Entry and residence regulations for Denmark: relocation made easy

Moving to Denmark – to the land of hygge, cycling culture and Nordic lifestyle – opens up many new perspectives. With its stable economy, progressive labour market and high quality of life, the kingdom is one of the most attractive destinations for German emigrants. As an experienced moving company, KOCH Moving Logistics supports you in your new start in Scandinavia. The following information provides you with an overview of the most important entry and residence regulations that apply to German citizens.

German citizens can enter Denmark visa‑free for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180‑day period, as Denmark is part of the Schengen Area. A valid identity card or passport is sufficient for entry. This regulation applies to tourist stays, business trips, conference visits, family visits and also for jobseekers.

NOTE ON ETIAS: In the course of 2026 (expected), an ETIAS travel authorisation will be required for visa‑free stays. This costs about 20 euros, is valid for three years and is applied for online. In addition, the EU is introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires travellers to register their biometric data (fingerprints and photo) when entering the Schengen Area. The European Union will announce the exact dates several months before introduction.

Upon entry, authorities may require proof of sufficient financial means. No specific amounts are laid down by law, but you should have sufficient funds for the planned stay to be able to live without recourse to public benefits.

Thanks to EU freedom of movement, German citizens can live and work in Denmark under simplified conditions. For a stay of more than three months, you do not need a visa, but you must register. Unlike in Germany, applying for an EU residence document (registreringsbevis) is mandatory in Denmark. This document confirms your right of residence in Denmark. Dieses Dokument bestätigt Ihr Aufenthaltsrecht in Dänemark. You must submit the application no later than three months after your entry.

 

For registration you need to:

 

– be engaged in employment (employee or self‑employed);

– come to Denmark on secondment from your EU employer;

– complete a course of study or vocational training;

– have sufficient means of subsistence so as not to become a burden on the Danish state, and be able to prove comprehensive health insurance;

– or spend your retirement in Denmark as a pensioner..

The CPR number (Det Centrale Personregister) is your personal identification code for almost all areas of life in Denmark. You need this ten‑digit number for registration with authorities, access to the healthcare system, opening a bank account, filing tax returns and much more.

You will receive the CPR number when you register at the local citizen service centre (borgerservice). However, the prerequisites are that you already have an EU residence document (registreringsbevis), can prove a fixed address in Denmark , and that your stay lasts longer than three months. Therefore, the correct order is crucial: first apply for the EU residence document, then search for accommodation and register your address, and finally register to obtain the CPR number.

Naturalisation in Denmark is a strictly regulated process with high hurdles – the European emigrant magazine "The Nordschleswiger" even rates the Danish requirements as the strictest in all of Europe.

The central route to naturalisation is the so‑called naturalisation (naturalisation) after at least nine years of uninterrupted residence in Denmark. German citizens can submit an application under the rules of the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration (Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet).

– Length of residence: At least nine years of continuous legal residence; for spouses of Danish citizens, this period is reduced to six to eight years depending on the duration of the marriage.

– Proof of self‑sufficiency: Economic independence without state support – one of the strictest conditions in Europe.

– Criminal record: Clean police certificate and no public debts, as criminal convictions or payment arrears lead to rejection.

– Language and civic knowledge: Passing the Indfødsretsprøven (45 questions on Danish society, culture, history and values), of which 36 must be answered correctly. The exam is offered twice a year (summer and winter) and costs 946 DKK for self‑studying students.

– Application submission: Digital application procedure; only certain groups use a paper‑based form.

– Costs and processing: First‑time applications cost regularly 6,270 DKK from 2026. Processing time can often take longer than two years due to the strict requirements and complexity of the procedures.

Since September 2015, Denmark has allowed dual citizenship: Germans no longer have to give up their original nationality when acquiring Danish citizenship. The final decisions are made by the Danish parliament (Folketinget) twice a year as part of a formal legislative proposal (lov om indfødsrets meddelelse).

Moving to Denmark requires thorough preparation and an understanding of Danish administrative procedures. The Danish authorities are highly digitised – this facilitates many processes, but also requires active online registration. We at KOCH Moving Logistics support you with your move and help you navigate the bureaucratic jungle – so that your new start in Denmark is a success.