Preparing to relocate to Denmark
We understand that moving always takes a lot of preparation, especially when relocating to a new country. We’d like to help, so we’ve made a list of things it’s worth thinking about before you move to Denmark. If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to get in touch.
Finding accommodation
Aarhus is a popular place to live, so we recommend that you get to know the rental market and start looking for accommodation at least two to three months before you arrive in Denmark.
Information about housing options:
Permission to reside and work in Denmark
Whether you need permission to reside and work in Denmark depends on your nationality. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you need a work and residence permit to work in Denmark. You need to apply for this permit before you come to Denmark.
As a member of staff at AU, you will typically fall into one of the following permit categories:
- Researcher
- PhD student
- Guest researcher / guest PhD student
Accompanying family members are eligible for a Danish residence permit to accompany a researcher, PhD student or guest researcher/ guest PhD student who holds a valid work and residence permit.
The following people fall into the category of accompanying family:
- Spouses
- Registered partners or cohabiting partners
- Children under the age of 18 who live with their parent(s)
Documents you will need
When you register in Denmark
When you register with the authorities in Denmark, you will need the following documents:
- Marriage certificate
You need to bring your marriage certificate even if your partner is not accompanying you to Denmark. Please also note that marriage certificates from certain countries need to be apostille certified.
- Birth certificates for accompanying children
- Documentation of your place of birth (if not stated in your passport)
- Divorce certificate/death certificate (if relevant)
- Documentation for changes of name (if relevant)
The documents must be originals or authorised translations into German, English or a Scandinavian language.
Read more about registration upon arrival
If you want to drive in Denmark
If you want to drive in Denmark and hold a non-EU/EEA driving licence, you need to exchange your current licence for a Danish one within 180 days of arriving in the country. Your current license must display the date of issue. If it does not, you must bring documentation from the country in which the licence was issued stating when this licence was first issued.
Read more about exchanging your driving licence on our on-arrival page
Remember to take out travel insurance
You need to take out private travel insurance to cover you for healthcare until you register for a Civil Registration Number (CPR number) in Denmark. Remember to bring these travel insurance documents with you.
Read more about private insurance on our on-arrival page
If you are a US citizen
US citizens need to bring their social security card, as this is required by FATCA to open a bank account in Denmark.
Read more about opening a bank account on our money and banking page
Bank account
Before setting up a bank account, Danish banks are required to perform several safety checks to avoid fraud. This means that opening a bank account in Denmark can take up to four weeks – or even longer. For this reason, please make sure you can support yourself financially for the first month of your stay.
Read more about opening a bank account on our money and banking page
Pension schemes
International members of academic staff can choose between three different types of pension scheme:
- Ordinary Pension Contributions Scheme – available to all international staff members employed under the collective agreement for academics
- International Pension Scheme according to Section 53 A of the Pension Taxation Act – available to some international staff members employed under the collective agreement for academics
- Pension Exemption (pension contribution paid out as salary) for a maximum period of five years – available to some international researchers employed by the university on a fixed-term contract
You need to decide which pension scheme you’d like to be on before starting work at Aarhus University. We recommend that you read about the Danish pension system before you choose one of the three schemes.
Read more about pensions on the HR Portal
Join the Employment at AU Intro Webinar ot learn more
For more details about the different pension schemes, we recommend you watch or join the Employment at AU Intro Webinar
Tax schemes
Most people who work or live in Denmark are required to pay tax in Denmark and to register with the Danish Tax Agency.
As an Aarhus University researcher, you may choose your taxation scheme depending on certain factors and your personal situation and preferences.
Please discuss the different options with your HR supporter before deciding which tax scheme is right for you.
Read more about taxation aspects on the HR Portal
Join the Employment at AU Intro Webinar ot learn more
For more details about the different tax schemes, we recommend you watch or join the Employment at AU Intro Webinar
Healthcare
Before moving to Denmark, we recommend that you take out private healthcare insurance to cover you until you register for your Civil Registration Number (CPR number) in Denmark. EU citizens should bring their blue EU health insurance card.
Most examinations and treatments are free, but you need to register for your CPR number and get a health insurance card. Everyone residing in Denmark for more than three months has the right to register and become a resident. Until you are registered, it’s important to have private healthcare insurance.
Importing goods and pets
Denmark has specific taxation and custom rules for importing goods, and rules and requirements if you wish to bring animal products or a pet with you to Denmark.
Read about the rules on what you can bring into Denmark and the amount of tax and customs duty you’ll have to pay:
skat.dk - Travelling outside the EU
skat.dk - Travelling within the EU
Read more about the rules on importing animals and animal products:
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration – Import of food
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration – Travelling with pet animals
Moving your personal belongings
Customs regulations
You must pay customs duties and VAT on your personal belongings if you have lived outside the EU and move to Denmark. However, if you and your belongings meet a number of requirements, you may bring them across the border without having to pay customs duties and VAT.
Read more about customs regulations on the website of the Danish Customs Agency.
Moving companies
There are several moving companies that can help you relocate. Here are a few of our suggestions:
Travelling to Aarhus
Aarhus University has put together an overview of the different ways to travel to Aarhus.
Accompanying family members
Children
If you are bringing your children with you to Denmark, we would be happy to advise you on issues such as childcare options, school enrolment and language tuition.
Read more on our Bringing Children to Denmark page
Accompanying partners
The Expat Partner Programme (EPP) can help your partner with the transition to a new life and career in Denmark from the moment you get your job offer.
The EPP provides support for accompanying partners of Aarhus University's international academic staff from postdoc level and above.
Learning Danish
If you or your accompanying partner wish to learn Danish before coming to Denmark, Aarhus University (AU) collaborates with several language schools that provide pre-arrival Danish courses or online platforms. Read about the different options below.
Pre-arrival Danish digital learning platform with A2B
Gear up for your new life in Denmark with A2B’s online Pre-Arrival portal.
A2B's Pre-Arrival portal offers video clips and self-correcting assignments to give you a head start on your Danish journey.
- Start learning Danish with introductions to the Danish language
- Learn more about life and culture in Denmark
- Get to know the region you will be living in and other regions in Denmark
Future AU international staff and their accompanying partners can access the online self-study Danish course free of charge for one month.
You are welcome to contact A2B with your questions:
- E-mail: sprogaarhus@a2b.dk
- Phone: +45 2488 4815
Pre-arrival online course with Sprogcenter Midt
Sprogcenter Midt offers a pre-arrival online course for people moving to Denmark. The course includes:
- Conversational Danish, including vocabulary and pronunciation
- Insights into Danish culture and values
- Tips on how to set up a good life in Denmark from internationals who have been newcomers themselves
Sign up for the pre-arrival online course at any point before you arrive in Denmark. When you sign up, you get three months' access to the language-learning platform and an unlimited opportunity to practise your Danish.
Find more information on the Sprogcenter Midt Pre-Arrival page
Further information
For further information about Danish courses at Aarhus University for AU staff and accompanying partners, feel free to contact Anne Pletschette Langer at International Staff Office:
- E-mail: apl@au.dk
- Phone: +45 9352 1661
