Take a look at my situation and can you offer some advice?

Hey. First time here and I wanted to read complete strangers opinions on what I am doing, how I should cope and what to expect when I make the big move from the UK to Denmark on the 16th of December.

First of all, a little background info. I'm a 22 year old male and I'm moving to Copenhagen next month to live with my Danish girlfriend of two years. I have some savings that I will be taking to DK with me, but not enough that I can put off looking for a job for too long. Luckily my girlfriend earns enough money to pay the bills for the apartment and to cover any extra costs while I am out of work. I will be out to register my residence the day after I arrive and I plan on job seeking straight away, even before Christmas.

I have read plenty of stories on the internet, from expats and from Danes regarding immigration and registering in Denmark. I must say it is quite a mixed bag. In your opinion, how easy is it to register in Denmark and to receive a CPR number considering my circumstances? This is the main thing I am worrying about. I know that if I obtain this number I can find employment swiftly (I'm a  confident person!) The problem is I am not too sure if I meet the criteria to be given one. I don't specialise in a specific trade or have any higher education (I'll get there one day!)and I'm not going with enough disposable cash that will guarantee that I won't be a burden to the welfare system. I'm going to Denmark to claim benefits, I'm going to Denmark to work. I have been told about being 'seconded' by a Dane. Is this true? I know a lot of people in Denmark who would vouch for my good character.

My work experience is really only retail based. I have worked in an entertainment retailer for the past three years. I ran a department within the store and I know I will have a sterling reference from my boss. I know my retail experience in the UK is somewhat useless in DK without being fluent in Danish so I'm pretty much going to have to start from scratch. I have been sending e-mails to companies to enquire about future vacancies but I think the most effective way to get into employment will be word of mouth - someone I know who knows someone offering a job.

Can anyone offer me any advice at all? What to expect? Tips on dealing with Statsforvaltning?

Luke

advice you to live in your country ,
forget about denmark , very bad immigration low

Hey Ibrahjette, this is a very negative post!

---

Welcome to Expat.com, Luke :)

You may find information on Visas and much more in the Guide of Denmark.

Don't hesitate also to browse previous discussions on the forum for more information.

Good luck
Arlette

Hello,

Speaking from experience i moved from Scotland to Denmark on the 18th OCT and was told in order for my CPR to be granted i would need either £7,000 in my bank account, a job with enough hours to support myself or i could be seconded. I was seconded by my boyfriend's dad who had to provide bank statements with sufficent money to prove that he could support me ifneeded. To this day i still haven't found work and i like close to Copenhagen there is no english speaking jobs unless you are university educated i have scored the website and been to the job centres, inside shops etc maybe i haven't been very lucky but i am educated to work in Scotland as a Legal Secretary and have tried all aspects of work even cleaning with no luck. My CPR paperwork was handed in the end of OCT and i am still waiting to recieve them. On this note i can no longer afford to live in Denmark as my savings have run out so i am moving back to Scotland in January.

sorry about you ,scottishgems

Hi Ibrahjette,

Thanks :) i will miss Denmark had such a lovely time here and who knows hopefully i shall be back! best of luck with whatever you seek to do here and have a nice Christmas.

Why don't you contact either Debenhams (they recently purchased Magasin, one of the only retail department stores here) or Asda who recently purchased Netto, a food store.

ibrahjette wrote:

advice you to live in your country ,
forget about denmark , very bad immigration low



Is that true? :S I've heard the oposite of that :S

"there is no english speaking jobs unless you are university educated" by ScottishGems
So for a person that speaks no danish, its rather impossible to get a job? Even if their english is almost native english ?
I'm a litlle disapointed rigth now...
I'm sorry for your situation Scottishgems, Hope you'll get on your feet soon!

That Guy

I hope everything is going ok, and I wish you the best! If everything goes ok, please let us know, because I could use the info about starting a life elsewhere.

Regards to all

Sekmeth wrote:

ibrahjette wrote:

advice you to live in your country ,
forget about denmark , very bad immigration low



Is that true? :S I've heard the oposite of that :S

"there is no english speaking jobs unless you are university educated" by ScottishGems!

That Guy

I hope everything is going ok, and I wish you the best! If everything goes ok, please let us know, because I could use the info about starting a life elsewhere.

Regards to all


Sekmeth, I forgot the password to my other account so I created this one. I moved to Copenhagen in the middle of December. As of today I have a home, a job (which I don't start until 2 weeks from now), a CPR number, a bank account and I'm waiting for my certificate of registration to arrive in the post from Statsforvaltning. So it can be done. I am not university educated (but I will consider going to university here if I'm still around in a couple of years), and I know very basic Danish (I will enrol to Sprogskole if I can fit it in with work) and I managed to get a legit job where I can afford to pay the bills and put money aside for that rainy day.
I'm not going to lie though, this past month has been sort of hell. The Danish immigration process is one of the most complicated and frustrating things I have been involved in. You just have to want it so much that you will go out of your comfort zone and actually do something about it. I'm due to receive my certificate of registration in the post within the next week or so, but I am going to keep calling Statsforvaltningen every two days to make sure my application isn't just sitting on someone's desk. If anyone needs any advice or help with registering and getting started, don't hesitate to contact me on here and I might be able to offer some advice. I've heard just about every excuse from Statsforvaltningen, Borgerservice and Skat why they couldn't register me so maybe I can help. Good luck to all.

@sekmeth: If you want to know more about DK try look at my blog:

onlyindenmark.wordpress.com

It's filled ONLY with news clippings from various media in Denmark. Most people outside Denmark don't know what's really going on since everything is in Danish but I hope the translated news articles would help you all

tnx lost ;)

will do!