To see what country is regarded as a Nordic country, EU/EEA country, or non-EU/EEA-country go to Residence and Work – Nordic Citizens, Residence and Work – EU/EEA and Swizz Citizens, or Residence and Work – non EU/EEA Citizens as applicable. Note that Swiss and Greenlandic licence holders are subject to the rules which apply to non-EU/EEA citizens.

If you hold a driving license from a non-EU/EEA or non-Nordic country, you are required to exchange your license for a Danish equivalent. You must do so within 14 days of being issued a Danish CPR number. Read more about the rules and how to exchange your license under Driving Licenses.

If your driving licence was issued by a Nordic or EU/EEA country, you are not required to exchange your driving licence with a Danish equivalent. However, you should be aware of the fact that if you lose your original driving licence, it may be difficult to obtain documentary proof required to apply for a new driving licence from the country that issued your licence.

To obtain a Danish driving licence, go to Citizens’ Services, taking with you your current EU/EEA or Nordic driving licence, along with a passport photo - see examples of the format required and restrictions that apply regarding size, image quality, etc. at the Danish National Police’s website. A Danish driving licence costs DKK 260. It will be forwarded to your home address within 2 weeks.

If you present Citizens’ Services with a health certificate issued by your Danish doctor, your Danish driving licence can be made valid until age 70. If you do not present a health certificate, the expiry date on your foreign driving licence will be transferred to your Danish driving licence.

If you hold a driving license from a Nordic or an EU/EEA country you are allowed to drive in Denmark using your foreign licence. However, note that if you lose your driving licence you may have difficulty obtaining the necessary documentary proof from the authorities in the country that issued your driving licence. It is therefore a good idea to obtain a Danish driving licence. Read about the rules and how to obtain a Danish license under Driving licences.

As tips as to what you should make a note of if you intend to request a refund:
The scheduled date, place and time of departure.

• The planned transport route number.
• Your scheduled destination and time of arrival.
• Your actual time of arrival.
• What went wrong - why were you delayed?
• What extra expenses did you incur and how did you reach your final destination, e.g. if you took a taxi, where did your take the taxi from and to, and what did you pay?

Remember to keep all your tickets and receipts!

Foreign-registered motor vehicles brought into Denmark must be register no later than 14 days after the owner has been issued with a CPR number. You can read more about importing a foreign-registered vehicle under Importing a foreign-registered vehicle.

Everyone who relocates to Denmark with a non-EU/EEA driving licence is required to exchange their licence for a Danish equivalent to drive in Denmark.

Drivers with non-EU/EEA driving licences are required to apply to have their driving licence exchanged no later than 14 days after they are issued with a Danish CPR number. You are only allowed to drive with a non-EU/EEA driving licence for 14 days after being issued a CPR number. Driving in Denmark after 14 days have elapsed without a Danish driving licence is illegal and the penalty for doing so is DKK 5,000.

The health insurance card is sometimes also referred to as the Yellow Card, because of the yellow colour of the card.

Drivers with non-EU/EEA driving licences are required to apply to have their driving licence exchanged no later than 14 days after they are issued with a Danish CPR number.

Before driving in Denmark you should acquaint yourself with the rules and regulations that apply here. Many of the rules and regulations may be the same as in the country you come from, and others will be different. For instance, in Denmark the use of headlights is obligatory 24 hours a day. You are also required to carry a warning triangle in your car and to wear a seatbelt at all times when the vehicle is in motion.

The Danish Road Directorate’s website provides an overview of some of the Danish traffic rules, as well as some guidelines.

Be aware when paying for your parking space with your Dankort in Aarhus. Several of the city’s designated parking bays can now be paid for with your Dankort, which is a relief for people like me that rarely carry coins. The procedure is relatively simple, you slide your Dankort through the payment metre when you arrive and again when you leave. The amount for the exact time is then automatically deducted from your bank account. However, you must ensure that you use the same machine when leaving otherwise you end up registering a second time and will end up with two parking bills for 24 hours each. 

An application to exchange your driving licence for a Danish equivalent is made to Citizens’ Services. Citizens’ Services are responsible for issuing driving licences, and collecting payment.

Danish road signs use standard international symbols. However, you may come across different signs that you are not familiar with. At The Danish Road Directorate´s website you can find illustrations and information about different road signs.

You must submit an application to have your driving licence exchanged, together with a certificate of health issued by your Danish general practitioner (GP).  When you visit your GP, take along a passport photo - see examples of the format required and restrictions that apply regarding size, image quality, etc. at the Danish National Police’s website. Note that the doctor will charge a fee to issue a certificate of health. When you have obtained certificate of health, go to Citizens’ Services, taking with you the following: 

• The certificate of health issued by your general practitioner together with a passport photo.
• Your passport and your work and residence permit - or a certified copy of the relevant pages.
• Proof of your Danish CPR number - e.g. your health insurance card.

Your current driving licence. Note: If the text of your current driving is not in the Latin alphabet, you must present a certified translation of the licence. If you have any questions, or need to find a certified translator, contact Citizens’ Services for help.

On the Danish Road Directorate’s website you can find information about the Danish motorways.

At Citizens’ Services you will be asked to complete a form, which you must hand in along with the above mentioned documentation. Please note that Citizens’ Services charge DKK 260 for processing your application.

If your driving licence was issued in Brazil, Ukraine, Australian Capital Territory, Japan, Russia, Taipei (Taiwan), South Korea or Switzerland you need to take no further action. When your original licence has been verified by the police you will receive a temporary licence and your new Danish driving licence will be sent to your home address within one month.

If your driving licence was issued by any other non-EU country you will have to pass a theory and driving test before you can be issued with a Danish licence. Citizens’ Services will send your driving licence to the police for them to check its authenticity, and in the mean time you will be given a one month temporary licence. When the police have verified the authenticity of your licence Citizens’ Services will issue another temporary driving licence valid for up to three months. You must pass the theory and driving test before the end of this period.

It is a good idea to get your CPR number immediately upon arrival if you intend to stay here for more than three months. You will need it to open a Danish bank account, get a Danish telephone number as well as to access many other services in Denmark.

Owners of vehicles in Denmark are required by law to take out motor vehicle liability insurance. This liability insurance covers damage you might inflict on other people or their property. For more information and prices, contact an insurance company. Note that the price may vary from one insurance company to another. It can be good idea to get offers from different insurance companies.

