An In-depth Guide on How to Move to Denmark as an American 

The U.S. is the country with the highest number of immigrants in the world. Although everyone seems to think that, as a US citizen, you should be content with staying in the States all your life, you may very well want to move to Denmark to explore different opportunities. In this article, we’ll explain how to move to Denmark as an American in 2025. 

Alert: Denmark Is a Social Welfare State

By definition, a social welfare state is a country where the government is actively involved in ensuring the well-being of its citizens by providing essential services and financial support. This often includes healthcare, education, unemployment benefits, pensions, and housing assistance. The goal is to reduce poverty and inequality while promoting economic and social stability. 

Denmark is a well-known example of a social welfare state. Here, you get free public healthcare and education, family benefits, sickness and maternity insurance, unemployment benefits, and many other services provided by the government to make your life easier. This is the part that tends to inspire many Americans to move to Denmark from the US. 

What many like to gloss over is the high income tax in Denmark. Unlike in the US, where the highest marginal tax rate is 37%, the maximum marginal tax rate is about 55.9% in 2025. In other words, it’s possible for you to actually get less than half of your taxable income. Where does the bigger chunk of your earnings go? Of course, it goes to the government.  Most of the social benefits you receive are tax-financed.

Since you’ll have to pay a lot of taxes and the cost of living is high, you may struggle with taking care of your needs with your disposable income. Your lifestyle will change. You may, like most Danes, avoid spending on restaurants and takeouts on a regular basis. You’ll lean towards making food from scratch and handling household tasks like cleaning and gardening yourself. 

You Have 3 Ways to Move to Denmark From the USA

As an American, the Danish Immigration Service and the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) have established three routes you can take to move to Denmark.

Route 1: Work

The first way is for those taking up employment in Denmark. You must have already secured the job, as the Danish Embassy will require you to submit a valid job offer or employment letter from your would-be employer in Denmark before you can get a work permit. Here are the schemes under which you may obtain a work visa in Denmark. 

Positive List Scheme

This scheme is designed for individuals who have a job offer in professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. The Positive List is updated twice a year, on January 1st and July 1st, and includes roles such as engineers, doctors, and IT specialists. Applicants must have the necessary qualifications and a valid job offer in one of these professions. 

Pay Limit Scheme

Aimed at high-income individuals, this scheme is for those who have secured a job offer with an annual salary of at least DKK 448,000 (approximately €60,180). There are no specific educational or professional requirements beyond the salary threshold, making it accessible to a wide range of professionals. 

Fast-track Scheme

Designed for certified companies in Denmark that frequently hire foreign talent, the Fast-Track Scheme allows for a quicker and more flexible application process. It enables employees to start working immediately after submitting their application, provided certain conditions are met. This scheme is ideal for highly qualified professionals who have received a job offer from a certified Danish employer. 

Start-up Denmark Scheme

This scheme is tailored for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. Applicants must present a viable business plan that contributes to innovation and growth in Denmark. If approved, they receive a residence and work permit to establish and operate their business in the country. 

Route 2: Studying 

You must have gained admission into a Danish university before applying to study in Denmark. As a non-EU citizen, you’ll need a residence permit in addition to your student visa if your study program extends beyond three months. You must either speak English or Danish language fluently, depending on the language that you’ll study in. You’ll have to submit a document proving your proficiency in either or both languages when applying for a visa. 

As an American, you may move to Denmark under any of the following study programs.

Route 3: Reuniting with Your Family 

In this situation, someone in your immediate family must live in Denmark. The person could be your parent, spouse, or registered partner. You can’t apply for family reunification if the person is your sibling or a member of your extended family. 

The person you’re trying to reunite with should be a Danish citizen or hold a residence permit for purposes other than asylum. The application processing time and fees, respectively, are seven months and DKK 8,710, or about $1,200 USD. Once your application is approved, you can start your life in Denmark. 

How to Start Life in Denmark as a US Citizen 

Ordinarily, non-EU citizens from selected countries, including the United States, may stay in Denmark for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. However, to work in Denmark or study there, an American would need a residence and work permit/a study visa. 

Many Americans ask how to transition into their new lives once they enter Denmark. There are many tips for Americans who want to live and work in Denmark, but the one that’ll most influence your transition is: learn Danish. While Danes speak English excellently well and will readily talk with you in the language if they notice you’re a foreigner, Denmark favors immigrants who can speak Danish. There are lots of Danish language classes that can help you pick up on a few words and sentences. Getting the hang of Danish will make it easier for you to get a job in Denmark too if you plan to work here. 

It’s also advisable to make friends who understand Danish culture and are willing to help you achieve the same feat. One of the other common challenges Americans face is deciding where to live in Denmark. To adjust to the Danish pace of life without too much stress, try moving into an apartment in Copenhagen. Expect high prices and unpredictable Danish weather, though. 

Final Thoughts on How to Move to Denmark as an American 

There’s no one method that all US citizens must use to move to Denmark. You can become legally permitted to stay in this country by marrying a Dane or getting educational or employment opportunities here. It all boils down to what you’re seeking to accomplish by coming to Denmark. Once you’ve identified it, apply for your residence permit and trust that everything else will fall into place. 

Steven Højlund

Editor in Chief, Ph.D.

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