VISIT COPENHAGEN/ DANIEL JENSEN
WELCOME TO COPENHAGEN A SAFE, GREEN AND FRIENDLY CITY
First, I would like to thank you for making the decision to move and relocate to our beautiful city of Copenhagen. For some of you, it is the intention to pursue your future career here in Denmark that draws you to us. For others, you may come here as a spouse or a student in order to support your family or to study. Either way you are most welcome. We need you! Danish society and Copenhagen as a city need eligible international labor to fill the vacant positions in many of our companies. International labour creates growth and more jobs, and we cannot afford to lose the progress and development in which foreign labor plays such an important part. As mayor of employment and integration, I wish to thank you for your future contribution to the Danish welfare state, in which you are about to live. Without you, we would be a poorer society. MAKE THE MOST OF IT Once you are here, I recommend that you make use of all the opportunities that an open and friendly city like the Danish capital has to offer. Copenhagen is ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, and you can easily enjoy a nighttime stroll in the inner city
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or a picnic watching the sun set over the King’s Garden (Kongens Have). This is also why you will see plenty of tourists in the streets. Follow them, and you will find yourself in our many museums, castles and other cultural highlights.
Use our many sports clubs, churches and other religious places, the social gatherings at your workplace or university, or a course at an education association, and don’t give up if your first try fails. A Dane is a friend you haven’t met yet!
GREEN CITY, GOOD FOOD, COLD WEATHER We are also amongst the greenest cities on the planet, so do use our excellent bike paths as much as you can. And go see for yourselves what the different neighbourhoods of Copenhagen have to offer. When it comes to cultural and culinary experiences. Your brain and stomach will be full, I’m sure of it.
You can also engage in local politics or the democratic institutions at your child’s school or at your place of education. Remember, we Danes take pride in the fact that Denmark is a society concerned with the well-being of all our citizens.
For some, the weather can be a bit of a drag on our latitude, so remember to buy warm clothes for all kinds of situations. But trust me, the sun will come out eventually, and you will feel the warmth and pleasant atmosphere of Copenhagen on your face and body.
So, observe and learn from the Danish way of living while you’re here, and we would love to enhance our lives and society by doing the same with all the fine and enriching elements of life you bring to us. I’m very happy to bid you welcome to Copenhagen and I wish you a great stay.
So, go out and visit our many green spaces and the clean harbour where you can take a dip; try our city bikes and the street kitchen where you will most likely find food from your own home country. THE WAY OF THE DANE Danes are warm and open-minded people, but sometimes we need to be unlocked from our Nordic coolness. On the outside we can seem a little distant, but if you make an effort, you will get friends for life and experience the world-famous Danish ‘hygge’.
CECILIA LONNING-SKOVGAARD Mayor of employment and integration
VISIT COPENHAGEN
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO COPENHAGEN When relocating there are a few things to see to. Paperwork, practicalities, settling in and becoming familiar with your new surroundings – and the latter is where Copenhagen Visitor Service comes into the picture. Whether you dream of exploring classical attractions, hidden gems, local neighbourhoods or public transportation, we are ready to introduce you to your new home. Welcome to wonderful Copenhagen.
Photo: Wonderful Copenhagen Amaiier
Pa 2 hjul
Cykeloplevelser for alle
CYCLING GALORE
Explore Amager, Sydhavn, Valby and Carlsberg City District on two wheels using a free adventure map that offers unique thematic bicycle trips for the entire family. You can also whet your appetite on the 13 km long Tour de France time trial route that will wind its way through Copenhagen.
A CITY IN YOUR POCKET
Get out there, embrace the culture and explore the city’s museums and attractions. At cphvisitorguide.dk you will find an ocean of cultural experiences, sightseeing, restaurants, nightlife and shopping. The very best of Copenhagen right in your pocket.
MEET A LOCAL
We are proud locals, who love our city – and we can’t wait to share our tips and tricks with you. Swing by Copenhagen Visitor Service at Vesterbrogade 4B in the heart of the city and say hello. Grab a free map, brochure and other inspirational material useful for any newcomer.
Vesterbrogade 48 -1620 K0benhavn V - +45 70 22 24 42 - visitorservice@kk.dk
KNOW YOUR ‘BRO
Did you know that the key to Copenhagen’s hidden gems is at your feet? Using knowyourbro.dk you can discover the secret tales of Copenhagen’s bridge districts. Join one of the free digital routes that will lead you down quaint, winding streets to the oases, secrets and stories of the capital. COPENHAGEN
VISITOR SERVICE
GETTING STARTED PIXABAY
NECESSARY THINGS TO DO Whether you are well prepared or utterly clueless, here are some of the important first things to do when tackling relocation. In regards to the COVID-19 situation in Denmark, check out page 27 to get an overview of current restrictions.
CPR NUMBER
First things first! Do you have a CPRnumber? For most things in Denmark, you will need a CPR-number (Civil Registration Number). This is easy to obtain through the website or office of your local kommune (council). In order to get one, you have to meet certain criteria: your stay in the country must last longer 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; and you have a place to live.
RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMITS
If you wish to stay in Denmark for longer than three months, you will need a residence permit. If you are not a citizen of a Nordic or EU country, 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 foreign nationals the option of working alternately in and out of Denmark. English information on all this, and more, can be found on the ‘New To Denmark’
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website: nyidanmark.dk
SETTING UP 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. Danish law allows any person with a CPRnumber to open a basic bank account. This will not include overdraft facilities, credit facilities or a debit card. These have to be agreed on 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 including a photo.
EASY ACCOUNT
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 and 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 available here: nemkonto.dk/ da/Servicemenu/Engelsk
DANISH SOCIETY
Learning about Danish norms is crucial to understanding the social culture in Copenhagen. 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 crime rates against persons are low. There is a high standard of living in Denmark and Danish society is very egalitarian, both economically and when it comes to gender equality. Taxes can seem very high to newcomers but they go towards providing a comprehensive cradle-to-grave welfare state and most people pay them 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. Education and medical treatment are free of charge although there are private clinics and private schools available, should you wish to use them.
