The following official websites will help you understand what you can expect, when relocating to Denmark.

The selection below covers the main portals that describe in English practical and useful information about Denmark.

• Work in Denmark is the official webpage for all newcomers to Denmark, where you can find practical information about living and working in Denmark. 
• New to Denmark is the official webpage of the Danish immigration authorities that offers easy access to relevant information and digital self-service solutions to foreign nationals, who wish to enter and reside in Denmark, as well as their family members.
• Life in Denmark is the English version of the national self-service public portal in Denmark called borger.dk. Here you can access a number of public authorities in order to change your address, request a (new) NemID, or view your holiday allowance for example.
• Statistics Denmark is the central authority on Danish statistics. Here you can find statistics on the Danish society about population and elections, labour, income and wealth, prices and consumption, external economy, living conditions, education and knowledge, and more.

Upon arrival in Denmark, you are required to register for a Danish CPR number (civil registration number), if you intend to stay in Denmark more than 3 months.  

In order to register for a CPR number, you must be able to document that you have accommodation in Denmark from the day you register and for a minimum period of 3 months.  See more under the section Registration upon arrival.

By registering for your CPR number at your municipality, you will be able to access all services available to residents of Denmark, such as (but not restricted to):

• Access to free healthcare
• Opening a bank account
• Receiving salary through NemKonto (a specially registered bank account)
• Entering a contract with utility providers (heating, water, electricity), mobile providers, or internet services
• Getting any kind of insurance

Furthermore, many free-time associations and clubs will not accept new members without a CPR number, nor can you borrow books from any public library.

The CPR number consists of ten digits. The first six digits are your date of birth (day, month and year) while the last four digits provide a unique identification number for all citizens in Denmark. The final four numbers also indicate your gender, ending in even numbers for women and odd numbers for men.

MitID is your digital ID and digital signature, and you require this to open a bank account, access your digital post boxes (e-Boks and Borger.dk), access your tax file, etc.  

There are several options to obtain a MitID, however we do recommend the Get MitID with passport option.

NEMKONTO
In order to receive your salary from Aalborg University (AAU), you will need a bank account. In Denmark, everyone has the right to open a basic bank account; however, you need a CPR number to do so. 

All citizens in Denmark are required to have a designated account called NemKonto. You will receive your salary in your NemKonto. All payments from public institutions will be transferred directly to this account.

EU/EEA citizens can choose to have either a Danish bank account or a foreign bank account registered as a Nemkonto.

How to assign a Nemkonto? 

You may decide to open several bank accounts in Denmark, however you need to decide which of your existing accounts you wish to use as your Nemkonto. Please contact your bank directly to set up a Nemkonto.

Documents required to open a bank account:

• Your CPR number
• Passport/national ID card
• Employment contract or invitation letter
• Yellow health insurance card (needed for e-banking)
• US citizens only: social security card (a requirement by FATCA)

Banks and E-banking

Denmark offers several banking options, ranging from small local banks to regional and national banks. Some banks offers personal consultancy, others provide online services. Not all banks offer online banking in English, so we would advise you to enquire whether the bank of your choice offers such service, as it will make daily life much easier. 

Dankort is the national debit card, and the card that the majority of Danes use to pay in most stores in Denmark. Visa and Master Card are widely used, but mostly in larger supermarkets and convenience stores. Visa and Master Card cannot be used in smaller stores and some supermarkets.

Therefore, we recommend that you to ask for a Dankort, when you open a Danish bank account. You may not get the card immediately, because you need to show that you have money in the account and are a credit worthy customer.

The Dankort can be combined with a Visa card, called a Visa/Dankort. Visa/Dankort is an international debit card that you can use in Denmark as well as in the rest of the world. It therefore gives you two cards in one. When you use the card for payments, the money will be withdrawn from your account in a few days.

Contact your bank for further information about the Dankort.

Mobilepay is a payment solution developed to carry out payments inside Denmark via your smartphone.

Many Danish citizens use Mobilepay as it is a smart alternative to cash and it can be used in many supermarkets or web shops all over Denmark.

Mobilepay can be downloaded to your iPhone or Android phone free of charge. Mobilepay is available for everyone above the age of 15; all you need to get started is a smartphone, a Danish mobile number, a Danish payment card and a Danish bank account.

To ensure easy access to Danish courses, Aalborg University (AAU) collaborates with different language centres depending on campus city. 

Below you find the contact information to the offer at your campus, as well as tips for where to practice your Danish skills in the area. Should you prefer to join a course off campus you can find the state-approved language centres located across the country via the association De Danske Sprogcentre.

Signing up for Danish classes is always done directly with the chosen language centre, regardless if it is at or off AAU campus.

In Campus Aalborg

Language Center Aalborg (Sprogcenter Aalborg) provides Danish classes for international citizens living in Aalborg municipality. If you wish to sign-up for Danish classes, visit their website and contact them directly. When signing up, you will have the option to add preferences for classes at AAU's premises, however it is not always possible to join classes at AAU's premises. 