After your foreign driving licence has been verified by the police and you have received your new temporary driving licence in the mail, you must take the theory and driving test within three months.

The theory and driving tests are in Danish, but as a foreigner you are allowed to bring along an interpreter. Please note that the interpreter must be certified and approved by the police and that you must pay for the interpreter yourself.

 If you do not require an interpreter for your theory test, nor wish to take a few theory classes before you take the test, you can order the theory test at Citizen’s Services. If you do need an interpreter and/or wish to take a few lessons before taking the theory test, contact a local driving school and ask them to help you.

Having passed the theory test, you must then take a driving test. You must sign up to take the driving test via a driving school. 

If there is a waiting list for taking the driving test, the validity of your temporary driving licence can be extended by Citizens’ Services. However, Citizens’ Services will require proof of the fact that you have booked time for the test and that you are following the normal process.

It pays to give Danish language acquisition a high priority during your first few months in Denmark. All experience shows that the sooner you start attending Danish lessons – the faster and the better you will learn the language.

Examples of good ways to learn Danish:

• Watch television – preferably with Danish subtitles.
• Say hello to your neighbours when you meet them.
• Take a free newspaper when it is offered to you.
• Watch your favourite films with Danish subtitles.

Read more about media and news under Media and News.

In the event of accident of emergency, dial 112 for the police, ambulance, or fire services. Emergency telephones are located along motorways at two kilometre intervals. On the Danish Road Directorate’s website you can read more about emergency telephones. When you call the emergency services, remember to say who and where you are, what has happened, how many people and/or vehicles are involved and where you are calling from.

Owners of motor vehicles are liable to vehicle tax. You can find information about vehicle taxation on the Danish Tax Authorities – SKAT´s website.

The time frame for getting a Danish driving licence varies. The process takes longer if you have to take a theory and driving test.

If you are required to pass the theory and driving test before you can get the driving licence, you will be issued with another temporary driving licence as soon as you have passed the tests. Your new Danish driving licence will then be sent to your address within one month.

For directions to drive from one point to another, the Danish Yellow Pages’ website, degulesider.dk, has a map search application. Enter your point of departure and destination in the boxes at the top of the screen and a route suggestion will appear on the map.

The internet journey planer, rejseplanen.dk, has a service which allows you to compare a car journey with a journey by bus and/or train. Access the service at www.rejseplanen.dk and click on “CarJourneyplanner” in the menu on the left hand side. Click on the UK flag at the bottom of the page for the English version.

The cost of obtaining a Danish driving licence varies. It will cost more if you are required to take a theory and driving tests. The cost will also increase if you have to re-take the theory and/or the driving test. Note some driving schools require you to have at least one or two driving lessons before they will let you take the driving test. 

• Doctor’s fee for your health certificate: DKK 400
• Passport Photo: DKK 100
• Citizens’ Service (include the 1st theory and driving test fee): DKK 260
• Renting a car for one hour for the driving test: DKK 500
• Certified interpreter (if you do not speak Danish): DKK 600
• Theory book in English (Optional): DKK 500
• Online theory teaching programme and practice test: DKK 400
• One practical driving lesson  (Optional): DKK 500
• Fee for retaking the theory or driving test: DKK 900

For information on roads and traffic in Denmark and elsewhere in Europe, you can contact the Road Directorate’s Traffic Information Centre. You can also find information on how the Danish Road Directorate logs traffic density on the motorways.

Relevant authorities:

The Danish Road Directorate
Niels Jules Gade 13
PB 9018
DK-1022 Copenhagen K.
Telephone: 45 7244 3333
Fax: +45 3315 0848
Website: www.vejdirektoratet.dk.

SKAT’s website www.skat.dk provides information about SKAT and the tax rules and regulations that apply in Denmark.

Drivers from non-EU/EEA countries returning to their home country, temporarily or permanently, and need their original driving licence, can exchange their Danish driving licence for their original licence. To do so, contact Citizens’ Services.

For questions regarding Danish driving licences, contact Citizens’ Services. You can find the address of the Citizens’ Service office closest to you on the online search application at krak.dk.If you do not understand Danish, please follow this guide:

• Enter “The name of the Municipality you live in” in the Hvor (Where) search box
• Then click on Søg (Search)

You will then see a list of the address and the phone number of the Citizens’ Services office(s) in your Municipality.

In Aarhus, you can find Citizens’ Services at:

City Hall
Rådhuspladsen 2
8000 Aarhus C

Surveys have shown that learning Danish benefits you both professionally and socially in Denmark. Learning Danish will give you an insight into Danish cultural and social norms. This is important for successful communication and networking, whether on a personal or a business level. Speaking Danish is thus a key competence valued by many Danish companies.

You can read more about how learning Danish will benefit you on the Danish Immigration Service’s website.

Adequate Danish language skills - including a certified exam - are also essential if you wish to get a permanent residence permit or eventually Danish citizenship. Read more about the importance of learning Danish on the Danish Immigration Service’s website, under the headline “You must make an effort”. On the website you can also read about how to become a Danish citizen and the language requirements here.

As a foreigner the Danish Education Act gives you the right to a high standard Danish language teaching for up to 3 years after the first enrolment in a course. Apart from a nominal fee, the official Danish language programme is free of charge.

The free Danish language courses are structured in modules. Each module is concluded with a state-approved test in compliance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Every municipality is required to offer free language courses to foreigners, although it is up to the individual Municipalities to decide how they wish to organise this. Some municipalities provide courses themselves, some work together with other municipalities, and some municipalities have signed an agreement with a private language course provider in the area. However, in all major cities in Denmark, you can find a provider who can offer you Danish courses based on your learning preferences, your schedule, and your Danish level.

As tips as to what you should make a note of if you intend to request a refund:
The scheduled date, place and time of departure.

• The planned transport route number.
• Your scheduled destination and time of arrival.
• Your actual time of arrival.
• What went wrong - why were you delayed?
• What extra expenses did you incur and how did you reach your final destination, e.g. if you took a taxi, where did your take the taxi from and to, and what did you pay?

Remember to keep all your tickets and receipts!

According to the Danish Educational Act, foreigners are entitled to free Danish language courses during the first three years of their stay in Denmark.