TRANSPORTATION
Cycling is extremely popular with people of all ages and social classes, and Copenhagen alone has over 390 kms of designated bicycle lanes. About 55 percent of the locals bike to work and school. In a city like Copenhagen, a bike is often the quickest way of getting around – and there are no parking charges. There are more bikes than cars here: last year, the number of bikes reached higher than 265.000, while there were only about
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Learn more at danes.dk/en
GETTING STARTED
However, if you live too far from work to bike, or you just sweat like hell when you do it, you will need to make use of the Danish public transportation system. In this case, buses, metros, and trains will likely be essential factors of adapting to life in Copenhagen. See page 10 for a comprehensive guide to public transportation.
VISIT COPENHAGEN
252.000 cars in the city.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Familiarising yourself with the Danish terrain and weather will help you better adjust to your new home. 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. 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 population at 1.3 million. 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 reported in Hørsted in Thy.
BREXIT - THE DANISH DECISION The Danish Authorities (SIRI) have announced immigration procedures for UK nationals living, working, commuting & studying in Denmark as the UK Brexit transitional period ends Dec. 31st, 2020.
The Danish decision is to change the immigration status of UK nationals from EU to ‘visa free’ NON EU from the 1st Jan. 2021. This means that it is necessary to have a Work & Residence Permit in place before starting employment in DK. Those who have been living, working, commuting, and studying in Denmark before 31st Dec. 2020, keep their current status. Have you checked your eBoks lately! [Everyone registered in DK should have an eBoks set up. It’s how the authorities communicate with us.] SIRI has already started contacting UK nationals via eBoks. Although the application is still being created and tested, SIRI’s aim, in the first instance, is to inform and coordinate when people come into their
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offices to record biometrics. The new requirement for cross border commuters, workers, and those studying in Denmark is:
BIOMETRIC RESIDENCE CARDS
Additionally, current cross border commuters can continue to commute but will require new documentation such as a residence permit. New commuters, post 2020,
will need to investigate the commuter rules and requirements for UK nationals. UK nationals [including children] residing in DK now, have a year to apply for the new residence card [1 Jan. 2021 through 31st Dec. 2021]. What Danish decision is giving you questions? Team Happy @ Copenhagen Relocations is ready and happy to help!!
RELOCATE: THE HATEFUL 8 PROOF THE EXPAT CURVE IS A LONG AND WINDING ROAD
BY BEN HAMILTON The phases of the expat curve are a little like the Beatles. Most experts agree there are four, but some lists include six or seven. As a simple four-piece, the curve can be boiled down to Preparation, Honeymoon, Culture Shock, and Adaptation – so John Lennon (the founder), Ringo Starr (cheeky grin touring the States), Paul McCartney (business concerns after death of Brian Epstein), and George Harrison (quickly at ease with band splitting, first to have solo hit). Oh no, it’s Yoko But often, extra phases are thrown in at the beginning and end – the Decision to Move (“Let’s replace Pete Best with Ringo”) and Repatriation (Stuart Sutcliffe returning to his life as an artist) – as well as in the middle: Superficial Adaptation and Culture Shock Phase 2 (“Who asked Yoko to the recording sessions?”). So let’s go for the whole shebang and take them all on: Decision, Preparation, Honeymoon, Initial Culture Shock, Superficial Adaptation, Culture Shock, Adaptation and Repatriation. Er ... that makes eight. Well, nobody said moving to another country was going to be easy.
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THE DECISION: LOVE IT, HATE IT There’s an extremely good chance, given you’re reading an English-language newspaper in Denmark, you’ve already made it. Maybe you’re an avid Guardian reader who enjoyed ‘The Killing’ so much you couldn’t resist the challenge of moving here and starting all over. Or you’re an American student in love with Copenhagen after six all too short months in 2015, who decided to emigrate once you’d graduated. More likely, you met a ‘Danish bird’ on a stag night in Prague and, two years down the road, after living together for six months in your hometown, despaired of the local air quality and booked a one-way ticket. Some of you got a job before arriving, others are just winging it. But whatever your circumstances, deciding on moving here was a leap of faith. PREPARATION: BYE-BYE BELOVED While you’ve visited Denmark many times on holiday, and enjoyed a great Christmas here, nothing can prepare you for what lies ahead. Or can it? Companies like Copenhagen Relocations specialise in taking care of the logistics and potential obstacles, so you can truly savour your arrival.
After all, don’t they say moving home is already one of the most stressful activities known to humankind, and that’s without factoring in liquifying other assets, visas, air freight, negotiating the language divide and buying a new curtain rail at 01:30 to appease your insomniac seven-year-old. You’re in unfamiliar territory without the support of the family you have grown to depend on, and overnight most of your associates have been rendered friends of the Facebook variety. Not only do you have to settle into a new home, but a new environment with unfamiliar working conditions, schools, childcare, healthcare and transport. And this new responsibility is rarely shared with the ‘working partner’; inevitably it will rest on one set of shoulders: yours! “Did somebody mention new cultural norms? Give me a break! I’m trying to rewire 23 plugs and make sense of the Rejsekort.” And all the time, the thought is lingering in the back of your mind: “Have we made the right decision?” HONEYMOON: LOVE OF MY LIFE “Oooh, and you must try this one.” Who knew authentic Danish pastries were this good. One deep breath later, and a warm glow has enveloped your life. Everything is quaint, and everybody is so nice and
VISIT COPENHAGEN/STEWEN QUIGLEY
PIXABAY
SETTLING IN
SETTLING IN VISIT COPENHAGEN/ MALTHE ZIMAKOFF
understanding. The days are long and you sleep well at night … because, quite frankly, you’re knackered. There’s limited time to reflect on what you’ve left behind and the hurdles you overcame: the result is a flood of positivity that even the Grinch wouldn’t be able to resist. Every time you explore, you’re rewarded with a new cultural experience, be it a culinary joy or communal convenience. Schools and work have opened up networking possibilities, as has an expat sports club. And you’re even beginning to think like a local: from perusing the free circular to identify supermarket special offers to picking free cherries in the local cemetry. Language lessons were easy to sign up for, and when you speak to your friends and family back home, you tell them this was the best choice of your life … in Danish … and fail miserably. You laugh and keep on taking the happy pills. You’ve got about six weeks’ worth. INITIAL SHOCK: HATE YOU TOO Approximately two months in and it hits you. You miss the takeaways, agony aunt columns and daytime television of the country you left behind. Your partner is aggravated by an incident at work in which he was told off for working 45 minutes past clocking off time, while the doctor is refusing to prescribe the migraine pills you know from bitter experience are the only ones that work. Somehow you’re on Momondo with your finger hovering over homebound flights – yes, the only ‘home’ you know. All the energy of the arrival has disappeared and been replaced by frustration, irritability, erratic sleeping patterns, and frequent physical complaints – stress basically. Nothing is ever open. Everything is sold out. And nobody knows how to queue. Even worse, your relationship is strained: your partner has more going on and doesn’t appreciate your pressures. You desperately need someone to talk to. But when a friend calls you up via Skype, you pretend your camera isn’t working. You don’t want them to see you’ve spent the last four hours crying, staring at the blank walls you still haven’t administered a homely touch to because you were out enjoying yourself. It makes you hate your new home even more. SUPERFICIAL ADAPTATION: GOTTA LOVE A TRIER Somehow you hang on. Every expat you meet becomes your own personal guru – like they’ve unlocked a secret code for you – and you mimic their behaviour to the extent you convince yourself you’re coping.
