RELOCATION SPRING GUIDE 2019
RELOCATION GUIDE
SOME USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR NEWLY-ADOPTED COUNTRY As anyone who has attempted it before knows only too well, it is never easy to move from one country to another
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ow you are here in Denmark, and once the worst effects of moving have worn off, there are some practical things to be considered. Firstly, there are a number of rules and regulations governing registration. Some of these need to be addressed before you arrive, others can wait until you are here. The specific rules applying to you will also depend on your current citizenship status. Assuming that you have a job you will also need to find a place to live, and if you are bringing a spouse and family, you might need childcare, schooling and a job for your spouse. It is also useful to know a little about Denmark, the Danes and the Danish mentality.
RELOCATION SPRING GUIDE 2019
If you wish to stay in Denmark for longer than three months you will need a residence permit. If you are a citizen from a country outside the Nordic countries and the EU, you also need a work permit. There is a fast-track scheme in place to enable certified companies to hire highly-qualified foreign nationals at short notice without having to wait for an application to be processed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration. The scheme also offers the foreign national the option of working alternately in and out of Denmark. Information in English on all this can be found on the ‘New To Denmark’ website at bit.ly/1eVY1AB
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula (which is attached to Germany) and a number of islands in the Baltic Sea. The largest of these are Zealand on which the capital city Copenhagen is situated, and Funen. The island of Bornholm is located east of the rest of the country. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges; the Øresund Bridge connects Zealand with Sweden, the Great Belt Bridge connects Funen with Zealand and the Little Belt Bridge connects Jutland with Funen. There are ferries or small aircraft to connect the smaller islands. Area-wise, Denmark is a relatively small country (43,560 square kilometres) with a population slightly over 5.7 million people. Almost 2 million of them live in the four largest cities – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg – with Copenhagen having the largest
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RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMITS
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population at 1.3 million. The average population density is 132 people per square kilometre. The country has a temperate climate characterised by mild winters, with mean temperatures in January of 1.5°C (34.7°F), and cool summers, with a mean temperature in August of 17.2°C (63.0°F). This does not mean, though, that it cannot get very cold here – on 8 January 1982 a record -31.2°C was recorded in Hørsted in Thy. In contrast, the warmest day recorded was 36.4°C, which was measured in Holstebro on 10 August 1975.
POPULATION AND POLITICS Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and Queen Margrethe II has been on the throne since January 1972. The queen has no real political influence but in principle, the Danish Constitution gives her the right to appoint or dismiss ministers. In practice, this is done by the prime minister and the queen nominates the ministers he has chosen. The electoral system is based on a type of proportional representation rather than first-past-the-post.
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RELOCATION SPRING GUIDE 2019
Since July 2015, the prime minister has been Lars Løkke Rasmussen from the governing Denmark’s Liberal Party (Venstre), who has formed a minority government with the support of the so-called ‘blue bloc’, a coalition comprising The Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti), Liberal Alliance and the Conservative People’s Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti). Elections must be held every four years at a minimum. To be able to vote in Danish parliamentary elections you have to be over 18, have Danish citizenship, have a permanent address in Denmark, and not be subject to any of the legal criteria for losing voting rights. The latter might be due to being severely physically or mentally handicapped. The rules are slightly different for EU elections and municipal council elections. For the latter, you have to be over 18, have a permanent address in the municipality and either be a Danish citizen, a citizen of another EU member-state, a citizen of Iceland or Norway, or have lived continuously in the country for the last 3 years before the election date.
THE DANES THEMSELVES Denmark scores well in international polls on things as diverse as lack of corruption and happiness. It is also considered a safe and secure country to live in. Children often walk or cycle to school alone and crimerates against persons are low. There is a high standard of living in Denmark and Danish society is very egalitarian, both economically and also when it comes to sexual equality. Taxes can seem very high to newcomers but they go towards providing a comprehensive cradleto-grave welfare state and most people pay their taxes willingly. Among other things, the system is geared to providing child-care right from the start, and there are generous maternity and paternity leave allowances which encourage women to return to the workplace after having children. Local councils are obliged to offer child-care places within the state regime and there are also private child-care options, which are heavily state-subsidised. As a starting point, education and medical treatment is free of charge although there are private clinics and private schools available, should you wish to use them. Danes are also very conscious of their high standard of living and are by nature
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a generous people. The Danish state is a substantial donor country when it comes to supporting organisations working to alleviate humanitarian crises and natural disasters around the world. Compared to many countries, the Danish population is still relatively homogeneous. As of 1 January 2019, there were 793,601 immigrants or their descendants in Denmark, 13.7 percent of the total population. Of those, 506,570 came from non-western countries. The country is 77% Protestant (Lutheran), but in practice, although a high proportion of Danes pay their Church Tax, not may attend church services regularly. However, churches do tend to be full at Christmas and many Danish young people attend Confirmation classes and are Confirmed in church. Photo: Andrea Nuñez /Copenhagen Media Center
BIKES, DESIGN AND GREEN ENERGY Culturally, Denmark has traditionally been renowned for architecture and design. Nowadays, it is perhaps equally famous for food, films and sport. Green living is also very much to the fore. Cycling is extremely popular with people of all ages and social classes, and Copenhagen alone has over 390 km of designated bicycle lanes. In a city like Copenhagen, a bike is often the quickest way of getting around – and there are no parking charges.
