This moving to Denmark guide was written by Derek Hartman, an American who’s been living in Copenhagen since 2017.
Hi Trisha! I’m an American seriously considering a move to Denmark, and Copenhagen seems like the obvious choice. But I keep wondering: Is it hard to immigrate to Copenhagen? And beyond the paperwork, is Copenhagen a good place to move to for someone coming from the U.S.? I’d love to hear what the process looks like and what everyday life feels like once you’re there. Thanks for all the help!
- Howard Shire, Oklahoma
Hi Howard!
I invited Derek, an American expat living in Denmark, to share his personal experience of moving to Copenhagen. In his piece, he talks candidly about the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, the joys of everyday life in the city, and the practical realities of navigating Danish systems as an American.
Derek also offers thoughtful tips on housing, transportation, and building community—insights that go beyond the typical guidebook advice.
If you’d like to know more, you can get in touch with him directly. He’s very generous with his time and always willing to answer questions about life in Copenhagen.
Thank you so much, and good luck on your journey to Denmark!
Xx, Trisha
Table of Contents
Why we decided to move to Denmark
I’ve been living in Denmark since 2017. It’s been a little over 3 years, and I just celebrated my third Denmark Day, the anniversary of my final passport stamp as a non-resident. It was surreal booking that one-way plane ticket from Philadelphia to Copenhagen, but living here has been amazing!
I decided to move to Denmark along with my partner, Mike. His company asked him to fly to Copenhagen for an emergency project in November of 2016.
They needed help after acquiring a Danish company and quickly asked him to stay in Copenhagen for a month. I actually flew over to Denmark during the American Thanksgiving holiday that year. I wanted to take advantage of the company-paid hotel and meals on what I thought was just Mike’s work visit.
When I flew home to Philadelphia, Mike was still spending an additional 10 days in Copenhagen. It went quickly and I was excited for him to be back in the States, and then he called me the night before he was set to fly back across the Atlantic.
He told me that he was offered an expat assignment at dinner on his last night and wanted to know what I thought. Naturally we would discuss it in person the next day, but we didn’t need long to make the move. We said ‘’yes’’ to adventure, and that’s what we got.
I guess you could say that Copenhagen chose us, but Mike and I both considered opportunities to work abroad earlier in our careers and turned them down.
There was a lot to leave behind: proximity to loved ones, my career stability, our recently purchased home and our entire American lives. We weren’t going to let those things and the fear of uncertainty keep us from taking this second chance at living abroad.
We’re so thankful that we made the move and created a life in Copenhagen. We love living in Denmark and the European lifestyle. Copenhagen is consistently rated as one of the most livable cities in the world. I can vouch for the accuracy of those ratings!
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Is Denmark a good place to live in?
YES, we love it here! We live in Copenhagen, a great city that’s easy to navigate with public transportation. It’s a hub for travel through Scandinavia and all of Europe.
Almost 90% of Danes speak English as a second language and there are government-sponsored Danish lessons for foreign residents.
The city is a foodie paradise with the most Michelin stars in Scandinavia and a vibrant street food scene. Copenhagen is also one of Northern Europe’s best cities for nightlife – it’s where the rest of Scandinavia goes to unwind.
On top of this, Copenhagen is absolutely beautiful. From the charming cobblestone streets lined with pastel houses to the ribbon of canals and beautiful waterfront of Copenhagen Harbor – it’s a gorgeous place to live.
There are so many things to do in Copenhagen, like Tivoli Gardens, scenic Nyhavn Canal and beautiful Renaissance castles.
Moving to Denmark and finding community
When we arrived in Copenhagen, we felt like we were in a great place, although the first 30 days living abroad can be the most stressful. Of course, we had to get acclimated and build new social connections.
This was really important because we had a great network of friends in Philadelphia and we were used to being social. Danes have a reputation of being closed off, but it’s not the case.
Our Danish friends have formed deep connections with us, it’s just something that takes time. Culturally, Danish people have fewer but deeper connections with friends.
This was definitely the case with our Danish neighbors. When we moved in we got a cordial ‘’hello’’ but the other questioning was immediately screening us for what kind of neighbors we would be.
Our neighbor asked me if we were students or had jobs here and why we moved to Denmark. This seemed a little unfriendly to me for a first conversation.
I’ve gotten used to the Danish style of direct conversations. It’s not a culture for small talk and to Danes, Americans are notoriously long-winded without really saying much.
We began making friends in the expat community, which seemed natural because these were people in similar social circumstances. Typically, expats are also without their longtime friends and looking to make connections. This happened quickly when we signed up for Danish classes.
As mentioned, they’re free of charge for expats. We had a great group of new Danish classmates who organized post-class beers by the second week of classes. A month later, we were having group dinners and meeting for bike rides.
