Is it good to live in Denmark? Immigration to Denmark or why living in Denmark is good

Each country has its own culture, habits, and lifestyle - they also leave an imprint on the style of clothing. Life in Denmark, according to reviews from emigrants, can be described as fair competition. If a neighbor bought an expensive car or went on a trip with his family, it is unlikely that the second neighbor will envy him, much less look for a reason to show off his new products.

The indigenous population does not like excesses and hides them whenever possible. This can be seen in the high-quality clothing and accessories – modest by Russian standards. How do women dress in Denmark? What is special about the Danish style and how can one explain the huge number of its fans far beyond the borders of the Viking country?

Waistless style

The average city dweller prefers simple, comfortable, high-quality things. There are plenty of fashionistas in Copenhagen and other large cities of the country, especially in the evening, but today we are talking about the mass market category. Fashionistas do not belong to her.

The first thing that catches your eye is the loose cut of blouses, tunics, and trousers. They do not fit the figure, are sewn straight, flared from the hip or knee.

Many tunic models do not have darts or deep necklines. Skirts and dresses usually cover the knee or reach the ankles. Minis are not in demand among Danish girls.

The trousers are also hard to call trousers - baggy cut, baggy texture, sagging in the buttocks and hips.

Two sizes up

Russians coming to Denmark for the first time are surprised by the baggy and rough texture of their clothes. Some tourists joke that ugly things are trending.

They are close to the truth, because it is the shapeless models that quickly sell out in specialized stores. There is not so much demand for feminine styles of dresses with tight-fitting shapes. Many Danish women buy sweaters and T-shirts 1-2 sizes larger from someone else.

Youth style is not much different from the style in other European countries. On the streets you often see girls in tight jeans or trousers, tops with extreme cutouts on the chest or back.

Scarves and tunics

Scarves and tunics are among the top ten best-selling clothes. In the cold season, scarves take over the lead, and with the onset of warmth, they give way to tunics.

The loose cut of tunics corresponds to Danish women’s ideas about comfortable clothing, which is why they are used as casual, business, and cocktail wear.

Residents of the country wear them with jeans, leggings, and if the length reaches the ankle, instead of a dress. The buyer can order 2-3 tunics and pay for them without trying them on.

What do manufacturers offer?

The prosperous life of ordinary people in Denmark - a state with a stable economy, without corruption - gives self-confidence. This can be seen in appearance and demeanor.

The average customer prefers clothes from Danish brands. There are plenty of such markets in Copenhagen and other cities of the state. Basically, manufacturers offer clothes for the middle class, again, taking into account the mentality.

The collections are designed for consumers of any age and size: for youth, 30+, clothes for curvy ladies, 50+. The standard collection of the Danish brand contains:

• oversized sweaters;
• T-shirts, tops, tunics, blouses made of natural cotton;
• loose-fitting trousers;
• scarves;
• dresses;
• vests.

Women often wear tops and T-shirts under tunics, choosing them in the same color. Dresses are a wardrobe item for special occasions; they are worn to weddings, christenings, birthdays, and romantic dates.

Models of European brands in the “must have” category do not take into account the specific taste of local consumers, and therefore sell worse than local clothes. Every second Danish woman, coming to the store, looks for products of a certain brand.

The priority is domestic companies, although among them there are brands that are so expensive that there is no domestic demand for them. Manufacturers have to export them to EU countries and sell them there.

Color spectrum

The basis of the Danish style is layering. Women use it so skillfully that things that seem incompatible at first glance in a set look impressive, emphasize their advantages and hide their shortcomings.

As for the color scheme, practicality comes to the fore here too. Black is a favorite; olive, marsh, and all shades of beige are also trending. These colors are popular in any season.

Married to a Dane?

There are many emancipated women in the country; no one is surprised by separate bills in restaurants and separate budgets for spouses. For Russian brides, Denmark is not the most attractive country, because local women are very beautiful.

Native Danish women are tall, slender, and fair-haired. They have regular facial features and a proud posture. Men are proud of their compatriots.

It’s not difficult to imagine how Russian wives live in Denmark with foreign husbands. Local men love comfort, take care of themselves, are reserved, even cold, in relationships, approach marriage rationally and calmly, and spend little money.

Denmark is one of the most prosperous countries on the globe. It is not surprising that many want to move here permanently. Those who are planning to make a radical turn in their lives and try their luck in the “country of the Vikings” will find it useful to familiarize themselves with information about this Scandinavian kingdom and the peculiarities of life in the country through the eyes of Russian immigrants.

Life in Denmark: what does an immigrant need to know about it?

Standard of living

Denmark is a prosperous state with a stable economy. Denmark occupies top positions in the rankings of countries with the lowest level of corruption, the most favorable conditions for doing business, and the most effective government policy in the field of ecology. As a result, the Danes are the happiest nation - the vast majority of the country's population is completely satisfied with their lives.

Taxes are high here, but this is quite justified: medicine, the education system and social security - everything is at the highest level, and people are willing to pay for it. In addition, Denmark is one of the safest countries in the world. There is a low crime rate and a large proportion of crimes are cases of domestic violence. A robbery on the street is an unlikely situation in Denmark. Even at night you can walk along the streets without fear for your life. Strikes here are also a single phenomenon, and not a massive one, as, for example, in France, where it would seem that everyone goes on strike: taxi drivers, students, workers, and with enviable regularity.

Climate and ecology

The climate of Denmark is quite comfortable for a Russian person: it is not hot here, the average air temperature varies from + 10 to + 20 degrees Celsius. However, this is not a dream climate, as, for example, on the Californian coast. The sun rarely appears in the Danish sky, but rain and wind are constant daily companions.

Not a single Dane leaves home without an umbrella: the weather here changes in a matter of minutes. If you see the sun outside your window in the morning, this does not mean that the whole day will be clear. It is likely that within a minute a gusty wind will blow outside and it will start to rain.