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Wind energy is a major industry in Denmark and because Denmark embraced this technology early on, they have become a market leader. In 2017, a record was set with a turnover in the Danish wind sector amounting to 112.5 billion Kroner – an increase of 13.7 percent from the year before. Since 2006, exports have risen by 36 percent to 54.4 billion kroner in 2017, accounting for more than 6.7 percent of Denmark’s total exports. Many houses and flats run on district heating and combined heat and power, which is excess heating from industry or incinerated waste.
WHAT MAKES THE DANES TICK? Many non-Danes living in Denmark find the Danes open and welcoming, others call them reserved, so take your pick! One thing that is striking, however, is the number of Danes who speak good English; with the best will in the world, as a foreigner, it is sometimes difficult to be allowed to practice your Danish because the person you are speaking to will automatically reply in English. Inevitably, perhaps, Danish culture, especially in the winter months, is often centred on the home and home life. It can be difficult for foreigners to be admitted to this world, but once you make friends, you have a friend for life. During the spring and summer months, the slightest hint of sun is guaranteed to bring people outdoors, and beach life, along with sunbathing in parks, is very popular.
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There are several places in the centre of Copenhagen where swimming is possible in the waterways surrounding the city. Danes are also nature-lovers and the forests and woods of Denmark are popular with walkers. Many city-dwellers own summer houses along the Danish coasts and there are quite a number of them which have been built to be rented out to tourists. If you are going to be here for any length of time, it is a very good idea to learn Danish. You can get by without – most cinema and television films are shown in their native language with Danish sub-titles – but it will help you to keep up with current events, and may offer you an extra doorway into Danish life.
D DENMARK ONE OF THE WORST COUNTRIES FOR MAKING LOCAL PALS THE HARDEST LOCAL FRIENDS ABROAD By Ben Hamilton
Only 21 percent say it is easy to make Danish pals – which ties them with internationals living in notoriously shy Swedish
enmark is the third worst country for making friends abroad, according to InterNations, the global networking platform for internationals working abroad – and it is impacting on the general happiness of internationals working here.
KUWAIT WORST, MEXICO BEST
Some 36 percent of the expats in Denmark say they have difficulty making friends with locals and fellow internationals – a problem that is also widespread in Sweden (51), Finland (37) and Norway (34).
Meanwhile, the top ten were Mexico, Bahrain, Serbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uganda, Colombia, Taiwan, Israel, and Portugal.
Nevertheless, Sweden was not the worst country for making friends in general – Kuwait was. It propped up a bottom ten followed by Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Norway, Finland, Austria and Estonia.
For a country to be featured, it must (in most cases) have a sample size in excess of 75 survey participants. In total there were over 18,000 respondents.
While the Danish-based expats say it is difficult to make friends in general, getting pally with their hosts is particularly problematic.
18 PERCENT UNHAPPY IN DK
Only 21 percent said they found it easy to make local friends, and 43 percent to make new international friends. The result matched antisocial Sweden (21 – 36), while fellow Nordic states Finland (34 – 45) and Norway (25 – 44) did not fare much better.
Compared to a global average of 11 percent, 18 percent of internationals in Danes said they were not happy with their life in general (69 percent are unhappy, with 13 percent unsure).
Almost a fifth of the expats in Denmark said it was an acute problem, with 18 percent agreeing that “it could not be any harder”. Only Sweden had a higher percentage with 19 – the worst in the 68-country ‘Expat Insider’ survey.
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The ease of making friends would appear to impact the overall happiness of internationals living in the Nordic countries.
The percentage is worse than Norway (15 unhappy – 69 happy) and Finland (16 – 72), but a long way behind Sweden (26 – 62). With its longer winter nights, colder conditions and long-distance travel times, Sweden would appear to be the most effective at making its internationals miserable.
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SIX REASONS H EXPATS FAIL IN THEIR GOALS
ere are some common reasons expat professionals in particular may fail in their goals:
THEY DO NOT HAVE AN EXPLICIT MISSION IN MIND If neither the expat nor the organisation that sponsored the expat have any explicit goals in mind, this can lead to a loss of purpose, which makes it difficult for them to justify their challenges in their host country.
By Ben Hamilton
Things are not always ‘all beer and skittles’ when it comes to settling in a new country
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RELOCATION SPRING GUIDE 2019
It can also lead to them making decisions that may not be in line with their best interests, as far as long-term success is concerned. Without an explicit mission or set of goals, they may instead opt for actions that bring short-term success professionally, or short-term happiness personally. The lack of goals may also lead to financial insecurity for the expat shortly after their return from their posting, as they may not have actually planned on investing their income, instead spending it on frivolous things and experiences.
THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO MEET THEIR HOST COUNTRY’S CHALLENGES Whether it’s governmental red tape, difficulties obtaining decent housing, or simply an inability to understand the culture of the host country, these small challenges have the tendency to add up and overwhelm expats who are unprepared to deal with them. This can result in them prematurely opting to leave their host country.
