There are certain practicalities and formalities you'll need to be aware of when working in Denmark. Denmark's labour market may well be structured differently from that of your home country. This site gathers the need-to-know information.
Small country, big taxes
Bad news... working in Denmark means paying Danish income tax. However, although taxes are high in Denmark, so are the wages. Plus, taxes are the foundation of Denmark’s fantastic welfare system that you have access to while you live here.
As soon as you start working in Denmark, you need to pay income tax, which means you need a tax card.
Skat.dk gives guidance on how to start paying taxes, as well as more information about the Danish tax system. Find out more here.
Apply for a personal tax number and tax card here.
Join the union
Trade union membership is common in Denmark. Over 70% of employed professionals are members of a trade union representing their interests. If you work in Denmark, it is both useful and advisable to join a trade union.
Advantages of joining a union
Union membership provides you with a series of employment- and career-related benefits. These include legal support and other services you may need, e.g. guidance on individual employment contracts, wage negotiations, industrial accidents and injuries.
There are lots of trade unions in Denmark. Join one within a field where you expect to seek employment.
You can read more about trade unions here.
We collaborate with three trade unions geared towards internationals living in Denmark:
Unemployment insurance – better safe than sorry
Besides joining a trade union, if you’re an EU/EEA citizen it can also be a good idea to join an unemployment insurance fund – an “A-kasse” – to provide cover for any periods of unemployment.
As opposed to other forms of social security in Denmark, unemployment insurance is voluntary. Without it, you have no protection against unemployment. To be insured you need to have been a member of an unemployment insurance fund for at least a year before losing your job.
Employment insurance fund memberships are often free or very cheap for students. So, consider joining while you are still studying! This way you will be covered right from the point of graduation.
You can read more about unemployment insurance funds here.
Advice on employment contracts
If you do any kind of work in Denmark, your employer is legally obliged to provide you with a contract covering the specific terms of your employment with reference to any relevant collective agreement that covers the general terms.Both trade unions and unemployment insurance funds often have guidance on what to look for before signing your contract.
You can read more about employment contracts here.
