Schools & Childcare in Denmark — Public, Private & International | exploringdenmark

Schools & Childcare in Denmark

Understand your options from vuggestue and børnehave to folkeskole, private and international schools—plus how to apply, eligibility, costs, and key links.

Good to know: Public folkeskole is free. Childcare (vuggestue/børnehave/SFO) is subsidized with income-based fees; waiting lists exist in popular districts.

Overview: how education & childcare work

👶 Childcare types

Vuggestue (0–3), Børnehave (3–6), and SFO/club (6–10) run by municipalities and private providers.

🏫 School pathway

Folkeskole covers grades 0–9 (ages ~6–16). Private, friskole and international options exist.

💳 Access

You’ll need CPR, registered address, and MitID/NemID to use online portals and receive placement letters.

Types of schools & childcare

👶 Vuggestue (0–3)

Nursery/daycare; income-based fees. Public and private options.

🎨 Børnehave (3–6)

Play-led kindergarten; includes nature/forest kindergartens in some areas.

🚌 SFO / Club (6–10)

After-school care until ~17:00; subsidized and optional.

🏫 Folkeskole

Public, free, Danish-medium; many offer “welcome classes” for newcomers.

📚 Private/Friskole

Fee-paying but state-subsidized; varied pedagogy and languages.

🌍 International

IB/Cambridge curricula in English; tuition fees apply.

Eligibility

🆔 CPR & address

Child and at least one parent must hold CPR and be registered at a Danish address.

🌐 All nationals

Public schools and municipal childcare are open to all residents, regardless of nationality.

💶 Fee reductions

Income-based reductions available for childcare; apply via your kommune.

How to apply (step-by-step)

📝 1) Register your child

Ensure CPR and address registration are complete.

💻 2) Use the portal

Apply via your municipality’s online self-service with MitID/NemID.

🏫 3) Rank preferences

Choose institutions (some areas let you rank multiple options).

📬 4) Placement notice

Decisions arrive in e-Boks or by mail; waiting times vary by city/season.

Documents you’ll likely need

🛂 IDs

Child’s passport/ID and CPR; parent ID/CPR.

🏠 Address proof

Registered address confirmation with the kommune.

🔐 MitID/NemID

Required for online applications and updates.

📑 Prior records

If transferring from abroad, bring report cards/notes (older children).

💵 Income docs

Only if applying for fee reductions.

☎️ Kommune contact

Reach out for placement questions or special needs support.

Costs at a glance

🎒 Public schools

Tuition and books are free. You may pay for lunch, trips, and some activities.

👶 Childcare fees

Municipal childcare is subsidized; typical family contribution is a few thousand DKK/month, less with reductions.

Useful links

📝 CPR & registration

✅ Newcomer checklist

Moving with children

Frequently asked questions

🏫 Are public schools free?

Yes. Folkeskole tuition and books are free; you may pay for lunch, trips, or SFO.

👶 Guaranteed childcare place?

Municipalities guarantee a spot, but popular centers may involve waiting or alternatives.

🌍 Teaching language?

Public schools teach in Danish; international schools teach in English/other languages.

💶 Typical childcare cost?

Subsidized; often ~DKK 2,000–3,500/month depending on municipality and income.

🗓️ Arriving mid-year?

Contact your kommune once registered; children can usually start soon after placement.

🧑‍🏫 Welcome classes?

Many schools provide Danish-as-a-second-language support or newcomer classes.

Need a shortlist of nearby schools or childcare?

Tell us your district, your child’s age, language needs, and timing—we’ll suggest options and the right application portal.