Lifestyle in Denmark

Denmark offers a culturally vibrant, eco-friendly and high-tech lifestyle. From huge music festivals, Scandinavia's largest carnival and a spectacular Christmas, the Danish calendar is populated with amazing events.

On a daily basis, you can enjoy a wide range of creative, social and sporting activities. You can cycle about like the Danes and watch your carbon footprint. And you will benefit from an advanced technological infrastructure. Your broadband connection shouldn't waver.

If you come from a village where everyone greet each other in the street, you may find Danes a bit reserved at first. But don't worry, if you show a little initiative you will find Danes great social companions. We value ethics and love our natural environment - but don't believe in taking ourselves too seriously.

Money

Life in Denmark is not cheap, but our standard of living is among the best in the world. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. And if you are sensible and follow local customs - like cycling and eating seasonal food - it should not blow your budget.

All international students are advised to open a Danish bank account. To do so, you must first obtain a CPR number. When choosing a bank here, we suggest that you ask your fellow students for a recommendation. Opening an account is simple. Just take your passport or ID card and CPR number card to a branch.

You will need to bring enough money or a credit card for the first few weeks, before you open your account. For example, you will require enough cash to pay rent and deposits - as well as to buy items for your new room. Make sure you can use your credit card in Denmark. Check your cash withdrawal limit. If you bank with a large international bank, you should soon be able to transfer money directly from your account at home to your Danish bank account.

In Denmark, you will need to have a 'Nemkonto' or 'easy account'. This is a public payment system that enables the authorities to make payments to you - like wages, tax rebates or maintenance payments. Talk to your Danish bank about the possibility of converting your current account to a Nemkonto.  Also, if you are paid wages by a Danish employer, it is possible to have them transferred from a Danish bank to a bank account abroad. It may take a couple of days and some banks charge a fee. For further information, please contact the individual bank.

In terms of living expenses, it is obviously difficult to predict how much money you will need. To give you an idea of average monthly expenses, here is a rough budget:

• Rent: varies from 2,500 - 4,000 DKK (utilities are usually included)
• Insurance: approximately 200 DKK
• TV licence: 100 DKK
• Books and supplies: 150 DKK
• Mobile phone: 150 DKK (internet, around 250 DKK, may be included in your rent)
• Food: 1,500-2,000 DKK
• Transport: 300DKK
• Other personal expenses: 1,000 DK

Sample prices:

• Used bike: 250 - 1,000 DKK
• Cinema ticket: 80 DKK
• Dining out: 200DKK
• Nightclub entrance: 0 - 100 DKK
• Beer or a soft drink at a bar/café: 30 - 50 DKK
• Beer or a soft drink at the supermarket: 5 - 15 DKK
• Latte at a café: 25 - 40 DKK

For more information on living expenses in Denmark, please se here. 

The Danish currency is called the kroner (DKK):
1 krone is divided into 100 øre.
1 euro is approximately 7.5 kroner
1 US dollar is approximately 5 kroner
1 UK pound sterling is approximately 9 kroner

Please find a currency converter here.

Related links:
Currency converter
Working in Denmark
Living expences
"Nem konto"

Tuition fees

There are no tuition fees for students from the EU/EEA/Switzerland or anyone participating in an exchange programme. Other students exempt from paying tuition fees are:

- Those with a permanent residence permit in Denmark ('Permanent opholdstilladelse')
- Those with a special temporary residence permit in Denmark that can be upgraded to a permanent one ('Midlertidig opholdstilladelse mmf varigt ophold').
- Concomitant children of parents from non-EU/EEA countries who has residence permit on basis of work in Denmark

All other students have to pay tuition fees. For full-time degree students, these range from 6,000 to 16,000 Euros.

Scholarships and grants

Denmark offers scholarships and grants to nationals from countries inside and outside the EU. 
Danish Government Scholarships
Danish higher education institutions receive a limited number of government scholarships each year to fund highly qualified full-degree students from non-EU/EEA countries. 

