Table of contents (detailed)

of the Worktrotter's Guide to Denmark

Why this guide? .......................................................................................................... 1
Target audience .......................................................................................................... 3
How to read the guide ............................................................................................. 4
Thanks ......................................................................................................................... 6

Part 1: General information

1 Culture shock ...................................................................................... 11

2 The country .......................................................................................... 19
2.1 General .......................................................................................................... 19
2.1.1 History ........................................................................................................... 19
2.1.2 Geography ................................................................................................... 26
2.1.3 Religion ......................................................................................................... 28
2.1.4 The Danish flag ........................................................................................... 28
2.1.5 Security ......................................................................................................... 30
2.2 Political system ........................................................................................... 30
2.2.1 The Danish monarchy .............................................................................. 30
2.2.2 Government ................................................................................................ 32
2.2.3 Administration ............................................................................................ 36
2.3 Integration of foreigners ......................................................................... 39
2.4 Danish values .............................................................................................. 42
2.4.1 Democracy ................................................................................................... 42
2.4.2 Freedom of speech ................................................................................... 43
2.4.3 Rules and order .......................................................................................... 43
2.4.4 “Jantelov” and equality for all ............................................................... 44
2.4.5 A family-friendly society ......................................................................... 47

3 Made in Denmark ............................................................................. 49
3.1 Famous Danes ............................................................................................ 49
3.1.1 Tycho Brahe (Astronomer) ..................................................................... 49
3.1.2 Christian IV. (King) ..................................................................................... 50
3.1.3 Bertel Thorvaldsen (Sculptor) ............................................................... 50
3.1.4 Hans Christian Andersen (Author) ...................................................... 51
3.1.5 Søren Kierkegaard (Philosopher) ......................................................... 51
3.1.6 Karen Blixen (Author) ............................................................................... 52
3.1.7 Niels Bohr (Physicist) ................................................................................ 52
3.1.8 Jørn Utzon (Architect) ............................................................................. 53
3.1.9 Other well-known people ...................................................................... 54
3.2 Danish companies .................................................................................... 55
3.2.1 Bang & Olufsen – Designer hi-fi equipment .................................... 57
3.2.2 Carlsberg – Beer ......................................................................................... 57
3.2.3 ECCO – Shoes .............................................................................................. 58
3.2.4 LEGO – Construction toys ...................................................................... 59
3.2.5 A. P. Møller-Mærsk – Shipping .............................................................. 60
3.2.6 Novo Nordisk – Insulin / Novozymes – Enzymes ........................... 61
3.2.7 Oticon – Hearing aids .............................................................................. 62
3.2.8 Velux – Window solutions ...................................................................... 63
3.2.9 Vestas – Wind energy ............................................................................... 64
3.2.10 Other well-known companies .............................................................. 64
3.3 Sports ............................................................................................................ 66

4 Life in Denmark ................................................................................. 67
4.1 General .......................................................................................................... 67
4.2 Quality of life ............................................................................................... 69
4.3 Our expectations ........................................................................................ 70

5 Interaction with Danes ................................................................ 73
5.1 General etiquette ....................................................................................... 73
5.2 Invitations ..................................................................................................... 78
5.2.1 Meal names .................................................................................................. 78
5.2.2 Invitation to dinner ................................................................................... 78
5.2.3 Procedures for major celebrations ...................................................... 81
5.2.4 Weddings ...................................................................................................... 82
5.2.5 “Round” birthdays ...................................................................................... 83
5.2.6 Confirmations ............................................................................................. 83
5.2.7 Baptisms ........................................................................................................ 84
5.2.8 Wish lists ........................................................................................................ 84
5.3 Traditional festivities ................................................................................. 85
5.3.1 Public holidays ............................................................................................ 85
5.3.2 Traditions ...................................................................................................... 87
5.4 Traditional Danish food ........................................................................... 91

6 Experiences of 15 interviewees ........................................... 95
6.1 What do they like / dislike? ..................................................................... 95
6.2 What do they miss in Denmark? ........................................................... 111
6.3 What would they miss from Denmark? .............................................. 112
6.4 What would they have done differently? .......................................... 113

Part 2: Practical information

7 Getting started – first steps .................................................... 117
7.1 Residence and work permits ................................................................. 118
7.1.1 Scandinavian countries ........................................................................... 119
7.1.2 EU and EFTA member states .................................................................. 119
7.1.4 All other countries ..................................................................................... 121
7.1.5 Waiting times .............................................................................................. 122
7.2 CPR number and health insurance ..................................................... 123
7.2.1 Waiting times .............................................................................................. 125
7.2.2 Change of address within Denmark ................................................... 125
7.3 Tax card ......................................................................................................... 126
7.4 Bank account ............................................................................................... 127
7.5 NemKonto .................................................................................................... 127
7.6 Kindergartens and schools .................................................................... 128
7.7 Language training ..................................................................................... 128
7.8 Exchanging a driving licence ................................................................ 129
7.9 Trade unions ............................................................................................... 129
7.10 Unemployment insurance ..................................................................... 130
7.11 Digital signature ........................................................................................ 131
7.12 Importing a car ........................................................................................... 132

8 Work ............................................................................................................ 133
8.1 Looking for work ........................................................................................ 133
8.2 Job applications ......................................................................................... 135
8.3 Salary ............................................................................................................. 137
8.4 Salary package ........................................................................................... 138
8.5 Miscellaneous ............................................................................................. 141
8.6 Recognition of qualifications ................................................................ 143
8.7 Pension ........................................................................................................... 144
8.8 Leave ............................................................................................................... 145
8.8.1 Annual vacation .......................................................................................... 145
8.8.2 Sick leave ....................................................................................................... 146
8.8.3 Leave when children are sick ................................................................. 146
8.9 Unemployment ........................................................................................... 147
8.10 Setting up a business ................................................................................ 149
8.10.1 Common types of businesses ................................................................ 150
8.10.2 Support .......................................................................................................... 151