EXPATS MAY ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS WITH THEIR FAMILY Family problems can easily derail their focus on their job, and the inability to resolve these issues is a problem especially present in the expat community. This is especially true for people who are unable to take their families with them, but can affect even single expats as well. Expats who leave their families behind while they’re on assignment run a high risk of having marital issues – not just
due to the indiscretions of their spouses, but also due to the boredom and isolation that often occurs on long foreign assignments. Single expats may also be unable to attend family reunions or take care of sick parents at short notice, which can also lead to strained relationships over time.
THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT PREPARATION FOR THE MOVE Any long-term move to a different country requires ample time if it is to be a success. Many expats leave their home country without considering if they should sell or rent out any of their possessions, or without realising that they are behind on their obligations. They may not know what to do with their pets, or if they should have their car shipped to their new home. Many have discovered they’re still auto-paying for their gym membership back home, or that they left their house heater on for months, resulting in an enormous electric bill when they come back. Anyone planning to move away from their home country has a long list of loose ends to tie up, and perhaps the most important of these has to do with their health insurance. Regular insurance plans don’t normally have coverage that follows you outside your home country, so it’s best to invest in international health insurance from a specialised company so that you’re protected wherever you’re posted.
THEY DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT SOCIAL SUPPORT Being an expat can be lonely, and it’s absolutely crucial they are able to set up a routine that allows for sufficient socialisation. It is the obligation of the organisation that sends the expat abroad to either provide some social support in terms of hardship pay, housing with other employees and similar services, or at the very least set an expectation that the expat may not receive it. Likewise, it’s normally in the best interest of the expat to try to find friends on and off the worksite, among both locals and other expats.
THE EXPAT FEELS ISOLATED FROM THEIR HOME CULTURE Culture shock hits some people harder than others. If the host culture is particularly alien, or if the person lacks preparation or the aptitude for adjusting, they may find it difficult to meet their goals, leading to a failure in the posting. The expat overseas needs to find ways to be able to stay in touch with their home culture on a regular basis – especially if there is a full expectation that they will return home at some point in the future. If they do expect to return home, they should always set aside some time to ensure they are up-todate with current events at home to ensure they do suffer severe reverse culture shock upon their term ending. This article originally appeared in CPH POST on April 1 and is reprinted with permission
Publisher: CPH POST • Editor: Hans Hermansen Journalists: Stephen Gadd, Ben Hamilton, Mathias Freudenthal Layout: CPH POST • Info: hans@cphpost.dk • Tel: +452420 2411
with help from globally-minded locals Globally Local doesn’t just hold back the waters of the Red Sea to assist expats and repats, it brings the Promised Land towards them to meet them halfway
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professional on his first day of work unsure of the country’s corporate etiquette; a spouse negotiating a new land without friends; and an equally lonely boy and a girl on their first day of school unsure of how to behave in class and at leisure. It sounds like the start of a Susanne Bier movie, but it is in fact the situation faced by millions of relocating families every year across the world, so it’s no surprise to note the recent proliferation of companies that specialise in helping them to settle. The Charlottenlund-based company Globally Local, though, goes one step further. To successfully settle, it contends, the family should be encouraged to integrate. To achieve this, it not only holds back the waters of the Red Sea to assist them, it brings the Promised Land towards them to meet them halfway. Integration is a two-way street after all!
RECRUITMENT, RELOCATION, RECEPTION, RETENTION Relocation is a serious business for Danish employers anxious to recruit foreign specialists with knowhow they can’t find in their own
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country. Recruiting them is costly, so retaining them is high on their agenda. And it does not end with the employee, as an unhappy spouse or withdrawn child can derail the relocation in the blink of an eye. Sometimes giving the family the tools to succeed isn’t enough – they need hands-on help. Globally Local’s consultants open doors that their clients would not have found on their own accord, ensuring what’s waiting behind is receptive, internationally minded and open to adaptation.
HELPING SOCIETY TO REACH ITS FULL POTENTIAL “My mission is to help make Denmark a more dynamic and inclusive place to live and work. I believe to do this we need to create a society in which Danes and expats can inspire each other in order to help Denmark reach its full potential,” explained Globally Local managing director Thomas Mulhern to CPH POST. Mulhern, himself a US expat married to a Danes, is the former international department head at
Photo: Büro Jantzen /Copenhagen Media Center
INTEGRATION KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL RELOCATION
It is able to provide psychological counselling, educational guidance and support, Danish and English linguistic support, assisting HR/ Global Mobility Units, cultural awareness consulting, networking facilitation, legal immigration assistance, change management and transition, CSR expansion, branding a global company in Denmark, kick-off workshops and seminars.
Photo: Büro Jantzen/Copenhagen Media Center
Its consultants and strategic partners are all experts in their fields, providing maximum insight into specific services. Mulhern’s partner, Globally Local co-founder Anita Mayntzhusen, for example, is a psychologist who specialises in the field of relocation.
FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE Mulhern knows first-hand how difficult relocating can be. “I have experienced first-hand the barriers that make integration so difficult. I have also learned the tools necessary to breaking down these barriers and what it takes to integrate, contribute and ultimately make Denmark a lasting home,” continued Mulhern. Institut Sankt Joseph Copenhagen, where he created the first fully Danish/English bilingual school program in Denmark. “Danes and expats were able to move outside their comfort zones and break down the barriers of segregation and assimilation,” he recalled. “In its place we were able to succeed in creating a hybrid culture in which authentic integration was possible for expat and global Danish families and authentic internationalisation was possible for Danes seeking a more global approach.”
