WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service

 
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WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
WELCOME
TO DENMARK
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
WELCOME TO DENMARK

           USEFUL INFORMATION
      WHICH WILL MAKE IT EASIER
        FOR YOU TO SETTLE INTO
       YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND
       PRIVATE LIFE IN DENMARK
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
WELCOME TO DENMARK
We are pleased that you have chosen to settle in Denmark. Denmark has a lot to
offer – a good work-life balance, excellent working conditions based on team-
work and consensus in a flat management structure and free welfare. People
living in Denmark are said to be the happiest people in the world.

Moving to a new country is automatically associated with surprises – both good
and bad. Many questions arise – do I need a work permit, how does my partner
find a job, what about social security, registration, bank account, tax + many
more questions. The purpose of this welcome brochure is to answer some of
these questions and to help you get started on your new life in Denmark. If you
have questions – do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you.

Once again, Welcome – we hope you will enjoy living in Denmark.

Workindenmark

                                       THE EUROPEAN UNION

                                      The European Social Fund

                                                 Investing in your future

Welcome to Denmark is published by Workindenmark
– part of Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment,

Ministry of Employment, July 2020

Editor:            Kirstine Lindved, Workindenmark West
Graphic design:    Creative United
Photos:            Getty Images, Workindenmark, Danløn and Skattestyrelsen
Print:             Rosendahls A/S

2     Welcome to Denmark
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
CONTENTS
Denmark                                               Life in Denmark
Welcome to Denmark                              2    Social Security and Sickness Benefits             39
Denmark – Country and People                    5    Health Insurance and Sickness Benefits            39
Facts about Denmark                             6    Pensions40
                                                      Children in Denmark                               41
                                                      Child Benefits                                    43
First steps in Denmark
                                                      The Danish School System                          45
Checklist – Moving to Denmark                    8   Learning the Danish Language                      49
Register as a citizen in Denmark                11   Life-long Learning                                49
If you work in Denmark for less than 3 months   12   Living Expenses                                   50
If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months   14   Consumer Price Index                              51
Cross Border Workers                            17   Purchasing Power                                  52
Posted Workers                                  20   Private Insurance                                 53
Job seekers in Denmark                          21   Housing55
International Citizen Service                   23   Moving56
                                                      Radio and Television Fees                         57
                                                      Telephone and Internet                            57
Working in Denmark
                                                      Bringing your Private Vehicle to Denmark          58
Working conditions in Denmark         25             Driving License                                   60
Tax27                                                Domestic Transportation                           61
Payslip30                                            Traffic Regulations                               62
Unemployment Insurance                31             Money62
If you lose your job                  32             Legal Assistance                                  62
Unemployment benefits                 33             Diplomatic Representations                        62
Unions33                                             Passport62
Banks and Bank Account                34             Election and Voting Rights                        63
NemID / e-boks / Digital Post         36             Local Libraries                                   64
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications 36             Public Holidays, Celebrations and Cultural Events 65
Criminal background Certificate       37

                                                      Job search in Denmark
                                                      Workindenmark services for jobseekers 67
                                                      Websites68
                                                      Voluntary work                        68
                                                      Start your own business in Denmark    68
                                                      Graduates68

                                                      Leaving Denmark
                                                      Checklist – What should I do when I leave Denmark   70

                                                      Important Telephone Numbers and addresses
                                                      Important Telephone Numbers and addresses           73

                                                      Workindenmark – services to Danish Employers
                                                      Find your next employee abroad                      86

                                                                                              Contents     3
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
4   Contents
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
DENMARK
COUNTRY AND PEOPLE

Denmark is a country with many             employment regulations, a broad net         addressed informally on a first-name
islands. The Kingdom of Denmark            of social security and a pro-active         basis. It is also common to address
encompasses the peninsula of Jut-          labour market policy are all combined       superiors by their first names. The in-
land and more than 400 islands. No         under the watchword of “flexicuri-          formal tone is also valid in educational
place in this country is more than 50      ty”. As a result, the labour market in      settings, where pupils address their
kilometres from the sea coast. These       Denmark is described as deregulated.        teachers on a first-name basis.
geographic realities present a real        The unemployed receive a relatively
challenge, especially for engineers.       high level of unemployment benefits,        Two basic elements of education in
Bridges are part of the Kingdom’s          as well as comprehensive retraining         Denmark are discussion and debate,
image, as are contemporary design,         for new jobs. The employment rate in        whether in public, in family relations or
kilometres of sandy beaches and            Denmark is one of the highest in the        at work. Danish companies place high
successful economic policies. People in    European Union (EU).                        demands on their employees, as they
Denmark enjoy a high standard of liv-                                                  expect their staff to develop, propose
ing. Probably not least for this reason,                                               and implement ideas themselves.
                                           Informal social interaction
Organisation for Economic Co-opera-                                                    There is no need to fear making mis-
                                           and democracy
tion and Development (OECD) studies                                                    takes here, because companies value
have concluded that Danes are very         Most Danes place a high value on            their employees highly. They place
contented people.                          equal rights and democracy. Compared        high priority on skills development,
                                           with other countries, social interaction    and most companies in Denmark offer
The Danish labour market serves as a       and the tone of voice are informal.         continued training for their employees.
role model for many countries. Liberal     Friends, family and also colleagues are     Teamwork is also appreciated highly

                                                                                      Denmark - Country and people            5
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
in Denmark. Studies repeatedly show         friends with Danes outside the work        diately try to find out what common
that teamwork leads to better use           place.                                     acquaintances they may have.
of the knowledge pool and promotes
creativity. It is probably for all these    The Danish people spend a large part
                                                                                       Homogeneous society
reasons that so many Danes are effi-        of their free time with their families –
                                                                                       – the clan-based society
cient at work. They are motivated and       the spouse, children and other close
committed employees.                        family members. They generally spend       In many respects, the Danes are a
                                            birthdays, Christmas, public holidays      very homogeneous society: incomes
                                            and vacations in close family company.     are about the same (net), they dress
Getting to know people
                                                                                       similarly, they all have more or less
and making friends
                                            The social behaviour of Danes can best     the same values, they travel to the
Most Danes have a high level of edu-        be described by the term “bonding”.        same holiday destinations, celebrate
cation, and they take interest in their     One distinguishes in general between       the same holidays and above all:
social circles and local communities as     those who build bridges to other           almost all of them have the same
well as happenings around the country.      people and those, who work to bond         nationality. Foreigners are a rela-
Danes are said to be informal, unas-        with others and intensify existing         tively new phenomenon in Denmark;
suming, humorous, cheerful and jovial       bonds – family ties, friendship bonds,     compared with other countries,
folks always likely to say, “Things will    etc. Bridge builders establish contact     there are relatively few non-natives
work out”, but also to be a short-sight-    quickly, but “bonders” like the Danes      in Denmark. Anyone whose speech,
ed, impulsive, individualistic, undisci-    are slow to do so.                         traditions, attitudes or values are
plined, anarchic people with a lack of                                                 unlike those of the homogeneous
earnest and little respect for tradition.   Being a small population, the Danes        “clan-based society” will initially be
Danes are also perceived to be relaxed,     are used to having some kind of            perceived by Danes as “different”.
happy and easy going. All the same,         shared history with almost everyone        Many Danes feel that to be “properly”
many foreigners find it difficult at        in the country. When they meet some-       Danish, a person must above all mas-
first to become acquainted and make         one for the first time, they will imme-    ter the Danish language.