With this new-found confidence, you start to adapt and find a routine, and you even make a breakthrough with the language. Friendships with fellow expats follow … perhaps with people you wouldn’t normally socialise with, but at least you feel they understand you. A sense of humour returns and you find yourself laughing most things off, including your mini-crisis. CULTURE SHOCK: HATE, HATE, HATE The horror, the horror: the more you understand your new homeland, the more you realise it’s not for you. The people are too conformist … or inhumane; the thinking too inward … or avant-garde. Everywhere you look, the wrong decisions are being made, and it’s all so frustrating. But nobody’s interested in your tried and tested solution, or your infinitely more fun office party game. Locals who were initially warm, like your neighbours or parents at the nursery, no longer greet you. By now, their frown suggests, you should be hailing them in their language. A failure to be understood at the shop leaves you close to tears; an attempt to start a conversation is greeted with frosty silence. Perhaps you’re paying the price for living in an expat bubble. Everything is just too … foreign. Even your new friends are becoming weary of your complaints. Before you know it, you’ve joined an expat online forum to vent your frustrations. Hate’s a strong word … but all too often at this stage the strength of your feelings will be in direct contrast to the positive ones of the Honeymoon period.
ADAPTATION: LATERS HATERS Not everyone has to endure two rounds of culture shock, and there is no quick-fix solution. Some swear by a new routine, goals or mentor, while others will tell you time is a great healer. A degree of perspective might tell you all those miscommunications and slights were mostly in your head, but that doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t enjoy the odd language or social triumph, even though you don’t celebrate them as manically as during the Honeymoon or Superficial Adaptation phases. Experience has prepared you to be ready for everything, and suddenly you’re the confident, competent guru handing out advice to newbies. You’ve realised that even most of the natives don’t understand half the peculiarities thrown at you. Life has become comfortable and is no longer emotionally challenging. You respect your new country and start to think of it as ‘home’. And most of your good friends live here too. REPATRIATION: LOVED AND LOST And just like that, the ‘journey’ is over. You went the whole hog and integrated, but now it’s time to return to your home country. Remember, the country and friends you left behind haven’t probably changed that much, but you have! This is crucial in easing your way back in. Don’t regale them with your expat heroics – they probably won’t be interested, although quietly a little envious – and instead listen to what they’ve been up to. Inevitably you’ll meet others who have had similar experiences and will be happy to exchange stories. One day soon, you’ll look back with pride at your adventure abroad.
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SCHOOL VISIT COPENHAGEN/ MARIA SATTRUP
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. There 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 opportunities there are for higher education and will a degree or qualification taken in Denmark be recognised abroad? HIGH STANDARDS The Danish school system is considered one of the best in the world and traditionally, Danish governments have
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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.
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 than Danish, either for the whole school or parts of it.
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 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. 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. International schools exist where the curriculum, which often follows
LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING Children whose mother-tongue is not Danish and are enrolled in a daycare 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 assessment is compulsory for all children aged 3 who are not attending a day-care facility. If the assessment shows that language stimulation 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
SCHOOL assigned to a reception class, a scheme for teaching in teams, or individual instruction. Bilingual children can participate in ordinary teaching but those 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 bilingual children in primary and lower secondary schools are offered tuition in their mother-tongue. KEEP ON LEARNING Denmark has a long tradition of 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. There are so-called folk high schools in Denmark: they offer a broad range of courses lasting from 4 days to 36 weeks. No particular educational or professional qualifications are required to attend 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. As for language schools, though studying Danish has recently become an expensive quest (unless you’re a refugee), some organisations offer free Danish courses – Red Cross and Bethesda church are two examples. Red Cross also does other relevant volunteer work such as their couples’ integration program, which provides help managing your relocation. As for digital means of language learning, you can start by checking out duolingo.com.
THE SIX STAGES There are six stages of education in Denmark: 1. Pre-school 2. Primary and lower secondary education 3. Upper secondary education 4. Vocational education and training 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 offered there, but is also available at an efterskole, ungdomsskole or frifagskole. As well as providing academic programs allowing entry into higher education, upper secondary education can offer 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.
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RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2020
11
PROPERTY
IN DENMARK
VISIT COPENHAGEN/ MARTIN HEIBERG
HOW TO BUY PROPERTY IF YOU ARE THINKING OF A LONGER STAY IN DENMARK, YOU MIGHT VERY WELL WANT TO BUY PROPERTY HERE
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.
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?
Buying a place to live might make good sense but it 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.
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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
There are several law firms specialising in foreign buyers. For example, Ret&RĂĽd (retraad.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.
THE DANISH EFTERSKOLE EFTERSKOLE
The Danish efterskole is an established independent, educational and residential institution for students aged 14-17. It is founded on the idea of combining academic learning with “life-learning” as a preparatory tool for all aspects of life, as well as facilitating an understanding of “the individual in a community”. Solidarity, community and unity are key concepts within the Danish efterskole.
