Essential Glossary for Expats in Denmark

A-kasse

A-kasse is a voluntary unemployment insurance fund in Denmark that provides financial support and employment guidance to its members in case of unemployment.

Aconto

Aconto refers to an advance payment made towards expected future expenses, commonly used in utility billing.

Affaldssortering

Affaldssortering is the practice of sorting waste into different categories for recycling and disposal.

Aflæsning

Aflæsning refers to the act of reading measurements from instruments like gas or electricity meters, or unloading goods from vehicles.

AM-bidrag

AM-bidrag is a mandatory 8% tax on gross income in Denmark, funding social welfare programs

Arbejdsglæde

Arbejdsglæde is a Danish term that means happiness at work, emphasizing joy and fulfillment in professional life.

Arbejdstilladelse

A work permit is a legal authorization that allows non-EU/EEA citizens to live and work in Denmark under specific conditions based on employment or qualifications.

Årsopgørelse

Årsopgørelse is the annual tax statement provided by the Danish tax authorities, summarizing an individual’s income, deductions, and taxes paid.

Aula

Aula is a nationwide digital platform used by Danish public schools to facilitate secure communication between schools, students, and parents.

Betalingsservice

Betalingsservice is a direct debit payment system in Denmark, allowing automated payments for services.

Boligportal

Housing search website.

Borgerforslag

Borgerforslag is a democratic tool in Denmark allowing citizens to propose legislative changes directly to the Danish Parliament, enhancing civic engagement.

Borgerservice

Borgerservice, or Citizen Service, is a Danish public service system offering municipal services through physical centers and a digital platform

Børnehave

Børnehave is a Danish kindergarten system for children aged 3 to 6, focusing on play-based learning and social development.

Budgetkonto

A Budgetkonto is a bank account designed to help individuals manage their finances by allocating funds for specific expenses, ensuring sufficient funds for regular bills.

Bundskat

Bundskat is a foundational tax in the Danish income tax system, levied on personal income exceeding a specific threshold, contributing significantly to state revenue.

CPR Number

A CPR number is Denmark’s personal ID number used across all government, healthcare, and banking systems.

Dagpenge

Dagpenge is a form of unemployment benefit in Denmark, providing financial support to unemployed individuals who are actively seeking work.

Dagpleje

Dagpleje is a Danish childcare option where children aged 6 months to 2–3 years are cared for in the home of a certified childminder. It offers a smaller, home-like environment as an alternative to institutional daycare.

Depositum

Depositum refers to a security deposit paid by a tenant to a landlord, serving as a financial safeguard against damages.

Dyrlæge

A dyrlæge is a licensed veterinarian in Denmark, responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses in animals, performing surgeries, and advising on animal care and welfare.

Ejendomsværdiskat

Ejendomsværdiskat is a Danish tax on the assessed value of owner-occupied homes. It’s separate from land tax and applies to residents and expat homeowners.

Ejerlejlighed

Ejerlejlighed is a form of property ownership in Denmark where individuals own an apartment within a larger building, sharing common areas with other owners.

Fagforening

a Fagforening is a trade union, an organized group of workers who unite to negotiate collectively with employers to improve wages and working conditions.

Fastelavn

Fastelavn is a Danish tradition featuring costumes, games, and sweet treats.

Feriepenge

Feriepenge is a mandatory benefit in Denmark that provides employees with financial support for vacations, calculated as 12.5% of their gross salary.

Fleksjob

Fleksjob is a flexible job scheme in Denmark designed for individuals with significantly reduced work capacity due to health issues or disabilities, allowing them to work in a supportive environment.

Folkeregister

The Folkeregister is Denmark’s national population register, managed by the Danish Tax Administration (Skattestyrelsen), containing vital information about residents.

Folkeskole

Folkeskole is the Danish education system providing compulsory education for children aged 6 to 16, including pre-school, primary, and lower secondary education.

Forsikring

Forsikring refers to insurance in Denmark, including various types such as household, liability, and health insurance, offering financial protection against loss or damage.

Fredagshygge

Fredagshygge is a Danish cultural practice that involves creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere on Friday evenings to celebrate the end of the workweek.

Fremleje

Fremleje is the Danish practice of subletting, where a tenant rents out part or all of their leased property to another party.

Fritidshjem/SFO

Fritidshjem and SFO are after-school care systems in Denmark, supporting children’s development and aiding working parents.

Funktionærloven

Funktionærloven is a Danish law that outlines the rights and obligations of salaried employees, providing protections such as notice periods, sick leave, and vacation rights

Grundejerforening

A grundejerforening is a homeowners association in Denmark that manages shared property interests, including maintenance of common areas and representation of property owners.