Popular proverb: if you don't like the Danish weather, wait 5 minutes, it will change.

Caring for the environment is another principle in the life of every Dane. The policy of local authorities contributes to the successful development of this trend. In every supermarket you will see a machine that accepts plastic bottles. I handed over the empty container and received a receipt, which can be used to pay for purchases in the same supermarket. Thanks to such a well-thought-out system, everyone has the opportunity to save a little, and local authorities can ensure clean streets at minimal cost.

Nuances of lifestyle

The Danes are simply obsessed with a healthy lifestyle. Kayaking, daily jogging, cycling as the main form of transport - all this is in order here (and this despite the constant rainy weather!). Many large companies have gyms for employees and their family members, sports competitions are held regularly, and many employers provide their subordinates with discounts on visiting the pool/fitness center/gym.

Bicycles are a separate topic for Denmark. This type of transport became popular after World War II, when, due to a shortage of gasoline, more and more people opted for a two-wheeled vehicle. Bicycles are still very common: Denmark has an extremely high tax on car ownership (it is higher than the cost of the car itself). As a result: the bicycle today is the main mode of transport for most citizens, and the winners of bicycle races are no less popular than show business stars.

Interesting fact: in Denmark, anyone can use a bicycle for free if they don’t have their own. There are special parking lots everywhere where you can rent an “iron horse” for 20 CZK - this deposit will automatically be given back to you when you return the vehicle to its place.

Work takes up much less time in a Dane’s life than a Russian or Ukrainian. The average working day here lasts only 6.4 hours, and an annual paid vacation of 6 weeks is provided. In their free time from work, the Danes play sports, attend various trainings, courses (here it is customary to constantly learn something), interest groups (for example, there are communities of young mothers or pensioners), and spend time with their families.

This is a plus: the average Dane has 16 hours a day “for himself” - this is time for sleep and relaxation, communication, hobbies and sports.

Video: how Denmark lives through the eyes of a Russian woman

Danish cuisine

Danish cuisine is quite modest and monotonous. Baked goods, meat and potato dishes are held in high esteem here. It is understandable to Russian people, but many immigrants say that they lack typical Russian products: pickles, sprats, dumplings, caviar, buckwheat.

National Danish cuisine often includes pork dishes - in the summer it is grilled ribs, in the winter it is oven-baked pork with skin, and to this there are various types of potatoes.

Estreiiita

Features of mentality

The Danes are very practical and conservative. Here it is considered normal to present a list of desired gifts along with a birthday invitation. What seems inconvenient to a Russian person is considered practical here.

There is a clear sign of equality between men and women. There is no division of responsibilities into “male” and “female”. Men do housework on an equal basis, women work. But Russian women need to be prepared for the fact that equality also results in other aspects that are not entirely familiar to our mentality: a separate family budget, paying the restaurant bill equally.

Interesting fact: being a housewife is extremely unpopular in Denmark (even among older ladies): 80% of women work.

Women here dress much more modestly than is customary in Russia. Bright makeup and elegant clothes are appropriate here only at appropriate events. Here it is not customary to boast about fashion brands and go “to work as if it were a holiday.” The priority is practicality and comfort.

Here it is customary to start a family in adulthood and approach this very responsibly. There are many 30-year-old men and women here who have not yet been burdened by marriage. Couples have been cohabiting for a long time, but if they finally decide to legalize their relationship, it is usually forever. By the way, unequal marriages are rare here: you almost never see an older man dating a girl old enough to be his daughter.

Men often postpone marriage until age 30+, but value family; A lot of time is devoted to children, but at the same time, women are expected to work and not just care for children.

Mermaid

http://www.woman.ru/rest/medley8/thread/3889688/

The Danes do not boast of wealth: you won’t see as many expensive cars on the streets as in the average Russian city. A sign of status here is simplicity and comfort, which is manifested in minimalist Scandinavian interiors, in the style of clothing, and in the choice of car.

Immigrants in Denmark

Migrants make up 7–10% of the Danish population. There are many people here from Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. They are treated worse than migrants from Russia and the CIS countries. Immigrants from these countries do not try to assimilate and do not show interest in local traditions and culture. Locals are especially wary of them. You won’t find people from Somalia or Middle Eastern countries in the rural outback - they settle in large cities and live in entire communities.

They don't like immigrants, especially from the Middle East.

Elena,53 years old, Russian. Lives in Denmark for 13 years in the countryside

http://emigranti-inc.livejournal.com/32725.html

It is much easier for Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians to assimilate. They do not settle in communities, but organically join the local community, living in traditional families and not in diasporas.

Many Russians come here not in search of higher-paying jobs, like the latter, but with the goal of starting a family here. Many women first look for a potential groom and only then move in with him. On the contrary, more men travel from Middle Eastern countries to Denmark. As a rule, they do not have higher education and are ready for the most low-skilled jobs. Reviews from Russian men indicate that many of them come to Denmark by agreement with an existing employer. This could be a transfer to a local branch of an international company, contract work at some facility, or an offer from a Danish partner to open a joint business here.

How do they treat Russians?

Russians are treated quite normally here, there is no aggression or outright discrimination, because the Danes themselves are quite calm and peaceful, but their attitude towards visitors is still restrained and cool. This is explained, among other things, by the fact that Denmark is a mono-ethnic state. The local population predominates here, so all foreigners are treated with caution. Many immigrants from Russia say that the Danes are friendly and friendly, but very closed and not easy to make contact with. Finding close friends here is very, very difficult.

This is a country where you feel like a human being. It's comfortable to live here.

Elena, 53 years old

http://emigranti-inc.livejournal.com/32725.html

Video: attitude towards ordinary Russian emigrants

What financial assistance can immigrants expect?

