November 21, 2024 
8 mins to read If you’re a Danish citizen who is dreaming of moving abroad, there may be some practical things that seem overwhelming. BUT, when you’re an EU citizen, it’s actually not that difficult. It is quite straightforward, and after reading this article you will also be an expert in how to move out of Denmark.
In the following you will get the answers to frequently asked questions like:
- “How do I get health insurance in another country?”
- “Is there any paperwork I need to think about when I am moving abroad and out of Denmark?”
- “Do I have to pay taxes in Denmark when I don’t live in Denmark anymore?”
- “How do the rules work for someone moving out of Denmark?”
- “How does insurance and healthcare apply when I move abroad?”
1. How to move out of Denmark: The easiest way
Let’s start with the simple rules. If you’re an EU citizen – if you have a beetroot-colored passport as the picture shows – you can easily move and work within the European Union without a work visa. This is due to the EU laws on free movement.
If you travel to countries outside the Nordic countries and EU/EEA, it may be necessary to obtain a work permit before you move out of Denmark. In that case, we recommend that you contact a Danish embassy in the country you’re moving abroad to – or the specific country’s own embassy in Denmark and ask your recruiter at Job Squad. We have Danish and international colleagues who all have tried moving abroad and we currently live all over the world, so we will be able to guide and help you.
BUT, you must be registered in the country you are working in to pay taxes, health insurance, etc. You must do this within the first 3 months after you move out of Denmark. We are lucky that the Danish government helps in emergencies, and therefore it is important that you register as a Dane abroad on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danskerlisten). They provide news about war, natural disasters and other things.
A Dane abroad is a Danish citizen who no longer has an address or residence in Denmark and who is not liable to pay taxes in Denmark. You will be considered a Dane abroad after you have left Denmark for at least six months. When you are a Danish citizen living abroad, you will no longer be registered in the population register and will not have the right to vote in Denmark – unless you apply for it. Of course, you can always move back to Denmark again at a later stage, after you have finished your stay abroad.
1a. Registration of a move: Duration of less than six months
Are you moving abroad and planning to be away for less than 6 months? Then you can inquire with the municipality you are moving out of about keeping your address in Denmark. Remember that this is only possible if you have a home available for the entire duration of your trip, such as at your parents’ – and therefore, for example, have not sublet the home or similar.
If you do not have an address in Denmark, you can contact your municipality and ask them to assess whether you should still be registered in the population register as living in Denmark while you are staying abroad. Most companies like Job Squad are looking for applicants who will be away for a minimum of 6 months, unless otherwise agreed.
You can of course change your mind, it happens and that is why it is good to be aware of how it works with a shorter employment. However, it is always good to register your move, and it only takes a few clicks.
1b. Registration of a move: Duration of more than six months (most common)
The situation mentioned above is the exception rather than the rule. The vast majority move abroad for longer than six months. Therefore, we recommend that you move your address within 3 months of moving abroad. Within these 3 months, you must also have registered in the country you are staying in and have a residence card. This card will help you go to the doctor and the hospital without a lot of paperwork and in addition, it is often easier to find a place to live when you can show such a card.
2. How tax works when you move abroad from Denmark
The next step is for you to contact the tax office to get information about your circumstances. We can only provide rough estimates and guidelines for what you can expect to pay in tax in other EU countries, as it all depends on your private circumstances. Therefore, we recommend that you check skat.dk when you move abroad or contact SKAT on +45 72 22 18 18. They will be able to tell you if you owe money or have specific conditions that you need to think about before moving.
As a general rule, you only have to pay tax in the country you live in, BUT if the country you are moving to does not have a double taxation agreement with Denmark, it may be different; therefore, check which countries already have agreements with Denmark HERE.
Another special condition you should be aware of, is if you own real estate in Denmark or another country in the EU, then there may also be specific rules that apply to you.
If you don’t own anything or are moving to a country that requires specific requirements, simply go to borger.dk and report your move:
- Simply select your municipality, log in with MitID and follow the steps. You don’t need to know your new address abroad, as you can return and enter it later.
- If you want a detailed step-by-step guide on how to report a move abroad, you can see the image below: the step-by-step guide at Borger.dk
3. Rules of medical treatment in Denmark and abroad after I move
If you decide to visit your family and friends in Denmark after you have moved, this section may be relevant for you – in any case, it is nice to know how you are covered. You can receive emergency treatment at hospitals in Denmark in case you get sick or injured. However, planned medical visits in Denmark will no longer be covered.
As a Dane living abroad, you cannot book a medical appointment with the Danish healthcare system 2 weeks in advance – this must be done in your country of residence. Your right to planned medical visits belongs to the country in which you pay tax. However, there is one exception. For some, it is possible to get a “special health card”. This health card can be obtained in less than a year. In addition, you must meet a few other criteria:
- Travelled as an au pair
- Travelled in relation to a study stay abroad.
Read more about it by clicking HERE.
3a. How does health insurance work in the country I have moved to?
As mentioned, your right to a doctor is linked to the country in which you live and pay taxes. Your coverage and social security therefore depend on which country you move to. There are very different coverages from country to country.
For example, in Malta there is a free hospital, and if you e.g. have diabetes, insulin and treatment are free. As soon as you are registered and have paid tax on your first paycheck, you are covered as a local in the health system. In some countries you have to pay to see a doctor, but you will get reimbursed, and in other countries it costs a little, but nothing is ever expensive.
The level of English will depend on where you move, so it is worth asking your team leader or HR about where there is an international doctor closeby.
4 What if I move back home?
When you want to move back home, it is easy to change your status from expatriate Dane to resident in Denmark. You must show up at Borgerservice and report your entry, or change your address on the same page as in the beginning of this article.
When you are registered as a resident in Denmark and are a Danish citizen, you have all the benefits and tax obligations of being a Dane again, and you can go to the doctor and the hospital just like before you moved out of the country.
If you have questions about any of these steps about moving out of Denmark, ask a recruiter at Job Squad. We are always happy to help you and we are an international team that lives all over the world.