You must also:

• Be over 18.
• Have a valid residence permit or certificate of registration in Denmark.
• Have a Danish CPR number.

If you live in another EU country but work in Denmark you also have the right to free Danish tuition.

If you do not meet these requirements, you may still enrol by paying a fee of approximately DKK 70 per lesson.

Read more about how to get a Danish CPR number under CPR number.

The health insurance card is sometimes also referred to as the Yellow Card, because of the yellow colour of the card.

According to the Danish Educational act, all municipalities are required to offer free Danish courses to foreigners, for up to three years after the first enrolment in a course. For contact information to the free Danish language provider close to where you live, contact your local Citizens’ Services office.

You can attend language courses in your home municipality or in the municipality where you are employed. If you wish to attend free language course in another municipality than the one you work or live in, you have to apply for permission from the municipality in which you have your registered address.

You can also learn Danish for free online.

You can find a complete list of all the free language course providers in Denmark and their contact here. At www.dedanskesprogcentre.dk you can also find a map, where the locations of the various language course providers are highlighted in red. By clicking on the school location you are interested in, you will be directed to that school’s website.
 

In Aarhus, free language courses are offered by Lærdansk Aarhus. Lærdansk offers day, evening, weekend, and online classes. Read more about Lærdansk´s online Danish courses.

In addition to the free course, Lærdansk also has flexible and targeted training courses, based upon individual employees’ and their employer’s needs for upgrading language skills. For further information on specific planned courses and prices, contact Marianne Jensen at Lærdansk Aarhus; Phone: 5052 8374 or mail: marianne.jensen@laerdansk.dk.

• For a detailed presentation of Lærdansk and their different course options, visit www.laerdansk.dk.

If you want to enrol in free Danish classes in Aarhus, contact:

Lærdansk Aarhus, Vestergade 72, third floor, 8000 Aarhus C.
Phone: +45 8732 5400.
Mail: aarhus@laerdansk.dk.

You can also enrol by following this link.

The number of language class offers and the variety of schedules, vary from provider to provider, and is often related to the number of foreigners that are living and studying Danish in the different Municipalities. Foreigners in employment frequently need specially planned courses. Ask your free Danish language course provider about classes during the daytime, in the evenings, at weekends and online.

You can also learn Danish free online, read more about online Danish courses on the Danish Immigration Service’s website.

The local Citizens’ Services will provide you with contact information for the local provider of free Danish language courses. After sign-up, the language school will want to see you and give an assessment of which class will give you best value and most effective learning possibilities.

If you want to enrol in free Danish classes in Aarhus, you can contact:

Lærdansk Aarhus, Vestergade 72, third floor, 8000 Aarhus C.
Phone: +45 8732 5400.
Mail: aarhus@laerdansk.dk.

You can also enrol by following this link.

You can find the address and phone number of your Municipal Citizens’ Services here. If you do not understand Danish, please follow this guide:

In the window that opens you will see that Borgerservice (Citizens’ Services) has already been entered in the Hvad (What) search box near the top of the screen. Enter  “The name of the Municipality you live in” in the Hvor (Where) search box. Then click on Søg (Search). You will then see a list of the address and the phone number of the Citizens’ Services office(s) in your Municipality.

It is a good idea to get your CPR number immediately upon arrival if you intend to stay here for more than three months. You will need it to open a Danish bank account, get a Danish telephone number as well as to access many other services in Denmark.

It may be a good idea to take a few driving and theory classes before you take the tests. This will cost extra, however, if you fail the tests, you will have to pay to redo the tests. The first theory and driving tests are free, but if you fail you will have to pay approximately DKK 870 to retake the test. Some driving schools offer online teaching programmes which can help you pass the tests.

ICS is a joint initiative by International Community, Aarhus Municipality Citizens’ Services, the Danish tax agency, SKAT, the State Administration for Central Jutland, Workindenmark and Immigration Service. At ICS, representatives of the various authorities will assist you with legal documents that you are required to deal with upon arrival when moving to Denmark.

The service is based on International Community's One Stop Shop, which was initiatated in collaboration with Aarhus Municipality Citizens’ Services, the Danish tax agency, SKAT, the State Administration for Central Jutland in December 2009.

Residents of Denmark are legally required to have a CPR number. You will also notice that your CPR number is your access number to a number of services in Denmark. You will need it to open a bank account, get a Danish phone number, borrow books at the library, take out insurance, etc.

When non-Danish citizens move to Denmark they are required to have a number of legal documents, such as application for EU registration certificate (For EU/EEA and Swiss citizens), getting a CPR number and health insurance card, and acquiring a Danish tax card. These are documents that are handled by different authorities, who are all located at different addresses.

The ICS is based on International Community's One Stop Shop service since 2009. The service was initiated to make the process of acquiring different legal documents easier for international workers and their families, when they arrive in the Aarhus area. At International Citizen Service internationals can meet with The State Administration of Central Jutland, Aarhus Municipality’s Citizens’ Services, and SKAT, at the same time, in the same office.

Most libraries in Denmark will require you to sign up as a user before you can make use of their services. To sign up you will need some form of photo-ID and your health insurance card as proof that you have a CPR number. Read more about the CPR number under CPR number.

CPR stands for Centrale Person Register, which translates as the Civil Registration System.

A CPR number is a personal identification number which, among other things, facilitates accurate linkage between all Danish national registers.

Your CPR number consists of ten digits. The first six digits are your date of birth, and the last four are your unique identification number. The last digit of your CPR number indicates your sex. If it is an odd digit you are male, and if it is an even digit you are female. For example, if your CPR number is 220550-6218, you were born on 22 May 1950 and you are female.

You can read more about the Civil Registration System at their website.

As tips as to what you should make a note of if you intend to request a refund:
The scheduled date, place and time of departure.

• The planned transport route number.
• Your scheduled destination and time of arrival.
• Your actual time of arrival.
• What went wrong - why were you delayed?
• What extra expenses did you incur and how did you reach your final destination, e.g. if you took a taxi, where did your take the taxi from and to, and what did you pay?

Remember to keep all your tickets and receipts!

