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Moving to Denmark from the US

Your Complete Moving Guide

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So, you’ve been dreaming about moving to Denmark? With its progressive society, picturesque sceneries, and high quality of life, it’s easy to see why so many Americans find Denmark a popular destination to relocate to. Because we know that a moving to this Scandinavian gem will require some serious research and preparation, we’ve compiled a guide which will walk you through the entire moving process –from costs to checklists, we got your back!

Moving to Denmark from the US: What Are the Costs?

Though moving to Denmark is clearly something to be quite excited about, we can imagine that the cost of this international move is somewhat of a less thrilling thought for you. But let’s be honest, adventures of this caliber rarely come at no cost –and a move to Denmark will certainly not be the exception!

While there’s no fixed price for a move to Denmark from the US as your final moving costs will be affected by a wide variety of factors, amongst which the distance and the size of your move carry the most weight, we can still provide you with some ballpark estimates to give you an idea of what you can expect.

In the sections below we have outlined for you the costs of a sea-freight move to Copenhagen for various property sizes from both the East and West Coasts of the United States.

Moving from the East Coast to Denmark

Property SizeShipping TimeEstimated Cost
1-bedroom6 – 9 weeks$5,400 – $7,300
2-bedrooms4 – 6 weeks$7,200 – $9,700
3-bedrooms4 – 6 weeks$12,800 – $17,200
4-bedrooms4 – 6 weeks$13,500 – $18,200

Disclaimer: the rates shown above are just mere estimates. Your moving costs will vary depending on your actual point of departure, the size of your move, and the service rates of the company.

Costs of Moving to Denmark from the West Coast

Property SizeShipping TimeEstimated Cost
1-bedroom8 – 10 weeks$6,500 – $8,700
2-bedrooms5 – 7 weeks$8,700 – $11,900
3-bedrooms5 – 7 weeks$15,900 – $21,400
4-bedrooms5 – 7 weeks$16,600 – $22,400

Disclaimer: the rates shown above are just mere estimates. Your moving costs will vary depending on your actual point of departure, the size of your move, and the service rates of the company.

Moving Companies to Denmark

Are you searching for movers to Denmark? You’re in the right place. Take a look at the 3 best international removal companies from America to Denmark:

1. Laser Moving

2. Ruby International

3. Uplift Movers

It’s good to remember that, at the end of the day, you’ll only know how much your move will cost by requesting quotes. This is truly the only way you’ll be able to get an accurate estimation of how much a move to Denmark will cost you!

Still on the lookout for a professional mover? Look no further!
Choose the size of your move below to receive up to 5 free moving quotes!

Checklist for Your Move to Denmark

Alright, we’ll let you in on our little secret for the perfect stress-free move: a moving checklist! As experts in moving, we can assure you that remembering everything that needs to get done throughout the process of moving to Denmark is quite a challenge. And although we believe you’re more than capable of tackling this challenge, we want to give you an extra hand just in case you might need it.

As a small teaser, we’ve compiled the five most important steps you cannot miss when organizing your move to Denmark in the infographic below.

Brief checklist containing the main points you cannot forget to do when moving to Denmark

If you’re on the lookout for a more detailed moving checklist, look no further! Luckily, we have more than a few tricks up our sleeve that will help you ensure this big move runs as smoothly as possible —check them out here!

Things to Know Before Moving to Denmark

As an American moving to Denmark, there are a few things that you should get in check before you hop on that plane to start your new life in this Scandinavian paradise. To make your life a bit easier, we’ve compiled some relevant information about the residency, financial, and healthcare systems in Denmark for you in the sections below.

Residency & Visa

An important part of the process of moving to Denmark is getting your resident permit sorted out before your move. In Denmark, the process of applying for a visa and temporary residencies is one and the same. This entails that once you’re granted a temporary resident permit, you’ll automatically receive a visa attached to your passport.

The most common type of visas that can grant you residency offered by the Danish government include:

If none of these visas apply to your situation, don’t worry! This is by no means an exhaustive list, there are a few other types of visas that might grant you residency in Denmark –check them out here.

It’s also good for you to know that you’ll need to register yourself with the Danish Civil Registration System at Citizens’ Services upon arrival to obtain your CPR number, which will serve as your personal identification number in the country.

After living in Denmark for at least 8 years (or 4 years in certain cases), you will be eligible to apply for a permanent resident permit.

Healthcare

Like many other Scandinavian countries, Denmark operates under a mixed healthcare system. This means that you will have the option to choose between the Danish free healthcare coverage or the coverage provided by private health insurance.

To gain access to the free healthcare coverage in Denmark you will need to request a health insurance card known as Sundhedskort (aka the yellow card). Luckily, you will automatically obtain this card once the government grants you a CPR number, so you’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone! 😎

Financial Arrangements

Alright, let’s move on to everyone’s favorite topic: money. Unfortunately, Denmark isn’t one of the countries that allow non-residents to open a bank account. Because of this, you’ll have to wait until you’re a legal resident of the country to open an account.