It often represents a philosophy of offering such a variety of educational subjects, sports and activities that there is an opportunity for everyone to excel at something, and thus gain experience and confidence to develop their talents to their own advantage and to the service of others. It is inherent in the culture of many efterskoles, that they be a reflection of societal diversity and thus shall offer a variety of opportunities for personal, professional and cultural development. FREEDOM OF THE EFTERSKOLE Compared to public schools the efterskole has substantial freedom in terms of e.g. choice of subjects, teaching methods and educational approach. These vary in accordance with the school’s political, religious or pedagogical orientation. Freedom of the efterskole is assured by substantial state subsidies to both schools and students. TEACHER-LEARNER RELATIONSHIP One of the things that are unique about the efterskole is the teacher-student relationship. The teacher is responsible for both teaching and supervision outside of school hours. This means that teachers and students are together all day, from the time they wake up until they go to bed. This often engenders a close, personal and non-formal relationship between students and teachers.
RANUM EFTERSKOLE COLLEGE Ranum Efterskole College is one of Denmark’s largest general efterskoles. Each year 450 Students from 28 different countries choose to spend 1-3 years away from home to pursue and realise their goals - and with our extensive range of academic subjects and extracurricular activities, each student has the opportunity to create a personalised learning experience that will last for life! Ranum Efterskole College offers the Danish 9th and 10th grade, and 20+ International Cambridge IGCSE subjects, 60+ extracurricular subjects, and 3 study trips around the world. The school is located in picturesque Northern Jutland in Denmark on a 20.000 m2 school campus, with 4 residential houses, sports facilities, green areas and much more. Ranum Efterskole College offers general ed-
ucation through personal and professional development in an international community. We believe that interacting with other cultures will ultimately strengthen your personal development. We believe it to be our prime objective to provide a framework in which you and your teachers in unity contribute to the development of school curricula and activities. This objective, amongst others, ensures an understanding of community, democracy and responsibility, whilst nurturing your personal development and skills. We strive to provide an environment in which you feel safe, supported and encouraged on your own personalized learning journey. When you leave our community, you will be prepared to share your experiences with the world!
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JOBS
The Danish work culture is unique but many internationals fail to adequately consider it in their applications Job-hunting is an unappealing prospect at the best of times, not least during a global pandemic. For those looking to not only embark on a new career but do so also in a new country, the struggle is even greater. There are a number of obstacles between applicants and their dream job abroad – some of them obvious, some of them less so. Fortunately, in Denmark there is a plethora of resources out there to make the challenge that bit easier, moving you one step closer to a new life of a more Danish variety. A Danish draw For many internationals, a move to Denmark is hugely appealing. With a high quality of living and a work-life balance famed the world over, the small European state has much to envy. Furthermore, with some of the best English-speakers outside of the Anglophone world, many from these countries might think the move to be a simple one. If this goes some way towards understanding the supply of international workers looking to Denmark, it is well matched by demand within the country too. A small country with a small population, companies of all size are beginning to look abroad to fill vacancies.
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Reliance on exports also plays its part, with a steady demand for natives of important foreign markets to provide local insights and linguistic support. With this twofold action of desire and demand, it is tempting to think that a move to Denmark would be an easy one. For many, however, it is not so straightforward. Under their wing Many are fortunate enough to enjoy the support of the Danish government in making Denmark a permanent place of work. The Greater Copenhagen Career Program is a free six-month programme set up by the City to support international students in making the move to Denmark after they finish at a Danish university. It offers seminars and workshops on interview and presentation technique, CV and cover letter advice, and even LinkedIn tailoring. With the support of a personal career mentor, participants are encouraged to explore their preferences and consider their qualities in order to land a job in the Danish job market. But they are not the only ones that enjoy support from the state. A similar set-up is available for those who move to Denmark as a result of their partner’s career. The Copenhagen Career
Program is a free five-day job-hunting course, also run by the City. It represents a conscious effort to encourage assimilation into the workforce, and includes matchmaking events and company visits. Left in the cold Others, however, are left without the same welcoming party on their arrival in Denmark. For those that are neither partner nor student, kicking-off a job search in Denmark can be a formidable task. This is the case for a number of reasons: the language is one most internationals are unlikely to be unfamiliar with; the work culture, though an improvement on most, is a unique one; and that’s before they set out on tackling the whole pile of paperwork! Whilst English is a tongue that the majority of Danes can slip into with ease, Danish is still the language of business domestically. Whilst perhaps not explicit, there is certainly a sense in which employers expect Danish proficiency from their employees – a hurdle unexpected by many job-seekers. With all these obstacles, you might be forgiven for thinking it is more trouble than it’s worth, but thankfully there are many organisations and individuals out there eager to motivate and support your job search.
VISIT DENMARK/ NICLAS JESSEN
GOOD JOB HUNTING: THINKING DANISHLY
DEVELOPING CHARACTER
community life skills
ambition
Global Perspectives
critical thinking creativity values
leadership
Our goal is to enable all to understand the world around them, and the talents and character within them, so that they can become connected, creative individuals that are compassionate, active global citizens.
sktjosefs.com
Skt. Josef’s. located 25 minutes from Copenhagen Central Station in historic Roskilde, providesquality, international education for children aged 5 to 16 (Year 1 to Year 11). Skt. Josef’s International School
Frederiksborgvej 10, Roskilde
tel: +45 4635 2526
JOBS VISIT DENMARK/ NICLAS JESSEN
A welcoming smile One such organisation is the Welcome Group – a relocation and accommodation Service Consultancy located in the centre of Copenhagen. Its guiding mission is to ‘provide support every step of the way to a new life abroad’. Itself run by expats, the organisation provides support for everybody from those first thinking about making the leap to those already embedded in Denmark looking to further assimilate.
taking it into consideration, many applicants are likely to fall at hurdles they didn’t even realise were there.
For job-hunters more specifically they offer 1-2-1 coaching sessions, CV reviews, LinkedIn support, and presentations concerning cultural integration. Their services provide talented internationals with guidance on how to shape their skills and experiences to specifically Danish employers.
“It’s not just about the salary at the end of the month here. What recruiters in Denmark are looking for are people that are committed to their values – their mission as a company.”
