Cost of Living & Helpful Facts about Life in Denmark

Jump right in:

• Pros and cons of living in Denmark
• Practical information
• Cost of living
• Culture and social etiquette
• Driving in Denmark
• Public transport in Denmark

In this section, you will find a list of the good and the bad that you might experience while living in Denmark as an expat.

Pros Work–life balance: Most full–time jobs are around 37 hours per week, and employees are encouraged to leave on time and use their vacation. This allows expats their lives without work taking up too much of their time.

High salaries for skilled workers: Jobs in fields like IT, engineering, and pharmaceuticals pay well compared to many other countries. Even though taxes are high, the remaining income is usually enough to live comfortably.

Safety: Crime rates are low, and it is common for people to walk or cycle alone even late at night.

Free healthcare: Public healthcare is funded through taxes, so doctor visits and hospital treatments are mostly free. This can reduce financial stress related to medical emergencies.

Cons

High taxes: Income taxes take a large percentage of salaries. However, these taxes fund healthcare, infrastructure, and social benefits.

High cost of living: Rent, groceries, and restaurants are expensive, especially in major cities. Expats with lower salaries may find it difficult to save money.

Difficult to make close local friends: Danes are polite but often stay in their long–term social circles, which can be hard to enter. Expats may need time and effort to build deeper friendships.

Dark and long winters: Winter days are very short, with limited sunlight, which can affect the mood and energy levels of those who are not used to it. Some expats experience seasonal depression or low motivation.

Independence expected at work: Danish workplaces expect employees to manage their own tasks with minimal supervision. While this gives freedom, it can be stressful for people used to more structured guidance.

Public holidays in Denmark

• New Year’s Day, Nytårsdag: 1 January
• Palm Sunday_,_ Palmesøndag: Sunday before Easter
• Maundy Thursday, Skærtorsdag: Thursday before Easter Sunday
• Good Friday, Langfredag: Friday before Easter Sunday
• Easter Sunday, Påskedag: movable holiday in March or April
• Easter Monday, Anden påskedag: The day after Easter Sunday
• All-Prayers Day, Store bededag: movable holiday on the fourth Friday after Easter
• Holy Thursday, Kristi Himmelfartsdag: 40 days after Easter
• Pentecost, Pinsedag: seventh Sunday after Easter
• Pentecost Monday, Anden Pinsedag: The day after Pentecost
• Constitution Day, or national day, Grundlovsdag: 5 June
• Christmas, Juledag: 25 December
• Boxing Day, Anden Juledag: 26 December

Main embassies in Denmark

Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, hosts the majority of embassies in the country—72 in total. These include embassies for most European countries and some Asian and American countries.

Although a few African countries have embassies in Denmark, most expats from the continent seeking diplomatic services will need to travel to neighboring capitals: Stockholm, Oslo, Brussels, Berlin, London, or Paris.

Main airports in Denmark

The busiest airports in Denmark are:

• Copenhagen Airport;
• Billund Airport;
• Aalborg Airport;
• Aarhus Airport;
• Vágar Airport.

It can be quite expensive to live in Denmark, especially in the most popular cities: Copenhagen and Aarhus. The country‘s capital often ranks among the most expensive cities to live in the world, but that should not scare you right away, as high salaries tend to balance it out.

The average monthly salary in Denmark is around 45,000 DKK (approx 7,000 USD) per month (before tax). After tax, you would be left with around 60–65% of the mentioned amount.

There is no official minimum wage in Denmark. However, even entry–level positions offer wages that meet the country‘s standards. Usually, if you are an unskilled worker in the service sector, you can expect around 120 DKK (approx. 18,60 USD) per hour; for skilled individuals, the rate would be higher. So it all depends on your qualifications.

Most expensive vs cheapest areas in Denmark

Most popular cities are the most expensive, like:

• Copenhagen
• Aarhus
• Odense
• Aalborg

You will find that other cities are more affordable, like:

• Esbjerg
• Horsens
• Randers
• Vejle

The cheapest areas in Denmark are:

• Southern Zealand
• Langeland
• the southern islands, Lolland and Falster

Keep in mind that employment, cultural activities, public transport, and the like are scarce in these areas.