WORKING WITH THE DANES: THE HOSTS AND THE REPATS Globally Local’s approach means they are just as likely to work with the Danes involved in the integration. It could be a teacher at the children’s school, an official at a public institution, a co-member at a leisure club, and most particularly the recruiting company. “We work with your company on providing a work culture that helps to internationalise Danes, while meaningfully integrating expats and global Danes,” added Mulhern. “Our services help to reduce costs associated with turnover, while simultaneously enhancing the retention of global talent within an organisation.” Globally Local’s services are not only relevant to relocating internationals, but also repats. Mulhern estimates that 90 percent of the company’s solutions equally apply to re-integrating.
TAILORED AND UNIQUE SOLUTIONS Globally Local uses tailored and unique solutions that are meaningful and lasting, enabling Danish businesses to retain the international employees they so badly need whilst giving the expats a true sense of belonging. Globally Local tirelessly promotes intercultural exchanges, provides crucial networking opportunities, creates fully bilingual school and work cultures, gives expats a voice as they begin their integration journey, and creates conditions that provide global and local talent incentives to stay.
“Helping people to integrate is truly a win-win for both the individuals/families involved and the companies/public institutions/ schools that they are a part of, as we together realise the positive potential of a thriving global community contributing to the local Danish society.” Find out more at globallylocal.dk. This article originally appeared in CPH POST on January 22 and is reprinted with permission
Photo: Pixabay
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DANISH SCHOOLS If you have school-age children, you may be wondering what the Danish educational system is like 12 RELOCATION
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here are a number of questions that will spring to mind if you are a family with young children that have just arrived in Denmark. You may want to know about day-care and what the different options are. For those with older children, the question might be how does the education system function? Is it compatible with the one back home? Is it as good? Then you may need to decide whether to go state or private. All importantly, if my children don’t speak the language, how well will they integrate and will they make friends? It may also be relevant to ask what opportunites there are for higher education and will a degree or qualification taken in Denmark be recognised abroad?
SPRING GUIDE 2019
HIGH STANDARDS The Danish school system is considered one of the best in the world and traditionally, Danish governments have always prioritised education highly. Denmark is a small country with few natural resources, so an educated population is vital in our globalised world. The National Reform Program adopted in 2013 was designed to get more young people to complete their education quickly, as well as ensuring high quality and efficiency within the educational system.
FREE OR FEE-PAYING? All children are entitled to free tuition at Danish municipal primary and lower secondary schools, as are adult students living in Denmark, depending on
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the level and nature of the institution. However, private schools are also fairly common and as these are heavily state-subsidised, the fees are not as high as they might be in other European countries.
THE SIX STAGES There are six stages of education in Denmark: 1. Pre-school
Private schools may be faith-based or following particular educational precepts, such as Rudolf Steiner schools. There are also schools for the German minority in Denmark.
2. Primary and lower secondary education 3. Upper secondary education 4. Vocational education and training
International schools exist where the curriculum, which often follows a UK, US or French model, is taught in English, French, Spanish, German or Japanese. Although there may be some Danish students, the student body is typically international. These schools are private and approved by the Ministry of Education to teach in languages other then Danish, either for the whole school or parts of it.
5. Higher education 6. Adult learning. Before they start pre-school, most Danish children have attended day-care, either in a nursery school or kindergarten. After preschool, which is optional, children go on to do nine years of compulsory education in primary and secondary school, with an option to take a tenth year. Pupils are divided into year groups by age, and progression from one year to the next is automatic. The same pupils stay together for all the 9 years. Classes usually consist of between 16 and 26 children. The tenth form can be taken in the existing school if it is oered, but is also available at an efterskole, ungdomsskole or fri fagskole.
Photo: Pixabay
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As well as providing academic programs allowing entry into higher education, upper secondary education can oer programmes of a more vocational nature. These are aimed at giving direct entry into the labour market and are often in conjunction with internships in various top Danish companies.
Photo: Rawpixels
LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING
Children whose mother-tongue is not Danish enrolled in a day-care facility may be given a language assessment if there are linguistic, behavioural or other grounds to suggest that the child may be in need of language stimulation. The language asseessment is compulsory for all children aged 3 who are not attending a day-care facility. If the assessment shows that language stimilation is needed, the local council must provide it. In primary and lower secondary schools, bi-lingual children can take ‘Danish as a second language’. If basic instruction is needed, the child will be assigned to a reception class, a scheme for teaching in teams, or individual instruction. Bilingual children able to participate in ordinary teaching but who need extra support are referred to supplementary teaching. The number of lessons is tailored to the needs of the individual. A limited number of bi-lingual children in primary and lower secondary schools are offered tuition in their mother-tongue.
KEEP ON LEARNING
Denmark has a long tradition for lifelong learning and many Danes participate in adult education. It is also common for workplaces to expect staff to upgrade their skills through educational schemes throughout their working careers.