In Campus Esbjerg

In the municipality of Esbjerg it is AOF Language Centre , who handles the public language courses and offer Danish classes at their premises close to the AAU campus (approx. 10 min. walk) during and after normal work hours. Please review the introductory information on Esbjerg's municipality's website and contact AOF Language Center directly. 

In Campus Copenhagen

UCpLUS Dansk offers Danish classes on campus Copenhagen for both students and staff. 

If you wish to sign-up, visit UCpLUS page and make sure to mention your preference for classes at AAU.

Additional options for learning Danish

Besides the Danish courses offered by the public language centres there are additional alternative forums where you can learn and practice your Danish skills. In most areas you find volunteers who offer language cafés where you can practice your Danish language skills. Often the volunteers will also help e.g. translate letters received in Danish and with your home work from the language course. You find your local language café in:

• Aalborg library (in Danish) 
• Esbjerg Mentor Network and Cross Cultural Centre 
• Copenhagen offers various language café, find groups e.g. at Meetup.com

Your terms of employment are regulated by collective agreements determined by the trade unions and the employer’s associations.

The trade unions act and negotiate on the employees’ behalf to secure you and your colleagues the best possible salary level and working conditions.

Being a member of a trade union is very common in Denmark and can provide you with a series of employment- and career-related legal support and services you may need e.g. guidance regarding individual employment contract, salary, industrial accidents and injuries. There is not a law regarding minimum wages in Denmark, so the collective agreements are important. Please note that you will be covered by the collective agreement whether you are a member of a union or not.

What are the advantages of being a union member?

• Negotiations of wages and contracts
• Mediation of conflicts at the workplace (unions are bound to discretion)
• Pension and employment funds
• Courses and workshops (many free of charge)
• Bargains on bank accounts, insurance, and holiday homes

Please note that various rules and regulations apply, if you need to extend your stay to last longer than three months. Below the most important awareness points are listed.

NORDIC CITIZENS
We recommend you to register at the local municipality in order to obtain a Danish CPR number, which is recommended for stays longer than three months and obligatory for stays longer than six months. To get support from the International Staff Unit, you can sign up for the Getting Started in Denmark Support.

EU/EEA CITIZENS
You must apply for a EU registration certificate at one of the branch offices of SIRI (The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration). The application for a registration certificate must be submitted no later than three months after you arrive in Denmark, which means before your three month's stay expires. Please see more details on SIRI's website. After you have obtained a registration cerificate, you can apply for a CPR number. See more under the section ''Registration upon arrival''. 

Obtaining a Danish CPR number is recommended for stays longer than three months and obligatory for stays longer than six months. 

NON-EU/EEA CITIZENS
If your stay exceeds 90 days it is important that you inform your department secretary as soon as possible, to submit an application for a residence and work permit before the expiry of your first three months’ stay. Following, the International Staff Unit will initiate the application and guide you through the process.

Please note that you may not carry out any work while your application for a residence and work permit is being processed. 

After you receive your residence and work permit you must register at the local municipality in order to get a Danish CPR number, which is obligatory for stays longer than three months. 

TAX
If you decide to stay in Denmark for more than three months, you will need to register with the Danish tax authorities, and your tax liability to Denmark will be assessed. Normally, if you stay for more than three months and take up residence in Denmark, you will be fully tax liable to Denmark. If you are assessed to be fully tax liable to Denmark, this will also include the past three months. Find more information by contacting the Danish Tax Agency directly. 

AALBORG UNIVERSITY - KNOWLEDGE FOR THE WORLD

Aalborg University (AAU) has been providing students with academic excellence, cultural engagement and personal development since its inception in 1974. AAU offers education and research within the fields of natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, technical and health sciences.

AAU is internationally oriented and integrates internationalisation into its values and methods at all levels of education, research and knowledge dissemination.

Read more about AAU’s profile, organisation and management, figures and facts, strategy, vision and mission, problem-based learning, international cooperation, history, honorary doctors and fellows here.

Since Aalborg University was first established in 1974, all university programmes have been based on problem based learning (PBL). Aalborg University students work in groups applying problem oriented methods in preparing projects of a high academic standard.

Learn more about the Aalborg PBL Model.

Your payslip is sent from “Statens Lønløsning” (Agency for Public Finance and Management - Ministry of Finance) to your e-boks, no later than the last working day of the month.

Your e-boks is your personal online digital mailbox, which enables you to receive e-mails from the public authorities and other organisations. You can read more on www.e-boks.dk. Kindly note that you must use your digital ID (MitID) in order to log in to your e-boks. 

If you work for Aalborg Univeristy, however do not move to Denmark, you are able to obtain your monthly payslips by contacting the HR Salary Team: HR-loen@adm.aau.dk.

