Dear Spouse,
RelocationScandinavia - more than relocation work together with
spousecare © to give you the best possible beginning of your life
in Denmark.
For this initiative we have collected some advice and links that
we hope will make your stay in Denmark a little easier:
Looking for work? Check out these links:
www.jobsincopenhagen.com
www.workindenmark.dk
www.expatindenmark.com
They list jobs where you don't have to speak Danish.
Also get an assessment of your foreign non-Danish
degrees, diplomas and certificates through www.ciriusonline.dk (click
English and Recognition)
On Cirius' website you can find out whether or not your profession
is regulated by law in Denmark, and if it is, how you can obtain
permission to work within your profession.
Rules for residence and work for accompanying family
members
If you have a residence and work permit in Denmark which may be
renewed for at least three years, your spouse or cohabiting partner
and minor children living at home will normally be issued with
residence permits.
Typically, this applies to work and residence permits for
specialists, instructors etc. However, this is conditional on you
living together as a family and you being able to support
yourselves.
If the work and residence permit you have been issued with does
not have an optional renewal period of at least three years, your
family may only be issued residence permits under exceptional
circumstances.
Charity work
FriSe is the umbrella organisation for volunteer centres
and self-help projects in Denmark. The organisation was founded in
January 2004 and has approximately 75 members. We support and help
develop our members' organisations and safeguard their interests,
as well as help raise awareness in the field. Furthermore, we host
the Danish website for voluntary social work, www.frivilligjob.dk, and the
future website for self-help projects, www.selvhjaelp.dk. FriSe is an
independent authority, and neither FriSe nor its members have any
party political or religious interests.
Frivilligjob.dk - the site is in Danish only but you can e-mail
them in English at info@frivilligjob.dk
Starting your own Business
If you wish to start your own business you can read more in the
Citizen in Denmark publication - also enclosed.
Education
In The Education Guide (www.ug.dk),
you can find information in English about programmes taught in
English within Denmark. In Denmark, a number of study programmes
taught in English are available. Final examinations would also be
English. Learn more about the programmes through this link: www.ug.dk/Internationalt.aspx
The state education grant and loan scheme - If you are a
non-Danish citizen
If you are a non-Danish citizen, you can apply to the Danish
Educational Support Agency and ask to be put on an equal footing
with Danish citizens before you apply. Learn more on:
www.su.dk/English/Sider/foreign.aspx
Language training
Go to the newcomer info to get an introduction to
Danish language courses and the list of local schools (divided into
regions) that offer "Danish as a second language for adult
immigrants" and information in English on their website.
Networking
Join some of the many networks for spouses and expats. Spousecare
recommend www.expatindenmark.com,
where you can find the subgroup for spouses. We hope to see you
there.
If you wish to network with Danes, we believe that the easiest
place to start is your and/or your partners workplace. You can also
join some of the many associations, sport clubs or evening schools.
Get somebody to help you find a course or sport that is of your
interest and join! Even if the websites are mostly in Danish it
doesn't mean that you are not welcome.
And most importantly:
"To integrate in a new country you need to have an open
mind and also knowledge about the Danish culture and the Danes, so
try and join a culture course or ask people around you how things
works. Don't be afraid to ask for help." Anette Pilmark, founder of
spousecare ©
Good luck and best wishes,
spousecare © and RelocationScandinavia - more than
relocation