My List of the Top 15 Things to do Before Moving to Denmark

My List of the Top 15 Things to do Before Moving to Denmark

Though many of these tips can work for any person, I am an American coming from the USA. Much of what I recommend is based off of my own personal experiences coming from the States. This is what I would recommend doing before moving to Denmark!

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#1 Find a job before moving to Denmark

If you are NOT an EU citizen, you can’t expect to be allowed to stay very long in Denmark if you don’t have a job or if your spouse doesn’t have a job to support you. Don’t try to find one after moving. Have one lined up before you move. Your new job may even help you with moving costs. (If you plan on studying at a university in Denmark, be sure to make your arrangements with the school and its program before you move.)

Learn more about studying and/or getting a job in Denmark HERE!

#2 Apply for your visa

You can access the English page to the New In Denmark Website to read about the different visa types to see which one is right for you. (Some people wait to do this until after they have moved to Denmark, but I recommend doing it as soon as possible. The wait time to get a visa approved can be close to a year. During this time, you will need to ask for permission to leave the country and may have a difficult time receiving services that are allowed to residents. Save yourself the stress and apply for your visa as soon as possible. Be sure to follow all the steps for the visa, including bio-metrics.  (There will be a fee involved with this.)

#3 Contact a moving company that handles overseas shipping

If you are traveling due to a new job, see if your new company will help with the moving costs and if they can recommend a moving company. Your container may take around 2 months to reach Denmark if you are traveling from the US. Of course, this varies depending on where you are coming from. Be mindful of what can go in your suitcases on moving day, and see if friends or family will lend you some household items for the time in between your house being boxed up and you leaving on the plane. You may want to look into temporary furniture for your place in Denmark until you belongings arrive. I recommend visiting IKEA or the second-hand stores.

#4 Sell House/Cancel Apartment

Put your house on the market as soon as you can. You may find it hard to sell your house before you need to be in Denmark. If this is the case, you will want to find a “power of attorney” to handle the sell of your home while you are away OR you may need to stay behind until it sells. If you have an apartment, you may want to see if you can sublease it until your lease is up; otherwise, you’ll want to work out an arrangement with your landlord.

#5 Get Immunization Records for Children

The doctor’s office in Denmark will want to make sure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date. Be sure to bring a list of all the immunizations given to your child with dates. (Side note: If you expect the Danish doctor to give your child immunizations that are common in your home country but not common in Denmark, you will be expected to pay for those. It will also be your responsibility to make appointments.) Learn more about how it was for my kids to move to Denmark is this VIDEO!

#6 Get the names of current medications with dosage/how often

Medications in Denmark won’t typically have the same names as medications from other countries. It is important that you bring copies of the names/dosages/etc. of current medications you are taking with you when you visit the doctor in Denmark for the first time. This will help them determine which medications you should be administered here.

#7 Get original copies of certificates/licenses

If you are married, you will want to get a copy of your marriage license and if you have children, you’ll want to get copies of their birth certificates. You will need these when you register at the commune (citizen’s office) to get your CPR number/card. This is one of the most important things to have when in Denmark. Without a CPR number/card, you can’t go to the doctor or work. Having copies of your children’s birth certificates will prove to the Danish government that you are their legal parent as well.

#8 Copies of school records (children)

If your children want to go to a Danish school, they will be placed in a grade based on their age. School records will be helpful if you put your child in an international school, since they may be able to stay in the same grade level as your home country. Do you need help in choosing a school in Denmark? Check out this post on the pros and cons of Choosing an International vs a Danish School in Denmark!

In the case of students with special needs, it would be helpful to get copies of all the paperwork (for example: IEP, 401plan, letter from doctor) from the school before you leave. The same services won’t be available in Denmark, but you should talk with your child’s new school about what can be done to help your child. 

#9 Copies of university transcripts/certificates

If you are hoping to find the same work in Denmark that you did in your home country, you may need to have your degree/certificate/credentials validated by the Danish government. It is important to have official transcripts, not free print-outs. Though English-speaking jobs do exist in (mostly) international companies, it may be difficult to get a job with your credentials in a strictly Danish-company/work environment without learning Danish first.

#10 Make sure your passport is up-to-date

Get your passport renewed if it expires within 6 months before moving. If your passport expires during the visa application process, you may have to resubmit your application. Your visa will only be valid as long as your passport is valid. Once in Denmark, visit your home country’s embassy for any passport concerns.

If you are coming to Denmark on a family reunification visa (because you are married to a Dane), hear my story in this VIDEO.

#11 Sell off what you don’t need before moving to Denmark

The entire year before we moved to Denmark, I made it a goal to sell as much unwanted/unneeded things as possible. It was a nice coincidence, which really helped us with the move. When we found out we were moving, we had just a little over a month to prepare ourselves for the movers.

Don’t put this off until the last minute. Start going through one room at a time, and sell/donate what you don’t need to move. If it is something you can easily buy in Denmark, don’t spend the thousands of dollars (Assuming you are American.) to move it to Denmark. It might be cheaper to buy new. Let me also help you out with transportation tips with this post on Buying a Car in Denmark!

#12 Make a day to pamper yourself

Once in a new country, you might not find the place to get a good manicure, pedicure or massage. Take a day off of the craziness of prepping for your big trip and pamper yourself. With learning a new language, getting yourself (and family) settled, unpacking, etc., you might not have time for such luxuries later.

#13 Visit family

I lived in one state in the US, and most of my family lived in another. Though we were pressed for time with lots to do, we made sure to say good-bye to as many family members as possible. Flying a family of 4 back and forth from the US to Denmark and vice versa is expensive, so there may not be all the opportunities to come back when you want. Be sure to make family (and/or close friends) a priority and say your good-byes.

#14 Social researching before moving to Denmark

It might be a good idea to join a Facebook group for expats in Denmark before you move. You can ask advice to those who have already made the move, and they might help you with packing some last-minute items (cold medicine, peanut butter, candy…) that you didn’t know you’d miss. You might also meet people from your new town online before moving, which might make it easier when picking an apartment, school or just having some support.

#15 Start to learn the language

I am not going to lie; Danish can be difficult to learn. It might give you some peace of mind that you can learn this new language if you start in your stress-free, non-Danish home before moving abroad. This can be done with a mobile app like Duolingo.

You can also watch Youtube videos or listen to podcasts. Get tips on how to learn a foreign language with this great VIDEO! You won’t be fluent by any means, but it might give you a head start before starting a language class here, which I highly recommend you doing as soon as you get your CPR card.

Good luck!

Final Thoughts About Moving to Denmark

Of course, your situation might be a bit different from mine. There are tons of additions that you can add to this list depending on your own specific circumstances, so be mindful of what else might be needed for you and your family. This list will help you get on your way. I wish you good luck on your move and a pleasant stay! 🙂

Check out some of my other posts in the Living in Denmark section of my blog to read testimonies and other stories of my experiences moving to Denmark. You can also check out my Youtube channel for videos of life as an expat and other adventures and information. Please subscribe to my blog to receive information sent straight to your inbox. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you come back again!

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