Karey-Anne Duevang, career strategist at the Welcome Group, puts it simply: “It’s about understanding what you have and what you can offer.” The importance of culture You might have the perfect CV, fantastic previous experiences and great interview technique, but what Duevang believes many overlook are the cultural differences between Denmark and the applicant’s country of origin. Danish work culture is unique, and something people here take great pride in. Without
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“The biggest challenge is cultural understanding. People can arrive in Denmark with the best, most accomplished CV and some wonderful experience, but unfortunately unless you understand how to communicate that to a Danish workplace then you’re not going to succeed,” Duevang contends.
Your first assignment One way the Welcome Group in particular has sought to raise awareness here is through the ‘Academy’ – an organisation set up by the group to ‘guide, advise and support internationals into employment in Denmark’. This is achieved through courses, workshops and up-skilling programmes, with regular Q&As with recruiters and events covering everything from CV writing to an ‘employment assistance hotline’. One happy graduate, Geoff Oakley, stated that it provided him with the “confidence, tools, and cultural awareness that I feel I need to truly
understand Danish market conditions, Danish society, and etiquette.” For Duevang, there are three golden rules: “one, prove that you can deliver on the job; two, prove that you can fit in with the existing team; and three, prove that you will stay once you get that position”. With these in mind, the jobhunt might just get that little bit easier. Taler du engelsk? Another useful resource for job-hunters out on their own is English Job Denmark, a non-profit providing information, guidance and advice specifically for those looking to land an Englishspeaking role. Primarily operating online, it consists of a large community of experts and internationals providing advice and motivation for those in the midst of job applications. As networking becomes increasingly important to job-hunting, English Job Denmark provides both a ready-built network and also tips on building those further connections needed to land that dream job. The Facebook group that runs adjacent boasts over 18,000 members and posts new jobs daily. Duevang describes the market for English-only speakers as “tough” but, to paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, nothing worth doing comes easy!
HEALTH PIXABAY
YOUR GUIDE TO THE DANISH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
DENMARK HAS A COMPREHENSIVE TAX-PAYER FUNDED PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE BY STEPHEN GADD Under the Danish healthcare system medical treatment is usually free of charge. However, dentistry and any medicines prescribed may be charged to the patient, though these costs are often subsidised to some extent by the government National health insurance card All permanent residents in Denmark are eligible to use the healthcare system. Permanent residents receive a national health insurance card from their local authority which acts as an identity card and must be shown on visits to doctors, emergency rooms and hospitals. Anyone acutely ill is entitled to free hospital treatment, and this also applies to visitors from other countries. Interpreter If you do not speak or understand Danish, the staff can call in an interpreter to assist you. Likewise, if you need an interpreter at an appointment with a doctor, midwife, health visitor or visiting nurse you should indicate this when you make the appointment. This service is free of charge. Interpreters are neutral and bound by the rules of professional secrecy. General practitioners
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Anyone resident in Denmark is entitled to be registered with a general practitioner (GP). Your own GP will normally be able to find out what is wrong with you and how to treat you, but in some cases, may refer you to a specialist or a hospital. The name, address and telephone number of your GP is written on your national health insurance card. In order to see a GP, you will have to make an appointment by phone or via the internet. If you are dissatisfied with your GP, you can change to another one. Changing a GP without moving to a new address at least 15 kilometres from where your current GP is will incur a 190 kroner fee. If you change GP as a result of moving, that is free of charge. If you need medication, your GP will prescribe it for you. Prescription medicines can only be bought at pharmacies. Specialist doctors If your GP deems it necessary, you may be referred to a specialist. Some specialists require no referral, such as eye specialists and ear, nose and throat specialists. Out-of-hours services
If you become ill outside your own GP’s service hours, you can call the out-of-hours service. In most cases you will have to go to a treatment centre yourself to see an outof-hours doctor. The out-of-hours service is open from 4 pm to 8 am on weekdays, weekends, and on public holidays. Emergency Rooms Located at hospitals, emergency rooms are for serious injuries that your own GP cannot treat. At some hospitals you have to phone the emergency room in advance to let them know that you are coming. Alarm 112 If you need an ambulance, call the emergency centre at 112, stating your name and explaining what has happened, where and when it happened, and where you are calling from. Pregnancy If you are pregnant, you may be examined several times during the pregnancy by your own GP and a midwife. Ultrasound scanning is also available in hospitals to make sure that all is well with you and the baby and to identify any potential
HEALTH VISIT COPENHAGEN/DANIEL RASMUSSEN
problems as early as possible in your pregnancy. When you are pregnant, the first examination in your pregnancy will be carried out by your GP, who will create a maternity record that you must bring along to all subsequent appointments. Your GP will notify a midwife of your pregnancy. The midwife will then contact you to make an appointment. Together with your GP you can decide at which hospital you want to give birth to your child. You can also elect to give birth at home with the assistance of a midwife. Termination In Denmark all women have the right to opt for termination of the pregnancy at a hospital in the first twelve weeks. In order to obtain a termination you must contact your GP, who will then refer you to a hospital. Childcare in Denmark You will receive assistance from a health visitor in your home when your child has been born up to the age of 2. In addition to examining your child, the visitor can answer any other related questions you may have. Health checks and child vaccination All children can be examined and vaccinated free-of-charge. All children in Denmark are also entitled to free dental care until they reach the age of 18. Upon reaching school age, local authority doctors and nurses will perform preventative examinations of children in their first and last years of schooling, and children will receive automatic appointments with the school dentist. If your child encounters problems at school, you can talk to the school psychologist about them. Help and care in your own home Special services are offered to elderly people who need care and assistance. Elderly people may apply for home help for personal care, cleaning and assistance with shopping. You can also apply for help if you are very ill. Elderly people and those who are very ill can also request a district
nurse to come to their home to provide care and administer medication. A doctor will assess your needs in this respect. If you have been hospitalised you may need home help or a nurse to help you when you return to home. Normally, the hospital will contact your local authority to make sure you will be given the help and assistance you need. Read more The information in the above article is taken from a brochure issued by the Danish Health Authority and the Danish Cancer Society. The easiest way to obtain this brochure is to visit cancer.dk/international/english, click on ‘Cancer prevention’ and find the link that reads: The Danish healthcare system. For information about the coronavirus in Denmark, see the Health Authority’s website: sst. dk/en/English For seniors, more information about your rights and opportunities can be found at the DaneAge Association (ÆldreSagen): call +45 33968686 or aeldresagen.dk (but fire up Google Translate because the website is Danish-only).
RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2020
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TRANSPORT VISIT COPENHAGEN/ DANIEL RASMUSSEN
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN COPENHAGEN GETTING FROM C TO P (AND H) BY SOMA BIRÓ When commuting in the Copenhagen metropolitan area, there are three main means of public transportation: S-trains, buses and the Metro – your quickest option (granted your destination lies on any of its three lines). To travel outside the capital area, you’ll find regular trains you can take from different stations in the city. S-trains S-trains have letter designations without numbers (A, B, Bx, C, D, E, F, H) and they cover a total of 84 stations in the Copenhagen metropolitan area. They run non-stop from Friday to Sunday (not including Sunday nights) and during nights before holidays. As for the rest of the week, they begin their routes at 5 in the morning and stop about half past midnight. Buses Buses are designated either by a number (14) or a number and a letter (2A). There are several different types: yellow buses, A-buses, S-buses, R-buses, E-buses, municipality-buses and +Way (or Cityline) buses. There are also night buses, which run between about 00:30 and 06:00 – they are all designated with a number and the letter ’N’. Some of the other buses are also operational during the night: 5C, 2A, 10
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and 250S are a few examples. The Metro The Metro never sleeps, so you’ll find a ride all day, every day of the week. At your disposal are lines M1, M2, M3 and M4.
TICKETS Where to buy them At every train and Metro station, you’ll find ticket machines. You can usually buy tickets at the local 7-Eleven as well, unless there is a DSB office at that station (DSB is Denmark’s largest train operating company.) You will find train tickets at DSB’s website, dsb.dk, and their app, as well as on the DOT Tickets app, where bus tickets are also available. Bus tickets can also be purchased on the buses, assuming you have some cash with you. The zone system If you buy a ticket, you will be able to use it on trains, the Metro and buses in the zones it covers: so a ticket that covers 3 zones will allow you to hop on a Metro and switch over to a bus – inside those zones – without having to pay for a new ticket.
You don’t have to worry too much about the zone system though. As long as you know where you’re headed, you simply buy a ticket to that station and it will automatically include as many zones as you need to get there. Single tickets You’ll find one way and round-trip tickets through all the mentioned channels. You can bring two children along for free as long as they’re under 12. CityPass and Copenhagen Card Both are great options for tourists, but expats wishing to quickly acquaint themselves with their new city might also make good use of it. They offer unlimited travel by bus, train and Metro in the Copenhagen metropolitan area (zones 1-99). CityPass also comes in a smaller package that covers zones 1-4. Both can be bought for a duration of 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours – CityPass also has a 96-hour option. CPH Card delivers the added extra of discounts (or free entry) to several museums and attractions. Buy a CityPass at citypass.dk, ticket machines or on the DOT Tickets app. Copenhagen cards are available at copenhagencard. com or the Copenhagen Card app, which also serves as a digital city guide.
TRANSPORT COMMUTER OPTIONS Youth card (Ungdomskort) If you are between 16 and 19, if you’re doing your secondary education, or if you’re studying at a higher education institution, then this is the card for you. You may travel an unlimited number of times (on train, bus and Metro) between your institution and your home, as well as in one of the three sets of zones that make up Zealand – depending on which one you live in. This card will also give you discounts all over the country on regular tickets. If you are a student, you need to be approved for it. A youth card can span from 30 to 120 days. You can order a youth card at ungdomskort.dk (has an English version). A commuter card (see below) is cheaper than an Ungdomskort in two cases: if you’re studying at a higher education institution and commute through less than four zones, or if you are not a student but aged 16-19 and travel less than four zones. Commuter card (Pendlerkort) If you commute but you’re not a student, this is likely the pick for you. You’ll get an unlimited amount of trips within your range of travel for a duration of minimum 30 and maximum 59 days. This card too can be used on buses, trains and the
Y
Metro (though this last one needs to be specifically selected when buying the card). You can buy a Pendlerkort in the DSB app or the DOT Tickets app – prices are the same.
REJSEKORT It hits the spot There’s a special type of card that comes in many forms and is way cheaper than a regular ticket. The Rejsekort: it can be used almost everywhere – Metro, bus, S-train, etc. All you need to do is to take the card and check in before the trip by holding it to the round, blue spot on the flat, grey stand (you can’t miss it) and check out once you arrived. For buses, you check in on the bus itself. If you change (e.g. from Metro to Strain), you need to check in again, without checking out, and only check out once you reach your final destination. A plethora of options There are several types of Rejsekort: a few examples are flex (which you can share with others), personal, corporate or a Rejsekort with a commuter area. A Rejsekort with a commuter area, for example, will cost you as much as a normal commuter card (plus 50 kroner for the card itself) with the added ability to use it as a regular Rejsekort when you travel outside your usual route. For most cards, you can arrange an automatic top-up of your balance or do it
yourself when needed (on the online self service, at Rejsekort vending machines or at retailers). I forgot to check out! All is not lost: there’s an app called Check Out (Danish: Check Udvej) that you can download and use to report the slip up. You must do this within ten days after your trip and they won’t charge you more than the price of the journey. However, you can’t use this app if you have an anonymous Rejsekort. For more info, see rejsekort.dk Apps and websites To make sure you’re travelling with the best ticket for you, visit the following websites for more information: dsb.dk, dinoffentligtransport.dk, m.dk Other useful tools for your travels: Citymapper, Google and Apple maps, and rejseplanen.dk (journeyplanner.dk) Buy a ticket or hide in the bathroom Remember your ticket or beware of the conductors and start slowly walking the other way. Sometimes they’ll let you off with a “make sure to check-in next time”, but on other occasions they are ruthless, ready to make an extra buck for the company – and what an amount that is: your wallet would bleed a total of 750 kroner.
our international school in the heart of Copenhagen
Since 1990 a solidly established IB World School, Nørre Gymnasium offers pre-IB classes and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) in English for students in the age group 16-19. In the environment of a Danish public high school (a day-school with free tuition), we combine Scandinavian values with the spirit of multiculturalism, striving for academic excellence and diversity. Our international education lines are targeted at a highly motivated student clientele seeking academic challenge on a global level to gain the prestigious IB Diploma granting them access to universities in Denmark and all over the world. Visit our comprehensive homepage at www.norreg.dk /IB World School – and feel welcome to address us, come by for our Visiting Days and Information Evening*, and experience the vibrant atmosphere of our school! The application deadline for the new academic year is 1 March 2020; relevant forms can be accessed via our homepage. Looking forward to including you in our IB Community! *subject to Corona-stipulations
WWW.NORREG.DK • NØRRE GYMNASIUM • MØRKHØJVEJ 78 • 2700 BRØNSHØJ • TEL: +45 4454 4735
TIVOLI
THINGS TO DO Between working from home and wearing your mask to the supermarket, you might be wondering what’s going to happen to Christmas this year – but there’s no need to worry.