At ICS you can get assistance with:

• residence permit for non-EU citizens
• registration certificate for EU citizens (for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens)
• tax card
• social security number - CPR (residents of Aarhus Municipality only)
• health insurance card
• Danish driver’s licence
•  

At ICS you will also meet representatives of International Community who will help you deal with any other enquiries you may have.

• ICS cannot help you to obtain a CPR number and health insurance card if you do not live in Aarhus Municipality.
• To obtain a CPR number you must contact your own Municipality’s Citizens’ Services.
•  
• You will not get a CPR number or a health insurance card on the day of your visit to ICS. The service assistants from Aarhus Citizens’ Services will assist you with your application for a CPR number and a health insurance card. Your CPR number and your health insurance card will be sent to your Danish address within 1-2 weeks of submission of your application.

Non-EU/EEA citizens who intend to stay in Denmark for more than three months are required to register with the Danish Civil Registration System upon arrival.
Nordic citizens, citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland are required to register with the Danish Civil Registration System and obtain a CPR number within six months of their arrival in Denmark.

Respectively, Residence and Work – non-EU/EEA Citizens, Residence and Work – Nordic Citizens and Residence and Work – EU/EEA and Swiss citizens provide information about the various types of citizenship.

The health insurance card is sometimes also referred to as the Yellow Card, because of the yellow colour of the card.

To make your visit at ICS as efficient as possible, there are different documents you can fill out before you arrive. There are also a range of items you must remember to bring with you to ICS, depending on what you need assistance with. 

You may also find it helpful to read up on what legal documents you are required to have in order upon arrival in Denmark, before you go to ICS. By doing so, you are better prepared for the meeting, and you get to know what questions are relevant for you to ask, when you meet with the different authorities.

Remember to get an overview of all the documents and items you are required to bring. Below you will find a list of what you need to take with you.

Your Health Insurance Card proves that you are covered by the Danish National Health Insurance, and it identifies your CPR number. You must present your health insurance card to all health service points in Denmark.

You get a CPR number when you register with the Danish Civil Registration System at Citizens’ Services in the municipality you live. You find the contact information to Citizens’ Services under Contact Information.

In order to register and be issued with a CPR number you need to show up in person at Citizens’ Services in the Municipality in which you live. This also applies to accompanying spouses and/or children.

To obtain a CPR number you must have an address in Denmark. You must also present a variety of documents depending on your current civil status (see below). Please note that if your documents are not in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English or German, you should bring along a certified translation of them.

At Citizens’ Services you will be asked for:

• Your Danish residence and work permit (non-EU/EEA citizens), or certificate of registration (for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens). Nordic citizens must bring proof of their Nordic personal identification number, e.g. your passport. 
• Some form of photo id, e.g. your passport 
• If you are married, your marriage certificate or a certified copy of it.
• If you have children, your child/children’s birth certificate(s).
• If you are divorced, your divorce certificate.
• If you are a widow/widower, the death certificate of your husband/wife.

You will find a detailed step guide to where, when and how to apply for a CPR number under Step Guides.

To qualify for a CPR number you must have an address in Denmark. Furthermore, you must take with you a variety of certificates depending on your current civil status (see below). Please note that if your certificates are not in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English or German, you should take with you a certified translation of them. 

• Your Danish residence and work permit (Non-EU citizens), or Certificate of Registration (for EU/EEA citizens) if you have already been issued with one. Nordic citizens must take their passport. 
• Some form of photo ID e.g. your passport.
• If you have children, your child’s/ren’s birth certificate(s).
• If you are married, your marriage certificate or a certified copy of it.
• If you are divorced, your divorce certificate.
• If you are a widow/er, the death certificate of your husband/wife.

If you have any questions about CPR numbers contact Citizens’ Services in the municipality in which you live. You can find the address and phone number of your Municipal Citizens’ Services here. If you do not understand Danish, please follow this guide: 

In the window that opens you will see that Borgerservice (Citizens’ Services) has already been entered in the Hvad (What) search box near the top of the screen. Enter “The name of the municipality you live in” in the Hvor (Where) search box. Then click on Søg (Search).

You will then see a list of the address and the phone number of the Citizens’ Services office(s) in your Municipality.

If you live in Aarhus, you can meet service assistants from Citizens’ Services and get assistance acquiring a CPR number in International Citizen Service Aarhus, located at Nordhavnsgade 4, 8000 Aarhus C. For more information about the International Citizen Service Aarhus, go to International Citizen Service.

In Aarhus there are Citizens’ Services offices at:

City Hall (Rådhuset)
Rådhuspladsen 2
8000 Aarhus C.

Viby Bibliotek (library)
Skanderborgvej 170
8260 Viby J.

Risskov Bibliotek (library)
Fortebakken 1
8240 Risskov

Aaby Bibliotek (library)
Lundvig Feibergs Vej 7
8230 Aabyhøj

It pays to give Danish language acquisition a high priority during your first few months in Denmark. All experience shows that the sooner you start attending Danish lessons – the faster and the better you will learn the language.

Examples of good ways to learn Danish:

• Watch television – preferably with Danish subtitles.
• Say hello to your neighbours when you meet them.
• Take a free newspaper when it is offered to you.
• Watch your favourite films with Danish subtitles.

Read more about media and news under Media and News.

It may be a good idea to take a few driving and theory classes before you take the tests. This will cost extra, however, if you fail the tests, you will have to pay to redo the tests. The first theory and driving tests are free, but if you fail you will have to pay approximately DKK 870 to retake the test. Some driving schools offer online teaching programmes which can help you pass the tests.

Most trains have areas that are designated for prams. Note that on IC and ICL trains you are required to reserve space for your pram in advance and that such reservation cannot be made online.

You can take your bike on most of trains. The area that is designated for bikes are usually marked, showing an illustration of a bike on or beside the door. If you take a bike, you must buy a supplementary ticket for it. Note that there is only space for a limited number of bikes on any one train and that it is up to the conductor to decide whether or not there is room for your bike. During the summer the railways companies often require you to reserve a space for your bike. You can neither reserve nor buy bike tickets online.

In Denmark you must buy a ticket before you travel. Tickets are checked by a conductor on the train and if you cannot produce a valid ticket you will be fined.

When you buy tickets, you can buy either one-way tickets or return. On IC or ICL trains, you can choose between second or first class tickets.

