Relocation guide - moving to Aarhus
This is your step-by-step guide to settling in Aarhus. Please note that there is no one-size-fits-all process, and your journey may involve fewer, additional, or different steps depending on your individual circumstances.
Why move to Aarhus?
Aarhus offers the best of Danish living: a high quality of life, strong work–life balance and a safe, family-friendly environment. As Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus combines the opportunities of a vibrant international city with the accessibility and charm of a smaller one.
You will find excellent career opportunities, world-class education, green spaces, beaches close to the city and a thriving cultural scene.
With easy access to nature, a strong cycling culture and a welcoming international community, Aarhus is a great place to build both a career and a life.
A general recommendation when relocating
As a general recommendation, please consider carefully which documents to bring when relocating to Aarhus.
It is advisable to bring original and officially certified documents, including but not limited to medical records (including vaccination records), documentation of your civil status (such as birth, marriage, or divorce certificates), educational diplomas and transcripts, and any relevant employment documentation.
Having these documents readily available can help facilitate registration and administrative procedures upon arrival.
Before moving
Dive into knowledge about Danish culture, society, history and facts about Denmark and explore the modern, active, and creative Aarhus Region.
To obtain legal residence in Denmark, the applicable rules depend on a person’s nationality and circumstances.
Nordic citizens may reside in Denmark without applying for legal residence.
EU/EEA nationals (and accompanying family members) register their right of residence under EU free movement rules by applying for an EU residence document (before or after arrival in Denmark).
Most non-EU/EEA nationals must apply for a residence permit under Danish immigration law, for example based on work, study, or family reunification.
You need legal residence to obtain a CPR number (civil registration number).
Find official information on how to obtain legal residence on newtodenmark.dk
Several job portals list vacant positions.
The links below lead to state-funded job portals with vacancies in English. You will also find guidance on how to apply for jobs and information about Danish workplace culture.
Aarhus is a popular place to live. It is therefore advisable that you get to know the rental market and start looking for accommodation as soon as possible before your arrival in Denmark.
Look for housing portals online. Please be aware of the do’s and don’ts when renting to avoid scams. Do not settle for a place without the possibility of CPR registration (so you can be registered as living at the address).
Please note: you cannot be registered with a CPR number before you have moved to a fixed place of residence and will live there for at least a month.
Find more information about renting or buying property and how Danish addresses are structured.
helloaarhus.dk introduces initial housing options for newcomers.
Aarhus is Denmark’s top city for international students, offering excellent education from IB to university level.
With its vibrant student life, safe environment, and welcoming culture, it’s the perfect place to study and thrive.
Get an overview of Aarhus’ diverse, world-class educational opportunities.
Studievalg Danmark provide guidance for young people and adults about the choice of higher and vocational education in Denmark and prospective career opportunities.
The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science offer assessment of foreign qualifications which you can use when applying for a job, for admission to a study programme or for membership of an unemployment insurance fund.
In some professions, you will need to apply for authorisation.
Recognition of foreign qualifications on lifeindenmark.dk provides official information on the assessment offered by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science. The Agency assesses completed qualifications at all levels.
The Danish Patient Safety Authority provides official information on authorisation in the Danish healthcare system
Some language schools offer online courses, should you wish to learn basic Danish prior to your arrival. You can also look for apps or consider contacting a Danish consulate to receive guidance on Danish language training.
A willingness to learn Danish will be considered an asset by most employers and certain jobs will require a good command of Danish.
The Danish language training section on lifeindenmark.dk gives you basic information on Danish language training.
Get to know about the different opportunities for childcare in Aarhus for children aged 0-6 years.
Please note that you can only register your child for childcare once they have been issued with a CPR number (civil registration number). It is therefore important to ensure that your child receives a CPR number as soon as possible after arrival.
Submit your application to Aarhus International School (IB) or enrol your child in a municipal public school.
If your child has little or no knowledge of Danish, they are required to attend a reception class before joining a regular class in a municipal public school.
Reception classes in public schools (if your child has little or no knowledge of Danish)
Guidance councellors from Aarhus Youth Guidance Centre (Ungdommens Uddannelsesvejledning - UU), part of the City of Aarhus, can guide you and your child on their options from 7th grade (13 years) and up.
Receive guidance on youth education in Aarhus.
HF International is an upper secondary programme that may be a possibility if you have little or no knowledge of Danish. HFI generally accepts students aged 16 to 21.
Find out about custom regulations and whether you are liable to pay VAT when bringing your personal belongings, for example your furniture.
Find the Danish Customs Agency’s guide to customs and VAT when moving to Denmark.
Depending on the species of the pet and where you move from, there are certain requirements that you and your pet must meet.
Guidance on travelling with pets – Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
When you arrive
You can bring your car when moving to Denmark, but you might need Danish number plates.
