Civil Registration
If you are planning to stay in Demark more than three months, you need to visit a Citizen Service Centre (Borgerservice) to enroll at the Civil Registration Office (Folkeregistret). There are several local Citizen Service Centre’s in Denmark. The easiest way to find one is by typing ‘Borgerservice’ and your local town at Google’s website. It is important to bring the following documents:
- Passport or personal identification with photo.
- Documentation for place of residence (Rental contract or letter from the landlord).
- Certificate of Registration or work permit.
- Marriage certificate and the birth/baptism certificate of your child.
Health Insurance card
After your registration at the Civil Registration Office you will receive a Civil Registration Number (CPR-number) and a yellow Health Insurance card (sundhedskort). This card can be used as documentation of your right to Danish Health Insurance Services and it works as a proof of your identity. Therefore, you should always have the card nearby and make sure to bring it when you require treatment or need to get in touch with your doctor, dentist or a hospital. Hospital treatment is free of charge and the costs are paid through taxation. However, you must expect to pay other expenses such as dental treatment, medicines, physiotherapy and other kinds of treatment.
NemID
NemID is a personal secure login for different internet services such as online banking, changing information at public authorities, signing up for childcare, correcting your taxes and much more. You can obtain a NemID if you have reached the age of 15 and have a Danish CPR number. You can contact your local Citizen Service Centre, your bank (Remember to bring a valid ID) or you can request NemID online: www.nemid.nu/dk-en/ You will receive a key card which contains three pages of different codes and you use the key card with your login information at the websites that requires the use of NemID.
e-boks
With a NemID you will be able to enter your e-boks. E-boks is your personal secure mailbox online. Here you will receive different mails and information from authorities, your bank or pay slips from your employer. To become an e-boks user you have to create an account online, on this website: www.e-boks.dk. Both NemID and e-box are free to use!
Tax and the Danish Welfare state
The Danish welfare state is based on the concept of citizens having equal access to the different services paid for by taxes. The tax funds are used to pay for expenses such as child and youth allowances, state pension, public institutions such as schools and daycare. Furthermore, all citizens in Denmark can get free hospital treatment. All employees pay a percentage of their income in taxes and as soon as you start working in Denmark you are required to pay taxes. You need to apply for a tax rate and deduction card at the Danish tax authorities (SKAT). You are required to apply when you receive a contract from your employer. You can seek for more information at: www.skat.dk
Finding a place to live – Rent or buy
If you wish to rent accommodation you can either contact a private landlord, non-profit housing associations or your local municipality. When you have found an accommodation, it is very important that you and your landlord sign a written lease agreement (lejekontrakt). This will make sure that you will not have any unforeseen and unrightfully costs. There is a lot of different websites where you can find accommodation and the easiest way is by typing ‘Lejeboliger’ (rental flat’s) and your local town at Google’s website. One example is: www.dklf.dk/lejerforeninger. As an EU citizen you can buy property in Denmark without prior permission from the authorities.