The expat scene in Copenhagen is active, young and easily accessible. We have had great luck attending social events for expats through Internations, an organization designed for connecting the expat community.
We have also attended events through language exchange programs where foreign residents of Copenhagen meet to converse and practice languages. We made several friends through these social events.
Copenhagen also has a well-resourced agency for international residents called The International House. They offer many types of services from helping trailing partners begin their job search in Denmark to assisting with housing and schooling.
Like most of life’s problems, we also found valuable resources on the internet. Specifically, we used Facebook groups to help us with some of the ‘’newbie situations’’ we would find ourselves in.
There seem to be expat Facebook groups in every city, but we used the members of Expats in Copenhagen and American Expats in Denmark to get us through some of the early stages of expat life.
Online strangers helped us with everything from where to find a dry cleaner and buy ricotta cheese to how to buy a bike second-hand and mail a package back home to the States. The one thing we miss more than friends and family (oh and of course Philly cheesesteaks) is the familiarity of life.
It’s unimaginable before you find yourself living in a new country, but it can be really tough to suddenly not know how to do the simple tasks in life. You take for granted that you simply know how to get by in the culture and country you were raised.
Moving to Denmark meant more than learning a new language, it meant relearning how to do everything. We leaned heavily on the expat community during this time. Our friends who were living in Copenhagen longer than us and those who have Danish spouses were the biggest help.
Cost of living in Denmark (Copenhagen)
One thing we noticed right away is that the cost of living in Copenhagen is much higher than it is in Philadelphia. Even the most expensive cities in America, like New York City, were cheaper than the Danish capital.
Luckily, while Mike was on an expat contract, he was being paid a cost of living adjustment. This is a factor paid on top of his normal salary, and for expats it’s where you can earn additional money to make up for the change in scenery.
In Copenhagen, a regular coffee shop latte will cost you about $8 and a draft beer at a bar will be between $8-10. Midrange Copenhagen restaurants will charge about $25 for a main course. With prices like that, it’s common for Copenhageners to avoid dining out except for special occasions.
Instead, we take to the parks and waterfronts to picnic and share drinks. In the winter, we cook at home and meet for drinks at friend’s apartments.
Renting a cozy 2-bedroom apartment will cost about $2350 per month and Danish landlords are notoriously difficult. Most require 3 months of rent as a deposit and 3 months rent upfront (first month’s rent and the last two month’s rent).
Most renters don’t receive their deposits back without a fight. This is where The International House can come in handy for advice and legal help.
One thing many expats do, especially when they first arrive, is find a room to rent. There are also Facebook groups that can help in that process. There are also online groups where you can find information about landlords and rental companies before you sign a lease with them.
The most expensive neighborhood to live in is Copenhagen’s city center. This is true of most cities, but you pay a premium for access to the public transportation hubs, proximity to the downtown restaurants and bars as well as the beauty of historic Copenhagen buildings.
To save a little money in your rental budget, expats often move one neighborhood out from the city center. The Nørrebro neighborhood is popular with foreigner residents and so is the neighborhood of Amagerbro.
Vesterbro is also a nice neighborhood and a little cheaper than living in the city center. It’s the former red light district and adjacent to the meatpacking district. This historically downtrodden part of the city has become the hip and trendy neighborhood in the last 5 years, so apartments there are increasingly becoming as expensive as the city center.
Still, you can find a good deal there if you look and can afford to be patient. The great thing about living in Copenhagen is that all of the neighborhoods surrounding the city center are connected by the city ring.
The city ring is a new metro line that opened in late 2019 which circles Copenhagen in 24 minutes. This means you’re never more than 12 minutes from the farthest stop away in Copenhagen.
Denmark visa & residence permit types for non‑EU citizens
Copenhagen doesn’t make the visa process easy for those who aren’t sponsored to work in Denmark. The reason is that they want to make sure you can support yourself and put into the system while living in Denmark.
It’s easier for EU residents to enter and live in Denmark, but as a non-EU citizen I was granted residency through family reunification. Mike was given a fast-track work visa, and we qualified as domestic partners because we are not married.
Here are some of the visa and residence permit types for Denmark, if you are a non‑EU citizen:
- Short‑stay visa (Schengen visa): For visits up to 90 days, including tourism, business, or family visits.
- Work permits: For employment in Denmark. Categories include the Positive List (jobs in shortage), Pay Limit Scheme (high‑salary positions), and other specialized work schemes.
- Study permits: For non‑EU students admitted to Danish universities or educational institutions.
- Family reunification: For spouses, cohabiting partners, children, or other close family members of residents in Denmark.
- Au pair residence permit: For young people who want to live with a Danish family and help with childcare/household tasks.
