My 20+ Pros and Cons of Living in Denmark

I often get asked what it’s like living in Denmark as a foreigner, and for me, life here is everything it’s cracked up to be and then some. But if you’re thinking about moving here, knowing what is and isn’t good is important. 

I always think it’s good to hear about what it’s like to live in a place from someone who actually does. For this reason, I’ve waited multiple years to write this guide; while I live in Copenhagen, I’ve also traveled to many other parts of Denmark. I also wanted to think of unique benefits and drawbacks that you might not have considered.

Whether you’re thinking of moving to Denmark, you’re already in the process of relocating, or you’re just curious, this guide is for you. Keep reading to discover my top pros and cons of living in Denmark, based on living here for over 4 years and also previously living in Sweden and the UK. 

The Pros of Living in Denmark

I should state right now that the pros of living here far outweigh the cons. I always like to be positive, too, so let’s first look at what’s great about living in Denmark. 

1. Denmark Is Very Safe

Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world, and I feel infinitely safer in Copenhagen at all hours than I ever have in any UK or US city. Things still happen, but violent crime is very rare in Denmark. In my opinion, the “worst” areas in Copenhagen are also much better than a lot of “nice” areas in cities like London and New York City.  

I didn’t previously realize how big of a difference it makes to feel safe in your surroundings because I was constantly dysregulated in London. However, being in the kind of environment where you don’t feel in danger makes you feel much more at peace and allows your mind to be more creative. 

Away from Copenhagen, I’ve also felt safe in every other part of Denmark that I’ve been to. The only thing you’ll probably need to look out for is bike theft; make sure you invest in a good double-lock. Take rechargeable lights off your bike, too, as someone stole mine a few days after writing this article. 🙂

2. Living a Healthy Lifestyle Is Much Easier in Denmark 

I’ve been passionate about living a healthy lifestyle since 2014, and my knowledge now goes much deeper than just the standard macros and calories. Your environment plays a huge role in your health, and you want to make things as easy as possible. Living in Denmark has made being healthy feel less like swimming upstream. 

While I have my gripes about Danish supermarkets (as you’ll learn later), I love how easy it is to find organic foods. Since the cost of living in Denmark is high anyway, I’d rather spend the extra money on higher-quality ingredients; price differences between organic and non-organic are often small. 

Denmark’s cities are also laid out in a way that encourages being active. Cycling is by far the best mode of transport in most urban areas, and you’ll see plenty of runners in Danish cities year-round. Moreover, the country has some amazing long-distance cycling routes. 

Swimming is also possible year-round in Copenhagen because the harbor water is so clean. The air quality is also significantly better in Denmark than in most countries, though I do think that the other Nordic countries are all better in this regard. 

3. Strong Social Cohesion and Accepting People

Denmark has a genuine community feel, and the sense of belonging I’ve felt since moving here is unparalleled. To me, it feels like a country where a genuine effort is made to ensure that everyone who lives here is made to feel like they matter. The Danes also have high trust levels, which results in a more peaceful atmosphere. 

I know that I can’t speak for everyone, but I have also experienced no racial discrimination since moving here. You could argue this is because I live in Copenhagen, but I’ve had mostly positive interactions with people elsewhere in Denmark, whether in cities, smaller towns, or the countryside.

Racist people exist everywhere, but I think that there are fewer of them in Denmark compared to many other countries.

Denmark is also very tolerant of alternative lifestyles, especially in Copenhagen. Sure, it’s not perfect… but it’s much better than almost every other country in this respect. 

4. Free Danish Classes for Up to 5 Years

The Danish government has invested significant resources into improving social integration, and learning the language is, of course, a huge part of this. When you move to Denmark and register as a resident, you can get free Danish classes for up to 5 years. 

You’ll have to pay a deposit of 2,000 DKK, but you get this back when you complete a module. I strongly recommend learning Danish if you plan to live here for a long time. If you’re a non-EU citizen, you can get permanent residency in 4 years instead of 8 if you pass the Danish Language Test 3 (as well as the other three supplementary requirements). This is actually sooner than an EU citizen can, so it’s definitely worth doing 😄. 

Once you’ve registered as a resident, you should get a letter in the post with instructions on how to sign up for Danish classes. 

5. It’s Easier to Make Friends in Denmark Than You Think

Denmark has a reputation for being a difficult country to make friends in, but I’ve found my experience to be the opposite. It has been significantly easier for me to meet people here than it ever was in London. 

People will argue that I’m lucky because Denmark (and especially Copenhagen) fits my personality better than anywhere else. It could be a bit of luck, but I’ve also been very proactive. Since I knew nobody when I I moved here, I knew I needed to put myself out there. 

So, how did I do this? 