If you move to Denmark and have a car with foreign number plates, you need to register your car in Denmark within a certain timeframe.
Find more info on importing vehicles from The Danish Motor Vehicle Agency.
As a citizen from the European Union, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, or as a family member to an EU citizen, you must apply for an EU residence document online.
Applications can be submitted before or upon arrival in Denmark.
Afterwards, book an appointment with SIRI Aarhus (The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration) to complete your registration for an EU residence document at Dokk1.
An EU residence document is required for stays in Denmark longer than three months.
It is also needed to obtain a CPR number (civil registration number) along with other requirements.
Find your step-by-step guide on obtaining an EU residence document and a CPR number.
You can apply for a CPR number online when you:
- have legal residence in Denmark, and
- your stay exceeds 3 months, and
- you have taken up residence at your address and reside there for at least 1 month.
You must attend in person at Dokk1 to complete your CPR registration.
When Citizen Service (Borgerservice) provides you with a CPR number, you will also choose a General Practitioner (family doctor) and receive a temporary health insurance card.
With a CPR number, you are covered by the Danish health insurance scheme.
Please follow the step-by-step guide that applies to you:
MitID is your personal secure login for:
- online self-service solutions
- Digital Post
- and serves as your online signature.
Most citizens use MitID as an app.
You will get guidance on how to activate MitID when you are registered with a CPR number with Citizen Service (Borgerservice).
Find more info on MitID on mitid.dk
Almost all communication from public authorities in Denmark is sent digitally. You access your personal digital mail using MitID.
You can receive Digital Post once you have a CPR number.
Find out about Digital post and how it is connected to MitID and your CPR number.
After receiving your CPR number and registering your Danish address, the card will be sent to you by post. Make sure your name is on your mailbox.
The card serves as proof that you are covered by the Danish national health insurance scheme.
It is often referred to as the 'yellow card' and is also available as an app called Sundhedskortet.
When you come to Denmark to work, you will need to apply for a tax card (in Danish: 'skattekort') online for your employer to know how much tax to deduct from your salary.
A tax card contains information about your withholding tax rate, tax deductions and allowances. The tax card is in electronic form. To get a tax card you need a CPR number or a tax number.
If you are working in Denmark for 3 months or less, you will get a tax number instead of a CPR number.
Find your tax guide to working in Denmark from the Danish Tax Agency.
The International Employment Unit, the City of Aarhus, offers tailored advice, resources, and one-on-one guidance to help you navigate your job search successfully.
Find out what the International Employment Unit can do for you.
Contact a bank of your choice. It may take weeks to open a Danish bank account due to safety checks to avoid fraud.
Documentation requirements may vary depending on the bank.
All citizens in Denmark are required to have a NemKonto to receive payments from public authorities.
A NemKonto is a normal bank account which you already have, and you assign it as your NemKonto. All payments from public institutions will be transferred directly to this account.
You can sign up your child up for childcare once they have a CPR number.
You sign up your child digitally using the self-service solution Digital Placement (Digital Pladsanvisning).
All municipal public schools offer after-school care (SFO) for children in grades 0 to 3 (ages 6 to 9). Children can be registered without a CPR number.
From ages 10 to 17, your child can take part in activities at an after-school club (fritidsklub), a youth club (ungdomsklub), or a youth school (ungdomsskole), depending on their age.
Aarhus International School (private IB-certified school) also offers after-school activities for children enrolled in their educational programmes.
Living in Aarhus
Get practical information, tips to kick-start your social life, and insights into Danish culture at a Newcomers’ Info webinar or in-person event at Dokk1.
Attend a themed webinar designed for internationals, featuring expert speakers.
You are most likely entitled to a referral to the free official Danish education.
The referral will be sent to your digital mailbox.
If you do not receive the referral or have any questions, please contact the Danish Team at Jobcenter Aarhus. You'll find the contact info via the link below.
You may also wish to explore whether your new employer has any agreements with a language school to provide Danish lessons, either during or outside working hours.
Getting around Aarhus is easy, with efficient public transport including buses and the light rail (Letbanen), as well as an extensive network of cycle paths. The city is also well connected to the rest of Denmark by train, motorway and Aarhus Airport.
Apps are the most common way of purchasing tickets and finding your itinerary for public transportation.
EU /EEA citizens are not required to exchange their valid driving licence into a Danish one to be able to drive legally.
Non-EU/EEA citizens must exchange their foreign driving licence after a certain period. Whether you must complete a driving test prior to the exchange, depends on the country/constituent state which has issued your driving licence.
In Denmark, some insurances are mandatory by law and others are voluntary. Liability insurance is often included in a home contents insurance policy and is referred to as personal or family liability insurance.
Trade unions play a key role in Denmark’s labour market, where membership levels are high.
Joining a union is voluntary, and employers cannot require or forbid membership.
