Where are you moving?
The complete free guide for expats relocating to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland — written by people who have made the move.
- 160+
- Free guides
- 11
- Tools & calculators
- 4
- Nordic countries
- 100%
- Official sources
In short — what is NordicExpat?
NordicExpat is a free, English-language guide to moving to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It walks expats through every relocation step — getting a CPR number, personnummer, D-number, or Finnish ID, opening a bank account, registering for healthcare, understanding tax, and finding housing — using plain English sourced from official government portals.
Before your local bank is open
Send money home without the bank markup
Most Danish banks add a 3–5% hidden margin on the exchange rate when you send money abroad. Wise uses the real mid-market rate with a small, transparent fee shown upfront — so more of your money actually arrives.
- ✓ Hold DKK, EUR, GBP and 40+ currencies in one account
- ✓ Get a local EUR/GBP IBAN — useful before your Danish bank is open
- ✓ Wise debit card works in Denmark and across the EU
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Start here — in this order
Your first steps in Denmark
Free tools
Calculators & interactive guides
All four countries
Expat guides by country
Every Nordic country, broken down by the guides expats open first.
- A-Kasse Denmark: Complete Unemployment Insurance Guide
- Insurance for Expats in Denmark: What You Need & When
- First 30 Days in Denmark: The Complete Expat Checklist
- Moving to Denmark — Complete Expat Guide 2026
- Change Your Phone Region in iOS & Android for Nordics
- First 30 Days in Finland: The Complete Expat Checklist
- Moving to Finland — Complete Expat Guide 2026
- Finnish Personal Identity Code (Henkilötunnus) Guide
- Getting a Finnish Tax Card (Verokortti): Step-by-Step Guide
- Kela Card Finland: Health Insurance for Expats
Common questions
Moving to the Nordics: FAQ
Which Nordic country is easiest to move to?
For EU/EEA citizens, all four Nordic countries are equally straightforward under free-movement rules — you can arrive, register, and start working without a visa. For non-EU nationals, Denmark and Finland have the clearest fast-track schemes for skilled workers, while Sweden runs a well-established work-permit route. The easiest country depends on your nationality, job offer, and language skills.
Do I need a personnummer, CPR, or D-number?
Each Nordic country issues its own personal identity number: Denmark uses the CPR number, Sweden the personnummer, Norway a D-number (temporary) or fødselsnummer (permanent), and Finland a henkilötunnus. You register for it with the local population or tax authority after arriving, and it unlocks banking, healthcare, tax, and digital ID.
What do I need to do first when moving to Denmark?
Register for a CPR number at your local Borgerservice or International Citizen Service within five days of moving in. You need your passport, proof of address, and (for non-EU citizens) your residence permit. The CPR number unlocks everything else — bank accounts, MitID digital identity, NemKonto, and your health card.
Can I open a Nordic bank account without a personal ID number?
In most Nordic countries you can open a basic account before your personal number arrives, but options are limited. In Denmark, Lunar and a few international banks accept passport-only applications. In Sweden and Norway, mainstream banks generally require a personnummer or D-number first. Wise and Revolut work from day one as a bridge.
How much tax will I pay in Scandinavia?
Nordic tax rates are among the highest in the world, but the effective rate depends on your country and salary. In Denmark, most expats pay 37–52% including AM-bidrag and municipal tax. Sweden and Norway have similar progressive structures. Use the free salary calculators on NordicExpat to see your exact take-home pay for any gross salary.
Do I need health insurance to move to a Nordic country?
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, your EHIC card covers emergency care while you register. Once registered with a CPR number (Denmark), personnummer (Sweden), or D-number (Norway), you are enrolled in the public healthcare system. Non-EU citizens may need private health insurance until their residence permit and registration are complete.
Cover the gap before healthcare kicks in
Cover the gap before your public healthcare starts
Public healthcare across Europe generally begins only once you are registered locally, which routinely takes weeks after you land.SafetyWing covers that gap with affordable travel-medical insurance you can start before you arrive and cancel once you're in the system.
- ✓ Covers the gap before your local healthcare registration is active
- ✓ Monthly subscription — cancel anytime once you're covered
- ✓ Designed for remote workers and new arrivals abroad
Affiliate link — we earn a small commission if you sign up. It doesn't affect your price.
Denmark · most useful
Guides to read first
work
A-Kasse Denmark: Complete Unemployment Insurance Guide
Everything expats need to know about a-kasse in Denmark — costs, payout amounts, which fund to join, how to sign up, and when you can claim. In English.
Read guide
healthcare
Insurance for Expats in Denmark: What You Need & When
The complete insurance guide for expats in Denmark — from arrival day coverage to Danish home insurance. What's covered by public health, what isn't
Read guide
arriving
First 30 Days in Denmark: The Complete Expat Checklist
A week-by-week roadmap covering everything you need to do in your first month in Denmark — from CPR registration to tax card, bank account, and health coverage.
Read guide
arriving
Moving to Denmark — Complete Expat Guide 2026
Everything you need to do before and after moving to Denmark. CPR number, MitID, bank accounts, work permits, housing, and tax — in the right order.
Read guide
daily-life
Change Your Phone Region in iOS & Android for Nordics
Moving to Denmark, Sweden, Norway or Finland? You need to change your App Store or Google Play region to access MitID, MobilePay, BankID and other essential.
Read guide
daily-life
Essential Apps to Download When You Move to the Nordics
The complete app list for expats in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. From digital ID and banking to public transport, health, and government services .
Read guide