How to Move to Denmark: A Comprehensive Guide

Moving to Denmark is unsurprisingly a big dream for many; you only need to look at the seemingly endless barrage of headlines stating how good life is here. And I’ll be completely honest with you: It really is as good as it’s made out to be. I’ve been living here since 2020, and while there are pros and cons, it’s the best decision I’ve made. Before that, I had visited seven times in four years. 

However, moving here can be quite complicated (depending on your citizenship). Before coming to Denmark, I did *a lot* of my own research. Though the journey was worthwhile, learning about the requirements was overwhelming. To make things easier for you, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide.

Regardless of where you’re from, my aim is that you’ll be closer to your dream life in Denmark after reading this article. 

Before We Start: A Few Useful Things to Know

In this guide, I’m talking specifically about the ways that you can move to Denmark. This article is aimed at beginners who don’t know where to start (i.e., you’re considering a move to Denmark and want to know the practical information for doing so). 

I have this guide on what to do when you move to Copenhagen for the steps you should take after arriving; these tips also largely apply to other parts of Denmark. If you’re already moving for work, studies, etc., check out that piece instead. And if you’re struggling to find a place to live, check out this guide on finding an apartment in Copenhagen.

This article is also intended as a general guideline. It is not a replacement for legal advice. I can’t help you with your specific situation, but I will use my experiences to help you get a better understanding of how to move here. 

Your Citizenship Makes a Huge Difference

Anyone can move to Denmark, but your citizenship will significantly influence how easy or difficult it is for you to do so. Relocating is much easier if you have an EU, EEA, or Swiss passport. 

EU, EEA, and Switzerland

As an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you benefit from freedom of movement. You can stay for up to 90 days before registering as a resident and are allowed to work in Denmark during that time. Once you have a Danish home address and you’re ready to register, you just have to book an appointment with SIRI. You will then receive a certificate and can stay for as long as you meet the requirements. 

If you’re a non-EU citizen with a partner who is from the EU, you can move with them under the reunification scheme. 

Non-EU, EEA, or Swiss Citizens

If you wish to move to Denmark as an American, or you’re from the UK or any other non-EU/EEA country that isn’t Switzerland, the process is is more challenging. 

To move here, you need a residence permit. While you can visit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period as a tourist, you aren’t allowed to work in Denmark until you have a valid permit. 

While moving to Denmark from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland is difficult, it isn’t impossible. I recommend checking to see if you qualify for one of those passports, but if not, I know plenty of people from Britain, the US, and other countries who are living here. 

Another important thing to note is that you will need to pay a fee for many residence permits as a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. This is not the case if you are from any of those countries. 

Nordic Citizens

Nordic citizens do not need a residence permit, an EU certificate, or a visa. You can enter Denmark freely.

How to Move to Denmark: Your Options

The majority of people who make a long-term move to Denmark do so to work, study, or be with their partner. Most guides talk about these options, but since I moved to Copenhagen unconventionally, I’ll also speak about how to move here as a business owner or because you’ve got sufficient funds. 

1. Getting a Job

Getting a job is the most common route for people who want to move to Denmark. Several major Danish companies have offices in the country, such as LEGO, Novo Nordisk, MÆRSK, and Carlsberg. 

Getting a job in Denmark is easier if you speak Danish, but there are numerous businesses where English is the corporate language. Moreover, the universities in Copenhagen and Aarhus are pretty big. 

If you’re from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, look for companies that will help you with getting a residence permit and relocation. Since it’s easier for businesses to hire EU/EEA/Swiss and Danish citizens, having a standout skill is also helpful. You can learn more about the Positive List for skilled work and higher education here. 

You should also keep note of the country’s Pay Limit Schemes as a non-EU citizen; these are fast-track applications based on your job’s salary. As of 2025, the minimum Pay Limit Scheme wage is 514,000 DKK per year (c. $71,415). The Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme’s minimum amount is 465,000 DKK per year (c. $64,875). 

2. Studying

Copenhagen and Aarhus both have big international universities with Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in numerous fields. People also come to study in Roskilde, Aalborg, and other parts of the country. 

Many people also come to Denmark to study for a PhD. If you’re accepted into any higher education program, you can apply for a residence permit or get an EU residence certificate. 

While I understand that the desire to live in Denmark is big for many, it goes without saying that you should choose to study something that you actually enjoy. 

3. Starting a Business

This is one of the more unconventional ways to move to Denmark, and it’s exactly how I’ve sustained myself since coming to Copenhagen. 

