Moving to Denmark from the UK: your 2026 guide

Denmark consistently tops global quality-of-life rankings, and it's easy to see why UK professionals are drawn to its strong work-life balance, flat management culture, and high English proficiency.

But moving to Denmark post-Brexit means navigating a new set of immigration rules, a registration system that hinges on a single all-important number (your CPR), and the notorious 'CPR catch-22' that can leave you stuck before you've settled in.

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know, from securing a residence permit and getting your CPR number to setting up your finances across pounds and kroner, and we'll show you how we can help your move with a Revolut travel money card.

16+, T&Cs apply. Exchange fees, fair-usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

Can you move to Denmark from the UK after Brexit?

This is a common question for Britons wondering if it's possible to make the move to an EU country. Let's break it down:

Can a UK citizen move to Denmark?

Yes, but the rules have changed. Since the UK left the EU, British citizens are treated as third-country nationals. You can visit Denmark visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the Schengen agreement, but if you want to live, work, or study there for more than 90 days, you need a formal residence permit issued by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).

How long can a British citizen live in Denmark?

As a visitor, up to 90 days. For anything longer, you need a residence permit based on employment, study, or family reunification. There's no general 'move to Denmark' visa — you must qualify under a specific scheme.

What are the requirements to move to Denmark?

It depends on your route, but the common thread is a qualifying basis: a job offer meeting the salary threshold, a place at a Danish university, or a qualifying family relationship.

Visas and residence permits when moving to Denmark from the UK

If you're working out how to move to Denmark from UK, your starting point is choosing the right permit. Here are the main routes for Britons.

Work permits (Pay Limit and Positive Lists)

Pay Limit Scheme

The Pay Limit Scheme is the most general route for skilled professionals. If you have a concrete job offer from a Danish employer with an annual salary meeting the threshold, you can apply regardless of your profession or education. For 2026, the minimum salary is DKK552,000 per year (around £62,000). There's also a Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme with a lower threshold of DKK446,000, but with stricter conditions on the type of role.

• Who it suits: any professional with a qualifying salary offer
• 2026 threshold: DKK552,000/year (standard) or DKK446,000/year (supplementary)
• Key rule: your salary and terms must correspond to Danish standards

Positive Lists

The Positive Lists cover occupations experiencing skilled labour shortages, such as IT, engineering, and healthcare. There are 2 lists: one for people with higher education and one for skilled work. If your job is on the list and meets Danish salary standards, you can apply under this scheme, which can be easier than the Pay Limit route. The lists are updated twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July.

Fast-Track Scheme

If your employer is certified by SIRI, they can use the Fast-Track Scheme for quicker processing. This is common among large Danish companies recruiting internationally.

Start-up and student permits

Start-Up Denmark

For innovative entrepreneurs, the Start-Up Denmark scheme offers a residence permit if you have an approved business idea and the support of an approved panel. You'll need to demonstrate that your business is innovative and has growth potential.

Student permits

If you've been admitted to a Danish higher education programme, you can apply for a residence permit as a student. You'll need proof of enrolment and sufficient funds to support yourself.

Family reunification and retirement realities when living in Denmark as a UK citizen

Family reunification

If your spouse or partner is a Danish resident or citizen, you may be eligible for a family reunification permit, subject to income and self-sufficiency requirements. The rules are strict, so check the latest SIRI guidance.

Retirement realities

Denmark has no general retirement visa route for non-EU retirees. To retire to Denmark, you'd need to qualify under a work scheme, an investor route, or family reunification. This is an important distinction if you're living in Denmark as a UK citizen and hoping to stay on after work ends.

Visa comparison at a glance

Step-by-step relocation process for Denmark

Here's what you need to get sorted for your move.

1. Secure your qualifying basis and apply via SIRI

Your application starts online, and you need to create a Case Order ID, pay the application fee (DKK6,810 for most work permits in 2026), and submit your supporting documents (your employment contract, passport, and any qualifications). You'll then need to record your biometric data at a Danish embassy abroad or an SIRI branch. Processing typically takes 1–3 months.

2. Register for your CPR number at a Citizen Service Office in Denmark

Once you arrive in Denmark and have a registered address, you must register with your municipality within 5 days to obtain your Central Person Register (CPR) number. The CPR number is the key that unlocks nearly everything in Danish life — banking, healthcare, tax, and digital services.

Most traditional Danish banks require a CPR number and proof of address to open a full current account. This creates the 'CPR catch-22': you need a registered address to get a CPR, and many banks want a CPR before they'll open an account. The workaround is to set up a multi-currency account before you arrive, so you can spend and manage money from day one while you wait.

3. Set up MitID and healthcare access

With your CPR number, you can activate your account with MitID, Denmark's digital identity system. MitID allows you to access digital services across Denmark like banking, tax (SKAT), health records, and public sector self-service. You'll need a CPR number and a Danish phone number to activate it.

