Resources for people living and working in Copenhagen and Denmark
Making a life in a new place is never easy. Below is a list of places that you might find useful when relocating to Copenhagen and Denmark.
Information on staying and working in DK
The official website of Denmark (run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs): denmark.dk
The official Danish website for international recruitment is WorkinDenmark (run by the Ministry of Employment): Workindenmark.dk
ExpatinDenmark – public founded organization to help expats build a life in Denmark. Many useful links and activities: www.expatindenmark.com
Finding a place to stay
These two sites have the majority of housing adds (in Danish):
www.dba.dk – free site with housing, second-hand goods etc.
www.boligportalen.dk – paid site with housing advertisement.
Language
Learning the Danish language is probably the single most important factor in building a long term career and life in Denmark.
Find the nearest sprogcenter: http://dedanskesprogcentre.dk/english.html
See useful links at ExpatinDenmark’s page
Mentor Programmes
The last years, several mentor programs have been set up in Copenhagen to facilitate foreigners’ integration in the Danish labor market og society.
Copenhagen Host Programme – http://www.blanddigibyen.dk/cphhostprogram/
or www.facebook.com/cphhostprogram
Kvinfo, for women – www.kvinfo.dk/mentor
Finding a job
In Denmark the municipality-run jobcenters are where general support for job seekers is based. To find your local jobcenter, you can use this link (Danish) https://info.jobnet.dk/mit+jobcenter
For accompanying spouses residing in Copenhagen Municipality (men or women), the Copenhagen Career Programme offers a range of activities to help you get closer to the work market in Denmark. Check out www.facebook.com/CopenhagenCareerProgram
First Job in Denmark offers free (paid for by the municipality if you live in Copenhagen Municipality) Jobseeking courses
Also check out Workindenmark’s spouse programs (where, btw, Jens from Work & Life Denmark teaches work culture).
Voluntary Work
Copenhagen Volunteers – http://www.cphvolunteers.dk – if you would like to volunteer at public events and particpate in their courses, this is worth checking out.
Second-Hand Bikes
Best way to get around Copenhagen is by bike. Remember stay on the right side of the cycle path :-)
The police auctions – http://www.topauktioner.dk/
Frederiksberg F86 fixes used bikes and sells them for 650 kr. Finsensvej 86, 1st floor (best to reach them around 10-14, you can contact them before).
And of course, again, Den blå avis, www.dba.dk
Psychological assistance
We can recommend the private practitioneer Florence Noer at TimeIN who is trilingual (English/French/Danish) and has an expat background herself, www.timein.dk
Building a social network in Denmark
Interest groups from the Meetup-website are used by many expats and Danes for special groups. Create your (free) profile and join the groups you are interested in. www.meetup.com
Internations hosts monthly network events for internationals in Copenhagen – sign up here (it’s free and there’s no hassles) http://www.internations.org/expats-in-denmark or take a sneak look at their events here.
Facebook has many social groups to join. If you like young, business style cocktail events, Soso (SoSophisticated) attract expats and Danes alike.
Not least, use Work & Life Denmark’s facebook page. It deals with social life in Copenhagen for expats and Danes between approximately 30-45 years of age, and every Monday we give our recommendation of the weekly event or events!
Other resources
International House on Gyldenløves. Asides being the residence of Work & Life Denmark, it also International Citizen Service is a one-stop-shop for foreign nationals. Here you can meet with employees from 1. SKAT (taxes), 2. Udlændingestyrelsen (Immigration issues) 3. Workindenmark (Work issues) 4. Københavns Kommune/Copenhagen Municipality (Municipality issues, getting a CPR number (mostly Copenhagen Municipality-citizens), etc.) and 5. Statsforvaltningen. Check opening hours and addresses: http://icitizen.dk
Novum. Interest organization for highly-skilled foreigners. http://www.novum-net.dk
Worktrotter. Network of expats centered around work and social life in Denmark, created by international Dagmar Fink. Worktrotter.dk
Danish Green Card Association. http://danishgreencard.wordpress.com/team-dgca/
Frederiksberg Municipality has published an extensive guide about the different aspects of settling in. It may be read not only by residents of Frederiksberg, but also others interested (in Danish and from 2011, so some of the information is no longer valid).
Copenhagen Municipality’s official website
Copenhagen Post – the weekly, English-language newspaper: cphpost.dk
Guided tours in Copenhagen: offered by experienced and professional guides, this is a good way to get a feel for Copenhagen: toursincopenhagen.com
Inspiration on expat life in Denmark:
Scandinavian Standard – fashion, design, transport, life and more – written by expats in Copenhagen: scandinaviastandard.com
How to live in Denmark – expat Kay Xander Melish’s website with interesting and entertaining angles on Denmark and life in Denmark, including podcasts: howtoliveindenmark.com
And, finally, ask your company to pay for you joining one of Work & Life Denmark’s courses, to improve your career at your workplace and your social life in Denmark!
If you have comments or suggestions to this list, feel free to contact Work & Life here.