Put Yourself in Environments With People You’d Like to Meet

I did things that interested me and hung out in places where I’d meet like-minded people. For example, I started posting photos of Copenhagen on one of my old Instagram accounts. People who liked photography reached out to me and wanted to do a photoshoot together. 

The most important thing that I did, though, was not have a sense of entitlement and not care about whether I made Danish friends or not. When you go to places where the types of people you want to associate with are, you’ll meet locals and internationals. You will then naturally click with a few of those people. 

I also should point out that while learning Danish is a good idea, you don’t actually need to know Danish to make friends here. I know plenty of internationals with Danish friends, despite speaking very little of the language. I will also sometimes communicate with my Danish friends in English, even though I have a reasonable grasp of the language at this point.

Making Friends Does, However, Take Time

While I think it’s *easier* to make friends in Denmark than is often made out, it won’t happen overnight.

When I moved to Denmark, I was admittedly impatient in the beginning. However, if you stay for long enough—and you’re proactive—you will meet people. You have to go to the same places multiple times, too.

I recommend doing things you like because you’re not there for the sole purpose of making friends. Bringing that type of energy can make you look desperate. Here are some places I suggest:

• Sports clubs (rowing clubs, CrossFit gyms, martial arts, running clubs, etc.) 
• Cooking classes 
• Societies and clubs for art-related interests

6. Denmark Is Very Child-Friendly 

I don’t have kids yet, but I’m excited for the day that I do; one of the reasons that I moved to Denmark is because I thought it would be an excellent place to raise children in. Having now been here for a while and observing how everything works, I stand by my point that Denmark is one of the most child-friendly countries. 

The idea that it takes a village to raise a child has been taken very seriously here, and it shows. Parents get generous parental leave when they have a baby, and from what I’ve observed, children also get more freedom here than in other countries. 

I’ve also noticed that kids aren’t seen as a nuisance like they are in many other places. Many restaurants, museums, and other spaces are very welcoming and have plenty of activities to keep them stimulated. This is one reason why I also think that even if you don’t move here, Denmark is a fantastic place to visit if you have children. 

7. The Nature 

Don’t get me wrong: I love mountains and I wish Denmark had some. But while largely flat, I still think that Danish nature is still very beautiful. 

You don’t even need to leave Copenhagen to find pleasant nature routes. Amager Fælled is a huge nature reserve that I love visiting, and Sydhavnstippen is also lovely. Within an hour of the capital, you’ve got wholesome forests and beaches that are nice on the one day of the year when it’s actually sunny here. 

I also recommend the hiking route that takes you along the Roskilde Fjord—starting at the town’s harbor area. This is just a 30-minute train ride from Copenhagen. 

Møns Klint is also worth visiting; it’s two hours by car from the capital. Aarhus also has some lovely forests and beaches nearby, and you’ll find numerous national parks in Jutland, such as Thy National Park and the Wadden Sea National Park. You can also go to Southern Sweden and visit Skanör-Falsterbo for a day.

8. Everything Works Here 

Inefficiency is my biggest pet peeve, and I love how pretty much everything in Denmark works as it should. You’ll see this as soon as you land at Copenhagen Airport, which I think is the best airport in Europe. 

Public transport is efficient and largely on time, and filing taxes is incredibly straightforward. Roadworks are normally completed in a short period of time, and it’s normally very easy to set up electricity bills and the like. I also like how the Danes are typically transparent with timescales.

9. The Cycling Culture 

If I didn’t live in Denmark, I would probably live in the Netherlands. Besides the culture being very similar, I love being able to cycle everywhere. Even more than that, I like when towns and cities make room for cyclists without forming adversarial relationships with drivers. 

I already knew about Denmark’s cycling culture before visiting, but it has surprised me just how great it has been for my overall well-being. It’s great to get some fresh air while commuting, and while it has made buying jeans more difficult, I like that my legs are pretty jacked now. 

Outside of the cities, you’ll find plenty of cycling routes in Denmark. There’s even a route that goes all the way from Copenhagen to Berlin (which I will probably try at some point). 

Whether you’re planning to move here or visit for a weekend, I strongly recommend reading my beginner’s guide to cycling in Copenhagen. You’ll discover all the most important rules and where to get a bike. 

10. It’s Easy to Travel to Mainland Europe and the Rest of the Nordic Region…

While I love living in Denmark, I am also a very adventurous person and have a constant urge to travel. Reaching the rest of Scandinavia and getting to Mainland Europe is very easy regardless of where you live. 

In Copenhagen, for example, I always find it so cool that I can hop on a train to Sweden and be there within an hour. Malmö is well worth visiting for both a day trip and if you want to stay for the weekend; Lund is also a beautiful city. Further afield, Stockholm is five-and-a-half hours away by train and Gothenburg is around three-and-a-half hours. 