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• We pride ourselves on fostering reflective and purposeful learners, as well as responsible Find out moreglobal about citizens ISH, book a visit or contact us • We are considerate, form warm relationships, and build and nurture our ISH Community The International School of Hellerup is a Not-For-Profit IB World School with over 500 students representing more than 50 nationalities from around the world. Find out more about ISH, book a visit or contact us at + 45 70 20 63 68 I info@ish.dk I www.ish.dk
The Folk High School is an institution peculiar to Denmark. These offer a broad range of courses lasting from 4 days to 36 weeks. No particular educational or professional qualifications are required to attend one of these and most students are between 18 and 24 years old. You sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no exams – but you get a diploma as a proof of your attendance.
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THE NEW REALITY OF THE
LANGUAGE SCHOOL MARKET
Learning Danish should be a high priority for anyone coming to live here, but there are some obstacles to overcome
In addition, there is also a 1,250 kr returnable deposit per module intended to “provide an incentive to ensure that only economically self-sufficient people who are highly motivated start courses,” as the wording of the agreement stated. Copenhagen Municipality has also completely restructured its language school system, awarding the contract to two schools, so a number of others have either had to give up or go private.
CPH POST met with Poul Neergaard, CEO of Copenhagen Language Center.
out that free lessons are still available for refugees.
Can you understand the reasoning behind the desire to start charging fees? Both yes and no. From the point of view of a language school provider, in a perfect world it would be free! On the other hand I think Denmark was the last country like ours with a free language school system, so it was perhaps naïve to think that could continue indefinitely.
Is there any evidence to support the idea that a deposit ‘concentrates the mind’ when it comes to learning Danish? The law behind the new system is very bureaucratic but on the other hand it has allowed for much more choice, so seen from an expat’s point of view you should perhaps ask yourself what are your choices? When you start charging fees, almost inevitably an alternative market opens up and that can end up offering more choice so that people can find the course that suits them best, both with regard to the level of tuition but also geographically, cost and quality-wise etc. Today there are more providers at all levels for expats to chose from.
I can see that it could cause problems for people coming here with low-paid jobs but at the same time, Denmark has been making a lot of effort to attract highlyeducated foreigners. As they will be in highly-paid jobs, it seems fair they ought to pay for lessons. It should be pointed
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he beginning of this year saw radical changes on the Danish language school market. A major one is that classes are no longer free. Although they are still subsidised, students have to pay a fee of 2,000 kr per module, so for a sixmodule course, this adds up to 12,000 kr.
Poul Neergaard, CEO of Copenhagen Language Center
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How have the changes affected the number of students enrolling for courses? Initially, the state providers were challenged by the fee structure, time-frame and other elements being introduced very abruptly. A number of students dropped out of the state system and went private. However, more and more foreigners are coming to Denmark and companies are looking for skilled workers, so the potential is growing. The two schools chosen by the municipality are Clavis and UCplus. What can Copenhagen Language Center offer that they can’t? These schools have to work within the framework of the law. Copenhagen Language Center is able to offer good quality courses carefully tailored to groups or individuals. We can do online classes, workplace classes – in fact anything that the customer desires. All the language schools have to keep a close eye on the market and chose how they prioritise but ultimately, it is the customer who makes the choice.
Consider your options. Don’t just go for the cheapest course but look at quality, as well as things like class sizes, when they take place, online options etc. Ask around amongst colleagues or at International House.
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Are there any other issues expats ought to be aware of regarding language schools? To anyone newly arrived in Denmark I’d say: try and learn as much Danish as you can. It will help you feel welcome, function better at work and socially and manage things like day-care institutions and schools better.
Photo: Pexels
TAKING ON THE JOB MARKET Work is good for the soul they say, so if you’ve moved to Denmark and are trying to get a job, here are a few pointers The Danish labour market can seem daunting to new arrivals but it helps if you understand how it has evolved and how the different parties interact. Because Denmark has a high proportion of unionised labour it has been possible to develop a system whereby pay and working conditions are typically worked out by means of collective agreements between unions and employers’ organisations (the so-called ‘Danish Model’). Statutory regulation of the labour market is thus kept to a minimum. The ‘flexicurity model’ regulates the market to ensure the most productive, flexible and secure working conditions possible. It combines a flexible labour market with social security for all workers. Work-life balance is also considered very important. The Danish working culture is based on collaboration and personal
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responsibility. Everyone is encouraged to contribute with ideas and the atmosphere in the Danish workplace is professional but also casual. This should enable you to balance a career with family life.
GETTING STARTED
To get a job in Denmark you will need to be registered in the Civil Registration System (CPR). You can do this by contacting your local municipality. When you have a CPR number, you will then be able to obtain a tax card. If you have an educational qualification from your own country, it helps to have it assessed by the Danish Agency for Higher Eduction (Styrelsen for Videregående Uddannelser). This will provide information to potential employers on the equivalent level of education and may also indicate which Danish program your education is most similar to.
JOB PORTALS Applying for a job in Denmark is similar to applying for a job anywhere. You can either: • Respond to a job advert that you find in a newspaper or on the internet; • Send unsolicited applications to all the companies that interest you; • Register your cv on one or more of the many job databases, who will then contact you once they find potential matches; • Establish a professional network and make it known that you are looking for work, which may lead to good contacts and eventually a job. There are a number of online job portals which you can use for job-seeking, as well as several organisations and your local municipality. Amongst these are Jobindex.dk and WorkinDenmark.dk.