Living expenses in Denmark

Here are what your monthly expenses would be in Denmark including rent:

• Single person: 14.120 DKK (approx. 2,200 USD)
• Couple with two children—39.930 DKK (approx. 6200 USD)

Keep in mind that living expenses vary according to your personal lifestyle and choices, therefore the number for each individual could be either higher or lower. However, we advise you to budget wisely while staying in Denmark.

Rent and utility prices in Denmark

Below you will find the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Denmark’s main cities.

One month of utilities, including water, heating, and electricity, is around 1,500 DKK (230 USD). To that you should add an internet connection, which costs around 270 DKK (42 USD) a month.

Grocery prices in Denmark

According to recent food prices in Denmark:

• For a single monthly groceries can add up to around 2,200–2,900 DKK (approx. 340–450 USD)
• For a family of four it can be more or less than 6,600–8,000 DKK (approx. 1,020–1,240 USD)

Restaurant Costs

Eating out at restaurants in Denmark does not come cheap. Here are the prices you should expect:

Cost of Education

Education in Denmark should be free of charge if you opt for the public school system.

If you opt for private schools, know that enrolling your kids in kindergarten will cost around 1,200–2,500 DKK (approx. 190–400 USD) a month. If they are attending an international school, you should expect to pay a minimum of 40,000 DKK (approx 6,200. USD) a year.

University is free for EU/EEA/Swiss students in Denmark, others have to pay tuition fees that can range from 44,000 DKK to 120,000 DKK (approx. 6,850–18,600 USD)

Healthcare costs

The state healthcare system is free for all residents in Denmark, so you would not need to have expenses related to healthcare. You would still need to pay for medication. If you wish to visit a private doctor, that will cost you around 1,500 DKK ( approx. 230 USD). Basic private health insurance plan costs around 130 DKK (approx. 20 USD) per month. Factors that influence the price of your insurance are:

• age,
• plan type,
• coverage level,
• your health.

Therefore it is best to check with insurance companies for the best price and plan ratio. You can acces more information about healthcare system and insurance in our Healtchare Guide.

• Public Behavio: Being courteous to everyone is a must in Denmark. Danish culture is one of the most egalitarian in the world, and that goes for gender, ethnicity, job position, and so on. Your tone of voice should be moderate in public as drawing attention to yourself in any way is usually frowned upon (i.e., playing loud music on public transportation). Danes like their spoken (or unspoken) rules to be followed. Failure to comply may create confrontation with Danish locals.
• Dining and Gift-Giving Etiquette: If you are invited to dine at a Danish home, it is customary to bring a gift. This could be a bottle of good wine or a box of high-quality chocolate. Flowers make an excellent gift too, which you can send in advance.
• Be sure to arrive on time: Danes are punctual, whether it is for a social gathering or business meeting.
• Tipping: If you are eating out at a restaurant in Denmark, know that tipping is uncommon. That also goes for other services such as taxis. Of course, you can do so if you wish but it is generally not expected.
• Equality: You will find that both women and men are equally respected, receive equal pay, and occupy leadership roles in business. The majority of people are on a first-name basis.
• Childrem: The way children are raised may not be quite what you are used to. Kids are brought up to be independent and self-reliant from a young age. Most one-year-old kids are sent to daycare once parental leave ends and parents get back to work.
• Religion: As for religion, it is mostly Protestant and Lutheran. Over 75% of people are members of the Church of Denmark which is the officially recognized church. However, despite the country’s religious roots, this does not reflect much on Danes’ day-to-day life. Most people do not attend church often and couples do not feel the need to get married to live together or start a family.

Driving in Denmark requires having a Danish driver’s license or a European license. If you have neither, you may be able to exchange your foreign license for a recognized one. Driving in the city centers will likely not outweigh the costs. Most people rely on public transport or bicycles to commute.

Rules of driving in Denmark

• It is mandatory to use correct signaling when changing lanes.
• You must have your headlights on at all times—day or night. If you buy or rent a car in Denmark, its headlights will likely turn on automatically, but make sure to double–check yourself.
• The use of seatbelts is mandatory for every person in the car.
• Driving speed is 50 km/h in cities, 80 km/h outside the city, and between 110 and 130 km/h in highways. Speeding 10–20km/h over the limit can result in a 1,010 DKK (approx. 157 USD) fine. Fines gradually get higher if you pass the limit even more.
• It is common to switch tires twice a year in Denmark—a set of tires for winter and another for summer.
• To drive in Denmark, you will need a valid driving license, proof of registration, and insurance for your vehicle.
• The minimum age for driving in Denmark is 18 (or 17 if supervised by another driver who is at least 30 years old and has had a driver’s license for at least ten years).

