When first moving to Denmark, there is a series of administrative procedures that must be followed in the correct order, as subsequent steps often depend on previous ones (e.g., you must have a CPR number to register for MitID, and you must have MitID to open a bank account).
- Find housing and establish a permanent address.
- Register for a CPR number at Borgerservice or International Citizen Service (ICS).
- Receive a health card (sundhedskort) and choose a general practitioner (GP).
- Apply for a tax card (skattekort) before starting employment.
- Register for MitID to access digital services.
- Open a bank account and register for NemKonto.
- Check Digital Post to receive correspondence from public authorities.
- Enroll in Danish language courses to integrate and find employment more easily.
Health Card and General Practitioner
The health card (sundhedskort) is issued automatically when you register for a CPR number; the physical card is sent approximately 2-3 weeks later. A digital version is also available on the Sundhedskortet app. After obtaining a CPR number, you need to choose a general practitioner (GP) for free medical examinations, prescriptions, and preventive health advice.
Tax Card (skattekort)
A tax card (skattekort) is a mandatory requirement before your employer can pay your salary. You apply for a tax card with the tax authority, Skat, after registering for a CPR number; your employer will automatically retrieve your tax card information from Skat to correctly calculate the monthly tax deduction.
Bank Account and MitID
MitID is a digital login tool used for banking, public services, and many businesses; registration requires a CPR number, being 15 years or older, and identity verification. A bank account can be opened at any bank in Denmark using a passport, proof of address, and a tax card; it is advisable to register this account as a NemKonto to receive payments from public authorities.
Digital Post and Danish Language Learning
Digital Post is the official channel for receiving correspondence from public authorities and can be accessed via lifeindenmark.dk, e-Boks, mit.dk, or mobile applications. Learning Danish is encouraged to expand your network, integrate better, and facilitate job searching.