You are not required to reserve a seat for your train journey but it is the only way you are guaranteed not to be left standing. If you wish to reserve a seat you must specify this when you buy your ticket. Seat reservations coast approximately DKK 25. Note that even though you are not required to reserve a seat for your journey, it is recommended that you do so for journeys during peak periods.

Unless you ask for a ticket for a specific departure, the ticket you buy is likely to be valid for two hours. This means that you can use the ticket on any train that leaves for your destination within two hours of buying your ticket. Remember that if you make a seat reservation, it is only valid for the specified departure. The time validity of your ticket is stated on your ticket.

If you frequently travel to one destination or within the same number of zones, it may be a good idea to buy a travel card (månedskort/periodekort) or a discount card (klippekort). The smartest buy depends on how frequently you travel.

A travel card entitles you to travel as many times you like within the number of zones for which you have bought your travel card, for as long as the card is valid.

Discount cards are valid for 10 journeys within a specified number of zones. You pay less per journey using a discount card than with a single ticket. When travelling with a discount card you must punch the card at the beginning of your journey. Punching machines are situated on stations where you enter the platform.

If the means of public transport you are travelling with is delayed and you choose to travel to your destination, e.g. using a taxi or your own car to minimize this delay, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund of your expenses.

Make a note of:

* the scheduled date, place and time of departure.
* the planned transport route number.
* your scheduled destination and time of arrival.
* your actual time of arrival.
* what went wrong - why were you delayed?
* what extra expenses did you incur and how did you reach your final destination, e.g. if you took a taxi, where did your take the taxi from and to, and what did you pay?
* Remember to keep all your tickets and receipts!
 

The rules that govern travel time guarantees differ from one service operator to another. You must contact the service operator concerned to find out which rules apply in the event of a delay.
Acquaint yourself with the rules that apply before choosing another means of transport to reach your destination. A refund of your extra travel expenses often requires that certain conditions are fulfilled, and sometimes you will only get a partial refund of your expenses. A maximum expense refund amount also applies.
If you have been delayed and you wish to contact the service operator to check whether you are eligible for a refund, make sure that you have detailed information about your planned journey and the actual delay involved.

You can travel to and from Denmark with ferries from different countries.

For information about ferry services to and from Denmark visit www.denmark.net.

Denmark's main airport, and the largest in Scandinavia, is Copenhagen International Airport, Kastrup. The majority of international flights fly in and out of Kastrup. However, other airports, including Aarhus (Tirstrup), Billund, Aalborg, and Esbjerg offer flights to and from international destinations.

Read more about Copenhagen International Airport, Kastrup www.cph.dk.

For a list of Danish airports’ websites go to Visit Denmark’s website.

The rules that govern travel time guarantees differ from one service operator to another. You must contact the service operator concerned to find out which rules apply in the event of a delay.

Acquaint yourself with the rules that apply before choosing another means of transport to reach your destination. A refund of your extra travel expenses often requires that certain conditions are fulfilled, and sometimes you will only get a partial refund of your expenses. A maximum expense refund amount also applies.

If you have been delayed and you wish to contact the service operator to check whether you are eligible for a refund, make sure that you have detailed information about your planned journey and the actual delay involved.

Many of Denmark’s small islands can only be reached  by boat or ferry. In addition to the Great Belt Bridge, there ferry services also operate between and connect Jutland and Zealand. 

For information about ferry services in Denmark visit www.faerge.dk. Please note that the link is in Danish. However, clicking on the different cities displayed on the interactive map you will find information on timetables, contacts to local operators, etc. There is also information about ferry routes in the left-hand menu of the website. 

Despite Denmark’s relatively diminutive proportions, domestic services are provided from several regional airports. For a list of Danish airports’ websites go to Visit Denmark’s website.

In the brochure, "DSB’s Basic Travelling Time Guarantee", you will find DSB’s travel time guarantee explained.

Transport services operate to and from all airports in Denmark. For information about transport to and from the airport you are flying to or from, visit the airports’ website. For a list of Danish airports’ websites go to Visit Denmark’s website.

The health insurance card is sometimes also referred to as the Yellow Card, because of the yellow colour of the card.

Aarhus Airport, Tirstrup, is 36 kilometers from Aarhus. For more information about Aarhus Airport, Tirstrup, go to www.aar.dk.

An alternative to Aarhus Airport is Billund Airport, 96 kilometers from Aarhus. For more information about Billund Airport, go to www.billund-airport.dk.

Relevant websites:

• Copenhagen International Airport, Kastrup: www.cph.dk.
• Aarhus Airport, Tirstrup: www.aar.dk.
• Billund Airport: www.billund-airport.dk.

For a list of Danish airports’ websites go to Visit Denmark’s website.

The Danish health insurance covers the cost of acute medical treatment during the first month of a vacation in Europe. You must therefore also take your Danish health insurance card with you when you travel outside Denmark. However, please note that the health insurance does not cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons to your home country or Denmark, emergency repatriation or personal liability. For this reason, we encourage you to take out travel insurance/ additional insurance prior to your departure.

The public health insurance doses not cover the cost of e.g. medicine, dental care, physiotherapy and podiatry. However, you may be eligible for a subsidy. The health insurance does not cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons when you are abroad, either.

It is a good idea to get your CPR number immediately upon arrival if you intend to stay here for more than three months. You will need it to open a Danish bank account, get a Danish telephone number as well as to access many other services in Denmark.

The European Commission website provides practical answers to important questions when you need medical treatment abroad. You can also find national information and contact of relevant countries on the website.

It pays to give Danish language acquisition a high priority during your first few months in Denmark. All experience shows that the sooner you start attending Danish lessons – the faster and the better you will learn the language.

Examples of good ways to learn Danish:

• Watch television – preferably with Danish subtitles.
• Say hello to your neighbours when you meet them.
• Take a free newspaper when it is offered to you.
• Watch your favourite films with Danish subtitles.

Read more about media and news under Media and News.

It may be a good idea to take a few driving and theory classes before you take the tests. This will cost extra, however, if you fail the tests, you will have to pay to redo the tests. The first theory and driving tests are free, but if you fail you will have to pay approximately DKK 870 to retake the test. Some driving schools offer online teaching programmes which can help you pass the tests.

For directions to drive from one point to another, the Danish Yellow Pages’ website, degulesider.dk, has a map search application. Enter your point of departure and destination in the boxes at the top of the screen and a route suggestion will appear on the map.