In addition to the standard unemployment benefit, divorced women with children receive substantial payments here. The state pays them single mother's allowance and housing subsidies.

Due to the fact that in Denmark migrants can live comfortably on the benefits provided to them, many of them do not work. The statistics are as follows: less than half of immigrants are employed, while the rest are content with the benefits of the social security system. And the country's indigenous residents, on the contrary, prefer to work - as many as 73% of them. The current circumstances are putting a colossal burden on the state budget. Because of this, government officials took extreme measures back in 1997: the state decided to pay compensation to those immigrants who were ready to return to their homeland. This benefit is quite significant: 11 thousand crowns even before the immigrant returns to his native country, and 89 thousand when he has already left Denmark. As a result, an emigrant leaving Denmark can count on 100 thousand Danish crowns, which is 3,700 euros or 311 thousand rubles.

Anyone who is on welfare is the “bottom”. The local population really has a bad attitude towards this category. And this applies not only to foreigners, but also to the Danes themselves.

Svetlana, lives in Denmark for 8 years

http://www.newwoman.ru/zamuzh_e70.html

Russians in Denmark

How to adapt to life?

The best option is when an immigrant tries to assimilate: he studies the language, tries to observe traditions and conform to the peculiarities of the local way of life. The best way to assimilate is to obtain a higher education. This will allow you to make new acquaintances, look at the life of the Danes from the inside, and most importantly, get a diploma from a local university. It will greatly increase your chances of finding a decent job. Danish higher education has the following advantages:

• it is taught in English, so you can study here even if you don’t speak Danish;
• Tuition fees are not as high as in other Scandinavian countries. A year of “higher school” costs from 6 to 16 thousand euros;
• The quality of education, on the contrary, is high - people from all over the world strive to get into Danish universities.

The Danish language is indeed quite complex for people from the CIS countries - both linguistically and phonetically. However, the plus is that foreigners who come to Denmark for permanent residence are taught the language completely free of charge: lessons are given, dictionaries and textbooks are given out, so if you want, learning the language is quite possible. If you want to gain a foothold in the country and try to become “your own” here, you must know the language.

Adaptation to a new country rarely goes without problems, and integration into the ancient culture of a small people requires much more effort.

Natalia Karpan Lieknins

Video: interview about what awaits a migrant in Denmark

What do Russians do here?

Here everything depends primarily on the person himself, on his mood and desire to adapt to new conditions. Some immigrants from Russia say that it is impossible to get a good, well-paid professional job here, because... supposedly immigrants from the CIS countries are considered by local employers to be worthy only of the simplest work in the service sector. Others prove the opposite by their own example: many successfully find employment in their specialty and occupy high-status positions in international companies. These are mainly those who have found the opportunity to learn a language and obtain a diploma from a local university, or have confirmed an existing diploma by successfully passing a professional qualification exam.

With our medical diploma you CANNOT get a job as a nurse, and our teacher will NOT be accepted into kindergarten! Simply because to work as a nurse you must have a nursing diploma approved by the Danish system (education lasts 4 years).

Natalia Karpan Lieknins

http://www.newwoman.ru/zamuzh_karpan2.html

In Denmark, both highly qualified specialists of a narrow profile and representatives of blue-collar professions are in demand. Here you can get a job as a builder, farm worker, or nanny. Many people do just that to begin with: they sign a contract to do, for example, seasonal work in order to live here for 3-4 months and get a first impression of the country. Salaries, especially on farms, are not as high as in Copenhagen for highly skilled work, but still, compared to Russian ones, they are much higher. For cleaning the territory, caring for livestock and harvesting crops on agricultural farms, they pay a little more than 100 crowns per hour (13.5 euros or 1140 rubles). On average, a cleaning woman in the country receives 16 thousand crowns per month, which is equivalent to 177 thousand rubles. In low-skilled positions, it is quite possible to earn up to 3,500 euros per month, which at the current exchange rate is a lot of money for a Russian.

Please note: you can assess your relevance in the Danish labor market by looking at the so-called Positive List (http://www.workpermit.com/denmark/positive-list.htm) - it indicates those professions in which currently the state needs it most. Today, the TOP includes builders, industrial professionals, medical workers (both highly qualified doctors and junior staff), and IT specialists.

In addition to the service sector, Russians are actively involved in the transport sector. Russian truck drivers are recruited into all European companies, and sailors are accepted on board Scandinavian ships. At the same time, the main advantage of our fellow citizens, alas, is not professionalism, but cheapness.

Expert opinion

http://filolingvia.com/publ/skolko_ty_budesh_poluchat_za_granicej_realnye_zarplaty_nashikh_ehmigrantov/438–1-0–5460

Where do our compatriots live?

Today there are few Russians in Denmark: about 8 thousand. Difficult language and extremely high cost of living are just some of the reasons. Many people from the CIS countries prefer to move to those countries where there are more Russians, which means it’s easier to assimilate - this is, for example, Germany.

Denmark has only one large city by Russian standards - its capital, Copenhagen. Immigrants from Russia strive to get here: wages here are higher than in rural areas, there are more employment options, and the attitude towards immigrants is more loyal, because in the provinces people are always more conservative.

The entire territory of the country can be divided into 3 zones: Copenhagen, the island part and the mainland (it is called Jutland). In Jutland, the largest city is Aarhus, but it doesn’t seem like that to a Russian, because only 300 thousand people live here. Herning, Odense, and Aalborg are also considered fairly large cities. Immigrants from the CIS live in both cities and rural areas. There are no Russian districts, such as Brighton Beach in New York, either in the capital or in the provinces, so choose your place of residence depending on what specialty you plan to choose, what lifestyle you prefer, etc.