The only exception to this might be if you have an account with an international bank that has a branch in Denmark. But, this varies from bank to bank, so make sure to check with your current branch to assess what your options are.

After you become a legal resident in Denmark, the process of opening an account is quite straightforward. Though it can vary between banks, you’ll usually only be required to present:

  • A valid ID (e.g.: passport);
  • Your yellow health insurance card or another document that shows your CPR number

Sirelo Tip! Exchanging your currency as soon as you arrive in Denmark (or before your move in case the abovementioned exception applies to you) will save you a lot of headaches —trust us on that one.

Moving to Denmark with Pets

Of course, we don’t ever want to leave our furry friends behind! It is possible to take your pet along with you when moving to Denmark from the US, provided that:

  • You are entering the country through either the Copenhagen Airport, Billund Airport, or Aalborg Airport;
  • Your pet is microchipped (ISO microchip);
  • You have a veterinarian certificate compliant with the (EU) No 577/2013 regulation;
  • Your pet has been vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before your departure and received flee/tick treatment within 24 hours of departure.

Living in Denmark as an American Expat

If you’re pretty set on moving to Denmark, then it’s good that you inform yourself a bit about what life in your new home will be all about. From living costs to fun activities, we got you covered in the sections below!

P.S: We do recommend that you take up some Danish courses before moving to Denmark from the US. Danish it’s not an easy language to learn, but knowing it will allow you not only help you adapt to the Danish culture quickly but also to have a smoother transition job-wise.

Cost of Living

Some not-so-great news: living in Denmark is 23.2% more expensive than living in the States. This might seem like a lot, but when you think about it, is this really a high price to pay for a high quality of life in the second happiest country in the world? We don’t think so!

To give you a better idea of how your money will be spent upon moving to Denmark from the US, we have put together this table which summarizes some of the most common living expenditures you might have.

Life in DenmarkEstimated Cost
Rent for a 1-bedroom apartmentDKK6,529 (≈ $1,072) per month
Rent for a 3-bedroom apartmentDKK12,210 (≈ $2,004) per month
Purchase of a propertyDKK37,573 (≈ $6,168) per square meter
Basic utilitiesDKK1,251 (≈ $205) per month
GroceriesDKK1,783 (≈ $293) per month
Sports membershipDKK242 (≈ $40) per month

Disclaimer: Keep in mind these are mere estimates. Your average monthly expenditures will vary depending on your lifestyle, family size, and the city you reside in.

Leisure

Curious about how Danes tend to spend their free time? Spoiler alert! Pretty much doing anything that they consider hygge (the Danish used to describe a situation that is cozy). With its fairytale-looking castles, beautiful landscapes, and Michelin star restaurants, Denmark will definitely keep you on your toes! 😉

To help you imagine what your life in this Scandinavian country could look like, we put together a list of some cool things you can do in Denmark and their respective costs.

ActivityEstimated Cost
Ticket for the Copenhagen ZooDKK195.02 (≈ $32)
Cinema ticketDKK110 (≈ $18)
 Three-course meal for twoDKK600 (≈ $98)
Ticket to the Maritime Museum of DenmarkDKK120 (≈ $20)
Ticket to the Carlsberg BreweryDKK110 (≈ $18)

Fun Fact! One of Denmark’s most popular landmarks is a statue of the Little Mermaid, which is over 100 years old. The original Little Mermaid story was actually written by the famous Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen.

Famous Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark

Working in Denmark

The Danish labor market is quite competitive, so finding a job as a foreigner can be a bit hard, but not impossible! As long as you’re well equipped with the right set of skills for your profession and with knowledge of the Danish language, you should be able to find something suited for your professional ambitions.

If you’re scouting for a job, it’s good to keep in mind that the most in-demand jobs in Denmark are in the following sectors:

  • Education
  • Engineering
  • IT
  • Healthcare

Some useful online platforms that can help you during your search for a job in Denmark include:

Did You Know…?

  • Denmark is famous for its hot dogs topped with pickles and onions —on average, the Danes eat 42 sausages a year!
  • The fines for jaywalking are quite hefty in Denmark, so it’s not uncommon to see Danes wait until the traffic signal changes to “go” before crossing the street, even if the road is clear.
  • LEGO originated in Denmark —we have the Danes to thank for one of the most iconic toys of our childhood.
  • Danes enjoy eating salty licorice with a cold glass of milk… an interesting combination to say the least.

Let’s Get Moving!

Hooray, a move to Denmark from the United States now awaits for you! We hope that after reading this article you feel more than ready to pack everything and embrace your new life in this Scandinavian gem.

If you’re still planning your move to Denmark and are in need of some extra help, we’d love to keep on helping! We recommend checking out the pages we have linked for you below. We wish you all the best with your move. 🙂