23 Pros and Cons of Living in Denmark in 2024

1. Pro: Very clean

Danes are very aware of their environment and take pride in keeping things clean. Streets, parks, and public places are clean and free of trash. 

The water is potable and of such good quality that most Danes drink out of the tap as opposed to buying bottled water. 

The air quality is excellent, and it is a good place for people with respiratory problems to live because of the lack of pollution.   

Copenhagen has a place on the waterway where you can rent kayaks for free if you agree to pick up any trash you see. This organization is called GreenKayak and they have engaged Danes and visitors in collecting tens of thousands of kilos of ocean trash to help keep Copenhagen clean. 

It’s so clean that you can even swim in the port, something that is almost unheard of in other countries.

2. Con: Cold and windy weather

The weather in Denmark leaves something to be desired. Winters are cold but without much snow.  Summers are cool, with a mean average temperature during July and August of only around 17°C (62°F). 

Don’t expect a lot of sun, either.  

During the winter the sun rises late and sets early because Denmark has a northern latitude. It is often overcast and the flat, coastal landscape lends itself to lots of wind.  

3. Pro: Leader in sustainability

Denmark is a world leader in fighting climate change, so living in Denmark should make you feel good about your small carbon footprint. 

67% of Denmark’s electrical energy is from renewable sources like wind energy.  You’ll see lots of wind turbines off the coast of Denmark and also on certain islands.

Copenhagen even has a year-round ski hill (appropriately named CopenHill) that is built on top of a modern trash incinerator. It’s a great example of Danish innovation in sustainability.

4. Con: Kind of boring

Denmark doesn’t have a reputation for being the most fun country.  Geographically, it lacks the natural wonders of neighboring countries like Norway. The rain or wintry mix of rain and snow means Danes tend to spend more time at home than outdoors.  

Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest city by far and has some museums and events, but in general Denmark isn’t known as a great place for fun, excitement or special events.  

6. Con: Taxes are some of the highest in the world

The money for free education has to come from somewhere, so it’s not a surprise that Denmark has some of the highest taxes in the world. 

The government gets most of its revenue from individual taxes. Individuals can be taxed as much as 55%!

The average Danish wage is DKK 45,481 per month before taxes, which is around $6,640 USD. This is quite high compared to most countries, but when 50% of it is taken away for taxes, the take home pay is only around $3,320. High taxes eat through the higher salaries. 

Having half their paycheck taken away in taxes may be an incentive for some people to not work, but in most cases the benefits, like free healthcare, are worth it.     

7. Pro: Safety

Denmark has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It’s so safe that it’s not uncommon to see parents leave their sleeping babies bundled up in a stroller outside a restaurant while they eat inside!

The majority of the crime that Denmark does have is non-violent. While a tourist might get pickpocketed, the chances of gun violence or physical violence are very rare. 

If you are used to being very cautious about your surroundings or always watching your purse, moving to Denmark will be a breath of fresh air.

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8. Con: Landlords can require huge deposits

If you are renting a place in Denmark, be prepared to pay a large deposit and/or part of the rent upfront. In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can ask for up to three month’s rent paid in advance and up to three month’s rent for the deposit. 

Imagine needing to pay half of your year’s rent before you move in! 

Ilana Buhl, an American living in Denmark, said it is also common for renters in Denmark to not get part or all of their deposit back.

9. Pro: Easy connections to other countries in Europe

Denmark is a small, flat country with good transportation options, making it easy to travel in. It’s also well-connected to other countries through flights out of Copenhagen and Aarhus and there is even a bridge to drive or take the train to Sweden. 

There are also easy options to travel by car or ferry. 

SAS Airlines has a hub in Copenhagen and from Copenhagen alone there are over 30 destinations served, including direct flights to Asia and North America.

10. Con: Laundry is more difficult

It is common for households to only have a washer and not a dryer.  This is the norm in Europe, but can take a while for North Americans to get used to. 

Clothes can take a long time to dry in the winter with no dryer. Some clothes, especially jeans, get very stiff and crunchy if they aren’t tumble dried.  

The washers in Denmark tend to be about half the size of those in North America and while they may be energy-saving, they also take twice as long to run a wash cycle. Be prepared to spend a lot more time doing laundry if you move to Denmark.

11. Pro: Great for biking

Denmark’s flat landscape makes it easy to get around by bike. Cities have wide designated bike lanes and lots of bike racks to lock up bikes. Most Danes bike to work, so it’s normal to bring your bike to the office. 

It’s so flat that even bikes without gears or with only 3 speeds will serve you well. It’s not necessary to get a fancy road bike. Most bikes have a basket on the front or back to be able to carry things in. 

Biking daily is a great way to get exercise, get fresh air, and feel like a local!

12. Con: There’s a good chance you’ll get hit by a bike

Be careful. 

Bikers are moving fast, and with so many bike lanes, visitors to Denmark don’t know that they need to take bikes into account when walking around town. There are even special traffic lights for bike riders. 

