Living in Denmark
Denmark has repeatedly been voted the world’s happiest country because of such factors as income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity.
The most important of all is perhaps the cultural phenomenon known as hygge. It can be loosely be translated as cosiness but is more than that – it is about sharing a nice experience in a safe and friendly environment.
Hygge is often about warmth – perhaps because Danish winters can seem cold and dark. Therefore, hygge could include a cup of tea in front of a woodburning stove or a delicious candle-lit dinner at home with good friends. But the long, warm, bright summer days can also be hyggelig, as Danes gather around the barbeque, hold a picnic in the woods or go for an evening stroll on the beach.
In Denmark, you can enjoy:
- a safe environment;
- relatively inexpensive childcare;
- free access to Denmark’s extensive public healthcare system, available to everyone residing in Denmark;
- free access to the education system, including several international schools;
- high standards of housing;
- a unique bicycle culture;
- efficient public transport;
- a rich cultural life;
- many associations and clubs, where you can build a network while engaging in your favourite leisure activities; and
- plenty of green recreational areas.
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Denmark means welfare
A cornerstone of Denmark’s welfare system, also known as the Scandinavian welfare model, is free and equal rights to benefits such as healthcare and education for all residents. The strong welfare state ensures economic equality in society and virtually no corruption, with studies consistently showing that the Danes are among the happiest people on the planet.
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Supporting work–life balance
Denmark’s working culture is characterized by a high degree of flexibility and work–life balance. In Greater Copenhagen, you can have an interesting job, pursue your career ambitions and be an attentive parent – without compromising your salary. You will have time to spare and money to spend.
The working week in Denmark is 37 hours, giving you the freedom to pick up your children from day care every day. Moreover, employees in Denmark earn the right to 5 weeks paid holiday after 12 months of employment.
Further, Denmark’s welfare model plays an important role in helping to balance work and family life by providing benefits such as long parental leave and inexpensive childcare facilities.
Parents have the right to 52 weeks of leave with parental benefit, of which 36 weeks can be divided between the mother and the father according to individual wishes.
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A happy and hard-working workforce
The Danes are one of the most productive and hard-working workforces in Europe. This very much results from the Danish job mentality and work culture, in which employees experience a high degree of autonomy and empowerment at work, resulting in very responsible, conscientious employees with a high level of job satisfaction.
Danish working environments are rarely based on hierarchies and formalities, and managers are seen more as team leaders than as key decision-makers delegating tasks to others. As a result, employees are encouraged to speak their minds freely, and everyone’s opinion is considered when making decisions.
The Danes are so happy at work that they even have a special word for it: arbejdsglæde. Arbejde means work and glæde means happiness, so arbejdsglæde is happiness at work.
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Relocating is a family affair
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Learning Danish
Most Danes speak English very well, but speaking some Danish will make it much easier to get a job and a social network.