THINGS TO NOTE 1. Teamwork and co-operation are valued qualities in all kinds of businesses; 2. Employees are expected to be motivated and to do their best for the company;
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3. The usual full-time working week in Denmark is 37 hours, distributed over 5 days, and working hours are often flexible and generally between 06.00 and 18.00 (except for evening or night work). Your working week could be much longer if you are self-employed or employed in a managerial position; 4. If you are employed, the working hours are fixed through collective wage agreements, but when you are self-employed, there are no fixed rules; The municipal job centre also has information on how best to prepare job applications and tips on writing a cv. The website of the City of Copenhagen under Welcome to Denmark (international.kk.dk) has a wealth of information in English on all aspects of life in Denmark for new arrivals, including several pages on job-seeking. There is also general advice about job-seeking, information on relevant courses on job-seeking, information on salaries, subsidies which might be available, internships and information on education in Denmark. The website also contains a separate section about starting up your own business, with details on how to do it and what permits etc. you will need to get your dream enterprise off the ground.
5. In addition to the set public holidays, the minimum holiday entitlement is five weeks per year for a full-time employee. However, this is ‘earned’ at 2.08 days per month and the calculation usually starts on 1 January; 6. There may be work-based social events, such as a summer party or Christmas party and you should involve yourself in these; 7. While not unheard of, relationships at work do not usually carry over into private life. Many firms have a policy of not employing people married to each other. There tends to be a distinction between work and home life; 8. Smoking is not permitted in most work-places and it may not even be possible for you to smoke on the premises at all. If you are a smoker, ask the personnel manager what the rules are.
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE The Danish business culture can come as a bit of a shock to people used to more authoritarian and hierarchical working practices. Most Danish companies offer very good working conditions, modern facilities and technical equipment of a high quality. Danish employees are considered motivated and committed, and competence development through courses and education is highly prioritised. Generally speaking, the Danish workplace culture is characterized by being rather informal. In most sectors there is no dress code (although it is wise to check this in advance), and when talking to each other, people don’t use “Sir” and “Ms”, but are on first-name terms with their colleagues, from trainees to managers and superiors. Your colleagues will also use your first name, and people say ‘du’ (the informal ‘you’) when they address each other. However, you might be more formal in mail correspondence. The Danish workplace is also characterised by being democratic and equal. The Danes care about equal rights, and this is reflected at work. Employees also enjoy a high degree of freedom and are expected to work independently and to show initiative. The work culture is often open, and your manager may not be checking your work all the time, or giving you new tasks. You are expected to work things out for yourself and work independently, but you can always discuss matters with your colleagues and ask your manager for advice. You will often be given your own areas of responsibility and have a relatively high level of independence at your workplace.
A focus on learning
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NGG.dk - Phone: +45 45 57 26 16 Email: nggi@ngg.dk Cirkelhuset, Christianshusvej 16 DK, 2970 Hørsholm
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BRICKS AND MORTAR CAN BE A VERY GOOD INVESTMENT Photo: Maria Orlova/Unsplash
For anyone thinking of a longer stay in Denmark, getting your own place makes good sense
A
s a foreigner coming to Denmark, buying a place to live can be a complicated process because there are a number of requirements which apply to non-Danish citizens. Unless you have lived in Denmark for more than 5 years, you will need to get permission to buy from the Danish Ministry of Justice (Justitsministeriet). They will issue you with a permit, but this is not just a formality and you will have to prove that you are taking up permanent residence in Denmark. The permit is free of charge and is normally issued within 2 weeks. However, this does not apply if you are an EU citizen and if the property is going to be your permanent residence. Citizens from countries included in the European Economic Co-operation (EEA) are also exempt from this rule. The EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia and Finland. It is wise to consult a lawyer in order to clarify your specific options.
TYPE OF PROPERTY
When you are ready to buy, you will have to decide which type of property you wish to buy. There are a number of different options, as listed below:
House (detached or terraced)
Typically, houses are very expensive in the Copenhagen area, and they are often located a little outside the city centre. Broadly speaking, the further away you get from Copenhagen, the cheaper houses become.
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Owner-occupied flat
When you buy an owner-occupied flat, you own it once you have paid off the mortgage, and you can take out home equity loans.
Co-operative apartment
Co-operative housing (Andelsboliger) is based on the idea that everyone in the co-operative has bought a small part of the whole association. Therefore you share the expenses, but you cannot take out loans in your apartment. Co-operative housing used to be cheaper than owner-occupied apartments, but today they can be more expensive.
How do I find a property?
There are a number of internet property portals where you can find all the properties offered for sale by Danish estate agents. Boligsiden is one of the biggest, but all the information is in Danish, although the presentation of the properties is usually good in terms of pictures and hard facts. In any case, most estate agents speak passable English, so you can contact the agent for further information. Another site, BoligPortal, has quite a lot of the information in English (boligportal.dk/en/). Findbolig.nu has a help page where you can
download some material in English to enable you to search on the site.
Do I need a lawyer?
In short: Yes! The Danish property market is highly regulated and the purchasing agreement is an extensive document. Sellers are typically represented by an estate agent and you need a competent advisor as well.
How do I find a good lawyer?
