Social benefits in Denmark

Moving to Denmark

If you move to Denmark from another Nordic country (Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden) and plan to be here for more than 3 months, you are required to notify your move to the Registry office if you stay for more than 6 months. You must report to and notify your move to the Registry office in the municipality in Denmark where you will have your fixed abode. You will be issued with a health card once your details are recorded at the Registry office.

When will I be entitled to benefits from Denmark?

The fact that you are covered by Danish legislation on social insurance does not mean that you are automatically entitled to benefits from Denmark. To receive a benefit you must meet the statutory requirements concerning the relevant benefit for which you have applied.

For information about

• Sickness benefits
• Family benefits
• Pensions
• Unemployment benefits

please go to the start page and click on the relevant benefit.

Benefits for disabled people

If you are have Nordic citizenship and you or your child is handicapped it is possible that you can receive economic assistance to cover child care expenses or other expences. You must contact your municipality to apply for help. If you work in Denmark, but do not reside here, you must instead turn to the municipality where your employer is situated. 

Where should I apply for social benefits in Denmark?

In general you should apply for social benefits through the municipality where you are resident. If you are employed in Denmark but are not resident here, you need to apply for social benefits in the municipality where your employer is located. If you have earned a pension in Denmark you need to apply for a pension at the municipality in the country where you live

More information

For more information you can contact the Danish Pensions Agency [Pensionsstyrelsen] or the individual municipality where you can apply for social benefits You can also visit www.borger.dk where you will find information about public services in Denmark that you might find useful if you plan to live and/or work in Denmark.

Back to the Denmark start page