Move to Denmark
Everything a future Denmark settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
Denmark at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
8 years
to permanent residency
9 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires B2 Danish, a culture & society test, and financial self-sufficiency for the full period.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Spouse receives residence permit with full work rights under Danish family reunification rules.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Denmark
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,970
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$81,878
GDP per capita
22%
Corporate tax
5.5%
Unemployment
1.4%
Inflation
Low inequality — the wealth gap won't slap you in the face daily.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
9.28/10
🏛️ Full democracy
97
/100Freedom House score
#8 of 163
Global Peace Index
#6
Press freedom rank
Is Denmark safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Safe enough to stop thinking about it. Standard urban awareness applies.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Danish
Primary language
Very High
English proficiency (#7 globally)
Most people speak decent English. You can survive without Danish, but your landlord will respect you more if you try.
❓ Moving to Denmark — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Denmark?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Copenhagen ranks #1 in Denmark with a score of 78/100. City-centre rent starts around $1970/month.
How much does it cost to live in Denmark?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $1970 to $1970/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $3,034.
How do I get permanent residency in Denmark?▾
The path to permanent residency in Denmark typically takes 8 years. Citizenship is possible after 9 years. Note: Requires B2 Danish, a culture & society test, and financial self-sufficiency for the full period.
Is Denmark a democracy?▾
Denmark scores 9.28/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Full democracy." It ranks #8 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Denmark safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Denmark is 1.0 per 100,000 people. That's quite safe by global standards.