Every year, thousands of talented professionals, students and accompanying family members choose Greater Copenhagen as their new home. While many arrive with exciting opportunities ahead, settling into a new country can also be challenging. Understanding the Danish labour market, navigating everyday life and building a social network all play a crucial role in feeling at home.
That is exactly why Denmark’s largest welcome event, International Citizen Days, returns for its eighth consecutive year on 25 & 26 September, bringing together public authorities, private organisations and local communities for two inspiring days of talks, workshops, activities and a vibrant fair representing +100 organisations dedicated to helping internationals settle and thrive in Greater Copenhagen. This year is no exception, with a jam-packed programme in Øksnehallen in the heart of Copenhagen, designed to inform, inspire and connect.
The event is free and you can learn more and sign up at www.icdays.kk.dk
Friday 25 September: Building a Career in Denmark
The first day focuses on career development and professional networking. Attendees can meet companies, employers and career experts who offer valuable insights into the Danish labour market. The many talks cover topics such as Danish and Swedish workplace culture, recruitment practices, collective agreements, salary negotiations, entrepreneurship and volunteering as a path to employment, among other things, while attendees also have the chance to receive individual career guidance and expand their professional network with both industry professionals and fellow internationals.
Saturday 26 September: Discovering Life Beyond Work
Feeling at home in a new country is about much more than just employment. Saturday offers a hands-on, all-senses experience where you can try, taste, create and connect with culture houses, libraries, sports clubs and associations. You will be guided through the essentials of life in Greater Copenhagen from healthcare, childcare, housing and taxes to Danish culture, everyday practicalities with talks on humour, culture shock, friendships, among other things. Whether you are a newcomer or already established in the region, Saturday is designed to help deepen your roots and make the most of life in Greater Copenhagen.
A Collaborative Welcome
One of the unique strengths of International Citizen Days is its collaborative approach. The event brings together +100 organisations from across sectors and borders, including public authorities, municipalities, businesses, unions, educational institutions and civil society organisations – from the Danish Tax Authorities to the local sports club.
By connecting people with trusted organisations and local communities, the welcome event supports the individual well-being of international citizens while supporting the long-term attraction and retention of international talent in Greater Copenhagen – a clear mission and objective of International House Copenhagen which the City of Copenhagen is part of.
Acknowledging the need to better attract and retain international talent for companies and universities in Denmark, International House Copenhagen was established in 2013. The objective is to provide international newcomers with the best possible start to life in Greater Copenhagen by giving them the comfort of a one-point entry by offering registration services, career programmes and a broad range of events for internationals living in the region.
Attracting and Retaining Talents in the Öresund Region
International Citizen Days is part of the Cross-border Talent Bridge project, co-funded by the Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak EU programme. The project’s aim is to strengthen the pool of skilled professionals in the Life Science and Tech sectors (med-tech, food-tech, and biotech) in Greater Copenhagen. By addressing the talent shortage on both sides of the Öresund strait, the project brings together key stakeholders to enhance the region’s global appeal to specialised talent.
The project’s partners include leading organisations such as the City of Lund, Medicon Village, Ideon Science Park, Open Tech, City of Copenhagen, and Medicon Valley Alliance, with support from universities and other influential actors. Through cross-border collaboration, the project partners share insights and strategies, building on past successes to drive meaningful impact and enhance the region’s global competitiveness.
You can learn more about the “Cross-border Talent Bridge” project here.