FIVE THINGS TO DO IN COPENHAGEN THIS WINTER
While it’s true that many of the traditional Christmas markets in Copenhagen have been cancelled, with the reopening of Tivoli for the festive season there’s a landslide of events on the way to rescue the Christmas spirit. It’s just not Christmas without Tivoli: one of the world’s oldest amusement parks. This year, Tivoli will throw on its famous Christmas lights from November 13 (11-22:00) to illuminate the long nights with a gleam of winter magic. Inside, visitors will get the chance to sample festive treats, catch the wonder of the Tivoli Youth Guard parade, and meet Father Christmas himself in his grotto. Outside Tivoli you can still catch that Christmas feeling. With decorations lighting the way from Strøget to Nyhavn from November 16 and carol singers in the streets, there’s festive cheer in store for the whole family. Spend the winter on ice at Nyhavn’s newest skating rink Øresund, the strait that separates Denmark and Sweden, hasn’t frozen over since the 1950s, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still go ice skating in Copenhagen this Christmas. Just over the bridge from Nyhavn, a new Christmas skating rink is making its appearance from November 6, with wintry views out over the harbour itself. Broens skating rink (Mon to Fri, 09:00-20:00; Strandgade 95) offers a turn on the ice for free – as long as you bring your own skates. For everyone else, it’s just 50kr to lace up a pair of skates and start showing off your twirls. There’s also a range of special events on offer at the rink, whether you’re looking for a disco on ice, a hockey game, or even want to try your hand at curling, check out the Broens Skøjtebane webpage for information on extra events. Broen also has the food sorted, with nearby street-food stalls offering a wide range of meals to keep you warm – from burgers and crepes a la carte, to hot cocoa piled high with marshmallows. Just keep in mind that demand for ice skating may be high this year, with the annual rink at Frederiksberg Runddel announcing that it will remain closed, alongside the annual Christmas rink at Kongens Nytorv. So if you’re an avid winter skater it would be wise to book your tickets ahead of time – while you still can! Copenhagen’s new state-of-the-art skating rink in Østerbro is set to open its doors in March. So there is something to look forward to.
Discover Christmas through the ages at Frilandsmuseet Step into the world of Christmas past at Frilandsmuseet: Denmark’s own open-air museum. One of the largest and oldest open-air museums in the world, Frilandsmuseet invites you to experience the history of the Danish countryside. Across the grounds, you can visit fully-furnished buildings recreated from the 1650s to the 1950s, frozen in time to give visitors a glimpse of the past. This year, the museum’s farmsteads have been done up in accordingly accurate Christmas decorations, bringing the history of Christmas to life to teach visitors about Christmas traditions through the ages. Take a ride on the horse-drawn carriage, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a mischievous nisse: a type of elf that likes to play tricks on unsuspecting farmers. Or head on over to the kitchens, where bakers can be found grinding fresh flour from wheat grown on the grounds, filling the air with the smell of biscuits in the oven. Families can get together to make their own Christmas decorations at the museum workshop. And children can meet some of the museum’s many animals: which include horses, pigs, sheep, and chickens. Though rumour has it that the chickens might need to watch out as Christmas Eve approaches ... Frilandsmuseet will be publishing further details on the dates and prices for their Christmas calendar later this month – but expect the event to go on for two weekends in December. You can check the museum’s website for updates. Tickets for the Christmas weekends cost 95kr for adults, 85kr for the family ticket, and children under 18 go free! FRILANDSMUSEUM
BORENS ICE SKATING
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BY HELEN JONES
RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2020
THINGS TO DO
This winter, Copenhot are inviting newcomers to take the plunge with a 360 introduction to winter bathing. Instructors will take you on a 1.5 hour journey from hot to cold and across the Baltic Sea. Clad in swimsuits, Copenhot offer a range of experiences: from ice baths to fire-heated saunas with panoramic views of the harbour. There’s even a luxury ‘sailing hot tub’ that cruises the harbour of northern Copenhagen in a haven of 40° heated salt water – something that could convince anyone to go Scandinavian (Wed-Sun; Refshalevej 325, Cph K; various events). If saunas aren’t quite your style, you can also get in on the action with Copenhagen’s newest bathing zone at Kalvebod Bølge. The mobile bathing zones have adjustable bottoms, letting you sink down to a depth of up to 140cm before hopping back out into the cold air. Access is free all year round, so you could also be forgiven for waiting to take a dip until warmer weather is on its way – July, perhaps? Serenade the streets with Christmas carols and Winter Jazz JAZZ.DK
Come in from the cold with the 21st annual Winter Jazz festival: a country-wide music festival that’s been dragging us out of the winter blues since 2001. This year events are running between February 5-28 at what looks to be over 150 venues across the country, from Skagen to Bornholm. Last year’s festival featured jazz talent from Denmark and abroad, from Eric Reed
and Ralph Moore, to Arild Andersen and the group Svaneborg Kardyb. With events featuring everything from iconic jazz tracks in the world of film, to poetry slams howling out the cries of a new generation of activists – you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for when tickets go live for the 2021 program, and liven up the long dark winter.
COPENHOT
Shock your senses with winter bathing at Copenhot When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And when in Copenhagen – get naked and jump in the sea during midwinter. Sound crazy? Then you haven’t heard of the benefits of winter bathing: a longstanding Nordic tradition that’s associated with heightened happiness and invigorating the body.
