International Citizen Days in Copenhagen this September, with a record number of new residents expected to attend the country’s largest welcome event for international citizens.
Thousands of Newcomers Expected in Øksnehallen
On September 19–20, more than 6,000 international residents are expected to gather at Øksnehallen in the heart of Copenhagen for the 2025 edition of International Citizen Days in Copenhagen. Hosted by the City of Copenhagen, this annual welcome event introduces newly arrived internationals to life in the Danish capital through guidance on everything from housing and employment to culture and civic participation. The event helps new residents settle into Copenhagen.
This year’s event marks the largest International Citizen Days in Copenhagen to date. Nearly one in five Copenhagen residents now holds a non-Danish passport, and the Greater Copenhagen region—spanning eastern Denmark and southern Sweden—continues to attract global talent for work, education, and lifestyle reasons. In 2024 alone, more than 30,000 international citizens relocated to this cross-border region. Copenhagen is attracting more international residents than ever.
Welcoming Talent to a Global City
The event is designed to help international residents get oriented quickly and feel at home. Attendees can expect a comprehensive program that includes panel talks, practical workshops, networking sessions, and cultural activities. Government officials, including Denmark’s Minister for Digitalization and three Copenhagen mayors, will welcome guests as part of a broader strategy to retain international talent.
Copenhagen continues to position itself as an attractive destination for global professionals, students, and entrepreneurs. The city promotes not only its strong job market but also a high quality of life centered on inclusiveness, community participation, and public services. This holistic approach is viewed as critical to attracting and retaining the international workforce that Denmark urgently needs.
Demand for International Talent Continues to Grow
The importance of such efforts is underscored by national employment statistics. In 2023, international professionals made up around 12% of Denmark’s total full-time workforce—double the proportion of a decade earlier. That growing segment contributed a record 361 billion Danish kroner (approximately $52 billion USD) to the country’s GDP in 2024, equivalent to around 12% of the national total.
Copenhagen alone receives approximately 35,000 new international citizens annually through its International House, with about 20,000 of them settling within the city boundaries. Many arrive as skilled workers or university students, while others accompany partners hired in the region’s growing tech, research, and green energy sectors.
Understanding Danish Society and Culture
A key part of International Citizen Days in Copenhagen is cultural immersion. Attendees will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the inner workings of Danish democracy—including how to vote in local and regional elections—and explore lighter facets of local life such as dating customs and social norms.
The event also features activities like Danish and Swedish language games, cross-cultural leadership seminars, and hands-on food workshops. A giant LEGO model of the Øresund Bridge, the iconic link between Copenhagen and Malmö, Sweden, symbolizes the event’s strong binational focus.
Greater Copenhagen: A Cross-Border Destination
As part of the EU-funded Cross-border Talent Bridge project, this year’s event dedicates a major section to life in Greater Copenhagen. Organizers aim to help both newcomers and long-term residents better understand the cross-border job market and mobility options in the Øresund Region.
There will also be a live-streamed digital stage, enabling people outside of Denmark to join the discussion and research the region before making the move. This virtual accessibility reflects changing migration patterns, where prospective residents often scout regions remotely before committing.
Collaboration and Long-Term Vision
International Citizen Days is a joint initiative organized by the City of Copenhagen’s International House and co-financed by the European Union’s Interreg ØKS program. Support also comes from Danish academic associations, industry groups, and labor unions, including Copenhagen Capacity, the Confederation of Danish Industry, and Workindenmark.
The event is part of Welcome September, Denmark’s national welcome month that comprises nearly 60 events across the country. Together, they aim to make Denmark a more welcoming place for global talent and signal the country’s commitment to openness, growth, and intercultural community building.
