International House Copenhagen — What to Expect & How to Prepare

International House Copenhagen — What to Expect

Updated By exploringdenmark

International House Copenhagen (IHC) is a one-stop centre where you can handle SIRI residence documents, CPR registration, MitID, tax card, and general guidance — all under one roof. For most newcomers in the Copenhagen area, it’s the first and most important official stop.

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE CPH SIRI CPR reg. MitID Tax card You arrive All services Done

What is International House Copenhagen?

International House Copenhagen (IHC) is run by the City of Copenhagen and provides registration services for international citizens living in Copenhagen and 37 partner municipalities across and beyond the capital region. It’s located at Nyropsgade 1, 1602 København V — near Copenhagen Central Station.1

All services are free of charge. The staff speak English, and the centre is designed specifically for internationals navigating Danish admin for the first time.2

Services available

IHC offers several services under one roof. The key ones for newcomers:

EU residence documentSIRI office on-site
CPR registrationNumber often issued same day
MitID setupOn the day of CPR or next day
Tax cardSKAT presence for tax setup
Health cardSundhedskort processing
General guidanceFree advice on Danish admin

Why IHC is worth using: At a regular Borgerservice, you’d need separate appointments for SIRI, CPR, MitID, and tax — often on different days. IHC lets you chain them together. Some people get their EU residence document, CPR, MitID, and tax card sorted in two visits over a few weeks.

Who can use it

IHC serves international citizens living in Copenhagen and its 37 partner municipalities. This includes most of the capital region and some municipalities outside it. If you live in one of these areas, you can use IHC instead of your local Borgerservice.3

If you live in Frederiksberg Municipality, you must use IHC for CPR registration — Frederiksberg doesn’t handle it locally.4

Not sure if your municipality is covered? Check the list of partner municipalities on IHC’s website. If yours isn’t listed, you’ll need to use your local Borgerservice instead.

What to bring

For your visit
  • Valid passport or national ID cardOriginal — not a copy. EU citizens can use a national ID card.
  • Residence permit or EU residence documentIf you don’t have it yet, your first visit may be to SIRI (also at IHC) to get one.
  • Proof of addressRental contract or signed housing confirmation. IHC provides a downloadable form.
  • Employment contractNeeded for tax card setup. Bring it even if you think it’s not required.
  • Marriage/divorce certificate (if applicable)In Danish, English, or a Nordic language with apostille if applicable.
  • Children’s birth certificates (if registering children)Original plus translation. Consent from other parent if registering alone.
  • Your phoneFor MitID setup — needs to be iPhone 7+ or modern Android with NFC.

The optimal visit sequence

For EU citizens, the ideal sequence is:

  1. Visit 1 — SIRI appointment: Get your EU residence document. Book at ihcph.kk.dk. Takes about 15–30 minutes.
  2. Between visits: Apply for CPR online and wait for the email invitation (2–3 weeks).
  3. Visit 2 — CPR + MitID + tax card: Attend your CPR appointment (bring all originals), then ask to set up MitID and your tax card on the same visit. This is the power move — everything in one session.

For non-EU citizens, you’ll likely already have your residence permit before arriving. Your sequence starts at step 2 — apply for CPR online, then attend the in-person appointment.

Book ahead

Both SIRI and CPR appointments at IHC require advance booking. SIRI appointments can be booked directly. CPR appointments come via email after your online application is processed. Don’t show up without a booking — walk-ins aren’t accepted for registration services.

Location and hours

Address: Nyropsgade 1, 1602 København V (near Central Station)

Phone: 33 66 10 00

Opening hours:

  • Monday: 09:00–15:00
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 11:00–17:00
  • Thursday: 09:00–15:00
  • Friday: 09:00–14:00
  • Saturday–Sunday: Closed

Phone hours: Monday–Friday 08:00–16:00 (Thursday until 17:00, Friday until 15:00)5

What if I live outside Copenhagen?

If you’re outside IHC’s 37 partner municipalities, your local Borgerservice (Citizen Service Centre) handles CPR registration, MitID, and general admin. The process is the same — apply online, book an appointment, attend in person — but SIRI has its own separate offices. Check Life in Denmark for International Citizen Service centres across the country, including in Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg.

Common problems

I can’t find available SIRI appointments

SIRI appointments at IHC fill up fast. Check both IHC locations: Nyropsgade 1 and Carl Jacobsens Vej 36. New slots often appear in the morning. If nothing’s available for weeks, call SIRI directly.

My CPR email invitation hasn’t arrived

Processing takes 2–3 weeks. Check your spam folder. If you entered the wrong email during the application, call IHC on 33 66 10 00 to have it corrected.

I forgot a document

They won’t process your registration without the required originals. You’ll need to rebook. Double-check the list above before your visit.

Can I bring someone to translate?

IHC staff speak English, so translation is rarely needed. But you’re welcome to bring someone for support. For MitID setup at Borgerservice (not IHC), bringing a witness who can confirm your identity is recommended for newcomers with limited CPR data.6

Questions and answers

Does IHC cost anything?

No. All registration services are free of charge.

Can I handle everything in one visit?

Not usually. You need the EU residence document before you can do CPR, which requires a separate earlier visit to SIRI. But you can combine CPR + MitID + tax card in one visit.

How long does a visit take?

SIRI appointment: 15–30 minutes. CPR appointment: 20–40 minutes. Adding MitID and tax card: another 15–30 minutes. Plan for about 1 hour total on your CPR visit day.

Is IHC the same as Borgerservice?

Similar services but specifically designed for internationals. IHC has SIRI on-site and English-speaking staff trained for international registration — things most Borgerservice centres don’t have.

Does IHC host events?

Yes. IHC runs social events, networking sessions, and informational workshops about life in Denmark. Check their calendar.

Sources

  1. City of Copenhagen — CPR registration: IHC serves Copenhagen and 37 partner municipalities. ↩
  2. International House Copenhagen: all services free. ↩
  3. IHC — Outside Copenhagen: partner municipality list. ↩
  4. Frederiksberg Municipality: must use IHC. ↩
  5. City of Copenhagen — CPR registration: opening hours. ↩
  6. MitID.dk — Non-citizens: bring witness for MitID. ↩