Make sure that you are very careful crossing the streets and know that bikes have the right of way. Danes have little patience for tourists who are in their way. Don’t walk in the bike lanes is a lesson you will learn very quickly here. 

Once you’re a local, you won’t be at risk. 

14. Con: Lack of diversity

While Denmark has accepted more immigrants and refugees in the last decades, the population is still very homogenous. More than 85% of the population are ethnic Danes. While there are some Syrians, Iraqis, Turks, and other immigrant groups, they are generally concentrated in Copenhagen. 

A person of color might find it difficult to live in Denmark due to this lack of diversity, and might face racist attitudes.

15. Pro: Hygge. Enough said.

Hygge (hu-guh) is a term coined in Denmark that has no exact English translation. It roughly translates to that cozy, snuggly feeling when you are curled up on the sofa with fuzzy socks and hot chocolate while it snows outside. Oh, and candles. Lots of candles.  

If you like being cozy, you’ll love living in Denmark where everything is hyggelig and hygge is a way of life.      

16. Con: Cost of living is very high

Of all the pros and cons of living in Denmark, this might be the biggest con. Denmark, like other Nordic countries, has an extremely high cost of living. Be ready to pay over $7 USD for a soda at an outdoor café!

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Copenhagen will cost around 12,058 DKK ($1736 USD) and don’t forget $200 USD for utilities.  A liter of milk will set you back only 13 DKK ($2 USD) but a pair of Levis can cost $100 USD. 

Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in the world.  You will find that the cost of living is lower in other parts of the country.  

The plus side is that there is very little poverty but the downside is that the cost of living in Denmark is high. No one has a lot of extra money because everything is expensive. 

17. Pro: Great work-life balance

Time with family and friends is valued in Denmark. Working hours are less than 40 hours a week and there are strict laws about the maximum number of hours worked for certain jobs. There is more vacation time in Denmark than in North America. 

The government wants people to enjoy their vacation time and five weeks of vacation a year is the norm. Lots of Danes spend their vacation at cabins near the sea or traveling to other parts of Europe.

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18. Con: Not very much shopping

While you won’t have any problems finding the goods you need, shopping for clothes or other material goods is not very popular.  

The one exception to this is thrift shops. Buying something second hand is popular for both economic and environmental reasons. Creating something new out of something used is highly respected.

Grocery stores tend to be smaller and have fewer products than in some other countries. You’ll find the basics of what you need, but you may have a hard time finding special products from home or a wide variety of brands.  

19. Pro: The 7-11 stores are luxurious 

Coming from North America, you probably associate 7-11 with dirty bathrooms and overcooked hot dogs, but the 7-11s in Denmark are in another league.  In Denmark and most of Scandinavia, 7-11 is to convenience stores as Target is to Walmart; you actually want to go there.  

You can get great-tasting baked goods, a variety of healthy and unhealthy drinks, and even lunch when you are in a bind.  You’ll find 7-11s all over Denmark. It seems like you are never more than a block away.  

20. Con: Danes are not the friendliest people

While Danes aren’t necessarily rude, they aren’t the friendliest of people. They may be perceived as rude by people who come from cultures that are very warm and open. 

Many say that Danes are a tough nut to crack, but once you get through the hard shell they are warm and kind.  

Many Danes are very private and what a person from another culture might see as guarded or tight-lipped is considered being polite and not intruding into someone’s business by a Dane. Thus they are less likely to make small talk.  

Also, loud noises and shouting are frowned upon.  Make sure to be respectful of your neighbors and turn the loud music down.   

21. Pro: Denmark is the birthplace of LEGO

Billund, in central Denmark, is home to everyone’s favorite blocks. Building and designing with LEGO blocks is popular in Denmark and Danes are proud of this world-renowned brand.  

Visiting the LEGO theme park in Billund makes for a fun day out for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages. It’s Denmark’s most popular theme park with rides, shows, LEGO building workshops, and lots of amazing things built out of LEGO. 

22. Con: An unfurnished apartment is really unfurnished

People who move to Denmark are often shocked to find out that an unfurnished apartment is pretty much just the walls and floor. It’s common not to include appliances or even the cabinets!  

Even a furnished apartment may not include the light fixtures, as this is something that Danes like to pick out themselves. 

Unfortunately, furnishing an apartment can be very expensive and require some electrical knowledge.

23. Pro: Denmark is an egalitarian society

Danish society is refreshingly egalitarian. People are equal no matter what their gender or education. 

There is very little emphasis put on social or educational status. For instance, even though a person may have earned a PhD, it isn’t typical for them to be called Doctor. 

There is also a lot less difference in the amount of money earned between someone in a low-end janitorial job and someone in a high-end business position than in other countries. 

Denmark is one of the best countries for LGBTQ people, gender equality, and for human rights in general. It was even the first country in the world to recognize state-sanctioned same-sex partnerships!