The internet journey planer, rejseplanen.dk, has a service which allows you to compare a car journey with a journey by bus and/or train. Access the service at www.rejseplanen.dk and click on “CarJourneyplanner” in the menu on the left hand side. Click on the UK flag at the bottom of the page for the English version.

Most bus companies post bus routes and timetable on their website. Often, you can also find bus timetables at the bus station and on the bus. Furthermore, the Internet journey planer, www.rejseplanen.dk is very useful if you are looking for travel routes, departure and arrival times. The journey planner is based on data provided by all the bus and railway operators and most of the ferry services in Denmark – local as well as national. For an English version of www.rejseplanen.dk, click on the UK flag at the bottom of the page.

On many city bus services, one adult is entitled to travel with two children under the age of twelve for free. However, children under 12 travelling alone pay a children’s fare. Children under 16 can buy children’s tickets and children’s discount cards. Ask the driver or at the ticket office about the rules that apply when travelling with a specific company.

You can download the timetable for Aarhus’ city buses and night buses on Midttrafik’s website. On the website you can also find the timetable for the regional buses. Please note that the sites are only in Danish. 

You can also find departure and arrival times to and from destinations in Aarhus at: www.rejseplanen.dk.

The regional transport service organisation:

• In North Jutland is Nordjyllands Trafikselskab,  www.nordjyllandstrafikselskab.dk.
• In Central Jutland is Midttrafik, www.midttrafik.dk.
• In the Metropolitan Region and Region Zealand is Movia, www.moviatrafik.dk.
• In Region Southern Denmark is Sydtrafik, www.sydtrafik.dk and Fynbus, www.fynbus.dk. 
• On the Baltic island of Bornholm is BAT www.brk.dk.

Note that some sites are only in Danish.

You can find a list of some of the companies who offer long distance services in Denmark at Visit Denmark’s website.

Visit X bus´ website at: www.xbus.dk.

Some of the companies operating bus services to and from Denmark are listed on Visit Denmark´s website.

The online journey planner, www.rejseplanen.dk, is a very useful site when you are looking for travel routes, departure and arrival times. Rejseplanen.dk is based on data provided by all bus and railway operators, as well as most ferry services in Denmark. The journey planner can also help you to find coordinating buses if you cannot reach your destination by train.

DSB Customer Centre: +45 70 13 14 15, for other contact information to DSB, go to DSB’s website. 

Find details of the companies operating rail services in Denmark on the Danish Road Directorate’s website. Please note that you will be directed to a Danish site.

The online journey planner, Rejseplanen, provides information about all public transport in Denmark: www.rejseplanen.dk.

In Denmark European Health Insurance Cards are only issued to citizens from the European Union Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway who are legally receding in Denmark. Residing nationals of third countries are not covered by the European Health Insurance Card. This also applies to third country citizens visiting Denmark who have been issued with a European Health Insurance Card in the EU country in which they normally reside.

SOS International (SOS) administers the Danish tourist health insurance scheme on behalf of the Danish Government. Read more about SOS on their website: www.sos.dk.

Nordic citizens are automatically covered by the Danish Health Security Act.

Your health insurance card is a proof of the fact that you are covered by the Danish healthcare system. You will have to present your health insurance card in connection with all health care services, such as when you visit your GP or a hospital - including the accident and emergency department.

Your health insurance card is also often requested as a means of proof of your CPR number. You will be asked for your health insurance card by most public and many private service points as a means of identification of your CPR number. It is recommended that you always have your health insurance card with you.

Read more about how to get a CPR number under CPR Number.

It is always advisable for EU and EEA citizens to carry a European Health Insurance Card when travelling within the EU and EEA. However, you are required to carry a European Health Insurance Card with you when travelling in EU/EEA countries, if you:

• are going on holiday for more than one month – the yellow Danish health insurance card covers up to 30 days
• are doing an internship or going to work abroad as an au-pair
• are studying at university in another EU/EEA country
• suffer from a chronic illness
• are working temporarily abroad for your Danish Employer. If temporarily based in another country you must have an approved E101 form.

Holders of a Danish CPR number and a yellow health insurance card are covered by the public tourist health insurance in the event of acute illness, injury or death during the first month of a vacation within the EU or EEA.

Your health insurance card proves that you are covered by the Danish National Health Insurance. It is a yellow plastic card the same size as a credit card. The card states your name, your address and the name and address of your General Practitioner. It also carries the municipality that issued the card and the date from which the card is valid. You must sign your card on the reverse in the white space provided.

Read more about the rules regarding General Practitioners in Denmark under general practitioners.

If possible, you should get your European health insurance card from your local authority before leaving for Denmark. This card is proof that you are entitled to health insurance in your home country. Above all, it gives you access to free medical care in Denmark until you have been issued a CPR number and a Health insurance card.

As tips as to what you should make a note of if you intend to request a refund:
The scheduled date, place and time of departure.

• The planned transport route number.
• Your scheduled destination and time of arrival.
• Your actual time of arrival.
• What went wrong - why were you delayed?
• What extra expenses did you incur and how did you reach your final destination, e.g. if you took a taxi, where did your take the taxi from and to, and what did you pay?

Remember to keep all your tickets and receipts!

E101 is a posting certificate which you are required to have approved if your Danish Employer sends you abroad to work temporarily (up to 12 months). An approved E101 obviates the need to join the social security system of the country to which you are posted. Your employer will usually apply for an E101 form for you. In Denmark E101 forms are issued by Sikringsstyrelsen.

Read more about postings abroad and the required formalities on the European Commission website.

The public tourist health insurance covers all EU Member States as well as the EEA countries of Andorra, the Azores, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, the Isle of Man, Iceland, the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands, Liechtenstein, Madeira, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican State.

We strongly advise you to take out health insurance in your home country to cover any medical care costs  until you have register with Citizens’ Services and been issued a CPR number and health insurance card.

The European Health Insurance Card gives you access to the same public sector health care as nationals of the country you are visiting during your temporary stay abroad. Read more about what the EU Health Insurance Card covers on the European Commission Website.

As an international student from a country outside of EU/EEA and a non-Nordic country, you are covered by the Danish Health Insurance Act as soon as you register at Citizens’ Service. You must register at Citizens’ Services within five days after your arrival in Denmark.