Photo gallery: panoramas of the largest cities in Denmark

The most famous tourist street in Copenhagen - Nuhavn Panorama of Aarhus
View of Aalborg Panorama of Odense Streets of Herning

Russian societies

People from the CIS countries try to maintain contacts with their compatriots, communicate on forums, but this is ordinary friendly communication, and not communalism, as is the case with representatives of eastern civilizations. In Denmark there are several organizations uniting Russian-speaking immigrants, for example:

• “Russian Society in Denmark” (http://russam.dk/);
• “Council of Russian-speaking societies in Denmark” (http://www.ruslad.info);
• “Danish-Russian House” (http://www.russiskhus.dk/index.php/ru/);
• “Danish-Russian house in Jutland” (http://drhus.dk/);
• “Danish-Ukrainian Partnership” (http://www.danskukrainsk.dk/selskabu.htm).

There are also more specialized organizations, for example, the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Copenhagen (http://ruscenter.dk/). There are Russian theatres, literary and artistic associations, art studios, clubs, Orthodox parishes, schools - in short, people from the countries of the former USSR have no shortage of communication with their compatriots.

Russian pensioners in Denmark

In Denmark, the retirement age is 65 years old - the same for both men and women. From this moment on, a person can count on receiving a state pension. However, there is one important nuance: only those who have lived in Denmark for at least 40 years receive a full pension. Most immigrants cannot boast of such length of residence in the country, which means they will not receive a full pension.

Please note: to obtain information about the amount of state pension you are entitled to, you must contact the municipal pensions department.

In addition to the state pension, there are early pension payments. To be eligible, you must have contributed to the unemployment insurance fund for at least 30 years. If you pass this stage, you can leave your job at 60 instead of 65, or work part-time. In this way, early pension payments will be paid to you from the moment the insured event occurs (you can refuse to work either at 60 or 62 years old) until you reach the age of 65 years.

In addition, when you retire in Denmark, you can count on:

• providing assistance at home (need assessed by municipal authorities);
• obtaining special housing adapted to the needs of the elderly and disabled, or enrollment in a nursing home.

Comparison of Russia and Denmark

Social Security

In Denmark, social guarantees are much more significant than in Russia. A striking example is unemployment benefits. It exists in both countries. Payments in both cases are not 100% of the salary at the last place of work: in Denmark, an unemployed person can count on 80–90% of its amount, in Russia - a maximum of 75%. The difference would seem to be insignificant, but in practice the situation is different.

In Russia, the maximum limit for payment of benefits is set at 4,900 rubles. This is even below the subsistence level. In Denmark, the upper limit of the benefit amount is 2,600 euros (that’s more than 200 thousand rubles). Even if we take into account the fact that salaries in Scandinavia are significantly higher than in Russia, the difference is still staggering. Considering that the average salary in Denmark is 2500–2600 euros, we can conclude that the maximum limit of unemployment benefits fully compensates the unemployed citizen for his previous earnings.

Lifespan

The most obvious indicator is, perhaps, life expectancy. Russia is not in an advantageous position here: our country is not even included in the top hundred of the ranking, giving way even to Bangladesh. Men in Russia live up to 63 years, women - up to 75. In Denmark, the average man can expect to live up to 78 years, women, again, more - up to 82 years.

Medicine

High life expectancy is a direct consequence of government policy priorities. 11% of GDP is allocated from the treasury to maintain the healthcare system, while the average level in other European countries is 9% of GDP. Due to high taxes, medicine is free for the Danes. And in practice this is exactly what it looks like. For Danes, not only doctor’s consultations are free, but also operations of any complexity. The exception is dental services (they are only partially subsidized). In Russia, medical services are free only de jure. De facto, if a person has an urgent need for medical advice, getting to see a doctor on the same day in most cases is simply unrealistic (especially if we are not talking about a therapist, but about an ophthalmologist/gynecologist/cardiologist).

Prices

For food and essential goods

Prices for food and general consumer goods in Denmark are naturally much higher than in Russia.

Table: comparison of prices in Russia and Denmark

Video: cost of food in Denmark

For real estate

Housing in Denmark is expensive, and a mortgage loan for its purchase is given only to citizens of the country or people with a residence permit, so the average immigrant prefers to rent a house. A one-room apartment on the outskirts can be rented for 700 euros; in the center it can cost from 750 to 1200 euros. It’s also not cheap, which is why many Russians rent an apartment together: with friends with whom they came to Denmark, with fellow students, or simply find a roommate through an advertisement.

Please note: the rental price in Denmark already includes utilities.

In Russia, real estate prices are certainly lower. Renting a one-room apartment in the economy segment in Moscow will cost you about 300 euros, and in the regions it is quite possible to rent a one-room apartment for only 125 euros per month.

Interesting Facts:

• native Danes do not live in apartments, but in separate houses. The “family nest” is passed down from generation to generation;
• Danes spend on average 24% of their income on housing costs and maintenance;
• on average there are 2 rooms per inhabitant of Denmark (in Russia - 0.9 rooms);
• more than 90% of the population are completely satisfied with their living conditions.

Wage level

The average Danish earnings are 2500–2600 euros. It is quite consistent with the high prices here and allows a working person to lead a decent lifestyle. One of the highest paid professions is a doctor; among those at the bottom of the ranking is a cashier. In Russia, the average salary in the country is approximately 33 thousand rubles, which corresponds to 412 euros. People employed in the production of petroleum products and the extraction of fuel and energy minerals receive the most. The least number are employed in textile and clothing production and in the field of primary general education.

Assessing your chances of immigration

There are many options for moving to Denmark for permanent residence:

• obtain a visa for the purpose of family reunification - suitable for those who have relatives living in Denmark, or those who plan to marry a citizen of the country;

Did you know? Today, Danish legislation establishes the following rules: if a citizen of the country wants to marry a foreigner, he must first confirm his financial solvency. He must have an apartment, be able to provide a deposit of 50 thousand crowns, and must not be on social security. All this, on the one hand, infringes on the rights of poor Danes to marry whoever they want, but, on the other hand, provides some guarantees of a prosperous life for immigrant women.

