What Is the Folkeregister in Denmark?

What is the Folkeregister?

The Folkeregister (officially part of the CPR system, or Central Person Register) is managed by the Danish Tax Administration (Skattestyrelsen). It contains vital personal information about residents, including address, civil status, and citizenship. Registration in the Folkeregister is a legal requirement when moving to Denmark for more than three months (or six months for EU/EEA citizens without employment).

Purpose and Importance

The Folkeregister plays a key role in:

Public administration: It supports taxation, health services, school enrollment, and electoral registration.
Identity verification: Both public and private institutions use CPR data to verify identity.
Access to benefits: Registration enables access to health insurance, a MitID digital ID, and other essential services.

Information Contained in the Folkeregister

Category	Description
CPR Number	Unique personal identification number.
Address	Official place of residence in Denmark.
Marital Status	Includes marriage, divorce, and partnerships.
Citizenship	Nationality of the registered person.
Name Changes	Records of legal name changes.
Parental Info	Includes parent-child relationships.
Deaths	Records of deceased residents.

Registration Process

To be entered into the Folkeregister, you must:

Have a valid address in Denmark (with a rental contract or housing documentation for at least 1 month).
Register in person at your local Citizen Service (Borgerservice) or International House (in Copenhagen).
Provide your passport, residence permit (if applicable), and housing documents.

After registration, you receive a CPR number, which is essential for setting up a bank account, signing up for health services, and more.

👉 Guide to Getting a CPR Number

Reporting Requirements

You must update the Folkeregister if you:

Move to a new address in Denmark
Leave Denmark permanently
Change your name or marital status

Role in Modern Danish Society

The Folkeregister is central to Denmark’s digital public sector, enabling smooth coordination between municipalities, tax authorities, healthcare providers, and more. Without being registered, residents cannot access most basic services.

Quick Tips for Expats

Register in the Folkeregister as soon as possible after arrival to get your CPR number.
Keep your address and personal information up to date to avoid delays in healthcare, banking, or tax matters.
Always bring proper documentation when visiting Borgerservice or International House