- Internship or trainee permits: For non‑EU citizens coming to Denmark for professional training.
- Special schemes: Includes permits for researchers, PhD students, herdsmen, religious workers, and other niche categories.
- Permanent residence permit: For those who have lived in Denmark long enough and meet integration requirements.
- Other residence options: Includes humanitarian residence, asylum, and permits for displaced persons under special acts.
Key Considerations
- Application process: All applications must be submitted through the official portal New to Denmark.
- Documentation: Requirements vary by visa type (proof of funds, housing, insurance, etc.).
- Processing times: Can range from a few weeks (short‑stay visas) to several months (family reunification or permanent residence).
- Residency rights: A visa is not the same as a residence permit—long‑term stays require residence permits.
Education and healthcare in Denmark: what newcomers should know
Denmark is renowned for its strong welfare model, and two pillars of this system—education and healthcare—are especially important for newcomers. Education in Denmark is free at all levels, from primary school through university, for residents.
International students from non‑EU countries may need to pay tuition, but many programs are taught in English, and scholarships are available. The Danish approach emphasizes critical thinking, group work, and student independence, which can feel different from more traditional systems.
Healthcare is equally accessible. Denmark’s universal healthcare system is funded through taxes, meaning residents don’t pay directly for most medical services.
Once registered with the Civil Registration System (CPR), newcomers receive a yellow health insurance card (Sundhedskort), which grants access to general practitioners, hospitals, and emergency care. Some services, like dental care and physiotherapy, may require out‑of‑pocket payment or private insurance.
For both education and healthcare, the guiding principle is equity and inclusion. Newcomers benefit from high-quality services, but should be prepared for cultural differences—such as a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and community trust.
Things to know before moving to Denmark
Denmark is often celebrated for its high quality of life, but newcomers quickly discover that everyday living comes with its own set of cultural quirks.
One of the most notable is “hygge”—the Danish concept of coziness and togetherness—which shapes social life and even workplace culture. Danes value privacy and modesty, so small talk with strangers is less common than in the U.S., but friendships, once formed, tend to be deep and lasting.
Language is another key consideration. While most Danes speak excellent English, learning basic Danish is essential for integration, especially when dealing with government offices or building community outside expat circles. Even a few phrases can go a long way in showing respect for local culture.
On the practical side, registering for a CPR number (civil registration) should be your first step—it unlocks access to healthcare, education, banking, and more. Biking is the dominant mode of transport, so expect to adapt to a cycling lifestyle.
Housing can be competitive, particularly in Copenhagen, so start your search early and be prepared for smaller living spaces compared to U.S. standards.
Ultimately, moving to Denmark means embracing a society built on trust, equality, and simplicity—values that shape both daily routines and long‑term belonging.
Step‑by‑step guide on moving to Denmark
Moving abroad can feel overwhelming, but breaking the process into clear stages makes it manageable. If you’re planning to relocate to Denmark, here are the essential steps you’ll need to follow:
Step 1: Research visa options
As an American, the first thing I had to figure out was which visa applied to me. Denmark doesn’t allow you to just show up and stay indefinitely, so I spent hours on the official immigration site, nyidanmark.dk, learning about work permits, study visas, and family reunification.
VISIT NEW TO DENMARK TO KNOW THE RIGHT VISA TYPE FOR YOU →
Step 2: Arriving and registering
Landing in Denmark was exciting, but the real work began with registration. The first thing I did was apply for a CPR number, Denmark’s civil registration system. This number is essential—it connects you to healthcare, banking, housing, and even phone services.
Once registered, I received my yellow health card, which gave me access to doctors and hospitals. Coming from the U.S., it was incredible to know healthcare was tax‑funded and accessible. This step made me feel like I wasn’t just visiting—I was officially part of Danish society.
Step 3: Finding housing
Housing was one of the biggest challenges. In cities like Copenhagen, apartments are competitive and often require a large deposit. I used portals like BoligZonen and Findboliger, and joined Facebook groups for expats.
Danish homes tend to be smaller than what I was used to in the U.S., but they’re designed for comfort and efficiency. The key lesson was to start early, be flexible, and prepare financially. Once I settled into my apartment, I felt like I had finally put down roots in Denmark.
Step 4: Adjusting to daily life
Daily life in Denmark is shaped by cultural quirks. I quickly learned that cycling is the main mode of transport, and investing in a good bike was essential. Socially, Danes value privacy and modesty, so small talk isn’t common, but friendships are deep once formed.
I embraced “hygge,” the Danish idea of coziness, which influenced everything from evenings at home to workplace culture. Learning basic Danish phrases helped me navigate bureaucracy and showed respect for the culture.
Adjusting wasn’t about losing my American identity—it was about blending into a society built on trust and equality.