The AAU holiday rules are based on the University management’s desire to promote a good working environment. Taking holidays during the work year is essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and therefore all staff members must have the opportunity to take all their accrued holidays.

Read about the following topics in the AAU Handbook. 

• Holidays at Aalborg University
• Taking holidays at AAU
• Holidays during a sickness period
• Paid and unpaid leave
• Holidays, low-service days and closure days

Aalborg University's general regulations on sideline occupations are available on AAU's website.

Furthermore, non-EU/EEA citizens must check the specific possibilities and restrictions in relation to sildelines occupation, based on the specific residence and work permit.

AAU TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR STAFF
The Aalborg University's (AAU) insurance card can be obtained from your division’s secretary. Note that the traveller must sign the card and that the university's CVR number must be stated on the card: CVR no. 29102384. 

Persons covered:

• AAU employees with employment contract
  Persons engaged in permanent, temporary or casual work, paid or unpaid
• Persons who are employed to carry out work in Denmark, but who go on official trips of a short or long duration

IMPORTANT: AAU’S INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER YOUR LEISURE TIME.

In the Travel and Other Expenses AAU page, you can find information about:

• How to book tour travel
• How to access RUS (travel expenses platform)
• How to settle travel accounts and expenses reports
• Rules and rates
• How to get a credit card
• Travel insurance
• Contacts
• Forms

Yes, Aalborg University provides psychological counselling services for staff. 

Aalborg University (AAU) has campus areas in:

• Aalborg
• Esbjerg
• Copenhagen

To find your way around all the campuses you can use AAU Maps. This platform, which you can download on your mobile phone, shows you where different university facilities are located.

Here you can download all AAU’s apps.

PARKING AT CAMPUS AALBORG 
Inside the university area, a limited number of parking spaces are noted and parking is only allowed in the designated areas.

Visit the campus service page Campus Areas and Building/Parking.

PARKING AT CAMPUS COPENHAGEN
Visit the Copenhagen Campus parking page. 

PARKING AT CAMPUS ESBJERG

Visit the Esbjerg Campus parking page.

HANDICAP PARKING
The parking spaces P-pladserne are for handicap parking. It is not possible to reserve a parking space for a specific car number.

Disabled parking cars must have a permit sign in the windscreen. If more disabilities P-pladserne are needed, please contact campus@adm.aau.dk.

PERMITS FOR INSTITUTIONAL CARS
These parking seats will be marked with "Private parking" and car number. Establishment will be at the Institute's own expense.

Read more here (in Danish).

Yes, we strongly encourange you to join our events. 

PAU - PHD STUDENT ORGANISATION (AALBORG)
PAU is the PhD association and network for all PhD students at the faculties of engineering and science, the Technical Faculty of IT and Design and medicine at Aalborg University. PAU stands for "PhD Network of Aalborg University".

All PAU’s information and activities are posted on their Facebook group

NERDS - PHD SOCIETY (AALBORG)
NERDS are a PhD society for Humanities and Social Sciences’ at AAU.

All NERDS’ information and activities are posted on their Facebook page.

PHD STUDENT FORUM (COPENHAGEN)
The PhD Student Forum is for all PhD students at Campus Copenhagen.

All Forum’s information and activities are posted on their Facebook page.

SKRÅNINGEN (THE SLOPE) (AALBORG)
Skråningen is AAU’s Art Association. The association consists of employees, students and others affiliated with AAU. The association offers art exhibitions at Langagervej 2 and Kroghstræde 3 (Campus Aalborg Øst), and an annual summer excursion to visit art galleries and museums. Find out more here (in Danish).

DE-KLUBBEN (THE DE-CLUB)
The DE Club is a social club for students and PhD’s under the E and S study boards, e.g. electronics, IT technology, health technology, product and design psychology, medialogy, sports science and industrial medicine.

STUDENTERHUSET (AALBORG) – AAU ACCESS TO WORK AND STUDY HALL IN THE CITY CENTER
Studenterhuset (the student house) is a café and venue for a series of events in Aalborg.

The third floor of this building is a quiet and comfortable work and study hall with access to a balcony. As an AAU employee you can enter and use the hall any day of the week and at any time of day with your staff card and pin number.

The student house is located at Gl. Torv 10, 9000 Aalborg.

Possibilities at Aalborg University

You have the possibility to join different fitness centers. Visit this page to obtain an overview over the options in Aalborg, Copenhagen and Esbjerg. 

DGI House in Nordkraft in Aalborg
Through AAU's discount agreement with DGI-HUSET in Nordkraft, you and your partner as well as your children living with you, can use their training facilities at a reduced price.

To get a membership, contact the DGI-HOUSE reception and refer to the agreement.

Read more about the training offer (in Danish)

Read more about DGI-HOUSE (in Danish)

UNIRUN in Aalborg
You can sign up for the annual UniRun at Campus Aalborg. UniRun is a social run for all – students as employees – associated with AAU. Find more information here.