Many choose a union based on their profession, training, or workplace. Unions can provide support with pay, working conditions, legal advice, and workplace disputes.
If you are considering starting your own business, various services can help turn your entrepreneurial ambitions into reality.
The Link is a non-profit organisation providing and building an ecosystem for startups in Aarhus.
STARTVÆKST Aarhus offers free guidance, advisory support and events for entrepreneurs.
Apply for a new blue European health insurance card issued in Denmark if you have been entitled to the card in your home country.
You should apply for the card after you have obtained a Danish CPR number (you are registered as living in Denmark and are covered by Danish social security).
Learn more about the blue European health insurance card on lifeindenmark.dk.
Sorting your household waste is part of everyday life in Denmark. Much waste is reused, which makes a difference for the environment and climate.
Water:
Most households in Aarhus get their water from the utility company Aarhus Vand, while some towns in the surrounding region are supplied by local water suppliers. Even if you are a customer of a local water supplier, you will still receive your wastewater bill from Aarhus Vand.
District heating:
Kredsløb supplies district heating (fjernvarme) to most households in the Aarhus-area.
Electricity:
As an electricity consumer your electricity is delivered from an electricity supplier of your own choosing
Internet:
Check which types of internet and providers are available at your address.
Learn more about water, heating and electricity supply on lifeindenmark.dk
Betalingsservice is an easy way to make sure your regular bills are paid on time. It can be used for payments such as utilities, subscriptions, insurance, membership fees and more.
To register a payment, sign up with Betalingsservice when you set up the payment with the company or via your bank. The first payment must be made manually (via netbanking) but once registered, future payments are deducted automatically. If this doesn’t happen, contact the company or your bank.
Payments are taken directly from your chosen bank account, so you don’t need to update automatic payments if you get a new card. You can also use multiple accounts if you wish and usually no administration fees are charged.
Adults are free to choose their dentist. Regional subsidies apply to certain treatments.
Children and young adults receive free dental care at municipal dental clinics located at selected public schools.
Find out about dental care and emergency services for all ages
Find out about sick leave, maternity / paternity leave, holiday rules, pension rights, safety at work and more.
If you are a member of a trade union, they will also be able to guide you on your rights as an employee.
In Denmark, the pension system includes a basic state pension (Folkepension), a mandatory labour market pension (Arbejdsmarkedpension) partly paid by the employer (not included in all types of employment), and optional private savings.
Your preliminary income assessment (forskudsopgørelse):
The preliminary income assessment is your tax budget for the coming year, based on your expected income, deductions, and financial situation. It determines how much tax you pay each month.
You can check it online via the Danish Tax Agency's website from November, and you should update it if your situation changes. This helps ensure you pay the correct tax and avoid underpaying or overpaying during the year.
Your tax assessment notice (årsopgørelse):
The tax assessment notice is the final statement of your tax for the previous year, showing whether you have paid too much or too little tax. It is based on the information reported by employers, banks, and other sources, as well as any details you have provided.
You can usually check it online from March via the Danish Tax Agency's website. It is important to review it and make any corrections before the deadline, as this determines whether you will receive a refund or need to pay outstanding tax.
Boost your social life and your Danish skills by joining a local club or leisure activity.
The City of Aarhus and International Community offer free events and services to help both adults and children meet others with similar interests.
Explore new sports and leisure activities for the whole family.
Connect with fellow internationals and locals while enjoying everything Aarhus has to offer—from vibrant arts and music to sports and community events. There’s always something happening that lets you meet new people and experience the city’s unique culture.
Volunteering is very popular in Denmark and a fantastic way to:
- meet new people
- make use of your skills
- add qualifications to your CV
- and practice your Danish
The Expat Reception is a cherished annual tradition hosted by International Community, offering a relaxed, family-friendly setting where you can unwind, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and connect with fellow expats.
Expat Reception takes place the last weekend of August.
Find the Expat Reception in the International Community event calendar.
Taking place every September and hosted by the City of Aarhus, Aarhus City Welcome is the largest and most vibrant event for internationals in the city.
Discover local organisations, associations, and public authorities; gain insights from inspiring expert speakers; and connect with fellow newcomers as well as long-term international residents who call Aarhus home.
“I’m in love with Aarhus and Denmark. I truly appreciate the programme and the initiative to welcome internationals. This was the best day ever!”
- participant at Aarhus City Welcome
Explore the next Aarhus City Welcome
Aarhus is rated one of the happiest cities in one of the happiest countries in the world.
We hope you'll be happy here too!
Stay, explore and make it your home.
If you leave Denmark, remember to register your departure online.
When doing so you will be registered in the CPR system as having left Denmark.
You are required to report your move abroad before the day of your departure at the latest.
Learn more about reporting your move abroad and other practicalities when leaving Denmark.