• become a participant in any exchange program: get a job with a Danish family as an au pair or nanny, for example, under the Au-pair program. This option is only suitable for those aged 18 to 29;
• a common option is to go to Denmark to study by enrolling in a local university (you first need to apply for a student visa);

Students are allowed to carry out labor activities. They can expect to pay 13 euros per hour.

• apply for a work visa. To do this, you first need to find an employer in absentia and only then contact the consulate to apply for a visa, because it is issued on the basis of an invitation to work from a Danish company or individual. A work visa is usually issued for a year, after which it can be extended;
• You can get a job using the Danish Green Card program. You can read more about it here: http://www.workpermit.com/denmark/danish-green-card.htm;
• you can open your own business here by first obtaining a special permit for that, and thus obtain a residence permit;
• You can become a refugee - go to Denmark on a tourist visa and contact the police department to ask for asylum.

Video: how to move to Denmark, possible options

Life in Denmark: pros and cons (final table)

Denmark is a prosperous state with a stable economy and a high standard of living, so it is not surprising that it is very attractive for citizens of the former USSR as a country for immigration. However, your well-being in a new place depends on your desire to assimilate: are you ready to learn the language and accept the local way of life. The attitude towards immigrants here is loyal, but cool and wary - this is a consequence of the fact that Denmark is a mono-ethnic country and there are not as many migrants here as, for example, in the USA. The local mentality also plays a role - the Danes are conservative, reserved and closed, and not only this feature may seem unusual to a Russian with a broad soul. If you are thinking about immigrating to Denmark, a good option would be to first visit the country as part of a tourist trip to get a first impression of it and assess your personal attitude towards the local way of life.

Denmark, a relatively small country and rightfully considered the pearl of the Scandinavian countries, is the center of culture and history. Denmark is also considered one of the most expensive countries, but not a single resident of the country complains about this, since Denmark has a well-developed social system that provides the Danes with confidence and reliability in the future.

Denmark It is considered a country where they treat immigrants very democratically, where you can get asylum and residence permits. Favorable conditions for business have also been created here, which allows foreigners to invest money in the Danish economy.

This is one of the most active countries of the European Union, which actively participates in the search for qualified specialists from all over the world and is interested in their development and improvement of qualifications.

Country: Denmark;

Capital: Copenhagen;

Number of tourists per year: about 4.5 million;

Population satisfaction: 83 residents out of 100;

GDP per capita: $37,900.

Interestingly, in Denmark there is a Danish Green Card. The purpose of this program is to attract specialists from countries that are not members of the European Union. There is also a program called Positive List, which is aimed at those who have a job offer from a Danish employer.

Business immigration means that you are either the owner or co-owner of a company in Denmark and have invested at least 50,000 euros in the country’s economy. The company is also obliged to provide jobs to Danes.

Immigration is also possible if you enroll in one of the universities in Denmark; studies are paid. Much attention is also paid to knowledge of the language. It is enough to know English for studying, but for work it is important to know Danish.

In order to obtain citizenship, you must live legally in the country for 10 years or more, only after that it is possible to submit documents. You can also marry a Danish citizen, or take advantage of the opportunity to restore your family if one of your close relatives lives in Denmark.

Living conditions. On average, Danes spend about 24% of their after-tax income on housing and housing costs. It is difficult for Danes to complain about living conditions, since on average there are 2 rooms per Danish resident.

Also, 91% of the population claim that they are absolutely satisfied with their living conditions.

Concerning real estate in Denmark, then renting the first apartment in the center of Copenhagen will cost $1,400 per month; if you rent the first apartment in a residential area of ​​Copenhagen, the cost will be about $1,000.

The price per square meter in the center of Copenhagen is about $5,800, and the price per square meter in a residential area is about $3,700.

The average income of a Danish resident after taxes is about $25,000 per year. The wealthiest earn an income of about $43,600, while the least wealthy earn about $12,000.

73% of the population aged 15 to 64 years have a permanent paid job. As for unemployment, its level among the population aged 15 to 24 years is 14%.

On average, Danes work about 1,546 hours per year, which is 128.8 hours per month and, accordingly, 6.4 hours per day, excluding weekends. In Denmark, both men and women devote about 16 hours a day to themselves, namely rest and self-care. As a percentage of food intake, sleep, hobbies, sports, communication with friends, etc. about 67% of the Danes' time is spent.

They study well in Dani, this can be seen in percentage terms. 77% of men and 76% of women in Denmark complete their schooling successfully. In total, it takes Danes a little over 19 years to get a decent education.

Like many other countries where education is paid, Denmark finds that there is a significant difference in performance outcomes between students from families with high socio-economic status and students with low socio-economic status, it is 94 points.

71% of the Danish population consider themselves to have good health and well-being. The average life expectancy of Danes is 80 years, respectively 82 years for women and 78 years for men.

Danish government spends enough money on healthcare, namely almost 11% of GDP, which is 2% more than in other EU countries.

Safety in Denmark. Security plays a big role in choosing a country to live in. Every person wants to feel protected. 80% of the Danish population feel completely safe when they are alone on the street at night.

Also, the number of reported attacks is about 4%, which is a low figure among EU countries.

It is worth noting that 84% of Danes experience more positive emotions than negative emotions per day. The Danes themselves are very hospitable and positive-minded people, they have developed a healthy nationalism and at the same time they treat immigrants with respect.

Danish legislation is structured in such a way that it can safely be considered an example of democracy, loyalty and justice. Although Denmark is considered a country of the European Union, it exists absolutely independently; the local currency also operates here; the Danes have not introduced the euro into use.