FACTS
ABOUT DENMARK

Monarchy – Queen Margrethe II

•   Representative democracy
•   5,7 million inhabitants
•   43.000 square kilometres – more than 400 islands, 7.300 kilometres (km) coastline
•   Official language – Danish
•   Currency: Danish Krone (DKK) 1 Krone = 100 øre 1 € = 7,45 DKK
•   98 municipalities and 5 regions
•   78% of all 16 to 64 years old Danes have a job
•   75% of all women and 81% of all men work
•   72% of all employees are member of an union or an unemployment insurance fund
•   83% of all children continue education after elementary school
•   More women than men have an academic education
•   90% of all Danish citizens are member of at least one association

6      Denmark - Country and people
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
TIPS
ABOUT THE DANES

All of this makes it a challenge to get       social events where international      • At Open University events (Danish:
to know Danes and to find Danish              families can meet and learn more         Folkeuniversitet) where they
friends. Here are a few tips:                 about Denmark and Danish culture.        participate in lectures and similar
• Be active and invite people over,         • Be open minded. What is normal         • At sports clubs, associations,
    rather than waiting for an invitation     and accepted in your home country        literary circles, senior citizens’
    from the Danish side. Danes want          may not apply to Denmark. Even           clubs, stamp collecting
    to get to know people, but they find      if you find the Danish traditions        associations, volunteer work etc.
    it difficult to take the first step.      and ways of behaviour strange          • At the fitness center
• Join an association – Denmark               do not be prejudiced. Remember         • At the theatre
    is a country full of associations         there are more similarities than       • At the swimming baths, indoor
    and clubs. On average, each               differences between the culture          swimming pools, beaches
    Dane is a member of no less               you are used to from your home
    than five associations.                   country and the culture and            Your local library, town hall/Borger­
• Learn Danish. Even though                   tradition you meet in Denmark.         service and municipality website are
    you might find it difficult to                                                   good places to find out what asso-
    begin with, it really pays of.          Where do Danes “hang out” after work?    ciations, clubs and events there are
• Meet other people who are in the          • At evening classes, in language        in your vicinity – otherwise ask your
    same situation as you. A number           classes, cooking courses               Danish colleagues and friends – you
    of international clubs arrange            or creative activities                 will find, that they are very helpful.

                                                                                    Denmark - Country and people              7
WELCOME TO DENMARK - International Citizen Service
FIRST STEPS IN DENMARK
CHECKLIST – MOVING TO DENMARK

                                                                                    Social security and personal
What to remember in the                        in English/German/Scandinavian       registration number “CPR number”
first 30 days after your                       languages are accepted.
                                           •   Original birth certificate(s) for    If you are planning to stay in Denmark
arrival in Denmark?
                                               accompanying children under          for more than 3 months, you can
                                               18 years. Please note that           register for a Personal Registration
When newly arrived in Denmark there            only certificates in English/        Number (CPR number) and a health
are a lot of important issues to be            German/Scandinavian                  card. You can apply for a CPR number
aware of as foreign citizen.                   languages are accepted.              and a health card at the International
                                           •   Proof of address in Denmark          Citizen Service in Aalborg, Aarhus,
In the following checklist we have list-       (lease/rental contract)              Odense or Copenhagen or at the local
ed matters of particular importance.       •   The blue European health card        municipal Citizen Service Centre (Dan-
The different subjects are discussed in        (EU/EEA nationals only)              ish: Borgerservice). At the registration
more detail in the following chapters.     •   Medical card (optional)              you will choose a doctor. Your social
The checklist mainly refers to people      •   Driving license                      security card (Danish: sundhedskort)
who have signed an employment con-         •   Educational certificates             which includes your CPR number will
tract with a Danish company and who        •   Vehicle papers (if you               be send to you by post – normally
will have residency in Denmark.                bring vehicles)                      within 2 weeks.
                                           Residence document/residence
Please find a detailed checklist with      and work permit in Denmark               EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who need
information about how to register and                                               medical treatment during travels in
what to bring when you register at the     • Nordic citizens: You are               the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
International Citizen Service (ICS) in       free to reside and work in             (EEA), or Switzerland must apply for
Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aal-          Denmark without a residence            the blue European Health Insurance
borg on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist          document/permit                        Card.
                                           • EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens: Apply
                                             for residence document at              Further information in chapter “Regis-
In general it is                             International Citizen Service          ter as a citizen in Denmark”
advisable to bring:                          in Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense or
                                             Copenhagen or at the Danish            Tax registration
• Passport/national identification           Agency for International
  (ID) card with photo                       Recruitment and Integration            When you work in Denmark you must
• Passport photo                           • Non-EU Citizens: Apply for a           also have a tax card. This is issued to
• Residence and work permit from             residence and work permit prior        you at either the International Citizen
  the Danish Agency for International        to start working in Denmark            Service or online via form 04.063. Fur-
  Recruitment and Integration                at www.newtodenmark.dk.                ther information in chapter “Tax”
  (SIRI) (non-EU/EEA (European               The application can be
  Economic Area) citizens only)              submitted online at a Danish           Bank
• Original marriage certificate              representation (embassy or
  if you are married. Please                 consulate) in your home country        Open a bank account – preferably an
  remember to bring the marriage             or at the Danish Agency for            “Easy Account” (Danish: Nemkonto).
  certificate, even if your partner          International Recruitment and          This is generally a current account, into
  is not accompanying you. If                Integration in Denmark.                which payments from you employer
  applicable: divorce certificate/                                                  and from the state are made (e.g. tax
  death certificate (widow(er)).           Further information in chapter “Regis-   refunds). Further information in chap-
  Please note that only certificates       ter as a citizen in Denmark”             ter “Bank”

