Your Complete Guide to Relocating to Denmark from the UK

Understanding the full picture before you commit helps you plan your budget accurately.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what moving to Denmark actually involves.

Shipping costs from the UK to Denmark typically range from £800 to £3,500, depending on the volume of your belongings and the service level you choose.

A shared container (part-load) suits most households moving a one or two-bedroom flat. A full 20-foot container is needed for larger homes with more than 30 cubic metres of goods. Transit time by sea freight is 3 to 7 days. Door-to-door van services are available and popular for smaller moves.

Permit fees vary by category.

A work permit application costs approximately DKK 3,140 (around £370). Family reunification permits cost DKK 7,625 (around £900). Some categories are free for EU-linked applications, but UK nationals no longer qualify for those.

The moving timeline most people follow looks like this.

Four to six months out: secure housing and a job offer. Three months out: begin permit applications and book your removal company. Six to eight weeks out: sort your packing and begin decluttering. Two to four weeks out: confirm removal dates, notify HMRC and the DVLA of your departure, and arrange mail forwarding. One week out: pack non-essentials and prepare documentation packs for customs.

Import duties on personal effects are generally waivable if you have owned items for more than six months and are relocating permanently.

You will need to complete a Transfer of Residence (ToR) customs claim with HMRC before departure to benefit from relief on goods entering Denmark.

Moving to Denmark from the UK carries specific considerations that differ from moves to other EU countries.

Post-Brexit customs requirements mean your household goods entering Denmark are now treated as imports from a third country.

The Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief is the mechanism that removes customs duties and VAT on personal effects. To claim it, you must have been resident outside the EU for at least 12 months and have owned the goods for more than six months. Submit the ToR claim to HMRC before your goods leave the UK. Giant Van's team can guide you through this process.

Currency planning matters more than many movers expect.

You will need DKK for immediate expenses on arrival: taxi from the airport, a supermarket run, and a first deposit on accommodation. Exchange around £500 to £1,000 before departure. Wise (formerly TransferWise) gives competitive rates for ongoing transfers between your UK account and a new Danish one.

The Danish school system is free and generally excellent.

Children of UK parents can attend the folkeskole (state school) or an international school. Copenhagen has several English-language international schools, though fees range from DKK 80,000 to 140,000 per year (roughly £9,500 to £16,600 annually).

UK healthcare entitlements cease on departure.

Your EHIC or GHIC card provides emergency cover during travel but does not substitute for full Danish health registration. Arrange private travel health insurance to bridge the gap between your departure date and the arrival of your Danish health card.

Pets entering Denmark from the UK require an ISO-standard microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel), and an EU animal health certificate issued by an official UK vet no more than 10 days before entry.