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The Scandinavian model of so-called “capitalist socialism” is considered by many experts to be the best management system in the world. Denmark can serve as an excellent confirmation of this assessment. This state in Northern Europe has achieved impressive successes. Political stability, a growing economy, and a strong social support system make life in Denmark tempting for migrants. The incentive to move is good conditions for study, employment and business, respect for human rights, EU membership and other advantages.

Features of life in the country

Denmark is located in the northwest of the European continent. The only land border is with Germany. The length of the coast of the Baltic and North Seas is over 7 thousand km. The government system is a constitutional monarchy. The standard of living in Denmark is one of the highest in the world. According to this indicator, it ranks sixth among 142 countries. In Europe it is second only to Norway, Switzerland, and Sweden.

Nature and climate

Denmark's weather conditions are greatly influenced by the proximity of the warm ocean current, the Gulf Stream. The climate here is temperate maritime, the weather is cloudy and quite damp. Winters are mild, with winds and temperatures around 0°C, summers are cool, 18°C ​​- 22°C. It usually rains for 120 days a year in Denmark. Almost the entire territory is lowlands and hilly plains. The country has oil, natural gas, salt, gravel, sand.

Local traditions and way of life

The Danes are very respectful of their past and honor their customs. Some Viking traditions have survived to this day. The Inuit of Greenland, the local Eskimos, have a unique way of life. Danish citizens value freedom and are extremely law-abiding. The population of the islands is reserved and does not like to talk about themselves, but is always ready to help visiting tourists.

Moving methods

The following legal options are available for immigration to Denmark:

• recognition as a refugee;
• employment;
• official marriage;
• business and investment;
• connection with family;
• participation in international humanitarian missions as a volunteer.

You can enter the country with a Schengen visa. Before entering Greenland, you need to apply for an additional permit because this part of the United Kingdom has left the European Union while maintaining associate member status.

Conditions of stay

Citizens of non-EU countries can stay in Denmark for 90 days. They are not allowed to work or do business during this period. A residence permit is required for further stay.

Obtaining a residence permit

Applications for a residence permit in Denmark for Russians should be sent to diplomatic missions in the Russian Federation. You need to be prepared for the interview to be conducted in English. Persons with a criminal record cannot count on a positive decision.

Registration procedure

Long-term residence permits in Denmark must be justified. An applicant for a residence permit must indicate the purpose of the move in the application. If it complies with the provisions of migration legislation, the diplomatic mission will accept the application for consideration.

List of required documents

The application for a residence permit in Denmark should include:

1. Valid passport.
2. Current photographs 3x4 cm (4 pieces).
3. Reason for application: contract with employer, marriage certificate, etc.
4. Payment order for the transfer of consular fees.
5. Certificate of no criminal record.
6. Bank account statement for the previous month.
7. International VHI policy.
8. Invitation to study from a local university.

Based on these papers, a temporary residence permit is issued for 1 year, and then extended for the same period. After this, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. To do this you will need to prove:

• availability of own or rented living space;
• level of local language proficiency;
• no debt.

Documents received in Russia are provided with line-by-line translation into English or Danish, notarized.

Procedure and deadline for consideration

The Danish migration services are dealing with the issue of granting a residence permit. The legally established period for checking the application and documents is from 4 to 8 weeks.

Fee amount

Payment for carrying out legally significant actions in diplomatic missions on the territory of the Russian Federation is established in Russian national currency. The consular fee for accepting an application for a residence permit in Denmark is 5,660 rubles.

Reasons for refusal

Danish migration services often reject applications for a residence permit. The main reasons for this are:

• having a criminal record;
• insufficient financial support, lack of sources of income;
• incomplete package of documents or indication of false information.

Grounds for obtaining permanent residence

Before obtaining Danish citizenship, the applicant must obtain permanent residence. This status comes with many benefits, including free movement within the Schengen area and free health insurance. To obtain permanent residence, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

• age at least 18 years;
• stay in Denmark in accordance with migration legislation for at least 6 years;
• successfully passing a language proficiency test;
• having a permanent job or income-generating self-employment in the last 3 years;
• knowledge of and compliance with local laws;
• availability of own or rented housing and sufficient financial security;
• absence of criminal records, tax and other debts.

In Denmark, there is a Declaration on Integration and Active Citizenship in Society, which the applicant must sign as a sign of his consent.

Applying for permanent residence

You should contact the migration services at your place of residence in the country. The main goal is to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Danish legislation as much as possible.

Documentation

The applicant for permanent residence provides official documents confirming:

• no criminal record, no tax arrears;
• permanent employment or self-employment;
• availability of housing;
• sufficient financial security;
• legal stay in the country for at least 6 years;
• other circumstances that make it possible to apply for status.

Terms and conditions of registration

The period for the migration services to make a decision on permanent residence in Denmark is 3 months. In cases where the basis is family reunification, you can receive the document within 4 weeks. Submitting an application will cost 150 €.

Number of immigrants in Denmark

In 2017, the natural population growth of the state was 4.3 thousand people, and the number of arrivals was 19.7 thousand. The country attracts people from disadvantaged regions of the Middle East and North Africa, the influx of which in recent years has become a serious problem for Europe. The EU does not have the right to determine refugee quotas accepted in Denmark due to the conditions under which the country became a member of the union in 1973. For those who manage to obtain forced migrant status, integration and social assistance programs have been developed.

What nationalities do people live in the country?

Denmark is a mononational state according to the UN classification. About 98% of the population are Danes, the rest are Swedes, Norwegians, Icelanders, Faroese and others. Among those living in Greenland, which has one of the lowest population densities in the world, 88% are Inuit (local Eskimos), recognized as a separate people in 2009.

Russian communities

In Denmark, immigrants from the Russian Federation do not settle in separate groups. They live in urban and rural areas depending on their occupation, habits and preferences. Russians, of whom there are now about 8 thousand, are well integrated into local society and settle into the way ordinary people live. The center of attraction is Copenhagen, the capital of the country. There are several societies in Denmark that unite Russian-speaking residents. They are engaged in cultural and educational activities, organize the exchange of information, and joint holidays.