There are several law firms specialising in foreign buyers. For example, Ret&RĂĽd (ret-raad.dk) have a country-wide chain of law firms that specialise in the buying and selling property and they have offices across the country. Their website also has an English-friendly option.
What costs should I expect?
In Denmark the estate agent is paid by the seller, while the buyer carries the cost of his/her own advisor, usually a lawyer. The typical fee for a lawyer (including the permit application process) ranges from 10-20,000 kr. In addition to the lawyer’s fee you must pay a deed tax of 1,660 kr plus 0.6 percent of the purchase price. If you take out a mortgage (which is available for foreigner buyers) you must pay an additional 1,660 DKK plus 1.5 percent of the mortgage value.
GETTING YOUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS IN ORDER
One of the things you will need to do in order to get properly settled is to get yourself a bank account in Denmark
Despite what you may have read about money-laundering, the Danish banking system is sophisticated and efficient. Nowadays, most transactions take place online with bills usually being paid through automatic debit systems.
EASY ACCOUNT (NEMKONTO)
Another thing that everyone in Denmark needs is an Easy Account (Nemkonto) because all payments from public institutions (tax refunds, child subsidies, pensions, student loans, unemployment benefits, housing support or social welfare payments) are transferred directly to this account by default. The easiest thing to do is to designate your basic bank account as your Easy Account. However, you can also open a specific separate account for this purpose. More information is available here: bit. ly/2GK1i0r
NEMID
FIRST THINGS FIRST – GET A CPR-NUMBER
NemID is a digital signature which allows you to access both private and public internet services using the same login information. It is also used in conjunction with making transfers via your netbanking system.
This is easy to obtain through the website or office of your local kommune (local council).
It can be used from any computer and is comprised of two parts: a password, which only you know, and a code card (or electronic key) which you get by post.
For most things in Denmark, you will need a CPR-number (Civil Registration Number).
In order to get one, you have to meet certain criteria: •
You have been staying in Denmark for more than 3 months;
•
If you are an EU citizen, you have a registration certificate
•
(does not apply to Nordic citizens);
•
If you are a non-EU citizen, you have obtained a residence permit;
•
You have a place to live.
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
You will need a bank account in order to receive your salary and any payments made to you by the authorities, such as tax refunds etc. Danish law allows any person with a CPR-number to open a basic bank account. This will not include overdraft facilities, credit facilities or a debit card. These have to be agreed with the bank individually. EU rules stipulate that you will have to supply the bank with data such as your full name, address, and maybe other information, which has to be verifiable by the presentation of an identity document, preferably with a photo.
From May 2018, it has also been possible to use a version of NemID from Android and iOS smartphones or tablets. You can obtain a code card online, from the citizen service centre (borgersrvice) or through your bank.
WHICH BANK SHOULD I CHOOSE?
The Danish banking sector still has a significant number of small banks, although the 3 largest banks comprise around 50 percent of the total banking assets. Of these, 5 are considered strategically important for the Danish economy.
The biggest banks in Denmark by total assets are: Danske Bank, Nykredit (mortgage bank), Realkredit Danmark (mortgage bank), Totalkredit (mortgage bank), Nordea and Jyske Bank. Mortgage banks, which specialise in property financing, are important players in the Danish banking sector. E-banking and direct debiting to pay bills All major banks offer e-banking to their customers, most of them also in English. It’s an easy tool to use that allows you to pay bills, transfer money and check your financial assets at home. In Denmark your bills may come as a giro-bill. It is possible – although with bank charges etc expensive – to pay the giro-bill at the bank and until the end of 2017 at a post office. However, it is much easier to pay one of these via your e-banking or sign that specific bill up to direct debit service – Betalingsservice. This is smart if the bill is a reoccurring one.
BANKING APPS
The electronic payments market in Denmark is undergoing a period of rapid growth. Methods of payment using smartphone apps are becoming much more widespread at the expense of traditional ‘plastic cards’. As things stand at present, if you are a customer with one of the bigger banks, you can have your account set up to use MobilePay. The system is also fairly widely accepted in shops. Apple has also recently entered the Danish market with Apple Pay. Up until now, this has been restricted to customers with accounts in Jyske Bank and Nordea. A number of retail chains have also indicated that they will accept Apple Pay, such as Circle K, 7-Eleven, Elgiganten and Humac. The list is expected to grow.
THE DANISH CURRENCY (KRONER)
The Danish currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). The current coins are 50 øre, 1 krone, 2 kroner, 5 kroner, 10 kroner and 20 kroner. The banknotes are 50 kroner, 100 kroner, 200 kroner, 500 kroner and 1,000 kroner.
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DENMARK HAS A LOT TO OFFER FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN NATURE AND WATER SPORTS
Spring is in the air and it is one of the best times to explore the Danish landscape By Mathias Freudenthal
Added to that is the marvellous Danish coastline. Extending for 7,314 kilometres, it is the 16th longest in the world – outstripping Chile and even India! So there are plenty of opportunities for newcomers to get the most out of their new country; it is just a matter of your personal preference – and choosing the right clothes.