Note: Any type of unsafe driving can result in a penalty; the minimum fee starts at 500 DKK ( approx. 78 USD) for minor violations.

How to get a Danish driving license

Exchanging your foreign driver’s license costs 280 DKK (40 USD). International driving permits only allow non-residents to drive in the country. Residents in Denmark registered with a CPR number will need to either exchange their existing license or take the Danish driving exam.

Who needs to exchange their license and who doesn’t

European licenses are valid in Denmark. There is no need to exchange it and you can use it as long as the license itself is valid. Greenland is an exception. To drive there, you will need to take lessons and a driving test.

You may also be able to exchange your license if you are from a country outside the EU or EEA. The countries include:

• Australia
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Isle of Man
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Russia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• the US. These licenses can be exchanged within one year. The driver must sign a declaration stating that they have been driving for the last two years and have not had their license revoked in the previous five years. If your license is not listed, you must check with your kommune (municipality) if you can exchange it without taking the theoretical or practical exam. If not, taking the test is your only option.

Exchanging a foreign driver’s license

The first step is to make an appointment with the Borgerservice in your kommune. You should bring the following documents:

• medical certificate issued by your family doctor no longer than 3 months in a sealed envelope
• photograph (see the requirements)
• original driving license
• residence permit (if applicable)
• passport if you are a Nordic citizen
• yellow health card (sundhedskort) if you have one
• translation if the driving license is not written in English or in accordance with the EU model

Renting a car in Denmark

If you need drive a rental car in Denmark, you should have no problem finding car rental companies in your area. You will need to be at least 21 years old and had to have held a driver’s license for a minimum of one year. In some companies, you may be asked to pay a young driver fee if you are under 26 years old.

Car rental apps:

• Gomore
  – Hyre – GreenMobility – Amovens

How is public transport in Denmark? Most public transportation networks in Denmark are extensive and reliable. You will find buses and trains in major cities, a metro in Copenhagen, and a number of ferries connecting the country’s main islands. In bigger cities, one ticket for public transportation often works for several modes of transportation, like buses, trains, or the metro. Do keep in mind that most people in Denmark own a bicycle and use it for everyday trips.

Costs of public transport in Denmark

A monthly card for public transportation costs 600 DKK (approx. 93 USD), while a ticket for a single trip is usually 24 DKK (approx. 3.70 USD).

If you plan on driving, you should expect gas to cost around 14.30 DKK (2 USD) a liter.

Tickets

DOT billeter mobile app allows you to buy and store your tickets on your mobile. You can also purchase Cepenhagen Card or City Pass for unlimited travel for a specifific amount of time.

Rejsebillet operates in other areas where you can do the same.

You can also purchase tickets from machines at train and metro stations (they accept international cards and cash).

Bus

Bus networks are common in main cities. These may be divided into several zones, which often dictate the price of the transportation. You can buy tickets on the bus. Just make sure to have the correct amount, as drivers may not have change or refuse to take bills as a security measure. Unlike in some countries, card payments on buses are not possible.

Train

DSB is the national railway company operating in Denmark, but you will find other companies as well, such as Arriva or Nordjyske. Regional trains connect several towns and outskirts of a city to a main station. Intercity trains are the best way to travel between cities, especially the InterCity Lyn (ICL) which is faster and around the same price as regular intercity trains.

Metro

You will find a metro network in Copenhagen. The lines connect the municipalities of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, and Tårnby.

Taxi

Taxis can be quite expensive in Denmark. You should expect:

• a normal tariff to start at around 50 DKK (approx. 8 USD)
• every kilometre to cost 13 DKK (approx. 2 USD)

Taxi apps in Denmark:

• Bolt
• Uber
• Dantaxi
• TAXA 4x35

Prices vary depending on when and where you are going. It is best to download one or more of your preferred apps and check what price to expect for your trip.