8     First steps in Denmark
Unemployment insurance
                                        Further information in chapter “Private    more than 18 years old. You must reg-
Unlike many other countries, unem-      insurance”                                 ister within 14 days of procurement.
ployment insurance in Denmark is vol-                                              Further information in chapter “Radio
untary and you are not as a standard    Danish Language                            and television fees”
covered through your employer. Thus,
you are not automatically insured       All municipalities in Denmark offer        e-Boks & NemID
against unemployment. Further in-       Danish lessons when you have a CPR
formation in chapter ”Unemployment      number. Further information in chapter     NemID is a secure log on to internet
insurance”                              “Learning the Danish language”             services. e-Boks is your online mailbox
                                                                                   for mail from public authorities (tax,
Insurance                               Vehicle                                    pension etc. (et cetera)). Apply for
                                                                                   your NemID at your municipal Citizen
Check you insurances from your home     If you bring your vehicle with you from    Service Center. Further information in
country. Some of the most important     your home country, the vehicle may         chapter “NemID, e-Boks/Digital Post”
insurances in Denmark are:              have to be re-registered with Dan-
                                        ish number plates or you must have
                                                                                   Further information and advice:
• P ersonal liability insurance        obtained exemption. Further informa-
   (Danish: Ansvarsforsikring)          tion in chapter “Bringing your private     In the International Citizen Service in
• Household insurance                  vehicle to Denmark”                        Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense and Copen-
   (Danish: Indboforsikring)                                                       hagen you will receive free of charge
• Accident insurance (Danish:          Driver’s licence                           advice concerning residence permit,
   Ulykkesforsikring)                                                              social security, tax, recognition of
• Unemployment insurance (Danish:      Driver’s licences issued within the EU     qualification, insurance and many
   Arbejdsløshedsforsikring).           are valid in Denmark. Driver’s licences    other questions that may arise when
   Further information in chapter       issued in a non-EU country may be          moving to Denmark. Further informa-
   “Unemployment insurance”             valid in Denmark. Further information      tion in chapter “Register as a citizen
• Life insurance (Danish:              in chapter “Driving licence”               in Denmark – International Citizen
   Livsforsikring)                                                                 Service”
• Legal protection insurance           Media licence
   (Danish: Retshjælpsforsikring)
• Car insurance (Danish:               You are legally obligated to register       Find further information at
   Bilforsikring) – if you have a car   with “media licence” if you have a tele-    www.icitizen.dk
• Dog insurance (Danish: Hunde-        vision, computer, smart phone or other
   forsikring) – if you have a dog      devices with internet access if you are

                                                                                          First steps in Denmark         9
10   First steps in Denmark
REGISTER AS A CITIZEN IN DENMARK
The registration procedure depends on your nationality, the duration
of how long you expect to stay in Denmark and your place of residence.
In this chapter you find information about how to apply for a residence
document/permit, social security (CPR number) and tax. Please follow
the relevant registration procedure according to your nationality and the
duration, you plan to work/stay in Denmark.

  DURATION             NORDIC CITIZENS                         EU/EEA CITIZENS                                 NON-EU/EEA CITIZENS

Work in Denmark   Step 1: Create a tax card      Step 1: Create a tax card online on               Step 1: Apply for a residence and work permit
for less than 3   online on www.skat.dk          www.skat.dk                                       with the Danish Agency for International
months                                                                                             Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) –
                                                 Step 2: Apply for special health card (online)    www.newtodenmark.dk.
                                                 www.lifeindenmark.dk > Cross-borders >
                                                 Special health insurance card                     Step 2: Create a tax card online on
                                                                                                   www.skat.dk

Work in Denmark   Step 1: Register for a         Step 1: Apply for an EU residence document        Step 1: Apply for a residence and work permit
for more than 3   Danish CPR number and          (SIRI or International Citizen Service).          with the Danish Agency for International
months            the yellow health card (In-    www.newtodenmark.dk                               Recruitment and Integration –
                  ternational Citizen Service                                                      www.newtodenmark.dk
                  or municipal Citizen Service   Step 2: Register for a Danish CPR number and
                  Center (Borgerservice)         the yellow health card (International Citizen     Step 2: Register for a Danish CPR number and
                                                 Service or municipal Citizen Service Center       the yellow health card (International Citizen
                  Step 2: Create a tax card      (Borgerservice)                                   Service or municipalCitizen Service Center
                  (online www.skat.dk or                                                           (Borgerservice)
                  at International Citizen       Step 3: Create a tax card (online
                  Service)                       www.skat.dk or at International Citizen           Step 3: Create a tax card (online www.skat.dk
                                                 Service)                                          or at International Citizen Service)
                  Step 3: Apply for the
                  blue European health           Step 4: Apply for the blue European health
                  card (online                   card (online www.lifeindenmark.dk)
                  www.lifeindenmark.dk)

Cross-border      Step 1: Create a tax card      Step 1: Create a tax card online on               Step 1: Apply for a residence and work permit
workers           online on www.skat.dk          www.skat.dk                                       with the Danish Agency for International
                                                                                                   Recruitment and Integration –
                  Step 2: Apply for the          Step 2: Apply for the special health card (on-    www.newtodenmark.dk
                  special health card (online    line www.lifeindenmark.dk > Cross-borders
                  www.lifeindenmark.dk >         > Special health card)                            Step 2: Create a tax card online on
                  Cross-borders > Special                                                          www.skat.dk
                  health card)
                                                                                                   Step 3: Apply for the special health card online
                                                                                                   (www.lifeindenmark.dk)

                                                                                                  Register as a citizen in Denmark                 11
SHORT TERM STAYS – IF YOU WORK IN
DENMARK FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS

If you work in Denmark for                 If you do not apply for a tax card, your   Short guide – Working in Denmark >
less than 3 months you                     employer will deduct 55% tax from          Apply for a personal tax number and
                                           your salary.                               tax card). If you have completed the
should consider your:
                                                                                      form in full and attached the docu-
                                                                                      ments required (signed work contract,
                                           Step 3 Social security (CPR)
Step 1.	Residence document/resi-                                                     marriage certificate (if you are mar-
         dence and work permit             If you work in Denmark for minimum         ried) and passport/national ID card),
Step 2.	Tax                               9 hours per week and have your             you will receive a preliminary income
Step 3.	Social security (CPR number)      permanent address in another EU/           assessment (Danish: forskudsop-
                                           EEA country, you are entitled to be        gørelse). At the top of your preliminary
Nordic Citizens                            enrolled in the Danish health insurance    income assesment, you will see your
                                           system. You find further information       personal tax number. Your person-
                                           and an online application form at          al tax number works like a Danish
Step 1 Residence document/
                                           www.lifeindenmark.dk > Cross-bor-          personal identification number (CPR
residence and work permit
                                           ders > Special health insurance card.      number). Your employer will withhold
As a Nordic citizen from Finland,          You can – however – also choose to         your tax from your salary and pay it
Iceland, Norway or Sweden you may          stay in the social security system in      directly to the tax authorities.
freely enter Denmark to reside and         your country of origin if you stay in
work. You do not need to apply for a       Denmark for less than 6 months.            Your employer will withhold your tax
residence document/permit.                                                            from your salary and pay it directly to
                                           Please find a detailed checklist about     the tax authorities.
                                           the 3 steps for registration and what
Step 2 Tax
                                           to bring when you register at the In-      If you do not apply for a tax card, your
When you work in Denmark, you must         ternational citizen Service in Copen-      employer will deduct 55% tax from
pay income taxes in Denmark – you          hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg          your salary
will need a tax card. You can apply        on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist
for the tax card and a personal tax
                                                                                      Step 3 Social security (CPR)
number by completing the online form
04.063 (www.skat.dk > English >            EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens                      If you work in Denmark for minimum
Short guide – Working in Denmark >                                                    9 hours per week and have your
Apply for a personal tax number and                                                   permanent address in another EU/
                                           Step 1 Residence document/
tax card). If you have completed the                                                  EEA country, you are entitled to be
                                           residence and work permit
form in full and attached the docu-                                                   enrolled in the Danish health insurance
ments required (signed work contract,      If you are a citizen from an EU/EEA        system. You find further information
marriage certificate (if you are mar-      country or Switzerland you may freely      and an online application form at
ried) and passport/national ID card),      enter Denmark to reside and work.          www.lifeindenmark.dk > Cross-bor-
you will receive a preliminary income      If you work in Denmark for less than       ders > Special health insurance card.
assessment (Danish: forskudsop-            3 months, you do not need to have a        You can – however – also choose to
gørelse). At the top of your preliminary   residence document/permit.                 stay in the social security system in
income assesment, you will see your                                                   your country of origin if you stay in
personal tax number. Your person-                                                     Denmark for less than 6 months.
                                           Step 2 Tax
al tax number works like a Danish
personal identification number (CPR        When you work in Denmark, you must         Please find a detailed checklist about
number). Your employer will withhold       pay income taxes in Denmark – you          the 3 steps for registration and what
your tax from your salary and pay it       will need a tax card. You can apply        to bring when you register at the In-
directly to the tax authorities.           for the tax card and a personal tax        ternational citizen Service in Copen-
                                           number by completing the online form       hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg
                                           04.063 (www.skat.dk > English >            on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist

