ofUK. exemption.

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Voting

YouTo cannotdrive vote in generalanother electionscountry, in Denmark.

Ifaddition to your Danish licence, you weremay registeredneed asto residentapply infor Denmarkan beforeIDP 31(in JanuaryDanish).

Read 2020the youEU canguidance voteon:

• EU driving licences and standinsurance
• driving inlicence localexchange and Europeanrecognition Parliamentin elections.
  the EU

Voting

IfYou youcannot movedvote toin Denmarkgeneral afterelections 31or Januaryin 2020,European youParliament willelections bein ableDenmark. toYou can 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

If you were living in Denmark before 1 January 2021

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

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Denmark, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in Denmark you can:

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

  Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

  You may also need notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Denmark.

  Pets

  If you have a pet passport issued by Denmark or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU. Ensure that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports.

  A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. YouSpeak should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’reyou compliantcomply with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

  Read guidance on:

  • bringing your pet to GB
  • travelling withto yourNorthern petIreland inwith theyour EUpet
  • travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet
  • travelling with your pet in the EU

  CheckBefore you travel, check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travelrequirements.

  Emergencies

  YouDial can dial the European emergency number 112 in Denmark for the police, ambulance or fire brigade or dial:

  • 114 for police
  • 1813 for health emergencies (Greater Copenhagen)
  • for health emergencies in other areas, check your region on the map (in Danish – Lægevagten)
  • 114 for firefighters
  • 114 for local police

  YouDial can dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

  If Ityou alsoneed providesguidance on child abduction, read the guidance andon supportinternational toparental child abduction; the familiesDanish Agency of missingFamily children.Law ‘s guidance on child custody and residence; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

  If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British embassyEmbassy Copenhagen.

  Returning to the UK

  Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

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

  Read Life in Denmark’s information about leaving Denmark.

  To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

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

  Ifmembers, youtax return to the UK permanently and meetaccess the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.services..

  Useful information

  Support for British Nationals abroad: a Guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can support you if you get into difficulty.