In­ter­na­tion­al Em­ploy­ees

So where is this little fairytale country of ours? Denmark is one out of the three countries of Scandinavia (including Norway and Sweden), and the smallest among the Nordic countries. 

Denmark is situated in northern Europe between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and between continental Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula. 

Area

The country’s total area is about 43,000 km². This includes 443 islands and the Jutland peninsula, which is part of continental Europe and has a 68 km territorial border with Germany.

• Capital: Copenhagen (København)
• Population: 5,941,388 (2023)
• Language: Danish
• Currency: krone
• Electricity: 230V, AC (EU standard)
• Religion: Evangelical Lutheran (72%)
• Time zone: CET (Central European Time) or GMT+1
• Number of islands: 443
• Country phone code: +45

Can you say ’Rød grød med fløde?’ 

Danish is the national language of Denmark. Schoolchildren begin learning foreign languages at the age of 6 (English), and German or French at the age of 11. 

There is usually, especially among the younger generation, no problem in communicating in English.

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and has a single chamber parliamentary system, supplemented with referendums. 

Political parties

The voting age in Denmark is 18 years, and elections are decided by proportional representation with a 2% minimum. There are currently sixteen political parties represented in parliament including parties representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands. 

With an app. 85% turnout (2022), Denmark can boast of high participation in parliamentary elections. 

The Parliament

The Parliament (Folketinget) has 179 members, including two elected from the Faroe Islands and two from Greenland. Christiansborg Palace, in the city centre of Copenhagen, is the seat of the Parliament.

International cooperation 

Denmark is a member of the European Union (member since 1973, but not the Monetary Union with the Euro), the United Nations, NATO, OECD, Schengen, OSCE, IMF, WTO and the Nordic Council.h an app. 85% turnout (2022), Denmark can boast of high participation in parliamentary elections. 

The Danish currency is the krone (abbreviated kr. or DKK) and 1 krone is divided into 100 øre. As of June 2023, 1 euro equals 7.44 kroner. 

Religious Freedom is a constitutional right in Denmark. The official religion of Denmark is Evangelical Lutheran and around 72% of the ethnic Danish population belongs to this religion. 

The Danes have a very relaxed relation to their Christian upbringing. Numerous churches and places of worship belonging to other religious denominations than Evangelical Lutheran are located around Copenhagen.

Education is compulsory for nine years from the age of 6 to 15 or 16. After this, a number of various upper secondary courses and higher educational programmes are available that qualify students for higher education such as university. 

Free education

Education is government-funded, meaning it is free of charge and open to all. 42% of all Danes have a higher-level education, which is average among OECD countries. 

The universities

The university sector offers undergraduate and graduate courses as well as doctorates. All teaching at these institutions must be research-based, which is a fundamental principl

Denmark has a temperate climate that varies under the marine influences of the Gulf Stream. 

Due to Denmark’s northern geographical placement, you should expect short days in the winter from 9-16 around winter solstice and long days and bright nights in the summer from 4.30 - 22 around summer solstice). 

Temperature

Average temperatures for Copenhagen in the summer are around 19-20 degrees celcius. Winters in Copenhagen have become milder, and a daytime temperature of 5 degrees celcius is normal. 

Outdoor life

Being outdoors is an important part of enjoying life in Denmark, so be prepared and bring clothes that enable you to go outside and enjoy yourself regardless of the weather.

The city centre

In general, apartment buildings in the city centre date back one or two centuries. While many may have been renovated to fit modern standards, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are often very small yet equipped with all necessary facilities. 

You may find that these facilities differ from what you are used to from home or other places you have lived.

Suburban areas

You might want to consider expanding your search to suburban areas outside the Copenhagen city centre and Frederiksberg. 

These areas are often more affordable, with excellent public transportation and bike lanes to the city centre, Frederiksberg and CBS.

Suburban areas outside the city centre are typically areas with lots of history and amenities, and they transmit a neighbourhood feeling as the one that can be experienced in the city.

Pets

If you bring your pets, it may be even more difficult to find a place to rent.

Location location location

Generally renting in Copenhagen is expensive. It is less expensive if you find a place outside central Copenhagen, and even cheaper in the outskirts of Copenhagen or in the suburbs.

Copenhagen is an easy city to get around with public transportation, so living in the suburbs, still leaves you at a reasonable travel distance to work at CBS. Buses, trains and metro run frequently.

Other factors

Private rentals and the rent itself are regulated by the Tenant Consolidation Act (Tenants Laws). Rent for a certain rental is determined by a number of factors:

• Location
• Type (apartment, single/family house or single room)
• Building year
• Remodeled and other aspects

Read more on Housing on the City of Copenhagen 

Utilities often not a part of the rent

In addition to your monthly rent, you should expect to pay for utilities such as heating, water, electricity and gas.

Sometimes utilities are included in the monthly rent, so make sure to find out whether you have to pay utilities or not.