If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, you can also get in on the action with Christmas carolling in Copenhagen. On December 21 the church choir at Helligaandskirken will be hosting a concert of traditional hymns and carols, free to all who wish to attend (16:30; Niels Hemmingsensgade 5). While on December 23 (the day before Danes officially start celebrations) Vor Frelsers Church will feature a duo performance from singers Steen Hejlesen and Lars Sømod to fill the halls with Christmas cheer (17:00; Sankt Annæ Gade 29, free adm). Get a taste of winter with Hviids Vinstue’s famous gløgg Hviids Vinstue is famous for many things, but best among them is their winter mulled wine, or – as the Danes aptly call it, gløgg. Taste all the warming winter spices of cinnamon, orange and cloves, infused in sweetened red wine, and served hot at Copenhagen’s oldest pub. Right at the heart of the city, in Kongens Nytorv, Hviids Vinstue has seen nearly 300 years of the city’s history – and it’s worth a visit for the atmosphere alone. The bar’s deep mahogany furniture illuminated by candlelight makes you feel like you’re stepping back into history, with stainglass windows and paintings of the pub’s past patrons looking on. The gløgg itself has been a Christmas tradition at Hviids since 1954, and the pub estimates that it serves over 8,000 litres of the drink each Christmas. The first glass is poured on November 11, and from then on you can not only head to the pub to while away the wintry nights, but you
can also take home a bottle of your own, sold exclusively at Hviids Vinstue. Of course, the pub also offers a range of other drinks with no less than 27 types of Danish beer and a hot menu of traditional meals, so grab a coat and get hygge with a menu of winter specialties. (Mon-Thur 10:00-01:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-02:00, Sun 10:00-20:00; Kongens Nytorv 19)
A focus on learning
I nternational S chool for s tudents ages 3–16 nis-ngg.dk Phone: +45 45 57 26 16 Email: nis@ngg.dk Cirkelhuset, Christianshusvej 16 DK, 2970 Hørsholm
Cambridge International School
RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2020
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OUTDOORS VISIT COPENHAGEN/ JASON CHARLES HILL
OUT OF THE CAGE AND INTO THE WILD: NATURE AND WATER SPORTS IN DENMARK
BY MATHIAS FREUDENTHAL Lockdown’s out, so set yourself free and explore the Danish landscape in its full summer glory Although 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. Added to that is the marvellous Danish coastline. Extending for 8,750 kilometres, it outstrips Chile and even India! So there are plenty of opportunities for newcomers to get the most out of their new country even in these socially distanced times; 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. You’ll find more information on their
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website: roforeningen.dk/english. To help you with settling in, other expats in the club provide a special mentoring service to newcomers. 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 wouldbe 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 of snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and gymnastics, it’s one of the ultimate sports for adrenaline junkies. Beginners can start by enrolling in a course or taking part in a camp at places like copenhagensurfschool.dk/en , coldhawaiisurfcamp.com and klitmoller. en.westwind.dk
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 beginner, intermediate and advanced sailing courses in English (learn more at kdy.dk) with the opportunity of earning 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
OUTDOORS
VISIT DENMARK/NICLAS JESSEN
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. Join Copenhagen’s network of anglers at fishingcopenhagen.com or check out fishingzealand.dk if you’re ready to wander away from the capital. Head to fiskeristyrelsen.dk/english for more information on acquiring a fishing license. 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 in freshwater areas – so your best bet is trying it out in the spring or the autumn. On 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. 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 are excellent for mullet and cod. 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
Capital of Cool Tour of Copenhagen’s most innovative new architecture
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 either be joining a club or befriending a club member. On 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
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OUTDOORS
VISIT DENMARK/ANNE NØRKJÆR
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. For more information, visit https://eng.mst. dk/nature-water/hunting, eng.naturstyrelsen. dk/experience-nature/hunting and en.nordichunters.eu/hunting-permits/denmark. HIKING Though Denmark’s countryside isn’t too hilly, it’s still beautiful, boasting a huge variety of flora and numerous footpaths to follow. Copenhageners’ first choice should be Jægersborg Dyrehave where 2,000-plus deer inhabit an 11 sq km area full of ancient oak trees. You know that part of Denmark, the one stuck between Jutland and Zealand, called Funen? The 165th largest island in the world? No? Of course not… Well, now’s your chance to explore at least some if it through one of the country’s longest hiking trails (220 km): The Archipelago Trail (visitfyn.com/fyn/experiences/archipelago-trail). Afterwards, pay a visit to H.C. Andersen’s house in Odense (Denmark’s third-largest city). 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 following national parks: Wadden Sea (eng.nationalparkvadehavet.dk), Thy (eng. nationalparkthy.dk) and Mols Bjerge (eng. nationalparkmolsbjerge.dk). Finally, make sure to embark on some island journeys as well (there are plenty of opportunities), for which Bornholm or Møn would be a great start. MOUNTAIN BIKING There are plenty of off-road tracks in Denmark offering good exercise, fresh air and an adrenalininducing challenge. Be warned, though, that some locations forbid mountain biking because the rough wheels can tear the ground up. While flat Zealand and Funen 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. Other tracks on Zealand include the Blue Track in Himmelev and the White Track in Bidstrup Skovene by Roskilde. You can also opt for a trip to Funen and bike through Trunderupskoven, Kongebroskoven and Langesøskoven. And, if you do end up visiting the island of Møn, give Klinteskoven a try. Jutland, with its hillier terrain, is the best option if you want to test yourself. Try Mols Bjerge, Hasle Bakker, Rold Skov, Fussing Lake or the Hammer Hills. For more options see: singletracker.dk/en/mtbtrails-in-denmark
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RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2020
Publisher: CPH POST • CEO Hans Hermansen • Journalists: Soma Biró, Luke Roberts, Helen Jones • Layout: CPH POST • Info: hans@cphpost.dk • Tel: +452420 2411
Ranum
‘The best year of my life’ Jeppe, 15, student.
Ranum Efterskole College is a Danish and international residential school for 14 to 17-year-old students. Located close to Aalborg in Northern Denmark, the school offers Danish 9th & 10th grade subjects, 20+ Cambridge IGCSE subjects, 60+ extracurricular subjects, 3 study trips and 450+ friends.
Ranum
Read more and book a tour at www.ranumefterskole.dk/en
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