12    If you work in Denmark for less than 3 months
Further information at                  forms and guidelines can be found on       Your employer will withhold your tax
 www.newtodenmark.dk                     www.newtodenmark.dk.                       from your salary and pay it directly to
                                                                                    the tax authorities.
Non-EU citizens                          Step 2 Tax
                                                                                    If you do not apply for a tax card, your
                                         When you work in Denmark, you must         employer will deduct 55% tax from your
Step 1 Residence document/
                                         pay income taxes in Denmark – you          salary
residence and work permit
                                         will need a tax card. You can apply
As a Non-EU citizen you need a res-      for the tax card and a personal tax
                                                                                    Step 3 Social security (CPR)
idence and work permit before you        number by completing the online form
start working. You must submit your      04.063 (www.skat.dk > English >            As your stay in Denmark does not
application for residence and work       Short guide – Working in Denmark >         exceed 3 months, you cannot register
permit to the Danish Agency for In-      Apply for a personal tax number and        for a Danish CPR number and thus, you
ternational Recruitment and Integra-     tax card). If you have completed the       will not be covered by Danish health
tion (SIRI) in Denmark or to a Danish    form in full and attached the docu-        insurance. Please make sure you are
representation (embassy or consulate)    ments required (signed work contract,      covered either with an insurance from
in your home country.                    marriage certificate (if you are mar-      your home country or sign up for a
                                         ried) and passport/national ID card),      private insurance in Denmark.
As a general rule a residence and work   you will receive a preliminary income
permit will be issued on the basis of    assessment (Danish: forskudsop-            Please find a detailed checklist about
professional or labour market con-       gørelse). At the top of your preliminary   the 3 steps for registration and what
siderations. However, a number of        income assesment, you will see your        to bring when you register at the
schemes e.g. the Working Holiday         personal tax number. Your person-          International citizen Service in Copen-
Programme have been designed in          al tax number works like a Danish          hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg
order to make it easier for young        personal identification number (CPR        on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist
short term employees from some           number). Your employer will withhold
countries to get a residence and work    your tax from your salary and pay it
permit in Denmark. The application       directly to the tax authorities.

                                                                  If you work in Denmark for less than 3 months          13
IF YOU WORK IN DENMARK FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS

If you are planning to work/stay in     Nordic Citizens                           number by using either the Interna-
Denmark for more than 3 months you                                                tional Citizen Service or the municipal
should consider your:                                                             Citizen Service Center (Danish: Borger-
                                        Step 1 Residence document/
                                                                                  service) where you live.
                                        residence and work permit
Step 1.	Residence document/resi-
         dence and work permit          If you are a citizen from Finland,
                                                                                  Step 3 Tax
Step 2.	Social security (CPR number)   Iceland, Norway and Sweden you may
Step 3.	Tax                            enter Denmark without any restriction     When you work in Denmark, you must
                                        to reside, study or work. You do not      pay income taxes in Denmark – you
                                        need a residence document/permit.         will need a tax card. You can apply
                                                                                  for the tax card and a personal tax
                                                                                  number by completing the online form
                                        Step 2 Social security/CPR
                                                                                  04.063 (www.skat.dk > English >
                                        If you are planning to stay in Den-       Short guide – Working in Denmark >
                                        mark for more than 3 months, you          Apply for a personal tax number and
                                        can register for Danish social security   tax card). If you have completed the
                                        and a CPR number. If you are planning     form in full and attached the docu-
                                        to stay in Denmark for more than 6        ments required (signed work contract,
                                        months, you must register for the CPR     marriage certificate (if you are mar-
                                        number. You can apply for the CPR         ried) and passport/national ID card),