ROWING
Rowing clubs are always looking for new members and you don’t have to be an experienced oarsman. If you are a newbie, why not try it out at a special free trial session organised by Denmark’s oldest rowing club, Roforeningen KVIK (Strandvænget 53, Cph Ø)? Their website (roforeningen.dk/english) gives details of when the free trials take place. The club also reaches out especially to foreigners by providing a mentoring service to help newcomers settle in.
SURFING
Denmark isn’t the next Hawaii or Australia, but given its weather conditions, big waves can be found along the west coast of Jutland, especially between Klitmøller and Agger, where you’ll find plenty of would-be surfers cutting their teeth ahead of heading off to sunnier climes. Conversely perhaps, the tendency for strong wind but small waves in Danish waters favours windsurfing. Kitesurfing is another popular pastime. Combining aspects from snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and gymnastics, it one of the ultimate sports for adrenaline junkies.
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Photo: Romina Amato / Copenhagen Media Center
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lthough more than 50 percent of Denmark is comprised of arable land,16 percent consists of forest and heath and 7 percent of wilderness areas such as lakes, bogs and meadows.
SAILING
Whether it’s a rowing, sailing or speedboat, a kayak, canoe or pedalo, or even a floating spa, given the proximity of water, you’re never far away from a rental company in this country. But if you want to learn to sail properly, the Royal Danish Yacht Club offers a 16-week sailing course in English starting on April 27 (learn more at kdy.dk). Completing the course will earn you a Danish sailing licence.
FISHING
With its long coastline, and over 5,000 lakes, Denmark has a great selection of places to fish to suit all tastes. Along the seashore, Jutland’s west coast offers the best conditions thanks to its large population of cod, flatfish, and mackerel. From there, sail a cutter to the Yellow Reef – remember your sea-sickness pills because it’s going to get rough! – where most of the country’s biggest
fish records have been set. Heading freshwater, but staying in Jutland, the Brede Å, Kongeå, Skjernå and Varde Å streams are all recommended for monster trout and salmon. Fyn’s seashore is also highly recommended, particularly for trout, while the Øresund is good for trout and cod – especially during the winter. Staying in Zealand, the freshwater lakes at Furesø and Esrum are famed for their recordbreaking pike and perch, and Isefjorden is another excellent location for trout.
SPEAR FISHING
Speargun hunters don’t use any scuba gear as they rarely leave the surface, surveying the marine wildlife through their masks with a gun that is rubber or air-powered, or a hand-held spear. This tends to make the pastime tricky during the summer as most fish seek out deeper waters due to the heat – remember that it’s illegal to spear fish
Photo: Kasper Thye / Copenhagen Media Center Photo: Piere Mangez / Copenhagen Media Center
Photo: Jesper Gronnemark / Copenhagen Media Center
In Zealand, Asnæs is recommended for flatfish, while the north coast is good for mullet, flounder and turbot, as is Sejerø Bay, which also provides good conditions for flatfish and dab.
Although Denmark’s countryside isn’t too hilly it’s still beautiful, boasting a huge variety of flora and numerous footpaths to follow. For Copenhageners, their first choice should be Jægersborg Dyrehave where 2,000-plus deer inhabit an 11 sq km area full of ancient oak trees.
The best place, however, is Jutland, and particularly around Djursland and Hirsholm, which both offer large populations of coal-fish, sea-bass and cod, with the latter also offering superb conditions for mullet. On Funen, Kerteminde and the north shore around Sprogø is excellent for mullet and cod.
Lille Vildmose in the eastern part of Jutland between Randers and Aalborg is also exceptional and the only part of the country where you might encounter wild boar, eagles, cranes, beavers, red deer and elk. Also recommended are the islands of Bornholm and Møn, and Mols Bjerge.
HUNTING
Despite being protected by hunting laws, the vast majority of animals in Denmark are fair game – provided it’s the right season. The difficulty is finding somewhere to do it; you can’t just go out into the wilderness and start shooting. You will need to get a Danish hunting licence, so your first step should be to either join a club or befriend a club member. In Zealand, roe deer and birds (especially mallards, greylag geese, pheasants, pigeons) are the most popular prey. Among the best estates are Bielefeld, Giesegård, Bregentved, Gisselfeldt and Svenstrup gods. But for fallow deer and red deer, head to Jutland. Skagen and the northern part of Djursland are home to some of the biggest populations of the highly-coveted red deer.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are plenty of off-road tracks in Denmark offering good exercise, fresh air and an adrenalin-inducing challenge. Be warned, though, that some locations forbid mountain biking because the rough wheels tear the ground up. While flat Zealand and Fyn have limited possibilities restricted to the odd wood and bog, they still have a number of locations where challenging tracks have been laid out. Try the Red Track in Hareskoven, Store Dyrehave in Hillerød and Teglstrup Hegn if you’re near the capital; the Blue Track at Himmerlev or Bidstrup skovene in Roskilde elsewhere; Trunderupskoven, Kongebroskoven and Langesøskoven on Funen; and finally Klinteskoven on Møn. Jutland with its hillier terrain is the best option if you want to test yourself. Try Mols Bjerge, Hasle Bakker, Rold Skov, Fussing Lake and the Hammer Hills.
Photo: Michael Vienø / Copenhagen Media Center
HIKING
Photo: Marco kesseler / Copenhagen Media Center
in freshwater areas – so your best bet is trying it out in the spring or the autumn.
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