We strongly advise you to take out health insurance prior to your departure for Denmark to cover you until you have registered with the Danish authorities.

Your Health Insurance Card proves that you are covered by the Danish National Health Insurance, and it identifies your CPR number. You must present your health insurance card to all health service points in Denmark.

The European Health Insurance Card does not cover medical repatriation. Read more about the EU Health Insurance Card on the European Commission Website.

If you have a Danish health insurance card, you are covered by the public tourist health insurance if you fulfil the following requirements:

• Your trip lasts one month or less
• The sole purpose of your trip is vacation or study trip
• You travel within the EU and EEA (see In which countries are you covered?)
• You do not suffer from a chronic illness such as high blood pressure.

If you suffer from a chronicle illness, you should always contact SOS International prior to departure, to check if you are covered by the public tourist health insurance.

One month’s cover means that if you e.g. leave on your vacation on the 5^th you are covered up to and including the 4^th of the following month.

If you are in doubt about the cover provided by the tourist health insurance scheme when already abroad you are encouraged to call the emergency service number printed on the back of your card.

As soon as you have received your health insurance card, you can access the public health service through your General Practitioner. However, you will not receive your CPR number and your health insurance card until up to two weeks from the day you registered with Citizen’s Service.

If you need medical attention during this period, you can consult the following doctor:

Ejner Kjær, Skt. Pauls Gade 3, 8000 Aarhus C. Telephone number: +45 86 12 07 64 Website: www.doktorejner.dk.

You will automatically receive a health insurance card, when you have registered at Citizens’ Service and been issued a CPR number. Read more about how and when to get a CPR number under CPR number. The health insurance card will be sent to your Danish address.

To qualify for a CPR number you must have an address in Denmark. Furthermore, you must take with you a variety of certificates depending on your current civil status (see below). Please note that if your certificates are not in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English or German, you should take with you a certified translation of them. 

• Your Danish residence and work permit (Non-EU citizens), or Certificate of Registration (for EU/EEA citizens) if you have already been issued with one. Nordic citizens must take their passport. 
• Some form of photo ID e.g. your passport.
• If you have children, your child’s/ren’s birth certificate(s).
• If you are married, your marriage certificate or a certified copy of it.
• If you are divorced, your divorce certificate.
• If you are a widow/er, the death certificate of your husband/wife.

The European Health Insurance Card is free of charge.

You are not covered by the tourist health insurance card if you

• Go abroad on a combined business and vacation trip – regardless of how much of the trip is business related
• Go abroad to study or on business
• Travel outside of EU or EEA (see In which countries are you covered?)
• Go abroad to seek or apply for work.

The Danish health insurance covers the cost of acute medical treatment during the first month of a vacation in Europe. You must therefore also take your Danish health insurance card with you when you travel outside Denmark. However, please note that the health insurance does not cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons to your home country or Denmark, emergency repatriation or personal liability. For this reason, we encourage you to take out travel insurance/ additional insurance prior to your departure.

You get a health insurance card from your Municipal Citizens’ Services when you have been issued with a CPR number.

European Health Insurance Cards are issued by municipal Citizens´ Services offices. A number of municipalities (including Aarhus) enable you to order a card online. However, many of these application forms are only available in Danish. If you have any questions about how to obtain a European Health Insurance Card, contact Citizens’ Service in your municipality.

The public tourist health insurance scheme covers the following expenses:

• Standard medical assistance and medicine prescribed by a doctor, medical equipment and aids.

• Admission to hospital on doctor’s orders, hospital treatment including operations. Note that the tourist health insurance only applies to standard class hospitals in the relevant country. If you are admitted to a hospital of a higher class than standard, you may be required to pay a surcharge of DKK 5.000-10.000 pr. day. If you are hospitalized, you should always contact SOS International emergency call centre as soon as possible. Never sign admission papers or any other documents without the acceptance of SOS International emergency call centre.   

• Transport costs to the nearest suitable treatment facility.

• The cost of phone calls or other forms of communication with the SOS International emergency call centre from abroad.

• Extra ordinary home transport costs from Greenland and the Faroe Islands to Denmark. Note that for the cost to be covered, transport home must have been prescribed by a SOS International doctor.

• Extraordinary home transport costs in the event of death.

• Hotel stays on doctor’s orders, in cases in which treatment which would otherwise require hospitalization can be performed on an outpatient basis.

• Hotel stays on doctor’s order after a hospital discharge until the patient can be transported home from Greenland or the Faroe Islands to Denmark.

• The cost of catching up with a pre-planned travel itinerary in the event of a delay as a consequence of bed rest on doctor’s orders.

To get a health insurance card you need a CPR number. When you register to get a CPR number you will be asked to choose a general practitioner. Read more about the rules for choosing a general practitioner under Choosing a General Practitioner. Your Health Insurance Card will be sent to your Danish address when you have been issued with a CPR number and have chosen a general practitioner.

The public health insurance doses not cover the cost of e.g. medicine, dental care, physiotherapy and podiatry. However, you may be eligible for a subsidy. The health insurance does not cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons when you are abroad, either.

It is a good idea to get your CPR number immediately upon arrival if you intend to stay here for more than three months. You will need it to open a Danish bank account, get a Danish telephone number as well as to access many other services in Denmark.

The European Commission website provides practical answers to important questions when you need medical treatment abroad. You can also find national information and contact of relevant countries on the website.

If you require medical attention during your vacation call the SOS International emergency call centre on the phone number printed on the back of your yellow health insurance card. Alternatively you can ask service assistants at your hotel, your travel guide, etc. to help you get in contact with a doctor.

In the event of a serious illness or accident which require admission to hospital it is very important that you, your next of kin or the attending doctor, contact SOS International emergency call centre as soon as possible on telephone number: +45 70 10 75 10.

If the hospital or the attending doctor requires a payment guarantee contact the SOS International emergency call centre. 

If you are in doubt about what the public tourist health insurance covers, you should always check with SOS International prior to departure. You should also always contact SOS International if you require medical attention during your vacation abroad.

Expenses NOT covered by the public tourist health insurance include among others:

• Repatriation for medical reasons. For this reason, you are strongly encouraged to take out an extra private health travel insurance that covers medical related home transportation.  

