Cost of living in Denmark | All you need to know

Denmark is an expensive country, yet it has one of the greatest living standards in the world. Despite the fact that Denmark’s tuition-free policy appeals to EU students, the cost of living in Denmark is generally higher than in most other countries, and far above the European average. You will need to carefully budget your monthly expenses to be able to cover these costs. A rough estimate of your monthly living costs in Denmark is between 750 and 900 EUR per month. Living in Copenhagen is more expensive than in smaller cities, with monthly costs reaching as high as 1200 EUR. If you want to reside in a smaller town, you may be able to cut your costs down to roughly 650 EUR per month.

Listed below is a breakup of everything that will contribute to your cost of living in Denmark. Keep reading to know more.

The expense of accommodation

European students often spend roughly 36% of their total monthly expenses on housing. In Copenhagen, you may expect to pay between 300 and 500 EUR per month for housing and utilities, with maximum prices as high as 800 EUR. If you start looking for homes early enough, you might be able to find houses outside the city for 200 EUR per month.

Here are some typical housing costs for students living in shared apartments or on their own –

436 EUR/month for students living alone

458 EUR/month for students living with a partner or children

Kollegier (student halls of living) – 342 EUR/month

Student housing offered by the university is not always easy to come by. European figures reveal that only about 11% of students living in Denmark are able to find a place to live provided by the institution. As a result, you may need to rent from a private landowner.

Nevertheless, above the European average, roughly 68 percent of students are extremely satisfied with the living conditions in university student dormitories. 

Moreover, living in a big city is almost always more expensive than choosing a rural hideaway. Denmark is no different. You will save money if you can live a bit outside of the city center, or if you base yourself in a smaller town.

Food prices and low-cost purchasing

Depending on your spending patterns, your monthly food expenses in Denmark will range from 200 to 270 EUR. If you do your weekly shopping at budget supermarkets like Bilka, Lidl, Netto, Fakta, or Aldi, you can save a lot of money on food.

Additionally, beer or soft drinks at a pub cost roughly 5 EUR. Dining out in the city costs on average 25 EUR per person.

Costs of transportation

In Denmark, over half of pupils ride their bikes to school, while the other third prefer public transportation. The most affordable monthly public transportation pass costs 50 EUR. Denmark is known as a “cycling country”. The country has 4.5 million bicycles or nearly one for every person that lives there. You can also purchase a second-hand bike for transportation. This will cost anywhere between 30 – 135 EUR, depending on the bike’s condition.

All of this means that commuters who choose to cycle, walk, or take public transportation have excellent options. Local trains, metros, and buses are available in large cities such as Copenhagen, and there are good links to even the most rural locations.

If you prefer to drive, the majority of the road network is free to use, though there are occasional tolls. However, traffic in cities can be heavy during peak hours.

Denmark’s major cities

Copenhagen is a natural lure for ex-pats migrating to Denmark because it is the capital and by far the largest city. There are, however, some other intriguing areas to consider, where living costs are likely to be lower. For example, Aarhus – often spelled Arhus – is Denmark’s second-largest city by population and is located on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula, where it offers several cultural attractions. Odense and Aalborg are two other noteworthy destinations to consider. Therefore, you need to remember that your cost of living in Denmark is subject to which part of the country you reside in.

How much do people earn on average in Denmark?

While the cost of living in Denmark is quite high, it also reflects healthy average salaries. For instance, if you work as a receptionist in Aarhus on an average wage, you may be among the top paid persons in the world. Architects, fashion designers, and financial analysts all have average wages that are among the top three in the world in Aarhus.

Cost of education

Denmark boasts a good standard of education throughout the country, including some excellent colleges for higher education. The University of Copenhagen is ranked 33rd in the world university rankings for 2020. 

Students from the EU, those with a permanent residence status, those with a temporary permit that can be converted to a permanent permit, and those from outside the EU with a parent already working in Denmark are all eligible to attend a university in Denmark for free.

If you don’t qualify for free university education, the costs will vary depending on the course and institution you choose. The Danish government estimates that fees will range from DKK45,000 to DKK120,000.16

The costs of medical and dental treatment in Denmark

Denmark has a well-developed healthcare system that includes both public and private providers. If you work in Denmark, you receive public health insurance coverage. This includes free care at doctors’ offices and hospitals. For dental care, you will be charged a portion of the fee, and you will be responsible for the cost of prescriptions. 

If you wish, you can also use private healthcare facilities or get private insurance.

Conclusion

The emphasis on work-life balance and gender equality in Denmark makes it a preferred destination to relocate to. In most companies, you can expect a flexible workweek in which your manager trusts you enough to allow you to organize your hours around your family’s needs. It is fairly common in the country to leave work at 3 p.m. to pick up your children from school, then return to the office later in the evening to catch up on work.

Denmark is a beautiful country, but it is not cheap. If you’re moving there, it’s a smart idea to plan ahead of time and save money where you can.

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FAQs

Q1. Do universities in Denmark provide on-campus accommodation?

Answer – Yes, universities in Denamrk have student dorms and halls of residences for students. However, you are required to take care of food and maintenance yourself.

Q2. Are students in Denmark allowed to take up part-time jobs?

Answer – Yes, students can work part-time in Denmark. Moreover, there is no restriction on no. of hours of work for Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. For other nationalities, 20 hours per week are permissible, however, they can work full-time during the months of June, July and August.

Q3. How can international students avail public healthcare in Denmark?

Answer – All international students are required to obtain a Danish residence permit and register with the Civil Registration System. This entitles students to receive free medical treatment in Denmark. Students from the EU/EEA, Nordic countries and Switzerland will need to present a S1 Portable Document or a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) issued by your statutory health insurance at the time of registration.