Pensioners from Russia

The retirement age in Denmark is 65 years for men and women. To receive full pension payments, you must live in the country for at least 40 years. Migrants from Russia rarely manage to achieve this figure, but they are still entitled to a partial pension. The Danes make voluntary contributions to special funds, which become a serious addition to state maintenance.

Attitude of local residents towards visitors

Peace-loving and tolerant Danes speak respectfully about Russians and other immigrants, without showing aggression or intolerance. However, in a mono-ethnic country there is a wary attitude towards visitors. Very friendly and welcoming, ready to help in difficult situations, the Danes do not let strangers into their lives and are extremely reluctant to share their own problems. Many people from Russia claim that they have not been able to establish close friendships with local residents.

What do immigrants do and how much do they earn?

Finding a job in Denmark is not easy for visitors. To obtain official permission, you need to find an employer and sign a contract with him. Qualified specialists in demand:

• dentists;
• medical workers;
• managers;
• environmental engineers;
• programmers.

The procedure for nostrification (recognition) of a Russian diploma requires time and effort. Unskilled ones can be found on numerous farms. Seasonal light employment is allowed here. If the period of employment does not exceed 90 days, you can do without obtaining a special permit. Workers are also in demand at industrial enterprises, where wages do not suit local residents, but are attractive to migrants. The fish processing industry also welcomes visitors, with especially many job openings in Greenland. In the social sphere, you can get a job as a nanny, teacher, or caregiver for an elderly person.

Prices for food and other goods

The cost of the food basket in European countries is much higher than in Russia due to exchange rate differences. Prices for products in Denmark are shown in the table.

The country is not part of the Eurozone; the official currency is the Danish krone.

Real estate market

Purchasing housing in Denmark for foreigners is a very difficult matter due to many restrictions established by law. You must obtain permission from the Ministry of Justice to purchase real estate. On the sea coast in resort areas, apartments and houses are not sold to those who are not Danish citizens. The purchase of an apartment cannot become the basis for obtaining a residence permit and will not speed up the naturalization process.

Buying a home

The cost of 1 m2 in Copenhagen, depending on the area, ranges from 3700 € to 5900 €. In other cities of Denmark - from 1400 € in Kolding to 4000 € in Aarhus. A studio of 32 m2 in the center of the capital will cost 187.5 thousand euros. Mortgages are not available to foreigners; local residents can take advantage of a bank loan at 2.2% per annum.

Rent

You can draw up a tenancy agreement in Denmark for any housing. Rooms for rent for students and luxury houses on the coast. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the capital will cost 850-1200 € per month. In other cities, the same property can be rented for 460-820 €. The cost of utilities for these apartments will average 125 €. For Internet you need to pay an additional 30 € per month.

Fare

Denmark has two international airports: Copenhagen and Billund. The country has over 1,100 km of highways and 2,670 km of railways. Bridges have been built between the islands and the mainland, and ferry services have been established.

Car prices

Danish cities have excellent public transport. A single ticket costs from 3.2 €, a monthly pass costs 51 €. Calling a taxi around the city will cost 13-14 €, renting a budget car for 1 day will cost 30-45 €.

Gasoline cost

For 1 liter of AI-95 gasoline in Denmark you will have to pay 1.98 €.

Level of medical services

The average percentage of GDP allocated to healthcare in EU countries is 9%. In Denmark, 11% of gross domestic product is spent on medicine. Any type of treatment, from consultation with a doctor to the most complex high-tech operations, is provided free of charge to citizens of the country. The exception is dentistry, where some services must be paid for independently.

Education system

In Denmark, a child must study from 7 to 16 years of age. This does not mean that you must visit a government institution. The education system in Denmark allows classes in private schools and at home. Studying at all levels, including higher education in Denmark is free for citizens. There are 8 institutions in the country. The most popular and prestigious of them is the University of Copenhagen. Private universities are prohibited in Denmark. Concluding a training agreement will help a foreign student obtain a residence permit, but will cost from 6,000 to 16,000 € per year. Teaching is possible in English, German or Danish.

Tax system

Taxes in Denmark are among the highest in the world. Personal income tax, depending on wages, can exceed 50%. It is distributed into various budgets:

• • state;
  • regional;
  • municipal.

In addition, the Danes pay a monthly contribution to the employment service, and also, if desired, pay a voluntary church fee. Residents of Denmark can significantly reduce their tax amount by taking advantage of the benefits. This takes into account many factors, even the availability of loans.

Social payments

As in other Scandinavian countries, Denmark provides significant government support to people who have lost their jobs. The benefit amount is 80-90% of salary and is limited to an upper limit of 2600 €. The average pension in Denmark is the highest in the world – 2800 €. Help for families with children is provided in the form of social services. The state guarantees a child under three years of age a place in a nursery, and from 3 to 6 - in a kindergarten. In Denmark, benefits are paid to citizens who cannot support themselves due to illness, divorce or other reasons. Single mothers are provided with subsidies for an apartment.

Useful information for tourists about Denmark, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Denmark, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Denmark.

Geography of Denmark

The Kingdom of Denmark is a state in Northern Europe on the shores of the Baltic and North Seas, occupies the Jutland Peninsula north of Germany and several islands, the main of which are Zealand and Funen. The state, in addition to the territory of Denmark proper, includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which received self-government and representation in the Danish parliament.

The country's territory is flat, the highest point of the country is 173 m - Mount Iding-Skovhoy in eastern Jutland, and the lowest point (12 m below sea level) is on the west coast of Jutland.

State

State structure

A constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the queen; the country is actually governed by a unicameral parliament (Folketing) - the highest legislative body, popularly elected. The government is headed by the prime minister.