14    If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months
you will receive a preliminary income      to apply > Residence as an EU/EEA          If you do not apply for a tax card, your
assessment (Danish: forskudsop-            citizen                                    employer will deduct 55% tax from
gørelse). At the top of your preliminary                                              your salary
income assesment, you will see your        Please note, that you must have com-
personal tax number. Your person-          pleted step 1 before you can register      Please find a detailed checklist about
al tax number works like a Danish          for the CPR number (Step 2)                the 3 steps for registration and what
personal identification number (CPR                                                   to bring when you register at the In-
number). Your employer will withhold                                                  ternational citizen Service in Copen-
                                           Step 2 Social security
your tax from your salary and pay it                                                  hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg
                                           (CPR number)
directly to the tax authorities.                                                      on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist
                                           After you have obtained an EU res-
Your employer will withhold your tax       idence document you must register
from your salary and pay it directly to    your address with the Danish Personal      Non-EU Citizens
the tax authorities.                       Register. If you are planning to stay in
                                           Denmark for more than 3 months, you
                                                                                      Step 1 Residence document/
If you do not apply for a tax card, your   can register for Danish social security
                                                                                      residence and work permit
employer will deduct 55% tax from          and a CPR number. If you are planning
your salary                                to stay in Denmark for more than 6         If you are a citizen from a country
                                           months, you must register for the CPR      outside the EU/EEA, it is essential that
Please find a detailed checklist about     number You can apply for the CPR           you have been granted a residence and
the 3 steps for registration and what      number by using either the Interna-        work permit before you start working.
to bring when you register at the In-      tional Citizen Service or the municipal    Applications for residence and work
ternational citizen Service in Copen-      Citizen Service Center (Danish: Borger-    permits must typically be submitted to
hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg          service) where you live.                   a Danish representative office, e.g. an
on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist                                                        embassy or consulate general in the
                                                                                      applicant’s home country. The applica-
                                           Step 3 Tax
                                                                                      tion forms and guidelines can be found
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens                      When you work in Denmark, you must         on www.newtodenmark.dk.
                                           pay income taxes in Denmark – you
                                           will need a tax card. You can apply        Please note, that you must complete
Step 1 Residence document/
                                           for the tax card and a personal tax        Step 1 before you can apply for the
residence and work permit
                                           number by completing the online form       CPR number.
If you are a citizen from an EU/EEA        04.063 (www.skat.dk > English >
country or Switzerland you can take up     Short guide – Working in Denmark >
                                                                                      Step 2 Social security
residence in Denmark. You may enter        Apply for a personal tax number and
                                                                                      (CPR number)
Denmark and start to work/study in         tax card). If you have completed the
Denmark during the application period.     form in full and attached the docu-        After you have obtained your res-
It is recommended that you apply for       ments required (signed work contract,      idence and work permit, you must
the EU residence document as soon as       marriage certificate (if you are mar-      register your address and apply for a
you come to Denmark. You can apply         ried) and passport/national ID card),      CPR number. You can apply for the CPR
for a residence document if you:           you will receive a preliminary income      number by using either the Interna-
                                           assessment (Danish: forskudsop-            tional Citizen Service or the municipal
• Have found a job in Denmark or           gørelse). At the top of your preliminary   Citizen Service Center (Danish: Borger-
• Start studying in Denmark or             income assesment, you will see your        service) where you live.
• Have sufficient funds to                personal tax number. Your person-
   support yourself financially or         al tax number works like a Danish
                                                                                      Step 3 Tax
   supported by another person             personal identification number (CPR
• Is a self-employed person or             number). Your employer will withhold       When you work in Denmark, you must
• Is a family member to one of            your tax from your salary and pay it       pay income taxes in Denmark – you
   the above mentioned groups              directly to the tax authorities.           will need a tax card. You can apply
                                                                                      for the tax card and a personal tax
The application forms and                  Your employer will withhold your tax       number by completing the online form
guidelines can be found on                 from your salary and pay it directly to    04.063 (www.skat.dk > English >
www.newtodenmark.dk > I want               the tax authorities.                       Short guide – Working in Denmark >
                                                                                      Apply for a personal tax number and

                                                                  If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months             15
tax card). If you have completed the       If you do not apply for a tax card, your   apply for a residence document/
form in full and attached the docu-        employer will deduct 55% tax from          permit and CPR number. The appli-
ments required (signed work contract,      your salary.                               cation process and which forms to
marriage certificate (if you are mar-                                                 use, depends on the principal persons
ried) and passport/national ID card),      Please find a detailed checklist about     and the family members nationali-
you will receive a preliminary income      the 3 steps for registration and what      ty. You can find further information
assessment (Danish: forskudsop-            to bring when you register at the In-      about residence document/permit on
gørelse). At the top of your preliminary   ternational citizen Service in Copen-      www.newtodenmark.dk > You want
income assesment, you will see your        hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg          to apply > Family.
personal tax number. Your person-          on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist
al tax number works like a Danish                                                     On www.icitizen.dk > Checklist “How
personal identification number (CPR        Family members (spouse/registered          to register and what to bring – Ac-
number). Your employer will withhold       or cohabiting partner and children         companying family” you can find
your tax from your salary and pay it       under the age of 21 years) to work-        detailed information about the rules
directly to the tax authorities.           ers, students, self employed persons       and regulations, application forms and
                                           (principal person) in Denmark can          necessary documentation.

16    If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months
tion forms and guidelines can be found
                                          Step 1 Residence and work
Cross-border Workers                      document/permit:
                                                                                   on www.newtodenmark.dk

Workers who maintain their residence      Cross-border workers with Nordic, EU/
                                                                                   Step 2 Tax:
in another country than Denmark and       EEA or Swiss citizenship do not need a
travel to Denmark on a regular basis to   residence and work document/permit       If you earn more than 75% of your
work are considered as cross-border       to Denmark.                              annual income in Denmark, you
workers.                                                                           can ask to be taxed according to
                                          Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need a         the cross-border worker rules. As a
If you are considered as a cross-border   work permit before they can start        cross-border worker, you are, as a
worker you should consider your:          working. You can submit your appli-      general rule, entitled to the same tax
                                          cation for work permit to the Danish     allowances and deductions as people
1. Residence and work document/           representation (embassy or consulate)    living in Denmark.
   permit                                 in your home country or to the immi-
2. Tax                                    gration service in Denmark prior to      You will need a tax card. You can apply
3. Social security (CPR number)           your arrival in Denmark. The applica-    for the tax card and a personal tax

                                                                If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months           17
number by completing form 04.063           card, please contact Udbetaling Dan-      If you stay in Denmark less than
(www.skat.dk > English > Short guide       mark, telephone +45 70 12 80 81.          185 days within a 12-month period,
– Working in Denmark > Apply for a                                                   you may drive a vehicle with foreign
personal tax number and tax card). If      Please find a detailed checklist about    number plates without having to pay
you have completed the form in full        the 3 steps for registration and what     Danish registration tax.
and attached the documents required        to bring when you register at the In-
(signed work contract, marriage certif-    ternational citizen Service in Copen-     Please note that if you stay in Den-
icate (if you are married), passport/na-   hagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg         mark for more than 185 days within
tional ID card and your residence and      on www.icitizen.dk > Checklist            one year, you are considered to reside
work permit (Non-EU citizens only),                                                  in Denmark and you must register your
you will receive a preliminary income                                                vehicle in Denmark.
                                           Step 4 Bank, insurance etc.
assessment (Danish: forskudsop-
gørelse). At the top of your preliminary   You need to open a bank account in        If you are unsure of the duration of
income assessment, you will see your       order for your employer to pay out        your stay in Denmark or your country
personal tax number. Your person-          your salary. As soon as you have your     of residence, you can apply for per-
al tax number works like a Danish          personal tax number you must open         mission to drive a vehicle with foreign
personal identification number (CPR        a bank account. It is an advantage to     number plates in Denmark. Please
number). Your employer will withhold       have an Easy Account (Danish: Nem-        note that you will be charged a fee of
your tax from your salary and pay it       konto). This is generally a current ac-   DKK 400 to process your application.
directly to the tax authorities.           count, into which payments from your
                                           employer are made. The Nemkonto is        Submit the following information to
If you do not apply for a tax card, your   also used by the Danish state for e.g.    the Danish Motor Vehicle Agency (Mo-
employer will deduct 55% tax from          tax refunds.                              torstyrelsen):
your salary.
                                           Contact the bank you prefer concern-      • Form 21.059
                                           ing opening of a bank account.            • A copy of the vehicle
Step 3 Social security
                                                                                       registration certificate
(CPR number)
                                                                                     • An employment or student
                                           Insurance
As a cross-border worker you have a                                                    contract to document the duration
right to health insurance services in      When you work for a Danish employer         of your stay in Denmark
both your country of residence and in      you are covered by the occupation-        • A receipt for having paid the
Denmark.                                   al accident insurance held by your          processing fee of DKK 400
                                           employer, but only in the hours you are
All of your family members, who do         working. In your spare time you will be   Apply as soon as you start working in
not have health insurance of their         covered by your insurances from your      Denmark. Until you get your permis-
own, are also insured via the Danish       home country.                             sion, you must bring the application
national health insurance scheme.                                                    whenever you drive in Denmark. Re-
However, family members, who live in                                                 member always to keep the permis-
                                           Driver’s license
your home country may only receive                                                   sion in your car.
medical treatment in their country of      As a cross-border worker you can use
residence and in accordance with that      your driving license from your home       On www.oresunddirekt.com (in
country’s laws.                            country.                                  Danish, English and Swedish language)
                                                                                     you find more information concerning
You can apply to be enrolled in the                                                  cross-border workers between Den-
                                           Vehicles
Danish health insurance system via                                                   mark and Sweden.
www.lifeindenmark.dk > Cross-bor-          As a cross-border worker you are
der commuters > Special health             allowed to use your foreign registered    On www.eures-kompas.eu and
insurance card. If you are entitled        vehicle to and from work in Denmark.      www.pendlerinfo.org (in Danish and
to be enrolled, you will receive the       If you return to your home country        German language) you find more infor-
special health insurance card within       on a daily basis you do not have to do    mation concerning cross-border work-
2-3 weeks by post to your address in       anything, but it is generally advisable   ers between Denmark and Germany
your home country. The special health      always to keep a copy of your employ-
insurance card is issued by Udbetaling     ment contract and your special Danish     More information concerning tax in
Danmark. If you have any questions         health card in your vehicle.              English: www.skat.dk > English >
about the special health insurance                                                   Shortcuts > Motor vehicles

