Hey there. I'm Luke and I moved to Copenhagen in mid December. I live with my girlfriend (who is Danish) in north-west Copenhagen and I'm enjoying life here so far. I'm hoping somebody who has been through the same (and what seems like endless) task of registering can offer me some help and guidance with this rather complicated system.
I arrived at Statsforvaltningen the day after I touched down in Denmark. The person I spoke to told me that I am unable to register because I don't have a job contract, etc. Fair enough. Thankfully within 3 weeks I had a job interview and a job offer. The boss understood that it will take a short while to get a CPR number and the like sorted and wants me to start at the beginning of February. Obtaining a CPR number quickly is a priority as I will be working in Copenhagen Airport and need a security check to get an airport I.D card. This can apparently take up to two weeks. The manager wrote on my job contract that I will be starting on the 14th of February (the only reason I can think he done this is to allow time for me to be processed and put on the system).
So I took the job contract and my completed forms to Statsforvaltningen. The worker this time told me that I am 'too early' to be registered as I will be 'free in the system' until the 14th, where on the contract says I'm due to start working. She then kindly photocopied my passport and handed me a printed map of the SKAT office in Sluseholmen(sp?) and a TAX form to fill out. She told me that I can register for a tax card and a CPR number there. Very strange.
After the weekend I went to the SKAT office and spoke to someone who sounded like they knew what they were doing. He flicked through my form, took a photocopy of my contract and my passport and told me to relax and wait for the tax card (which he briefly explained would contain a CPR number), and that it should arrive within 10 working days.
Now my question to all the expats who read this is: did anyone have to go through this process and does it sound normal? The manager has been very patient so far and I don't want him to feel like I'm taking liberties. I respect that he could easily tap in the CPR number of a Dane or someone else who is fully registered here and is just as qualified, so I don't want him to lose interest. Tomorrow (Monday) will be the 6th working day I have been waiting eagerly for the arrival of my letter from SKAT. But because of all the let downs at Statsforvaltningen, Borgerservice, telephone calls to the Danish Immigration Service and previous calls to SKAT it seems I am being led on one giant goose chase. I stand to lose a lot because of something I am not even in control of. I really hope the application I sent off at the SKAT office is my ticket to start working and kick starting my life here. Also, I'm going to call the manager as soon / if I get the CPR number. Will it have activated and be on record as soon as I receive it? I think I have to take a CPR number to somewhere to register for a doctor and dentist and get the yellow card and I'm worrying I won't be able to use it (I think I'm being sent a tax card in the mail) but I hope this isn't the case. I can't afford to wait any longer!
I'm quite a mentally strong person and I believe persistence has got me this far. I can't imagine what it is like for people who don't speak English or Danish fluently moving here, being led from place to place. Coming from a fellow EU country this is quite a shock to me. In the UK it is so easy for foreign nationals to start work and I thought this welcoming attitude towards foreigners to work spanned the EU.
Sorry about the incoherent ramble. It's quite late and I'm tired.
If you have come this far then thanks for reading. I hope someone can shed some light on this!
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