International Families & Children in Denmark
Childcare (vuggestue/børnehave/SFO), schools (folkeskole, private, international), healthcare, parental leave, benefits—and the must-know tips for new parents in Denmark.
Overview: how family life works in Denmark
🏫 Education
Free public folkeskole (grades 0–9). Private and international options available.
👶 Childcare
Vuggestue (0–3), børnehave (3–6), SFO/club (6–10). Subsidized fees.
🩺 Healthcare
Free GP visits, vaccinations, and dental care for under-18s.
💰 Benefits
Parental leave and child benefits support families financially.
🗣️ Language
Kids pick up Danish quickly; adults can join free/low-cost Danish courses.
🚲 Lifestyle
Safe cities, bike culture, plentiful playgrounds and outdoor activities.
Childcare options
👶 Vuggestue (0–3)
Nursery/daycare with structured, play-led days. Income-based fees.
🧸 Børnehave (3–6)
Kindergarten focused on social skills, creativity, and outdoor play.
🏡 Childminders
Home-based care in small groups—good for the youngest children.
🚌 SFO / Club
After-school care until ~17:00 for ages ~6–10; optional and subsidized.
📍 Availability
A place is guaranteed, but you may need to accept alternatives in popular areas.
🧾 Apply online
Use your municipality’s portal with MitID/NemID after CPR and address registration.
Schools for international children
🏫 Folkeskole (public)
Free, Danish-medium. Many schools offer newcomer/welcome classes and Danish-as-a-second-language support.
🌍 International schools
IB/Cambridge curricula in English/other languages; tuition fees apply.
📚 Private/Friskole
Fee-paying (partly subsidized), varied pedagogy, sometimes bilingual options.
📖 Support
School nurses, special education resources, and language support are common.
Family benefits & parental leave
🍼 Parental leave
Up to roughly a year combined with flexible distribution between parents (exact entitlements depend on employment and schemes).
💳 Child benefit
Quarterly allowance for children under 18 when living/working in DK (eligibility rules apply).
🩺 Health for kids
Free GP and dental care, scheduled checkups, and vaccinations via your assigned doctor.
Practical tips
🆔 CPR first
Register your family and address quickly; CPR unlocks healthcare, childcare, and school portals.
🗣️ Learn Danish
Adults: free/low-cost courses. Children: language immersion at school/daycare.
🤝 Find your community
Parent groups, International House events, and local “mødregrupper”.
🚲 Transport
Bikes (incl. cargo bikes) are family staples; public transport is stroller-friendly.
🍎 Lunch culture
Most kids bring a packed “madpakke”; schools emphasize healthy eating.
🎈 Activities
Clubs for sports, music, and outdoor life are affordable and widely available.
Useful links
🌐 Life in Denmark
🏫 International schools
🤝 International House
Related on exploringdenmark
🏫 Schools & childcare
💰 Family benefits
🧳 Moving to Denmark
📝 CPR & registration
Frequently asked questions
👶 Is childcare free?
Not free, but heavily subsidized. Fees depend on income and municipality.
🏫 Do schools teach in English?
Public schools teach in Danish with support for newcomers; international schools teach in English/other languages.
🩺 Healthcare for kids?
Excellent—free GP visits, dental care, checkups, and vaccinations up to age 18.
👪 Parental leave for both?
Yes—schemes encourage both parents to take leave; details vary by employment and rules.
🗣️ No Danish yet?
Children usually adapt fast; adults can enroll in Danish classes (often free/low-cost).
🏡 Arriving mid-year?
Contact your kommune after registration; children can usually start soon after placement.
Want a shortlist of schools or childcare near you?
Tell us your municipality, child’s age(s), language needs, and timeline—we’ll suggest options and the right portals.