18     If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months
If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months   19
Questions about tax and vechiles             One of the conditions that must be          first day of your stay. You can apply
email via www.skat.dk > Contact or           fulfilled in order for a situation to       for the CPR number by using either
telephone +45 72 22 27 96                    be characterised as posting is that         the International Citizen Service or the
                                             an employment relationship exists           municipal Citizen Service Center (Dan-
                                             between the worker and the posting          ish: Borgerservice) where you live.
Posted workers                               enterprise or temporary work agency.
                                             Another condition is that the enter-
                                                                                         Tax
If you are posted to work in Denmark,        prise making the posting has to be
and your employer is a foreign company       genuinely established in the country of     If you are posted to Denmark and
temporarily providing a service in Den-      origin, which means that the enter-         your employer has got a permanent
mark, you are covered by the Danish Act      prise must have substantial activity in     establishment in Denmark, you have
on Posting of Workers. Further informa-      that country.                               to apply for a personal tax number and
tion on www.workplacedenmark.dk                                                          a Danish tax card, no matter how long
                                                                                         you intend to stay in Denmark. The
                                             Residence and work permit?
If you are posted to work in Denmark                                                     same rule applies if you establish a
you are assured some minimum rights          Before you can start work in Denmark        business in Denmark. Further informa-
concerning your working conditions.          as a posted employee you need to find       tion on www.skat.dk > English > Short
You have the same right to a safe and        out if you require a residence and work     guide – Working in Denmark.
healthy working environment as Danish        permit. This depends on where you
citizens. Other areas covered by posted      come from.
                                                                                         Further information
worker’s rights are: discrimination at
the workplace, equal rights and equal        If you are a citizen of a Nordic country    You find further information
pay for men and women and some               you can freely live and work in Den-        about working conditions, health
of the regulation on working hours.          mark.                                       and safety, tax and regulations
Besides this, you are assured the min-                                                   on posting for posted workers at
imum rights arising from the Danish          If you are a citizen from an EU/EEA         www.workplacedenmark.dk
Holiday Act, if the holiday regulations in   country or Switzerland, you can start
your home country are less generous.         to work in Denmark and then apply for
                                             a registration document at the Danish
                                             Agency for International Recruitment
What is a posted worker?
                                             and Integration (SIRI).
And what is posting?
A worker posted to Denmark is an             If you are a citizen of a country outside
employee who is usually employed in          EU/EEA/Switzerland, and you are
another country and is sent to Den-          posted by an enterprise from a EU
mark by their employer to work for a         country, you have to seek further
limited period of time.                      advice on www.newtodenmark.dk If
                                             you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citi-
An enterprise is considered to have          zen, and you are not covered by the
posted workers to Denmark in the             regulations on posting of workers, you
following situations:                        always have to apply for a residence
                                             and work permit before starting
1. The enterprise has sent an employ-        work in Denmark. The application
   ee to Denmark to provide a service        forms and guidelines can be found on
   to an enterprise or private person        www.newtodenmark.dk
   in Denmark.
2. The enterprise, a temporary work          Social security (CPR number)
   agency, for example, has hired out
   an employee to a user enterprise in       If you plan to work and live in Denmark
   Denmark.                                  for more than 3 months, you need to
3. The enterprise has sent an em-            apply for a CPR number at the Danish
   ployee to an enterprise in Denmark        National Register (Folkeregisteret).
   within the same group or which is         If you stay in Denmark for more than
   otherwise affiliated to the posting       6 months, you are considered to be
   enterprise.                               fully tax liable to Denmark from the

20     If you work in Denmark for more than 3 months
JOB SEEKERS
WHAT TO BRING WHEN YOU REGISTER
AT THE INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE

Job seekers from EU/EEA                    Register for EU residence
                                                                                      Jobseekers from EU/EEA
countries and Switzerland                  with sufficient funds                      countries and Switzerland
                                                                                      with unemployment benefits
                                           If you are a citizen from an EU/EEA
                                           country and are able to support            from another EU/EEA
Legal stay in Denmark
                                           yourself financially (or know someone      country or Switzerland.
without registration
                                           who is able and willing to support you),
If you are a citizen from an EU/EEA        you can apply for a residence docu-        Jobseekers with unemployment ben-
country or Switzerland you can stay        ment to Denmark based on sufficient        efits from another EU/EEA country
legally in Denmark for up to 6 months      funds and hereafter a CPR number.          or Switzerland must register at a
without registration while searching       You can register at the International      Workindenmark Center immediately
for a job. During the 6 months you will    Citizen Service or at the Danish Agency    after arrival in Denmark.
not get a personal registration number     for International Recruitment and
(CPR number). If you need medical          Integration (SIRI). You can find further
                                                                                      Please bring:
assistance during the 6 months, you        information and the application form
need your blue European health card        on www.newtodenmark.dk > You can           • Form PD U2 from your home
from your home country. Please note,       want to apply > Residence as an EU/          country, dated and signed by
that you have no rights for financial      EEA citizen > EU residence as a person       the institution, which pays out
support from Denmark during your           with sufficient funds for self support       your unemployment benefits.
stay. After the 6 months period, you                                                  • Proof of registration as
can stay in Denmark as a job seeker, as    Here you can also find detailed infor-       unemployed. As proof of
long as you can prove that you are still   mation about the rules and regula-           registration as unemployed
looking for work, and that you have a      tions, application form and a list of        in Denmark, you must upload
genuine chance of being hired.             necessary documentation.                     your CV (Curriculum Vitae) on
                                                                                        www.workindenmark.dk >
                                                                                        Create profile. When you have
                                                                                        completed your CV, you will
                                                                                        be given a CV number. Please
                                                                                        bring the CV number, when you
                                                                                        register at Workindenmark.

