Moving to Denmark (EU/EEA citizen) — step by step

A practical checklist from address → registration → CPR → MitID → bank → tax setup, plus first-month essentials. Built for internationals and families, in plain English.

Start the checklist FAQ

How it works

Follow the steps in order. If one step is blocked, the next ones usually won’t work yet.

Step-by-step checklist

This is the clean order most people need. Your municipality / situation may tweak details — but the sequence holds.

1

Get an address you can register

Most of Denmark’s admin starts with a valid address and proof you can live there.

Prepare
  • Passport / national ID
  • Rental contract / sublet agreement / housing documentation
  • Move-in date and full address details
Do
  • Confirm your name is on the agreement (or you have written permission)
  • Keep a digital copy of the contract + any landlord confirmation
  • Don’t skip this: shaky address proof causes delays later
Done when: you have documents that clearly show you can live at the address.
2

Handle EU registration (if needed)

If you’re staying longer-term, you may need an EU registration certificate (rules depend on your case).

Common categories
  • Worker (job / contract)
  • Student
  • Self-sufficient
  • Family member
Tip
  • Don’t guess your category — pick the one that matches your reality
  • Bring the documents that prove it (job contract, enrollment, funds, etc.)
  • If unsure, ask before booking appointments to avoid rework
SIRI / New to Denmark
Done when: you have the right registration outcome for your situation (or clear guidance that you don’t need it yet).
3

Register and get a CPR number

CPR unlocks the rest: MitID, bank, tax setup, and healthcare access.

Bring
  • Passport / national ID
  • Address documentation
  • Any relevant registration/permit documents (if applicable)
Do
  • Book/attend your municipality (Citizen Service / Borgerservice)
  • Register your move so you’re added to the Civil Registration System
  • Confirm your name spelling and address are correct
Borger.dk
Done when: you have a CPR number and your address is registered.
4

Get MitID

MitID is Denmark’s login key for banking, tax, healthcare, and almost everything digital.

What you’ll need
  • CPR number
  • Valid ID
  • Ability to confirm identity (process varies)
Avoid
  • Starting bank/tax steps before MitID (you’ll hit a wall)
  • Using mismatched name formats across documents
  • Skipping identity requirements
MitID
Done when: you can log in with MitID and complete basic sign-ins.
5

Set up a bank account + NemKonto

This is how salary, refunds and many payments flow. NemKonto is the official payout account.

Bring
  • CPR + MitID
  • ID and proof of address
  • Job contract (if you have one)
Do
  • Open an account (timeline varies by bank)
  • Ensure it’s registered as your NemKonto when ready
  • Ask what the bank needs up front to avoid delays
NemKonto
Done when: you have an account and NemKonto is set/confirmed (or in progress with a clear date).
6

Tax setup (so your salary isn’t taxed wrong)

Your employer pays based on your tax card. Fixing it later is annoying — do it early.

If you’re working
  • Confirm your employer can pull your tax card
  • Check your preliminary income / deductions
  • Update if your situation changes
If you’re not working yet
  • Still good to understand how tax works before signing contracts
  • Keep records from day one (rent, moves, work start date)
SKAT
Done when: your tax setup matches your reality and your employer can pay correctly.
7

Healthcare basics (GP + health card)

Once registered, you’ll typically get a health card and be linked to a GP (process varies).

Do
  • Check your GP assignment and how to change if needed
  • Save emergency + out-of-hours info for your area
Keep in mind
  • Rules can differ slightly by municipality and your registration timing
  • If you have ongoing care needs, plan this early
Sundhed.dk
Done when: you know your GP situation and how to use the system.
8

First-month essentials (quick wins)

These are the boring bits that make life smooth: payments, post, and practical setup.

Do soon
  • Set up Digital Post / e-Boks so you don’t miss official messages
  • Phone plan + MobilePay (once ready)
  • Utilities basics (depends on housing)
If you have kids
  • Municipality childcare queues can be long — check early
  • School/daycare timelines vary by kommune
e-Boks
Done when: your daily-life admin won’t surprise you.

FAQ

The questions that trip people up (and waste time if you guess).

Can I get MitID before I have CPR?

In most cases, CPR comes first. If you try to skip ahead, you usually hit an identity/registration wall.

Do I need EU registration in every situation?

It depends on your length of stay and category (worker/student/self-sufficient/family). Use SIRI/New to Denmark to confirm your exact case.

What’s the most common blocker?

Address proof. If your housing documents are unclear, everything downstream (CPR → MitID → bank) can slow down.

Back to top Back to checklist