Arriving and registering 5
The permit, the CPR number and MitID. Nothing else works until this chain is started, so start here.
Start with Your first 90 days in Denmark: the arrival checklist
Denmark How To
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Denmark, explained in English.
A daily digest of Danish news for people who don't read Danish yet, and 45 step-by-step guides to CPR numbers, MitID, tax, housing, healthcare, school and work. No ads, no account.
Start here: the arrival order or jump to all 45 guides, by topic
45 guides 786 sources link-checked checked 17 Oct daily news in English
The arrival order: nine steps, in the order that works
Work comes first because a job offer is usually what gets you the permit. Housing comes next because CPR registration needs a Danish address you actually live at. Getting the order wrong costs weeks — without a tax card your first pay is withheld at 55%.
- Find work a-kasse and union from day one
- Sort out housing budget about 7 months' rent to move in
- Get a CPR number free · 2–3 weeks
- Get MitID free · minutes in the app
- Open a bank account bank must decide within 10 working days
- Get your tax card free · immediate online · without it, 55% withheld
- Choose a doctor free · card in about 2 weeks
- Take out insurance contents cover from about 2,900 kr a year
- Apply for school or daycare from 3,555 kr a month
Denmark today, in English
Last updated Sat 17 Oct, 05:31 CET · 24 stories, in English, from DR, The Copenhagen Post and Uniavisen — with a link to every original.
- Danish People group stages new demo, says uniformed people unwelcome
The Danish People group held a demonstration where they stated that people in uniform are not welcome; black-clad groups were reportedly turned away.
- Electricity consumption rises while oil and gas use declines
Denmark saw an increase in electricity consumption alongside a decrease in oil and gas usage.
- Moldova condemns Russia over drone incursion into its airspace
Moldova has condemned Russia after drones entered its airspace.
- Settlers attack Palestinians in the West Bank
Danish broadcaster DR reports that settlers are attacking Palestinians in the West Bank.
- New demonstration takes place in Albania
A new demonstration is taking place in Albania, according to Danish broadcaster DR.
- Analysis: Lidl cheapest for organic grocery basket in Denmark
The price-monitoring service Madprisluppen found Lidl offered the lowest price for a selected organic grocery basket among seven Danish supermarket chains.
For newcomers: Relevant to daily grocery costs for foreign residents in Denmark.
- Norway lends 10-metre Viking boat to Danish museum for 10 years
A Norwegian oak Viking boat, almost 10 metres long and nearly two metres wide, will be displayed at Moesgaard Museum near Aarhus under a 10-year loan agreement.
- Court rules in Messerschmidt lawsuit against Lidegaard over skin colour remarks
Danish politician Messerschmidt sued politician Lidegaard over remarks about skin colour, and a court has now decided the case.
- Two men remanded in custody for aggravated violence and supermarket robberies
Two men have been remanded in custody over aggravated violence and robberies at supermarkets, according to DR.
- Nets technical fault caused double transactions
A technical fault at Nets, a Danish payment provider, led to some transactions being charged twice, according to DR.
For newcomers: People in Denmark who used cards may have been double-charged and should check their statements.
- Fehmarn Belt construction partly resumes after cyberattack
Construction on the Fehmarn Belt tunnel has partly resumed after a cyberattack, according to DR.
- Lidegaard wins defamation case
Lidegaard has won a defamation case, DR reports.
- Chinese nationals sentenced to prison and deportation for smishing
Chinese nationals have been sentenced to prison and deportation for smishing, according to DR.
- Messerschmidt says he is not easily offended and is taking it calmly
Messerschmidt says he is not easily offended and is taking the matter calmly and with good humour.
- Copenhagen sets up support groups for parents of children missing school
A parents' association and Copenhagen City have agreed a four-year deal to run support groups for families whose children are absent from school for long, involuntary periods.
For newcomers: Useful for families in Copenhagen with children facing long school absence, as support groups will be set up under a municipal agreement.
- Danish PM Frederiksen rejects calls for Zelenskyy to tone down Trump criticism
PM Mette Frederiksen says she has not heard European leaders criticise Ukraine's Zelenskyy over remarks about US President Donald Trump, rejecting calls to soften criticism.
- Mette Frederiksen hesitates on whether Europe can trust US
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wavered when asked whether Europe can trust the United States.
- New flu-COVID vaccine given to a Dane first in Europe
A new combination vaccine that may replace separate flu and COVID-19 jabs has been given to a person in Denmark, reportedly the first in Europe.
- Party leaders in court over quarrel; footage can be rewatched
A quarrel involving party leaders has led to a court case, and footage of the argument can be watched again.
- Can a centre-right media outlet become too centre-right?
A Danish media debate asks whether a centre-right outlet can become too centre-right.
- Energy costs rise amid Iran war, winter intervention fears
Gas, oil and electricity have become more expensive after the US and Israel began a war against Iran, and graphs show winter fears that authorities may need to intervene.
For newcomers: Higher energy prices could increase winter heating and electricity costs for households in Denmark.
- Copenhagen park dig finds over 1,000 skeletons
Archaeologists have excavated more than 1,000 skeletons in Hans Tavsens Park on Nørrebro, remains of poor 19th-century residents, before the park is redeveloped for climate adaptation.
- Eight-year-old hospitalised after fall from Bakken ride
An eight-year-old girl remains in hospital after falling from a ride at Bakken; the Polypperne ride is closed while investigators establish why she fell.
- Anja moves from big city to become GP in under-served Halsnæs
Halsnæs Municipality is getting two new GPs, including Anja, who is moving from a big city to work in an area with low doctor coverage.
For newcomers: Adds two GPs in a low-coverage area; relevant to residents who need a local doctor in Halsnæs.
Spot something wrong, or want a story removed? Tell us — we correct fast and we honour takedown requests.
All 45 guides, by topic
Every guide answers its question in the first sentence, names the office and the form, gives the real cost and waiting time, and links the authority that sets the rule.
Work, salary and unions 7
Finding a job in English, what the pay should be, the work-permit routes, and the safety net you join on day one.
Start with How to find a job in Denmark when you don't speak Danish
Housing and home 5
Renting in a tight market, what moving in really costs, which area suits you, and getting connected.
Start with How to rent an apartment in Copenhagen as a foreigner
Money, tax and everyday costs 9
Bank account, tax card, insurance, phone, and honest numbers for what living here costs.
Health and healthcare 2
Getting a doctor, how the free system works, and staying active for less.
Start with How to get a doctor in Denmark and how the healthcare system works for newcomers
Children, school and family 4
Daycare, the school system, and bringing a partner or children to Denmark.
Start with How to get your children into school and daycare in Denmark
Getting around 7
Bikes, trains, cars and the commute — including what the rules cost you if you get them wrong.
Start with Public transport in Denmark: Rejsekort, Rejseplanen and DOT explained
Life in Denmark 6
Learning the language, joining things, weekends, holidays, and getting through the first winter.
Start with Learning Danish in Denmark: lessons, practice and the official tests
The Newcomer's Guide to Denmark
Every guide here is free to read and always will be. The ebook is optional: all 45 guides in one file, plus the checklists and the week-by-week planner that are not published as pages.