9 Health system ...................................................................................... 153
9.1 General ........................................................................................................... 153
9.2 General practitioners (GPs) ..................................................................... 155
9.2.1 Choosing a GP ............................................................................................. 155
9.2.2 Changing GPs .............................................................................................. 156
9.2.3 Consulting hours ........................................................................................ 157
9.2.4 Surprises ........................................................................................................ 158
9.3 Hospitals ........................................................................................................ 158
9.4 Waiting times ............................................................................................... 159
9.5 Dentists .......................................................................................................... 160
9.6 Medicine ........................................................................................................ 161
9.7 Additional health insurance ................................................................... 162
9.7.1 As part of your salary package .............................................................. 162
9.7.2 Private insurance ........................................................................................ 162
9.7.3 Health insurance outside Denmark ..................................................... 163
9.8 Pregnancy and delivery ........................................................................... 164

10 Money matters ................................................................................... 167
10.1 Bank account ............................................................................................... 167
10.2 Dankort ......................................................................................................... 169
10.3 Obtaining cash ........................................................................................... 169
10.4 Transferring money .................................................................................. 170

11 Housing .................................................................................................... 173
11.1 Rent or buy? ................................................................................................ 173
11.2 Pets ................................................................................................................. 179
11.3 Utilities .......................................................................................................... 180
11.4 Television and radio ................................................................................. 183
11.5 Telephone and Internet .......................................................................... 184
11.6 Insurance and legal assistance ............................................................. 186
11.7 Post ................................................................................................................. 187
11.8 Newspapers ................................................................................................. 189

12 Education ................................................................................................ 191
12.1 Kindergartens and schools....................................................................... 191
12.1.1 The Danish system .................................................................................... 192
12.1.2 Foreign children in the Danish system .............................................. 196
12.1.3 International schools ............................................................................... 198
12.1.4 Danish or international? ......................................................................... 200
12.1.5 German minority schools ....................................................................... 204
12.1.6 Holidays ........................................................................................................ 204
12.2 Financial aspects ........................................................................................ 205
12.3 Adult education ......................................................................................... 207
12.4 Marks in the Danish school system ...................................................... 209

13 Taxes ............................................................................................................ 211
13.1 General information .................................................................................. 212
13.2 Tax rates ......................................................................................................... 212
13.3 Tax deductions ............................................................................................ 215
13.4 The 25 percent tax scheme .................................................................... 217
13.5 Important tax checkpoints ..................................................................... 219
13.6 Making updates .......................................................................................... 220

14 Language ................................................................................................ 221
14.1 Danish without a language course ...................................................... 222
14.2 Recommendations .................................................................................... 224
14.3 Language schools ...................................................................................... 226
14.3.1 Types of courses ......................................................................................... 227
14.3.2 Fees ................................................................................................................. 228
14.3.3 Scope of courses ........................................................................................ 229

15 Transport and travel ...................................................................... 231
15.1 Cars .................................................................................................................. 231
15.1.1 Bring or buy? ................................................................................................ 233
15.1.2 Registration options .................................................................................. 237
15.1.3 Selling a car .................................................................................................. 243
15.1.4 Vehicle insurance ....................................................................................... 243
15.1.5 Company cars .............................................................................................. 244
15.1.6 Other options .............................................................................................. 245
15.1.7 Driving licence ............................................................................................ 246
15.1.8 Parking ........................................................................................................... 248
15.2 Cycling ........................................................................................................... 250
15.3 Overview of fines ....................................................................................... 256
15.4 Bus and rail ................................................................................................... 257
15.5 Air travel ........................................................................................................ 262
15.6 Bridges and ferries ..................................................................................... 263

16 Leisure time .......................................................................................... 265
16.1 Getting to know Danes ............................................................................ 265
16.2 Getting to know non-Danes .................................................................. 269
16.3 Popular sports ............................................................................................. 273
16.4 Open-air ........................................................................................................ 277

17 Shopping, having fun & saving money ........................ 279
17.1 Shopping ...................................................................................................... 279
17.2 Events & activities ...................................................................................... 284

18 Security ..................................................................................................... 291

19 Last steps – farewell, Denmark ............................................ 295

20 Cross-border commuters .......................................................... 299

21 Worktrotter’s plans for the future ..................................... 305

22 In case of emergency .................................................................... 307
22.1 Emergency call ........................................................................................... 307
22.2 On-call doctors ...................................................,....................................... 307
22.3 Dental emergencies ................................................................................. 309
22.4 Problems with plumbing and heating ............................................... 310
22.5 Problems with your car ............................................................................ 310

23 Addresses and opening hours .............................................. 311
23.1 Regional State Administration (statsforvaltning) ........................... 311
23.2 Immigration Service (udlændingeservice) ....................................... 311
23.3 Local authority/municipality (kommune) ......................................... 312
23.4 Tax authority (SKAT) .................................................................................. 313
23.5 Roadworthiness check (bilsyn) ............................................................. 315
23.6 Language schools ...................................................................................... 317
23.7 Non-Danish schools .................................................................................. 321
23.7.1 International kindergartens and schools .......................................... 321
23.7.2 Institutions of the German minority ................................................... 324

24 Danish abbreviations ................................................................... 325

25 Bibliography ......................................................................................... 327

26 Index ............................................................................................................ 329

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