Education and schools for expats in Denmark | KOCH Moving Logistics

Moving to Denmark presents families with many challenges, especially when it comes to their children's education. The Danish education system differs from the German school system in some respects – above all through its integrative model with ten years of compulsory schooling together, which is unparalleled in Germany. The focus is strongly on individual development, relaxation and teamwork, not on early selection and pressure to perform. The Danish education system is centrally organised: the Ministry of Education (Undervisningsministeriet) prescribes the national framework curricula, while the municipalities are responsible for the distribution of funds and curriculum design locally. In this article, we take a look at the Danish education system, the best international schools in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense, as well as the various options for younger children, so that you can emigrate to Denmark well‑informed and prepared.

For families moving to Denmark, international schools offer an excellent opportunity to provide their children with a familiar education with English‑medium instruction. Denmark has a wide selection of international schools, especially in and around Copenhagen. International schools in Denmark follow either a British (IGCSE, A‑Levels), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Danish curriculum (with enhanced English content). In addition, there are German overseas schools and a public European school, which is a special feature in Denmark.

– Copenhagen International School (CIS) – The Copenhagen International School is the oldest and largest international school in Denmark and one of the leading IB schools in Scandinavia. It offers an IB programme for children aged 3 to 19 and is characterised by a modern, innovative learning environment. School fees range between 151,000 and 210,000 DKK per year (about 20,200 to 28,100 euros).

– European School Copenhagen (Europaskolen) – The European School Copenhagen is a very special institution: it is the only public international school in Copenhagen and offers free tuition in three language sections (Danish, English and French) from pre‑school to upper secondary level. It is recognised by the Ministry as a Type II European School and combines high academic standards with a multicultural learning environment. As places are limited, early application is recommended.

– Skt. Josef’s International School Roskilde – This British international school near Copenhagen teaches children aged 5 to 16 according to the British curriculum. Annual fees range between 34,650 and 43,175 DKK (about 4,600 to 5,800 euros).

– Viking International School – This English‑language school in Copenhagen follows an international curriculum and places special emphasis on STEM subjects and student well‑being. It teaches children aged 5 to 14; annual fees are about 35,277 DKK (around 4,700 euros).

– Bernadotte School – This school is a Danish school with an English‑language international section for children aged 6 to 16. It is strongly oriented towards Danish teaching methods and philosophies, distinguishing it from purely British or American schools. Annual fees are about 27,860 DKK (around 3,700 euros).

– Lycée Français Prins Henrik – This French international school in Copenhagen teaches children aged 3 to 18 according to the French curriculum. Annual fees range between 30,140 and 43,230 DKK (about 4,000 to 5,800 euros).

 

IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Most international private schools in Denmark charge tuition fees. The Municipality of Copenhagen does not provide financial support for private schools. Popular schools often have waiting lists – early application is therefore strongly recommended. In addition, the City of Copenhagen provides an official list of international primary schools on the website of the Danish Ministry of Education.

German‑speaking families will find an excellent network of recognised German schools in Denmark. These are largely supported by the German minority in North Schleswig and offer a bilingual educational environment (German/Danish) from kindergarten to the Abitur.

The Sankt Petri School in Copenhagen is the oldest German overseas school in the world – founded in 1575, it celebrated its 450th anniversary in 2025. It is a recognised German‑Danish encounter school and is attended from kindergarten to the Abitur. The languages of instruction are German and Danish, supplemented by English. The school has historically close ties to the Danish royal family and the neighbouring St. Peter's Church. In 2019, it performed excellently in a national Danish school comparison, both in terms of grades and the promotion of individual potential ("løfteevne").

In the North Schleswig region (Southern Denmark), the German minority maintains a dense network of schools and kindergartens. These include the German School Sønderborg (Den Tyske Skole i Sønderborg), which comprises all grade levels from primary to secondary school, as well as the German High School for North Schleswig (DGN) in Aabenraa, where the German Abitur can be taken. Also belonging to the German minority are the German School Padborg, the German School Lunden and the German After‑School Tingleff. In total, the German School and Language Association includes about 18 schools and 19 kindergartens in North Schleswig. These schools are deeply rooted in the history of the German minority (which arose through the border demarcation of 1920), yet are open to all families who appreciate a bilingual, international educational offering. Their special features are the German language as an identity factor, the teaching of mother tongue proficiency in Danish, and the teaching of Danish culture and history.

The Danish education system is known for its integrative, less formal and individually oriented model. Compulsory education in Denmark lasts ten school years, starting with the pre‑school class (børnehaveklasse) in the year the child turns six and ending at age 16. A major difference from Germany: Denmark does not have compulsory schooling in the classic sense, but compulsory education. This means that children may also be taught at home, as long as the municipality regularly checks their learning progress. In Germany, on the other hand, school attendance is compulsory – homeschooling is generally not permitted. The vast majority of Danish children attend the folkeskole.