A conto payment

A conto payment is a fixed amount that is paid in advance to cover your expected consumption, and is later adjusted based on your actual consumption.

This payment is based on an average calculation, such as the estimated annual consumption. 

This payment method is often used when utilities are not included in the rent. 

In Denmark it is normal to pay a deposit when renting accommodation. 

Limits

There are limits to the amount that the owner may request in deposit. Legally, the owner can only request up to 3 months deposit and 3 months prepaid rent. 

The deposit will remain on the owner's account until the apartment has been inspected for any damages and the heating and other utilities have been settled.

Getting your deposit back

When terminating your lease, if you have prepaid 3 months of rent, you will not need to pay rent for the last 3 months of your lease.

Read the terms carefully

When you sign a rental agreement, you should read the terms carefully and make sure they clearly describe what you have agreed to. 

The contract defines some of the rights and obligations of the tenants and the landlord. This includes the amount of rent you must pay and the conditions for moving-in and moving-out. 

Mandatory provisions

A number of provisions in the Tenants Laws are mandatory with no option to negotiate less protection for the tenant. 

Other provisions can be negotiated and may offer the tenant less protection than what the Tenants Laws prescribe.

Public housing

If you rent a home from a public housing enterprise, a written lease is required by law. 

However, a written lease is not required by law for privately owned homes, but it is recommended nonetheless.

When subletting, a written contract is required by law in all cases.

CPR number requires documentation

When registering for a CPR number, you need proof of address in Denmark. The easiest way to proof your address is to bring your contract.

Standard rental agreement

We recommend that you use the standard rental agreement developed by the Danish Ministry of housing. 

Aarhus University has created an unofficial translation of the rental agreement that you might want to use for comparison with your own lease. 

• official rental agreement from the Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing and Senior Citizens
• unofficial translation of the rental agreement

The do's and don'ts when signing a lease

Do's:

• go through the apartment with your landlord and document any defects e.g. take pictures). You risk having to pay from your deposit when you move out, if you cannot prove that the defect was already there when you moved in.
• make a note of the rent and what it consists of: is heating, water, internet etc. included?
• pay your rent on time. If you don't, it could be a reason for eviction.
• sign up for meter service.
• study the move-in and move-out conditions carefully.

Don'ts:

• do not sign the lease without reading the terms - a rental contract is a legal contract.
• do not pay any deposit in advance without having a contract.

Danish companies are known to have a very flat hierarchical structure and the culture is described as having a low power distance where people expect and accept power relations that are more consultative and democratic.

People relate to one another as equals regardless of job titles and formal positions.

Equality and informality

Managers and employees address each other by their first names and most decisions are discussed in forums where all employees have an equal say. At lunch, you will find managers and employees sitting at the same table talking openly about their private lives and pursuits. The conversation often revolves around family life, holidays and what people do in their spare time.

High level of trust

There is a high level of trust in Denmark, where when one says "a deal is a deal" and we trust that the other party will accept the mutual agreement. In fact, the flat structure in the work culture is primarily built on trust. 

Managers do not micromanage their employees and do not have to ensure that they are doing their job well as they trust that this is the case. 

The relationship between the employer and the employee is built on trust and mutual respect. The employer trusts that the employee will speak up if there is an issue.

Independence and responsibility

Another keyword that can describe the Danish work culture is independence.

Danes actually do not like to be led, and prefer to work independently. Employers like the fact that employees are responsible and able to work independently.

You will be part of a team

In Denmark there is a long standing tradition where focus at a workplace is geared towards teamwork and team collaboration. This means that as an employee, you are part of a team which includes group evaluations and team discussions.

At the same time, you can achieve your responsibilities independently, in the most efficient way.

Teamwork based on trust

This way of working together is also based on trust. Your team members or your manager will not micromanage you or see how you are coming along with work. They trust that the work will be done within the agreed timelines unless informed otherwise. 

Some internationals describe the work culture in Denmark as being very informal compared to what they are used to.

Usually one of the first things internationals mention about the Danish work culture is the work-life balance. 

Most employees work from 9 to 4 and are able to return home to their families or take part in activities organised by some of the clubs and associations. This is something that many expat families value when moving to Denmark.

Leisure time

Leisure time is important to the Danes and many families make an effort to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

Dress code

Although the workplace culture varies from company to company, the general office dress code is relatively relaxed for both men and women, smart casual being the norm.

Introductions

At business meetings, Danes will generally introduce themselves by their full name and with a handshake and expect you to do the same.

You should not expect to be introduced to people by others. You should take the initiative. This is also the case at social gatherings.

There are no stupid questions

For some internationals, asking questions can be challenging, especially if you come from a culture that is top-down driven.

In Denmark, we believe in the saying: "There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers."

So do not hesitate to ask your employer if you have questions regarding work or how to proceed with a task.

Asking questions or giving critical comments is considered showing your commitment and taking responsibility