Hjemmearbejde

Hjemmearbejde, or working from home, involves performing job duties from one’s residence instead of the employer’s office.

Hvidvaskregler

Hvidvaskregler are the anti-money laundering regulations in Denmark, governed by the Hvidvaskloven, aimed at preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.

Hygge

Hygge is a Danish cultural philosophy that emphasizes comfort, coziness, and well-being, often through simple pleasures and communal activities.

Intranet (Intra)

Intranet is a system used by most Danish public schools to facilitate communication between teachers, students, and parents.

Istandsættelse

Istandsættelse involves restoring a property to a certain standard, often required when a tenant vacates a rental property, encompassing tasks like painting, flooring, and repairs.

Klassefest

Klassefest refers to a class party or reunion in Denmark, where current or former classmates gather to celebrate, socialize, and reconnect

Kreditværdighed

Kreditværdighed, or creditworthiness, is the assessment of a person’s or business’s ability to repay debts and meet financial obligations. While Denmark doesn’t use a standard credit score system like some countries, banks and landlords evaluate kreditværdighed through income, employment, and payment history. A poor record—such as being listed in the RKI register—can limit access to loans or rental housing

Lejekontrakt

A Lejekontrakt is the official rental contract in Denmark, detailing the agreement between tenant and landlord. It includes terms like rent amount, deposit, lease duration, maintenance duties, and termination rules. Expats should check that the contract follows the standard form (Type A, 10th edition), is signed by both parties, and aligns with Danish tenancy law.

Lejeregulering

Lejeregulering is the Danish system of rent control, aimed at regulating rental prices to ensure affordability and stability for tenants.

Lønforhandling

Lønforhandling refers to the negotiation process between an employee and employer regarding salary and compensation packages.

Lønseddel

A Lønseddel is a payslip used in Denmark, providing a detailed record of an employee’s earnings, deductions, and other financial information.

MobilePay

MobilePay is a mobile payment application launched by Danske Bank in 2013, widely used in Denmark for peer-to-peer transfers, online purchases, and in-store transactions.

Morgensang

Morgensang is a Danish tradition involving communal singing in the morning, fostering community and cultural identity

MUS-Samtale

MUS-Samtale, or Medarbejderudviklingssamtale, is an annual structured dialogue between an employee and their manager focusing on job satisfaction, performance, and development needs.

NemKonto

NemKonto is a system in Denmark where individuals and businesses assign a bank account to receive public payments, such as tax refunds and social benefits

Opholdstilladelse

Opholdstilladelse is a residence permit required for non-EU/EEA citizens to legally live in Denmark.

Opsigelsesvarsel

Opsigelsesvarsel refers to the mandatory notice period required by Danish employment law before terminating an employment relationship

Overarbejde

Overarbejde is the Danish term for overtime work, which refers to hours worked beyond the standard working hours defined in an employment contract.

P-Skive

P-Skive is a parking disc used to indicate the time of arrival for vehicles in time-limited parking zones, available in both mechanical and electronic versions

Praktiserende læge

A praktiserende læge is a general practitioner in Denmark, serving as the primary healthcare provider for patients, responsible for diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care.

Rejsekort

Rejsekort is Denmark’s nationwide electronic ticketing system for public transportation, allowing flexible and seamless travel across buses, trains, metro, and trams.

Sammenskudsgilde

Sammenskudsgilde is a Danish tradition similar to a potluck, where participants bring dishes to share, fostering community and cultural exchange

Skattekort

A skattekort (tax card) is a digital document issued by the Danish Tax Agency (Skattestyrelsen) that determines how much tax your employer should withhold from your salary

Smørrebrød

Smørrebrød is a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich, typically served on rye bread with various toppings such as meats, fish, and vegetables.

SU

SU stands for Statens Uddannelsesstøtte, which is the Danish State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme. It provides monthly financial support to students enrolled in approved full-time education programmes in Denmark.

Sundhedskort

Sundhedskort is the Danish health card that provides residents with access to healthcare services in Denmark. It includes personal information and is essential for medical treatment.

Tillidsrepræsentant

Union representative.

Topskat

Topskat is a Danish income tax applied to individuals earning above a certain threshold, ensuring higher earners contribute more to the state.

Varmeregning

Varmeregning refers to the heating bill in Denmark, detailing the costs associated with heating consumption, including fixed and variable charges.

Varmeregnskab

Varmeregnskab is the process of documenting and allocating heating costs among tenants based on energy consumption, promoting transparency and energy efficiency.

Vuggestue

Vuggestue is a Danish early childcare institution offering full-day care and early learning for infants and toddlers before they transition to kindergarten (børnehave).
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