Best SIM Card for Expats Moving to Denmark (2026)

Best SIM Card for Expats Moving to Denmark (2026)

When you land in Denmark, you need internet immediately — for maps, your housing booking, transport apps, and making calls. The problem: setting up a Danish subscription SIM takes days (sometimes weeks) and often requires a CPR number you haven't yet received.

Here is how to stay connected from day one.

Your Options as a New Arrival

Airalo eSIM — Best for Immediate Connectivity

An Airalo eSIM can be purchased and installed before you board your flight. It activates the moment you land and your phone connects to a local network. No SIM swap, no queuing at a phone shop, no waiting.

Airalo offers:

• Denmark packages — data-only eSIMs for stays ranging from 7 days to 30 days
• Europe multi-country packages — ideal if you will travel across Schengen before settling

Prices vary by data allowance and validity period. Check current prices at Airalo's website, as packages change regularly.

What Airalo does not provide: A Danish phone number. You will need a local number eventually for MitID (Denmark's digital ID), banking, and registering at Borgerservice. Airalo is the ideal bridge solution — use it for the first 1–4 weeks, then switch to a permanent Danish number.

Requires: A phone that supports eSIM (most flagship phones from 2019 onwards do).

Lebara Denmark — Best Budget Prepaid with a Danish Number

Lebara is the most popular choice among new expats for a first Danish SIM. Reasons:

• Buy in any supermarket (Netto, Fakta, 7-Eleven) or Lebara.dk
• No CPR number required for prepaid
• Affordable data and call bundles from around 49–99 DKK/month
• Danish number included (essential for MitID)

Coverage uses TDC's network, which has near-nationwide 4G and expanding 5G.

YouSee and TDC — Best for Long-Term Subscriptions

Once you have your CPR number and a Danish bank account or payment card, the major carriers offer better long-term value:

• YouSee (owned by TDC Nuuday): competitive monthly plans, good customer support in English
• TDC: Denmark's largest network, most reliable rural coverage
• Telmore: budget sub-brand of TDC, app-managed, cheapest monthly plans

These require CPR and typically a subscription commitment of 1–6 months.

Recommended Approach for New Arrivals

1. Before flying: Install an Airalo eSIM on your phone
2. First week in Denmark: Use Airalo for data; buy a Lebara prepaid SIM for a Danish number (needed for MitID appointment and Borgerservice)
3. After CPR registration: Switch to a full YouSee, TDC, or Telmore subscription for better value

Other Budget Options Worth Knowing

• Oister — one of Denmark's cheapest carriers, using the 3 (Tre) network. Prepaid available without CPR. Plans from around 49 DKK/month. App-only management, no physical stores.
• CBB — another low-cost option on TDC's network. Prepaid SIMs available at electronics retailers and some supermarkets. No CPR needed for prepaid. Monthly plans from ~59 DKK.
• 3 (Tre) — Denmark's third major network. Good urban coverage, slightly weaker in rural areas compared to TDC. Subscription plans require CPR but prepaid does not.

Network Coverage Comparison

Denmark has three mobile network operators:

For most expats in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, or Aalborg, all three networks perform well. If you plan to live in rural Jutland or on smaller islands, TDC-based carriers are the safest choice.

Cost Comparison for First 30 Days

Check current prices directly with each provider — pricing changes regularly.

What to Watch Out For

• MitID requires a Danish mobile number — you cannot complete MitID registration on a foreign number. Get a prepaid SIM with a Danish number as early as possible.
• eSIM and physical SIM can coexist on dual-SIM phones — keep your home country SIM active if you need it during the transition
• Roaming on an EU SIM: If you arrive on a valid EU SIM card (German, French, etc.), EU roaming rules mean you can use it in Denmark at home-country rates for the first 4 months — though data speeds may be throttled after a fair-use threshold
• Number portability: Once you settle on a permanent carrier, you can port your Danish prepaid number to the new provider. This is free and takes 1–3 business days. Request it through your new carrier's app or website.
• Beware of lock-in contracts: Some carriers offer discounted phones bundled with 24-month contracts. Unless you are certain you will stay, avoid these — early termination fees apply.
• Wi-Fi calling: If your apartment has fibre internet (common in Danish rentals), enable Wi-Fi calling on your phone for better indoor coverage, especially in older buildings with thick walls.