WORKING IN DENMARK
Working in Denmark is equal, and everyone’s opinions are respected in the workplace. Trust is an important aspect of the business environment in Denmark. People trust one other and institutions – social trust is extremely high. Unless proven otherwise, people are assumed to be truthful. This is among the reasons why Danes are among the world’s happiest people.
These values of trust and community are deeply ingrained in Danish culture and are evident at work as well.
Denmark is a small Nordic country with a population of about 5,8 million people. Denmark is essentially an island nation with more than 440 islands. Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is located on the biggest island, called Zealand. Denmark’s location near Norway, Sweden, and Germany makes it an excellent gateway to the rest of the Nordic countries and Europe.
Advantages of working in Denmark
Denmark’s robust social welfare system is one of its major benefits. Denmark has one of the world’s most comprehensive social safety nets, with free healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits. This system ensures that everyone in Denmark has access to the resources they require to lead a happy life.
Another advantage of residing in Denmark is the country’s dedication to equality and tolerance. Denmark is known for being a welcoming and respectful society for people of all backgrounds. Women are well-represented in politics and the labor force, and the country has a long history of promoting gender equality.
Denmark is a very safe and peaceful country to live in, in addition to its social welfare programs and commitment to equality. Denmark has a low crime rate and a strong tradition of trust and cooperation among its citizens. As a result, Denmark is an excellent place to raise a family or live a peaceful and relaxed lifestyle.
Finally, Denmark has a strong sense of community and social cohesion. Danes are very social people who frequently take part in community activities and events. This fosters a sense of belonging and aids in the development of strong relationships.
Danish Work Culture
Denmark is well-known for having excellent working conditions. Workplaces are generally well-organized, clean, and welcoming. The working environment is friendly and supportive, with a focus on teamwork, equality, and a flat hierarchy.
There are few or no middle management levels in Danish workplaces between executives and employees. Employees have more autonomy and are more involved in decision-making. This approach is widespread and highly valued in Denmark.
Regardless of your position in the company, your employer and colleagues value your ideas and opinions. This encourages a sense of teamwork and collaboration, which leads to improved results. When working in Denmark, your colleagues expect you to contribute and collaborate with respect and support.
Furthermore, employees are more accountable and empowered to make decisions affecting their work. This can lead to greater job satisfaction and responsibility over one’s work. It also contributes to the development of a culture of trust and transparency because employees believe they have a voice and are heard.
Balancing your work and free time is essential in Denmark
The Danes place a high value on their leisure time and believe that a happy worker is a productive worker. While the Danes are hard workers, they prefer to work within Denmark’s official work week of 37 hours. Most employees leave at 4 p.m. to spend time with their families and friends. On Fridays, most people leave work early. That means you’ll have plenty of time to pursue your interests, travel, or simply relax and recharge your batteries. The goal of work-life balance is to ensure that everyone can live a healthy life outside of work.
When working in Denmark, you have to get used to generous vacation time. If you try to visit a Danish office in the last few weeks of July, you may find the doors completely locked. Danish businesses mostly close their doors during this time of the year as Danes take vacation time to enjoy the Danish summer. Every employee has the legal right to five weeks of paid vacation each year. The Danes are open about taking every minute of it.
People take pride in their work but do not feel it necessary to show it by working long hours. Despite, or perhaps because of, the limited hours and generous vacations, Denmark has some of the highest productivity rates in the world. Danes are Europe’s second most productive workers and more productive than workers in the United States and Japan, for example.
Some companies and positions encourage remote work. Still, it’s always a good idea to come to the office during the work week to interact with your coworkers in person.
Danish employers do their best to accommodate employees who need time off for medical or dental appointments for themselves or their children. If you are sick, it is impolite to come to work in Denmark. Employers usually encourage their employees to stay at home and recover quickly.
Denmark work permits
You can apply to work in Denmark if you are a foreign national. The Danish regulations on the residence and work permits distinguish three types of citizenship:
- Citizens of Nordic countries
- Citizens of EU countries
- Citizens of countries other than the EU/EEA
If you are a citizen of Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden, you are free to enter, live, study, and work in Denmark. You do not need a visa or residence permit. They can enter and reside in Denmark by the regulations for Nordic citizens.
You do not need to apply for a work permit if you are an EU or EEA citizen. You are free to enter Denmark and begin working immediately. If you intend to stay in Denmark for more than three or six months, you must apply for an EU residency permit. You do not need to apply for an EU residence document if you intend to stay in Denmark for less than three months. If you are looking for work, you may stay in Denmark for up to six months before applying for a residence permit.
Applying for permits in Denmark – fast tracks and different schemes
You must apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark if you are coming from outside the EU or EEA. There are several methods for obtaining a work permit. Fast-track schemes enable skilled workers in specific companies to obtain work permits quickly. People, who have been offered a job with a high salary, can apply through a pay-limit scheme and people with higher education can apply through a positive list. Skilled workers can also apply through a positive list for skilled work.
Before applying for permits, people coming to work in Denmark from outside the EU or EEA must have a job offer. Typically, recruitment companies such as Barona will assist you in applying for the necessary permits under the scheme.
Jobs in Denmark
Visit our Danish site to open jobs in Denmark
