When working and living in Denmark, you often have to think about what to do and how to deal with certain situations. To limit unexpected situations, it is advisable to check in advance the in-place procedures of the country in which you live and work. Here are the most important things everyone working and living in Denmark should know.
Of course, when you first came to Denmark for work, you first had to apply for a tax card and, like all Danish citizens, you had to open a bank account to receive your Danish salary and public sector benefits – the so-called NemKonto.
It is important to know that both nationals and those who move to Denmark to live and work have to pay taxes, so registering your income is a common practice and must be done by everyone who lives and works there. No need for worry though, as the Danes have automated the process – your employer downloads your tax card and taxes are automatically deducted from your salary. Your employer deducts tax based on your calculated income. The tax calculation includes not only your expected income but also allowances and bonuses. It is also important to know that if your expected income changes, you need to redo these calculations, as the tax part of the calculation will also change when your remuneration changes. Also, before your taxes are calculated, if your employer does not pay for meals and accommodation during temporary work, after a change of work location, or because of the distance between work and home, you can register work-related benefits, in which case the tax benefits will be deducted from your income. It’s important to know that if you earn income or own property outside Denmark, you can adjust your tax liability to avoid paying double tax. You can check your annual tax calculation using the TastSelv service. It is very important to know and remember that when you stop working in Denmark, you are required to provide information that will be used by the Danish Tax Agency to calculate your tax liability.
Health and social security
Under Danish health protection law, citizens who live, work, and pay taxes in Denmark are entitled to consultation by a general practitioner or specialist, ambulance services, and treatment in accordance with existing laws. However, specialist care can be fully or partially reimbursed and requires a referral from a general practitioner.
People working in Denmark enjoy excellent social security benefits guaranteed by law, so if you’ve worked in Denmark for at least 3 months or for a minimum of 120 hours, you’re entitled to benefits if you fall ill or go on maternity leave. Lump sums may be available in certain cases, for example, if you cannot earn a living. There is also an allowance for those who lose their job. What’s also great is that people working in Denmark can be completely unconcerned about their employer’s financial situation, because even if the employer goes bankrupt, the employee receives benefits from the state guarantee fund if they apply in time.
Work Culture in Denmark
Danes as employees are motivated and responsible, so of course this is something that needs to be kept in mind when trying to fit in and adapt to the working environment. Teamwork is valued in the workplace, so cooperation between management and employees is encouraged, and when trying to achieve this it is not avoided, but even encouraged to have open dialogues and express one’s own opinion. The work culture is essentially collaborative, so team achievements are valued more than individual ones. This work culture makes it particularly easy to adapt new employees when changing jobs or new arrivals.
Leisure
Danes value a healthy work-life balance, so adapting to it is essential if you want to fit in – not only to work and live in Denmark but to experience a true Danish lifestyle. Living in a country of happy people makes it necessary to plan not only work but also quality leisure time for even the biggest workaholics. For those who want to experience real Danish culture in their spare time, it is worth visiting more interesting events. A great example – is the “Distortion” dance music festival, which takes place literally in the streets. For those who want to spend their free time to the Danish beat, let’s get moving. Danes are most fond of the enjoyment of movement, so a family walks in the mountains, Nordic walking or cycling are common in their free time.
Ultimately, Denmark is a country that cares for its people, and the positive attitude of the locals is a pleasant surprise to those who come to live and work there. We’ve taken a look at the most important things people living and working in Denmark should know. By the way, it’s no accident that we’ve added leisure to the tips – it’s a big part of Danish culture, so we couldn’t leave it out.working and living in Denmark
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