Germany is also well within reach. For example, you can reach Hamburg from Copenhagen in less than five hours. I’ve done this trip multiple times; Hamburg is a great city for a weekend trip.

Many cities are within a two-hour flight, including Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Prague. 

11. … But Denmark Has Lots of Cool Places to Visit 

Some people find Denmark boring, but I strongly disagree. Away from the glamour of Copenhagen, this tiny country has so many gems worth seeing. Being here is one of the biggest reasons I’ve really gotten into staycations. 

If I could recommend just one place in Denmark outside of Copenhagen, I would suggest visiting Aarhus. This welcoming city is the second-biggest in the country, and I think that it’s the best place to see Denmark at its most authentic self. I also really enjoyed Aalborg.

Close to Copenhagen, you should make time for Dragør (below)—a cute little fishing village not far from the airport. Further north, Helsingør is another excellent day trip. 

12. The Salaries Match the Cost of Living

While Denmark is quite expensive, the salaries generally match the cost of living. According to Statistics Danmark, the country’s average income per person was 395,500 DKK in 2023. This is around $58,000 per year; salaries in Copenhagen are typically higher because the cost of living is higher. 

When I lived in London, I earned £29,000 per year (c. $37,600) in my last job there. Considering that London is just as expensive as Copenhagen (and more so in some cases), I find that salary crazy in hindsight; this was in 2018/2019, but it was still too low for London in my opinion. Had I not been living with my parents at the time, I could never have afforded a reasonable standard of living. 

I’ve always said that I don’t care about living somewhere that’s expensive, as long as I’m able to afford to do so. I work for myself now and earn more than the average in Copenhagen, but it’s also nice to know that I could still afford to live here if I had a job. 

13. The Danes Are Very Friendly 

The people who live in a place will make a huge difference in your experiences. Luckily, Danish people are very friendly and more talkative than you might think. The “reserved Dane” stereotype isn’t really true, at least from my personal experiences. 

I’ve also found that the people here are more than willing to help if you ask for it. Sure, some douchebags exist—but that’s the same everywhere. The number of kind people far outweighs them. 

14. An Emphasis on Living a Well-Rounded Life 

While I love to work hard on things that are purposeful to me, I’ve found through significant experimentation that being well-rounded helps me perform better. Most workplaces in Denmark have a “your time is yours, as long as you complete your work” mindset—which I think is quite healthy.

Because of this, you’ve got more time for hobbies (such as winter bathing in January 🙂). Taking time off to rest and recuperate is also highly encouraged, and so is socializing. This “work hard but also understand when you need rest” mindset is one of the biggest reasons why Denmark does so well in quality of life indexes. 

15. Constantly Trying to Improve the Quality of Life 

While the standard of living is already very high in Denmark, it’s refreshing to see that municipalities still want to make things better. In Copenhagen, for example, we’re regularly asked for our opinions on different projects. We’re also encouraged to leave feedback on where we think things can be improved. 

We also get several free events throughout the year, such as the Light Festival in February. Each of these helps create more of a community feel where it feels like you belong, and it’s something for which I have immense gratitude. 

16. Housing Standards Are Excellent 

One of the biggest differences I notice whenever I go back to visit the UK is how good the standard of housing is in Denmark. Homes are well-insulated, and even the worst ones are better than what you’ll find in most countries. 

One thing to note, however, is that the bathrooms in Copenhagen apartments can sometimes be a bit strange. You’ll often have a toilet in the same place as the shower, which can be quite annoying. Nonetheless, you’ll also find plenty without this.

17. It’s Easy to Set Up a Business Here

I had to go through a few more steps to move to Denmark as I’m self-employed, which included closing my business in the UK and opening a new one here. The process was very straightforward, though. I registered a new business online and it was up and running within a few days. 

Denmark also has a friendly business environment and encourages innovation. Most of my clients are based in the US and Canada, but processes like filing taxes are incredibly streamlined here. So, if you’ve got entrepreneurial dreams, Denmark might be the place for you. 

The Cons of Living in Denmark

While I love living here, I’d be foolish if I pretended that everything was perfect. All countries have their drawbacks, and these are some of the downsides of living in Denmark. 

1. It’s Windy, Often, and Always in the Direction You’re Cycling 

One thing you’ll quickly notice when you move here is that it’s often very windy from October until around May or early June. This makes winters feel colder than the air temperatures suggest, and it’ll also make cycling a bit more difficult. 

I’ve noticed that the wind always seems to blow in your face when you’re cycling, regardless of which way you turn. Let’s just say that biking with sleet and wind blowing in your face is very good for character-building. 