                                                                                      You find Workindenmark offices in
                                                                                      Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense.
                                                                                      You can also register as a jobseeker
                                                                                      with unemployment benefits at the
                                                                                      International Citizen Service in Aalborg
                                                                                      during opening hours.

                                                                                                          Job Seekers      21
22   job seekers
INTERNATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE (ICS)
                                            Apart from the registration, Interna-
                                                                                      International Citizen Service West
                                            tional Citizen Service offers foreign
                                            employees, job seekers and their fami-    Åboulevarden 31, 1st floor
                                            lies useful information about:            8000 Aarhus C

                                            • Job search seminars in Denmark          Phone: +45 72 22 33 75
                                            • E-learning program and video            Mail: west@icitizen.dk
                                              tutorials about job search,             Office hours:
                                              job interviews, LinkedIn and            Thursday              13.00 - 17.00
International Citizen Service is a nation     Danish work place culture               Friday                 9.00 - 13.00
wide service for foreign employees          • Job search for international
and Danish companies. In the Inter-           students
national Citizen Service you find all       • Danish courses
                                                                                      International Citizen Service South
relevant authorities under one roof         • The Danish tax system
– the Danish Agency for Internation         • Registration of foreign vehicles        Dannebrogsgade 3, 1st floor
Recruitment and Integration (SIRI)          • Living and working                      5000 Odense C
(residence document for EU/EEA/               conditions in Denmark
Swiss citizens and residence and            • Authorization and approval              Phone: +45 72 20 54 20
work permit for non-EU/EEA/Swiss              of professional qualifications          Mail: south@icitizen.dk
citizens), the Danish Tax and Customs         for regulated professions               Office hours:
administration , the local municipal ad-    • Driver’s license                        Wednesday               8.30 - 12.30
ministration (CPR number and health         • Study and career                        Thursday               12.00 - 16.00
card) and Workindenmark.                    • Schooling
                                            • Day-care for children
                                                                                      International Citizen Service East
In most cases the foreign employee          • Network and social
only needs to visit International Citizen     activities in your area                 Gyldenløvesgade 11
Service in order to get the paperwork                                                 1600 Copenhagen V
done and find answers to possible
questions. Please note, that if you                                                   Phone: +45 33 66 66 06
want to apply for an EU residence           Adresses and opening                      Mail: east@icitizen.dk
document/residence permit, you must         hours – International                     Office hours:
book an appointment in the ICS open-                                                  Monday – Wednesday  10.00 - 15.00
                                            Citizen Service
ing hours prior to your visit in Interna-                                             Thursday              11.00 - 15.00
tional Citizen Service                                                                Friday                10.00 - 14.00
                                            The four International Citizen Service
You find the International Citizen Ser-     offices have the following office hours   Please remember to use the detailed
vice in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense          and contact information:                  checklist on www.icitizen.dk > Check-
and Aalborg                                                                           list before you visit the International
                                                                                      citizen Service
                                            International Citizen Service North
At www.icitzen.dk you find details
about addresses and opening hours.          Rantzausgade 4, 1st floor                  Find more information at
You also find a detailed checklist about    9000 Aalborg                               www.icitizen.dk
how to register and what to bring
when you register at the International      Phone: +45 72 14 21 11
citizen Service. Please use the check-      Mail: west@icitizen.dk
list before you visit the International     Office hours:
Citizen Service.                            Monday                 9.00 - 13.00
                                            Thursday              12.00 - 16.00

                                                                                        International citizen Service     23
WORKING IN DENMARK

WORKING CONDITIONS IN DENMARK

Danes love their jobs                       the most important terms and condi-          parties outside of the company,
                                            tions of your employment.                    these parties must be identified in
Danes have the highest job satisfac-                                                     the contract.
tion rating in Europe. Many highlight       The employment contract must at
the 37 hours work week, 5+1 weeks           least contain information on the fol-
                                                                                      Collective agreements
paid vacation (after one year of work       lowing:
in Denmark) combined with flexible                                                    Conditions of employment and wages
working hours. Others emphasise a           1. Employer’s and employee’s name         are normally regulated through collec-
good work-life balance at many work             and address.                          tive agreements that are negotiated
places – which means you can have           2. The location of the workplace or, if   by trade unions and employers organ-
both a professionall cereer and a good          there is no fixed workplace, where    izations. There is no minimum salary
family life. Some employees also get a          the work is primarily performed/      determined by law in Denmark.
full salary during illness and full pay-        information that the employee is to
ment for the first 2 days, if you need to       work in various locations, and the    Certain areas of work conditions are
stay at home with your ill child.               employer’s main office or address.    however regulated by law – holidays,
                                            3. Job description or employee’s job      equal opportunities and health and
                                                title, rank or job category.          safety.
Working hours
                                            4. Employment commencement date.
The standard working week in Den-           5. Expected duration of employment,       Many employees are member of a
mark is 37 hours split over 5 days.             if not permanent employment.          trade union and many employers are
Lunch breaks are typically 30 minutes       6. The employee’s rights regarding        part of an employer confederation.
long. Lunch breaks are paid as regular          holidays, including whether salary    This ensures that collective bargaining
working hours in the public sector,             will be paid while the employee is    agreements cover a large percent-
whereas most private employees pay              on holiday.                           age of employees and are widely
for lunch breaks themselves. However,       7. Employee’s and employer’s terms        respected. In addition to centralized
this varies from workplace to work-             of notice.                            agreements, the collective bargaining
place.                                      8. The applicable or agreed salary        system can also be used at the work-
                                                to which the employee is entitled     place level.
Working hours are not regulated by              upon commencement of employ-
law in the private sector, but rather,          ment and allowances or other
                                                                                      Health and safety
are determined by collective agree-             forms of remuneration that are not
ment or individual contracts.                   included herein, e.g. pension con-    All employees working in Denmark
                                                tributions, lodging and meals. The    must comply with the Danish Work-
                                                frequency of salary payments must     ing Environment Act. The Act aims at
Employment contract
                                                also be included in the contract.     preventing accidents and illnesses at
You have a legal right to get an em-        9. The standard daily or weekly work-     the workplace. It is the responsibility
ployment contract from your Danish              ing hours.                            of the employer to ensure that work-
employer. As a foreign employee you         10. Information on which collective       ing conditions are safe and sound.
are covered by the same rules and               agreements or other agreements        Further the employer has a variety of
regulations as Danish employees. The            regulate the employment and           responsibilities e.g. to ensure that the
law stipulates that you must have an            working conditions. If the collec-    employees receive work instructions.
employment contract which specifies             tive agreements or agreements         You as employee must participate in
                                                in question were entered into by      the co-operation on safety and health.

