Danish Glossary

The central government website where you manage address registration, tax, healthcare, benefits, and more. Requires MitID login.

The municipal office where you register your address, get CPR, collect your health card, and handle other admin.

Your 10-digit personal identification number. You need it for healthcare, banking, tax, phone contracts, and almost everything else in Denmark.

The national debit card. Almost every Dane has one. Some shops only accept Dankort.

A secure digital mailbox where you receive official letters from the government, SKAT, your bank, and your doctor.

The civil registration system that tracks every resident’s address, CPR number, and civil status.

Your local government authority. Handles address registration, CPR, childcare, schools, and local services.

Denmark’s mandatory digital login system. You need it to access your bank, SKAT, Borger.dk, e-Boks, and virtually all public services.

Denmark’s universal mobile payment app. Used everywhere — splitting bills, paying at shops, even church collections.

The bank account the government uses to pay you — tax refunds, benefits, SU, pension.

Your yellow plastic health card, issued after CPR registration. It has your doctor’s name and CPR number.

An 8% tax deducted from your gross salary before any other tax. Everyone pays it.

The income tax your employer withholds from your salary each month, based on your tax card.

A tax deduction for commuting more than 24 km each way to work. Claim on skat.dk.

The base state income tax rate of 12.09%. Everyone pays this on taxable income after the personal allowance.

A special 27% flat tax rate for highly-paid foreign researchers. Lasts up to 7 years.

Your projected tax settings for the year — deductions, expected income, tax rate. Set it on skat.dk each November.

A tax card for people earning below the personal allowance. No tax is withheld up to the frikort limit.

Local income tax set by your municipality, averaging ~25%. Copenhagen is 23.8%.

Denmark’s value-added tax, charged at 25% on almost all goods and services.

Money back from SKAT if you overpaid during the year. Usually paid in April/May.

The annual tax-free amount (~DKK 49,700). You pay zero tax on income below this threshold.

The amount you owe if you underpaid tax during the year.

Denmark’s tax authority (Skattestyrelsen). Handles income tax, VAT, deductions, and your annual tax return.

The digital document your employer uses to calculate your monthly tax withholding.

An extra 15% tax on annual income above ~DKK 588,900. Only high earners pay it.

Your final tax calculation for the year, issued by SKAT each March. Shows whether you owe or get a refund.

A uniquely Danish housing type where you buy a share in a cooperative rather than owning outright.

One of Denmark’s largest apartment listing websites. Requires a paid subscription.

Government financial support toward rent, based on income, household size, and rent amount.

Rent paid in advance (up to 3 months). Covers your final months. Different from the deposit.

A mandatory inspection when you move out. The landlord may deduct repair costs from your deposit.

A local board that resolves rent disputes between tenants and landlords. Costs ~DKK 357.

The upfront deposit when signing a lease. Maximum 3 months’ rent by law.

Your legally binding tenancy agreement. Follows a standard format (Typeformular A, 10th edition).

The annual heating cost settlement. You pay a monthly estimate, then get a final statement.

A fast-track work permit for non-EU workers earning above ~DKK 375,000/year.

An EU-wide work permit for highly qualified non-EU workers with a university degree.

The registration certificate EU/EEA citizens get after registering with SIRI.

The permit pathway for bringing your spouse, partner, or children to Denmark.

A test on Danish society, culture, and history. 40 questions, pass mark 32/40.

The permit that allows non-EU citizens to live and/or work in Denmark.

The right to stay in Denmark indefinitely. Requires 8 years of residence (can be reduced to 4).

A list of occupations with labour shortages. Updated twice a year.

Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration. Processes work permits and residence permits.

Danish citizenship by naturalisation. Requires 9 years of residence and language proficiency.

An insurance fund you pay into monthly to receive unemployment benefits (dagpenge) if you lose your job.

A mandatory supplementary pension scheme. About DKK 99/month for full-time workers.

Denmark’s parental leave system: 52 weeks total. Mothers get 4+14 weeks, fathers 2, and 32 are shared.

The unique number assigned to every registered business in Denmark. Register on virk.dk.

Financial support while job-seeking. Up to DKK 20,359/month for up to 2 years.

A workers’ union that negotiates collective agreements and provides legal help. ~67% of Danes are members.

12.5% of your gross salary, set aside for paid holiday. Paid out when you leave a job.

The law covering white-collar employees. Provides minimum notice periods, sick pay, and severance.

Your monthly salary statement showing gross pay, AM-bidrag, A-skat, pension, ATP, and net pay.

The required notice before terminating employment. Ranges from 1 to 6 months depending on tenure.

A negotiated agreement between unions and employers that sets wages and conditions for a sector.

A trial period (typically 3 months) at the start of employment. Shorter notice periods apply.

Employer pays full salary for 30 days, then the municipality pays sygedagpenge (capped).

Emergency doctor service for evenings, nights, and weekends. Call 1813 in the Capital Region.

Your assigned general practitioner. All non-emergency healthcare starts here.

A doctor’s prescription for medication. Many are digitally linked to your CPR.

Denmark’s universal tax-funded healthcare. GP visits, hospitals, and most specialist care are free.

The public health insurance all residents get automatically through CPR registration.

Government co-payment on prescription medicine. The amount increases with your annual spending.

Where you pick up prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Some prescriptions are auto-linked to your CPR.

Official proficiency tests. PD1, PD2, and PD3 correspond to A2, B1, and B2. PD3 required for citizenship.

Denmark’s national train operator. Runs InterCity, regional, and S-tog trains.

A core Danish value of collective belonging. Appears in housing cooperatives, workplaces, and the welfare state.

The Danish concept of warmth, comfort, and contentment. Candles, blankets, friends, and cake.

An unwritten social code: don’t think you’re special or better than others. Modesty is valued.

Financial support for residents who can’t support themselves and don’t qualify for dagpenge.

Denmark’s smart card for public transport. Tap on/off on buses, trains, and metro.

Copenhagen’s suburban rail network. 7 lines, runs every 10–20 minutes.

Free Danish language classes for new residents. You get 3.5 years of classes.

Monthly financial support for students in Denmark. EU citizens working 10–12 hours/week may qualify.

A semi-annual tax on your car, based on fuel consumption. Billed via SKAT.

The environmental component of vehicle ownership tax. Higher for less fuel-efficient cars.

You can use your foreign licence for up to 180 days. After that, you must exchange or test.

Denmark’s notoriously high car tax. Can be 85–150% of the vehicle price.

Mandatory periodic inspection. Required every 2–4 years depending on vehicle age.