Language

Official language: Danish

Also used: English, German, French.

Religion

92% are Lutherans.

Currency

International name: DKK

Danish krone (DKK) = 100 øre. Banknotes in circulation are 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 crowns, coins are 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 crown, 50 and 25 öre.

Denmark map

Popular attractions

Tourism in Denmark

Where to stay

Hotels in Denmark offer unobtrusive northern hospitality: first-class service and comfort. Danish hotels are considered one of the most expensive not only in Europe, but also in the world.

There are about 1,750 hotels in the country. All of them are traditionally classified from one to five stars. The fewer stars a hotel has, the smaller the size of its rooms and bathrooms. In addition, hotels in Denmark are divided into two groups: the first - Hotel - these are hotels where, in addition to breakfast, other meals are available to guests (hotels from one to five stars); the second - Hotel Garni - these are hotels where guests are offered only breakfast (their rating does not exceed four stars).

One-star hotels in the country are more like a hostel, in which one bathroom and toilet are designed for a maximum of ten rooms. In addition, each room has all the necessary furniture and a sink. The hotel provides bed linen, towels and breakfast for guests. Two-star hotels in Denmark serve breakfast, snacks and drinks are available, and most importantly, they have private bathrooms. Unlike one- and two-star hotels, three-star rooms can guarantee a separate shower, work desk, radio and TV. Guests are provided with a computer and Internet access. Room size - from 12 sq. m.

Four and five star hotels in the country are high class in everything. Four-star hotels have excellent interiors, 24-hour room service, laundry facilities, and their own bar and restaurant. Five-star hotels are distinguished by luxurious apartments, air conditioning, a safe, service upon request, as well as their own restaurants, indoor swimming pools and fitness centers.

A more economical, but no less comfortable option for living in Denmark would be a hostel and campsite. All hostels are accredited by the International Hostel Network and include 95 mini-hotels throughout the country.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Denmark

The beautiful fairy-tale country of Denmark is rightfully considered the pearl of Scandinavia. The ancient Viking country is famous for its abundance of interesting sights that perfectly illustrate its centuries-old history and traditions.

The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen, one of the oldest cities in Europe. The picturesque city is located simultaneously on three islands (Slotsholmen, Zealand and Amager). The symbol of Copenhagen is the famous statue of the Little Mermaid (a character from the fairy tale of the same name by the world famous Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen), which is located in the city’s port. Copenhagen is a city with a stunning abundance of historical, cultural and architectural monuments. Among the most interesting attractions are the Amalienborg Palace complex, Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Castle, the Stock Exchange, Tivoli Park Garden, Bernstorf and Fredensborg Castles, Copenhagen City Hall, the National Museum, the State Museum of Art, the Thorvaldsen Museum, and the Carlsberg Glyptotek. Also worth seeing are the Marble Cathedral (Frederick's Church), the Grundtvig Church, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the Opera House, the Church of the Savior, the Orthodox Church of Alexander Nevsky and the University of Copenhagen with its famous Round Tower.

The second largest city in Denmark, Aarhus, is located on the Jutland Peninsula on the shores of a picturesque bay. It is an important business and cultural center of the country. Aarhus is also called a university city, as there are many famous universities and various colleges here. The most famous landmark of the city is the Old Town "Den Gamle By". This is a kind of open-air museum, where various ancient buildings brought from all over Denmark and restored are collected. Other important sights in the city are the Cathedral of St. Clement, the Church of Our Lady, the New Town Hall, the Aarhus Art Museum, the Museum of Prehistory, the Viking Museum, and Marselisborg Castle. The city is also famous for its annual “Aarhus Festival” - one of the most famous cultural events in Europe.

The city of Odense is the birthplace of the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, in whose honor one of the city’s parks is named and a monument was erected in the central square. There is also a museum of the famous writer. The picturesque green Odense with many pedestrian streets in the city center, shops, cozy restaurants and cafes is also rich in historical and cultural monuments. The most interesting sights include Odin's Tower, St. Canute's Cathedral, Odense Palace, St. Albany's Church, St. Hans' Church, Funen Village Museum, Art Museum, Ancient Mint and Nuns' Hill. 30 km from the city there is the beautiful Egeskov Castle, which is definitely worth a visit.

The city of Aalborg is also rich in various attractions. Here it is worth visiting the Cathedral of St. Budolfi, Aalborg Palace, the City Hall, the house of the merchant Jens Bang, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, the Church of Our Lady, the Historical Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Shipping and Navigation and one of the largest and most interesting zoos in Denmark.

Among the most interesting sights of Denmark, it is also worth highlighting Kronborg Castle (the castle of Shakespeare's Hamlet or Elsinore), Frederiksborg Castle (Hillerød), the famous Legoland children's park, the snow-white cliffs of Møns Klint and the islands of the Faroe archipelago.

Danish cuisine

The Danes love to eat a lot and deliciously. The quality of food in Danish cuisine is ensured primarily by the quality of seasonings.

The basis of Danish cuisine is fish and other seafood. First and second courses are prepared from fish. But the Danes do not forget about meat dishes. Roast pork with hot red cabbage is extremely popular. No less often, pork liver with crispy fried onions or pork liver pate appears on the Danish table. Fried potatoes or stewed cabbage are most often served as a side dish.

Traditional national dishes: pork stew with hot red cabbage, salted chicken with pineapple, pork with apples and prunes, vegetables with lard - Danish-style lard.

Desserts include apple pie with currant jelly and whipped cream, as well as strawberry and blackberry soup with cream - something between compote and liquid jam.

The Danes prefer beer and vodka among alcoholic drinks, and coffee among weaker ones. At Christmas, when it's time to unwrap gifts under the tree, a special spiced wine (Bisschopswijn) is prepared - a Danish version of German mulled wine.