                                                                                                Working in Denmark         25
Furthermore, you have an obligation to    In most collective agreements you          The holiday pay that you earn during
use the protective equipment pro-         have additionally 5 days of holiday per    the transition year will be converted
vided by the employer. More infor-        year – also known as the 6th holiday       into savings in the new fund, Lønmod-
mation about health and safety on         week. Whether you have this right or       tagernes Feriemidler. You will have
www.arbejdstilsynet.dk > click on the     not – please ask your employer or your     these savings paid out when you reach
English, German, Polish or Lithuanian     union.                                     the state pension age.
flag.
                                          On 1 September 2020 we will get a          You can read more about holiday
                                          new Holiday Act. The new Holiday           pay during the transition year on
Insurance
                                          Act allows you to take your holiday        www.lifeindenmark.dk > Living in
Employers have a legal obligation to      as soon as the month after you have        Denmark > Work > Holiday allowance
obtain an employers occupational          earned it. The new Holiday Act does        > Questions and answers about holi-
accident insurance, which protects you    not change the fact that you will earn     day pay during the transition year
in case of accidents during your work     25 holidays per year – the equivalent
hours.                                    of 2.08 holidays for each month of
                                                                                     Holiday pay
                                          employment.
Consider a private household insur-                                                  If you are paid monthly, you will
ance policy if you want liability and                                                usually get your normal salary plus a
                                          The transition to the new
accident insurance during your spare                                                 holiday supplement of typically 1% of
                                          Danish Holiday Act
time.                                                                                the qualifying salary from the previ-
                                          Before the new Holiday Act enters into     ous calendar year during your holiday.
                                          force, there will be a transition year     Most people receive their holiday
Holiday
                                          from 1 September 2019 to 31 August         supplement in late April or May.
As an employee in Denmark you have        2020 in order to ensure smooth tran-
the right to 25 days of holiday after 1   sition from the old holiday rules to the   If you are paid by the hour, you get
years work.                               new ones.                                  12.5% in holiday pay of your qualifying
                                                                                     salary in the qualifying year.

26    Working in Denmark
Even if you have not earned the right        • In Denmark the tax system is               of Copenhagen is the same as in other
to five weeks of paid holiday, you can         progressive which means that               European cities.
still go on holiday. However, you have         the more you earn the higher
to pay for the days off you have not           percentage you pay in direct tax.          This information only gives you the
earned. Employers have the right to                                                       most important tax information. You
deduct 4.8% from your salary for each                                                     find further information in several
                                             The taxes consist of:
day you take off.                                                                         languages on www.skat.dk > English
                                             1. Bottom-bracket tax (Danish:               > Short guide – Working in Denmark.
The employer calculates the holiday             Bundskat)
allowance to which you are entitled.         2. Top bracket tax (Danish: Topskat)         Telephone numbers and opening hours
The employer then transfers the              3. Health contribution (Danish: Sund-        can be found in the chapter “Important
amount due to FerieKonto, or issues a           hedsbidrag)                               telephone numbers and addresses”.
holiday card to the employee. In both        4. Labour market contribution, AM-           Please be aware that the following
cases, the amount due is paid to the            bidrag (Danish: Arbejdsmarkeds-           information only is valid for the tax
employee at a later date, when the              bidrag)                                   year 2020 and that change in tax rates
holiday is taken.                            5. Municipality tax (Danish: Kom-            may apply.
                                                muneskat)
You take the right to paid holiday with      6. Church tax (Danish: Kirkeskat) (vol-
                                                                                          Tax year
you if/when changing jobs.                      untary)
                                             7. Indirect tax – VAT (Value added-tax       The tax year in Denmark coincides
If you move to another country, the             – Danish: Moms)                           with the calendar year. The actual
money can be paid out before you                                                          amount of tax is calculated after the
leave. Further information in the sec-       Denmark is a classic welfare state.          end of the year, as a result of which
tion “Leaving Denmark”                       Helping fellow citizens when they get        you will have to make an additional
                                             ill, become old or lose their jobs is con-   payment or you will receive a refund.
                                             sidered a joint responsibility. The same     The Danish tax system consists of 3
Tax                                          goes for high quality childcare and free     steps:
                                             schooling for everyone.
Everyone working in Denmark pays                                                          1. Preliminary Income Assessment
income tax and needs a tax card. The         This explains why Danish taxes are           2. Tax assessment notice
tax card is issued by the Danish tax         so high. In 2018, taxation came to           3. Final tax notice
authority (based on the information you      48.2 percent of the Gross Domestic
give on form 04.063 (www.skat.dk >           Product, making the Danes the highest
                                                                                          1. Preliminary Income Assessment
English > Short guide: Working in Den-       taxed population in Europe, a record
                                                                                          (Danish: forskudsopgørelse)
mark – choose language). You will be         most people would not boast about.
asked to upload a copy of your employ-       When it comes to income tax, the av-         When you start working in Denmark
ment contract, your passport and your        erage citizen pays almost half of their      you must apply for a tax card. The tax
marriage certificate (if you are married).   salary in tax. In addition, most goods       authorities generate a preliminary
                                             include 25 percent VAT (’Moms’ in            tax card for the coming year. The tax
If you do not apply for a tax card, your     Danish). Cars, petrol, alcohol and other     card is based on your expected income
employer will deduct 55% tax from            goods are also taxed in order to limit       and deductions from form 04.063
your salary                                  consumption.                                 (www.skat.dk > English > Short
                                                                                          guide: Working in Denmark – choose
The tax card is electronic and your em-      To compensate for high taxes, Danish         language). Please make sure to state
ployer has access to your tax informa-       salary levels are among the highest in       your annual income as accurately as
tion. You will receive a copy of your tax    the world, and many welfare services         possible. Should your income change
card by post approximately 3 weeks           that strain household budgets in other       significantly in the course of the year,
after you have applied. The employer         countries are either free or state-sub-      you can change your tax information at
sends the sum of your withholding tax        sidized in Denmark. Medical help,            any time. Since recently, the tax card is
to the tax authority as a preliminary        hospital treatment, schooling and            no longer sent out in paper form, but
tax payment. You can see how much            elderly care are all free – and day care     is kept on file in your electronic tax file
tax you have paid during the year on         for children is far cheaper than in most     at SKAT (www.skat.dk). You can view
your payslips.                               other countries. This means that the         this on your computer using your Ne-
                                             purchasing power in the Danish capital       mID. Please check the information on
                                                                                          the tax card. If everything is correct,

                                                                                                     Working in Denmark          27
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