In order to be eligible for a scholarship you must be:
- a citizen of a country outside the EU and the European Economic Area
- enrolled in a full degree higher education programme
- granted a time-limited residence permit in Denmark due to education

You are not eligible for a scholarship
- if you are studying in Denmark on the grounds of a bilateral exchange agreement
- if you have a legal claim to the rights of Danish citizens
- if you have been granted a residence permit at the time of admission by the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act §9c, subsection 1, as the child of a foreign citizen who has been granted a residence permit in accordance with the Danish Aliens Consolidations Act §9a, and who is a citizen of a country that is not acceded to the EU or covered by the EEA agreement
- if you are a student who is eligible for a grant in accordance with Danish Law regarding the State Education Fund

The scholarships are administered by the higher education institutions, who individually decide which students are selected to receive a scholarship. For further information about the governement scholarship, please consult the higher education institution's admission details.

Please note:  the government scholarship consists of two parts and can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards covering your living costs. However, as the scholarships are administered by the individual institution, you should enquire about further details at the higher education institution of your choice.

The Danish State Educational Support - SU

The Danish state educational support (SU) is generally only awarded to Danish citizens. As an international student you may, however, apply for equal status in so far as the state educational support is concerned. You may be granted equal status according to Danish rules or according to Rules of EU law.

For details about how to apply, visit the website of the Danish Education Support Agency.

Domestic scholarships and grants

If you are studying through an exchange agreement or as a visiting student, then the possibility of obtaining financial assistance will depend on your home institution. There are several options. If you are currently studying in a country outside the EU/EEA, we advise you to seek information about grants and scholarships there.

Public libraries

In Denmark, libraries are free. If you want to know more about Danish society or find out what is happening in your local community, they are a good place to start. You can borrow books, music, DVDs and computer games. Expert librarians can help you obtain specific information or materials. You can also access the Internet and read the day's newspapers. Useful pamphlets about local organisations and public authorities are readily available.

Many libraries have clubs for young people, arrange exhibitions, screen films, organise children's theatre performances and invite guest speakers. Many also offer homework assistance for primary school students, language learning activities and various fun social events.

You can also get help to find books and journals in different languages. If the texts you want are not available, they can be ordered for you. For more information, you may look at www.finfo.dk. FINFO is an online introduction to Danish society for foreigners. It includes, among many other topics, news from all over the world, local cultural information and the details of nationality laws.

Clubs and associations

Denmark is one of the few countries in the world where the majority of its citizens are members of an association. The country consequently has innumerable associations, organisations and clubs.

Sporting, political, housing, artistic, musical, ethnic and religious associations are common - as are those for followers of a special hobby. Some associations exist to safeguard the interests of vulnerable groups - like the disabled or the elderly. And some have global, socio-political ambitions. They champion things like human rights, the environment or animal welfare. There are also community meeting places - usually linked to a specific residential area - where people play cards, hold debates, pursue a leisure interest or listen to talks and lectures.

Everyone has the right to start an association in Denmark. All you need to do is hold a meeting and decide on its aims. You should also write down the association's rules on who can join, the number of members and the timing of annual meetings. For further information, please contact your local council.

Leisure time

For Danes, work and play are interlinked. We prize a healthy work-life balance. We believe that time out socially or to explore other interests - be they creative, cultural or sporting - is essential to personal fulfilment.

Denmark offers an exciting range of leisure activities: theatre, opera, museums, concerts and festivals. There are cutting-edge night clubs and bars in the cities and quaint, traditional inns in our unspoilt countryside. Restaurants vary from fine-dining to cheap and cheerful. At the cinema, films are usually shown in their original language, with Danish subtitles. 

Participating in different sporting activities is a great way to get to know people in Denmark. There are numerous options. Some educational institutions have their own sports facilities - as do certain halls of residence. You can also join an independent sports club. However, membership to these is often more expensive.

If you work in Denmark, you will discover that there are often social events with colleagues outside of the workplace and normal working hours. For example, it is standard to celebrate employees' birthdays with a group breakfast. There are also typically a few parties during the year that all colleagues attend.

As a new resident in Denmark, it is a good idea to participate in the social life where you work or study. It is how you can get close to Danes, establish ties and meet new friends. It is also important that you are attentive to your fellow students or co-workers and perceive them as friends - not just as people that you study or work with. Danish society is friendly and informal. It is socially acceptable to ask about people's lives and families.
 

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