• Dental treatment, physiotherapy, chiropractor treatment, etc.

• Treatment of chronic illnesses, or illness from which you suffered prior to departure, and for which you, with reasonable likelihood might expect to require medical treatment during your trip.

• Healthcare assistance in the ninth month of the pregnancy or induced abortion.

• Loss or damage of dentures, spectacles, hearing aids, etc.

• Continued medical treatment, despite an assessment by the SOS International doctor in consultation with the onsite doctor in charge that further treatment can be completed after the patient’s return to Denmark

• Communication costs with other parties than SOS International.

• Substitute travel

If you suffer from a chronicle illness, you should always contact SOS International prior to departure, to check if you are covered by the public tourist health insurance.

If you move to a new address you are required to register your new address at Citizens’ Services in the Municipality you move to. You must do so no later than five days after you have moved. When you have registered your new address you will receive a new health insurance card. If you move to a new municipality or more than 15 kilometres away from where your general practitioner is located you will need to choose a new general practitioner. Read more under General Practiioner - If you move to a new address.

It pays to give Danish language acquisition a high priority during your first few months in Denmark. All experience shows that the sooner you start attending Danish lessons – the faster and the better you will learn the language.

Examples of good ways to learn Danish:

• Watch television – preferably with Danish subtitles.
• Say hello to your neighbours when you meet them.
• Take a free newspaper when it is offered to you.
• Watch your favourite films with Danish subtitles.

Read more about media and news under Media and News.

On the European Commission website you will find practical advice on what to do in emergency situations, when travelling in another EU/EEA country.

The yellow health insurance card assures that the expenses for which you are entitled to cover will be refunded after you return to Denmark. You may, however, be required to pay for medical services and medicine yourself while on holiday. If this is the case, do not forget to get a receipt for presentation when you get home. You will have your expenses refunded upon arrival to Denmark when you have completed and submitted a claim form to SOS together with the original receipts and documents. Remember to make yourself a copy.

Note that for EU and EEA citizens it is always a good idea to take the blue EU health insurance card with you on your travels, even though your vacation will not exceed one month. Read more about the EU health insurance card under the heading EU health insurance card

It may be a good idea to take a few driving and theory classes before you take the tests. This will cost extra, however, if you fail the tests, you will have to pay to redo the tests. The first theory and driving tests are free, but if you fail you will have to pay approximately DKK 870 to retake the test. Some driving schools offer online teaching programmes which can help you pass the tests.

If you lose your health insurance card you must apply for a new one. You can apply online at www.borger.dk (Danish only) or at your municipality´s Citizens’ Services office. You will receive a new card in the mail 8-14 days after your application has been received. Replacement of lost or damaged cards costs DKK 170.

For questions regarding your health insurance card contact Citizens’ Services in the Municipality you live. You can find the address and phone number to your Municipality´s Citizens’ Services centres at krak.dk. If you do not understand Danish, please follow this guide:

In the window that opens you will see that Borgerservice (Citizens’ Services) has already been entered in the Hvad (What) search box near the top of the screen. Enter “The name of the Municipality you live in” in the Hvor (Where) search box. Then click on Søg (Search).

You will then see a list of the address and the phone number of the Citizens’ Services office(s) in your Municipality.

If you live in Aarhus you can also meet Citizens’ Services and get assistance with acquiring a CPR number at International Citizen Service, located at Nordhavnsgade 4, 8000 Aarhus C. Read more about International Citizen Service here.

In Aarhus there are Citizens’ Services offices at:

City Hall (Rådhuset)
Rådhuspladsen 2
8000 Aarhus C.

Viby Bibliotek (library)
Skanderborgvej 170
8260 Viby J.

Risskov Bibliotek (library)
Fortebakken 1
8240 Risskov

Aaby Bibliotek (library)
Lundvig Feibergs Vej 7
8230 Aabyhøj

If you have any questions regarding the European Health Insurance Card or wish to obtain one, please contact Citizens’ Services. 

You can find a thorough introduction to rules concerning European Health Insurance Cards on the European Commission website.

Questionsregarding E 101:

Sikringsstyrelsen
International Office
Landemærket 11
1119 Copenhagen K 

Opening hours: 10.00 - 14.00
Telephone: +45 33 95 50 00
Fax 33 95 51 56,
E-mail: 6kt@sist.dk

On your return to Denmark after a vacation during which you have incurred medical treatment costs, you are required to complete a claim form and submit it, along with the relevant original receipts and documents, to SOS International. Remember to make yourself a copy. You must submit the form and documents to SOS within six months of the occurrence of injury/illness. This means that if the injury/illness incurred February 6 2010, you must report your claim to SOS no later than August 5 2010.

Note that you are required to complete the claim form and submit it, along with a copy of all relevant receipts and documents, whether you paid the expenses yourself or not.

You can not report your claims by phone. You report and submit your notice claim by using one of the following alternatives:

Fill in an online notice claim using your digital signature (directions and form only available in Danish)

Fill in the online notice claim without using a digital signature (directions and form available in Danish only)

Download the notice claim on the SOS International website (pdf. available in multiple languages). Print the form and fill it in, then fax, or scan and attach the document to an e-mail, or mail it to:

SOS International a/s
Attn: Den Offentlige Rejsesygesikring (The public tourist health insurance).
Nitivej 6
2000 Fredriksberg

It is your responsibility to ensure that SOS receives the required documentation and receipts. SOS will not start processing your case until it has all the required documentation and receipts.

When completing the claim form:

• Make sure you answer all the questions on the claim form. Failing to do so will extend the processing time as SOS will have to procure answers to the questions you have not answered.
• Attach the original receipts and other documents, and other documents include among others prescriptions and medical reports from the foreign treatment facility. Remembering to keep a copy yourself.

Remember that you are required to fill out the claim form and submit it to SOS International within six months after the injury/illness occurred. If you receive a bill from the foreign treatment facility after the six month period has elapsed you are required to submit the bill to SOS within one month from the day you received it.

SOS International a/s
Att: Den Offentlige Rejsesygesikring
Nitivej 6
2000 Fredriksberg 

SOS emergency call centre (24/7 service)
Telephone: +45 70 10 50 50

Fax: +45 70 10 50 56
Email: sos@sos.dk.