2. You Probably Won’t Get That Scandinavian Winter You Dreamed Of

If your idea of a Scandinavian winter is snow-covered landscapes, you probably won’t get that in Denmark. While it does snow here each year, it often doesn’t stay for very long. We also sometimes get frigid temperatures, but these periods are few and far between; winter temperatures often hover between 7ºC and -3ºC (44.6ºF and 26.6ºF). 

Danish winters are often grey and dark, with quite a lot of rain. Luckily, Sweden, Finland, and Norway are close enough if you want to experience these landscapes. 

3. Finding a Job Often Takes Time

I’ve never had to find a job here because I work for myself, but I have heard from many expats (and Danes, for that matter) that finding a job can take some time. Hiring processes can be quite slow, and many jobs have application deadlines that you’ll need to consider. 

It’s harder to find a job if you’re outside of Denmark, and even more so if you don’t speak Danish. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible; plenty of people have done it before. I suggest starting with the big international companies, such as Novo Nordisk, L’Óreal, Carlsberg, and MÆRSK. 

You should also understand that the Danish work culture is very different from North America and the UK. So, you’ll need to tailor your application. Work in Denmark has some comprehensive resources to help you. 

4. Yes, the Taxes Are Quite High 

A common misconception online is that everyone pays 50% in tax here. This is not true; those rates are normally paid by the highest earners. Nonetheless, Danish taxes are still pretty high; the majority of people pay between 35% and 45%. 

This tax figure includes income tax, municipality tax, and other things like labor market contributions. However, I have no problem paying higher taxes if I can see a return on investment. Danish society works very well, and most people are taken care of if something bad happens. I left the UK because I thought the country was a mess despite its high tax rates; this isn’t the case in Denmark. 

5. It’s Sometimes Difficult to Find an Apartment in Copenhagen and Aarhus

Like many major cities, it can be challenging to find an apartment in Copenhagen and Aarhus (especially if you’re on a budget). 

Most people tell you to go on Facebook and Boligportal. You can use these as part of your strategy, but I think it’s smarter to visit portals and websites where you aren’t effectively shouting in an already-loud room. Visiting building companies’ websites directly is ideal, and I can also recommend websites like Danish Homes (we found our most recent apartment here). 

I wrote a full guide on how to find an apartment in Copenhagen as a foreigner—based on my own experiences—if you want to be better equipped for your search. 

6. The Language Can Take Some Time to Learn

I think the claim that Danish is difficult to learn is overblown, but the pronunciation will likely take some time to master. You also have to train your mind to listen for the most important words, as some are swallowed in conversation. 

Different dialects will take some time to get used to as well. For example, I sometimes struggle to understand Northern Jutland but have fewer issues with Copenhagen.

I do think it’s important to have a growth mindset and accept that things will take time. Nonetheless, if you’re consistent for long enough, you will learn how to speak Danish. 

While everyone in Copenhagen speaks excellent English, I do recommend taking the time to learn Danish if you plan to stay here long-term. Once I passed the PD3 exam, I felt like life opened up to me and that I was a full participant in Danish society.

7. Many Old Apartments Don’t Have Elevators

While housing standards in Denmark are great, many old apartments aren’t the most accessible. A lot of old apartments don’t have elevators, and you should make this a non-negotiable parameter if it’s important for you. 

Things are changing, though, and I have lived in a few apartments that do have elevators. Pretty much all new builds also have these. So, if accessibility is a key factor for you, consider looking at the newer apartments first. 

8. Denmark Is Pretty Expensive 

Denmark is quite expensive, and Copenhagen is notably pricier than the rest of the country. Groceries are around 30% more expensive than what you’ll pay in neighboring countries; the best Danish supermarket hack is to go to Sweden or Germany for the weekend 🙂. 

I’ve found that housing is slightly less expensive in Copenhagen than in London; if you’re living in other parts of the country (except for Aarhus), your housing costs will be significantly lower. 

Denmark also has a 25% sales tax. So, that new MacBook you want will probably cost a bit more here than elsewhere. 

9. The Grocery Stores Could be Improved 

If you’re from the US, you might find Danish grocery stores quite limited. Personally, I like not having much choice because it means I’m not spending as much time procrastinating. However, it does take time to get used to if you only know massive Walmart-style stores. 

I also don’t like that Danish grocery stores often take time to open new lanes when the queue is pretty long. Usually, I get around this issue by doing my shopping early on a weekend morning or going to the self-checkout machines if they’re available. 

Despite these drawbacks, I still think that Denmark is a great place to live as an expat. I love how safe it is, the community feel, and how friendly Danish people are; you’ve also got travel options aplenty. If you’re willing to put the effort in toward making this your home, I honestly can’t think of many—if any—better places to live.