Things are (again) much easier if you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. You just need to show that you have sufficient funds, register on that basis, and then start a business. Once you’ve registered your company in Denmark, you can then change your residence certificate to self-employed. Freelancing also falls under these rules (this is what I initially did). 

You can also apply for a residence permit under the Startup Denmark Scheme if you’re from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. Note that you must show that you can financially support yourself while in Denmark; the amount varies depending on whether you’re on your own or coming with family members. 

The permit requires you to have what Startup Denmark defines as “innovative and scalable… with a clear growth potential”. 

4. Moving With Your Danish Partner

If you have a Danish partner, you can also move to Denmark. However, the process is very stringent. Some of the requirements you must meet include: 

• You and your partner both to be at least 24 years old (in almost all cases)
• Both parties must have been at least 18 at the time of marriage (if you’re married)
• Your relationship must be valid and voluntary 

You don’t need to be married to apply, but you do need to provide proof that your relationship is legitimate. Being married in and of itself will not guarantee you a permit, either. 

There are several other requirements, such as needing to pass an integration test in most cases. All the information you need is available on this page. 

Note: 

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens will also need to apply for residence permits for their families. 

How I Personally Moved to Denmark

I first had the idea to move to Copenhagen in 2017; at this point, I only had an American passport (my mom is from the US). After reading about how much harder it is to move from outside the EU, I obtained a British passport (Britain was still in the EU, and I grew up in the UK). 

I later got an Italian passport since my father is Italian, meaning that I’m now in Denmark on EU rules. 

While I initially looked for jobs in Copenhagen (and every other Nordic city), I soon realized that I had no interest in a 9-5 job. After living in Sweden for a bit, I then moved back to the UK and spent 9 months building a freelance business. During this time, I saved a decent chunk of money so that I could support myself for the first few months. 

Over time, my business has evolved into something that now also includes generating income from this blog. 

To find an apartment in Denmark, I used LifeX. After moving here, I spent a few years living in LifeX before moving into my own place. This was ideal for allowing me to register as a resident, open a bank account, and do all the other things associated with moving abroad. 

Getting Permanent Residence in Denmark

If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you can get permanent residence in Denmark after living here for 5 consecutive years. You don’t need to have learned Danish (though I do recommend this). The only necessity is that your residence has been effective for this period. 

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need to live in Denmark for at least eight successive years before applying for permanent residence. However, you can get permanent residence in just four years if you meet supplementary requirements—one of which includes learning Danish. 

All of the permanent residence requirements for non-EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are available here. 

Should I Learn Danish When I Move to Denmark?

Though many people in Denmark speak very good English, I still recommend learning Danish when you move here. First of all, you get free classes for up to 5 years; you need to pay a deposit, but you get this back when you pass each module. 

Learning Danish will also open more opportunities. While many companies operate in English, the watercooler language is often Danish—even if the corporate language is not. It will also become much easier to feel like you’re a part of daily life here. 

An Even Better Idea: Start Before You Move

Learning Danish before you move here will make the relocation process much easier. I started learning the language before I moved through numerous resources, starting with Duolingo for vocabulary. Babbel is even better for learning how to communicate in Danish, in my opinion. 

Numerous books were also helpful for getting the basics of Danish. My top recommendations are: 

• Colloquial Danish
• Get Started in Danish
• Teach Yourself Danish
• Short Stories in Danish
• Danish Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook

I found content that would interest me in English and started consuming it in Danish, too. For example, I’m a huge fan of the TV series Borgen and Rita on Netflix. Podcasts and watching sports in Danish were equally as helpful. 

Useful Resources 

Besides this article and my other resources, I recommend checking out each of the following for further information and inspiration on moving to Denmark: 

• How to Live in Denmark: A really useful and humorous resource to living and working in Denmark, from the perspective of an American who’s been living here for a while. I also like her podcast.
• New to Denmark: The immigration portal with information on specific visas and residence requirements. 
• Life in Denmark: Information on living in Denmark, including practical stuff like how to change your address.
• Work in Denmark: A large portal of jobs available in Denmark. 
• LinkedIn: Also useful for finding available jobs in Denmark. 
• Aarhus University: Comprehensive resources and higher education programs. 
• Copenhagen Business School: One of Copenhagen’s main educational institutions.
• Copenhagen University: The main university in Copenhagen. 

While moving to Denmark can be difficult, it’s not impossible. Plenty of people have done it before you; if you really want it, you can find a way to make your dreams happen. Being here is incredibly rewarding, and having read this guide, I hope you now have a better idea of the steps you need to take.