At the same registration, you'll be issued your yellow health insurance card (sundhedskort), which arrives by post typically 2–4 weeks after your CPR registration. This card is your access to Denmark's public healthcare system.

4. Bridge the landing period and financial setup

During the initial landing phase, before your CPR is issued, your MitID is active, and a traditional Danish bank account is open, you'll still need to pay for rent, deposits, transport, and groceries.

This is where having a multi-currency account set up before you fly can make a real difference, letting you spend in kroner from day one without waiting on local banking. More on that later.

Cost of living in Denmark vs the UK (2026 figures)

Denmark is expensive, but high salaries offset much of the cost. Here's how the major expenses compare:

Cost of living in Denmark is high, but Copenhagen rents are broadly comparable to London, and salaries for skilled professionals are among the highest in Europe. The biggest adjustment is the tax rate/ Denmark's top effective rate can reach 52–55%, though the Researcher Tax Scheme (Forskerordning) offers a flat 27% and 8% labour market contribution for qualifying foreign professionals for up to 7 years. Outside Copenhagen, in Aarhus or Aalborg, costs drop noticeably.

What about buying property in Denmark?

Buying property as a foreign national in Denmark comes with restrictions. Without 5 years of continuous residence in Denmark, you need special permission from the Department of Civil Affairs to buy property, which is generally only granted if you have a strong connection to the country. This is an important consideration if you're moving to Denmark post-Brexit and thinking long term.

Managing your money between the UK and Denmark

When you're moving to Denmark from the UK, handling 2 currencies is one of the most practical things to sort early. Many high-street banks don't offer competitive exchange rates for converting GBP to DKK. These rates can quietly eat into your money over time, particularly on large relocation transfers.

This is where having a smart setup pays off. With a Revolut account, you can convert between GBP and EUR at competitive rates, and spend from either balance using your Revolut card. If you need cash, you can use your Revolut card to withdraw kroner from ATMs across Denmark at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits.¹

You can also send money to a Danish account or someone back in the UK, and set up recurring transfers in-app to handle things like rent or pension payments without managing each one manually.

Tip: use Pockets in your Revolut app as separate spaces to store your spending. Allocate your relocation budget, your everyday spending, and your savings to their own Pockets, in both GBP and DKK. Hold kroner ready for a deposit or a month's rent, keep pounds for financial commitments in the UK, and convert between them in-app whenever suits you.

Checklist for moving to Denmark from the UK

Once you've decided to move to Denmark, here's your timeline:

6 months before moving

• Research your permit route and confirm you meet the salary or qualification threshold
• Start gathering documents, including your passport, employment contract, qualifications, and apostilled certificates if required
• Start your application and pay the application fee

3 months before moving

• Confirm your residence permit is in progress
• Research areas to live in and shortlist a few, but don't sign a long lease until you're in Denmark
• Arrange travel and private health insurance to cover you from arrival until your sundhedskort is issued

1 month before moving

• Book your flights
• Set up your Revolut account and add a DKK balance so your money's ready before you fly
• Order a physical Revolut card (delivery fees may apply) and activate virtual cards for online bookings

First month in Denmark

• Secure a registered address (this is the trigger for your CPR registration)
• Register at your local Borgerservice or ICS centre to get your CPR number
• Set up MitID with your CPR number and Danish phone number
• Receive your yellow health card (sundhedskort)
• Register with SKAT for your tax card (skattekort)
• Open a Danish bank account once you have your CPR and MitID

Before you leave, why not get a Revolut data eSIM? That way you have access to data from the moment you land, without having to worry about roaming charges from your UK provider.²

Set up a Revolut account to help you emigrate from the UK to Denmark

If you're planning your move, getting your Revolut account set up early means your money's ready to go when you are. Here's how to get started:

1. Download the Revolut app: available on the App Store and Google Play. You'll need your UK phone number and a form of ID (passport or driving licence) to verify your identity.
2. Open a Personal account: follow the in-app steps to set up your account. Verification usually only takes a few minutes.
3. Add money in GBP: top up your account from another UK bank account or by card. You'll hold your balance in pounds to start with.
4. Add DKK and start converting: open a DKK balance and convert between GBP and DKK at competitive exchange rates. You can schedule a currency exchange in advance or convert on the spot.
5. Order your Revolut card: get a physical card delivered to your UK address (delivery fees may apply), and a virtual card you can start using right away for online shopping or in-person via your Apple Pay or Google Pay.
6. Spend and withdraw in Denmark: use your Revolut card to pay in kroner in shops and restaurants, or withdraw cash from ATMs in Denmark.
7. Use Pockets to budget: create separate spaces for your relocation fund, rent, and day-to-day spending, in either currency, to keep your move organised.
8. Send money internationally: make international transfers in-app to move money between your UK and Danish accounts, or to send money to family back home.

¹No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply.

²18+, eSIM T&Cs and fees apply, subject to fair-usage policy. eSIM services are provided by 1Global. Revolut acts for 1Global, the service provider.

The information provided is accurate as of 1 September 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.