The standard public school is called folkeskole – a comprehensive school that all pupils attend together. The basic structure is divided into several successive levels:

– Pre‑school (early childhood education): Early childhood education is well developed in Denmark. Two‑thirds of children between six months and two years attend a day nursery (vuggestue), and 94 percent of children start kindergarten (børnehave) at age three. The one‑year pre‑school class (børnehaveklasse, also called grade 0) is compulsory for all children and prepares them playfully for school.

– Primary school (folkeskole, grades 1‑9): Nine years of shared schooling in the folkeskole, where all children learn together – there is no separation into Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. Grade 10 is an optional year, used by many pupils as an orientation or preparatory year. Class sizes are manageable, with an average of about 20 pupils (maximum 28).

– Upper secondary school (gymnasium / STX, HHX, HTX): After grade 9 or 10, pupils can move on to a three‑year gymnasium to obtain the Danish upper secondary school leaving certificate (studentereksamen). There are different profiles: STX (general academic gymnasium), HHX (business gymnasium), HTX (technical gymnasium) and HF (two‑year higher preparatory examination).

– The efterskole (literally "after‑school") is a boarding school for pupils in grades 8 to 10, which is unparalleled in Germany. About 15 percent of all Danish young people attend an efterskole, which serves for one year as preparation for upper secondary school or as a social year for personal development. Community living, creativity, art, music and theatre are at the forefront here.

Compared to Germany, some differences are particularly noticeable:

– TEN YEARS TOGETHER INSTEAD OF EARLY SEPARATION: The Danish system is significantly more integrative. In Germany, separation into different school types occurs after the fourth grade, and even in comprehensive school systems, separation remains. Denmark, by contrast, consistently relies on the folkeskole as a comprehensive school where all children learn together for at least nine or ten years.

– NO GRADES UNTIL GRADE 7: While grades are already given in primary school in Germany, often determining the future educational path, Danish pupils only receive grades from grade 8 onwards – a major difference that significantly reduces performance pressure in the early school years.

– MORE RELAXED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAN IN GERMANY: Compared to the more formal German school system, Danish schools are less formal and more focused on individual development. Pupils have more freedom regarding learning methods and interests, and lessons are characterised by many group activities and discussions.

– FEWER EXAMS: While continuous class tests are written in Germany, in Denmark there is only one final exam at the end of the school year – and that only in subjects taken at A or B level.

– CENTRALISATION VS. FEDERALISM: In Denmark, the Ministry of Education provides central control, while in Germany the 16 federal states have their own educational sovereignty. Danish municipalities have room for manoeuvre but are subject to a uniform national framework.

– THE TEACHING PROFESSION: In Denmark, teaching is a highly respected profession with high social esteem, which has a positive effect on motivation and the quality of teaching.

Early childhood education is the heart of Danish childcare. It is pedagogically designed and prepares children for primary school in a playful way. The offerings include:

– Day nursery (vuggestue) for children aged six months to three years, which is very widespread. About two‑thirds of children in this age group attend a day nursery.

– Kindergarten (børnehave) for children aged three to six years; 94 percent of children in this age group attend a kindergarten.

– Pre‑school class (børnehaveklasse): The one‑year pre‑school class (grade 0) is compulsory for all children and is usually attached directly to the primary school.

– German‑speaking kindergartens: In North Schleswig, the German School and Language Association offers a comprehensive network of 19 kindergartens that provide bilingual education (German/Danish).

Childcare costs are income‑dependent and subsidised by the municipalities. In Copenhagen, a nursery place for children under three (without lunch) costs about 4,172 DKK (around 560 euros) per month, for children over three about 2,333 DKK (around 310 euros) per month – plus a supplement for lunch. Exact costs vary depending on the municipality and parental income.

Moving to Denmark requires careful planning of the school transition. It is important to find out about the various options early on – depending on the region and the individual needs of your family. The Danish education system offers many advantages: an integrative structure with ten years of compulsory schooling together without early selection, grading only from grade 8 onwards, a relaxed learning atmosphere and a high level of educational quality, especially at the excellent international and German schools in Copenhagen and North Schleswig. The centralised organisation of the education system by the national Ministry of Education ensures uniform quality standards nationwide, while the municipalities are responsible for local implementation.Whether public folkeskole, private institution, international school or German overseas school – with the right preparation and support, every family will find the right educational path for their children in Denmark. KOCH Moving Logistics stands by your side as an experienced partner to make your move to Denmark smooth.