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From Risoeemployees

Revision as of 08:23, 23 April 2010

This site is aimed at helping international employees at Risø DTU get settled in Denmark. If you have any information to add, please feel free to do so. Because this site has open acess, do not post anything that may be confidential or unsuitable for an open website.

After Moving to Denmark

A list of the most important things to do after you have moved to Denmark is located here. The most important things to do once you have arrived in Denmark is to register for a CPR card. It is a personal identity card, and the number is unique and is used for tax purposes, but also used at the doctor, at libraries and will be asked when purchasing a mobile phone or sometimes when renting an apartment. You will have a doctor allocated to you when you get your CPR card. This is your local doctor and the address for the doctor will be on your CPR card. Remember if you have a preference for a male or female doctor, let the kommune know when you register.

1. Register for a CPR number
2. Open a bank account where your paycheck can be deposited.
3. Get an E-boks. An e-boks can be used to receive pay stubs and bills from many companies such as Dong Energy and TDC.

Transportation

You can plan your trips using public transportation on rejseplanen. For travel on busses, trains, metro and ferries in northern Sjælland (movia.dk) you can either pay on the bus (expensive), buy a klippekort (means - clip card) at a station, or buy a monthy pass (good if using the bus, ferry, train or metro every day).

The greater Copenhagen area is split into zones. You pay for the minimum of 2 zones and then every extra zone you travel into you will need an extra clip on your klippekort. You can buy klippekort from many locations – 7 eleven, train stations they normally have a sign outside the shop to say that they cell klippekorter. Each klippekort has 10 clips and they can be added together. For example if you would like to travel in 4 zones you can punch the 2 zone klippekort twice.

Klippekort prices (an updated list is located on DSB's website)

2 zone 130 DKK

3 zone 170 DKK

4 zone 220 DKK

5 zone 265 DKK

6 zone 305 DKK

7 zone 360 DKK

8 zone 390 DKK

Alle zoner 405 DKK

If you use DSB to commute to work everyday, it is best to buy a monthly card. You can also subscribe so that a new card is sent in the mail before the beginning of each month. There is some information about the service here (in Danish). You need to buy the first monthly card at a station, but you can sign up for the subscription online. After you have subscribed to the service for one year, you will get transportation fees for 6 weeks refunded. You can also sign up for a program that gives you a discount when the trains are late on DSB's Rejsegaranti page.

Bicycles

For shorter trips, a bicycle is generally a very effective way to get around Roskilde and Copenhagen. New bicyles are sold in many shops, but it is not uncommon for newer bicycles to be stolen. Second hand bicycles are a cheap alternative that can be recommended. Many bicycle workshops also sell used bicycles at reasonable prices. Roskilde Station Cykler (Algade 63 E, Roskilde) has a fairly large selection.

Some popular places to buy new bicycles are Jupiter and the larger supermarkets often sell inexpensives bicycles.

Mobile Phone

Some of the most popular companies that offer mobile phone service:

Telmore – no stores but quite good deals. Also can get cheap phones through this company

Telia

TDC

Telenor

Lebara

Risø might also provides you with a mobile phone.

Supermarkets

Netto – generally the cheapest

Fakta

Føtex

Super Brugsen

Kvickly

Irma – expensive but has some of the difficult to find things

Spar

If you are looking for foreign specialty goods, Istedgade behind the main train station in Copenhagen has a selection of various shops selling Asian and Middle eastern food.

If you are looking for organic food, look for the økø logos: European logo, European logo 2, Danish logo

Clubs

Joining a club can be a good way to meet people outside Risø. Many local club sites are in Danish only but http://translate.google.com/# can help if that is a problem.

Sailing

• Roskilde Sailing Club
• Amager Strand Sailing Club

Football

There is a group that meets every Wednesday after work at the Risø football field that is open to everyone.

• Himmelev Football Club
• Football clubs in Copenhagen

Handball

• Himmelev Handball Club

Other Clubs

• Softball in Denmark
• Running club

There are many more clubs, so please add any that may be interesting

Taxes

If you are a postdoc or scientist working at Risø, you are likely eligible for a special 25% tax rate, but you must request it. Talk to a secretary or an employee at the salary office to make sure you sign up for the correct tax card. Before your proper tax rate is determined, a high tax rate will be taken out of your paycheck. Threfore, it is not uncommon for the first three paychecks from Risø to be surprisingly low. Typically, after 3 or 4 months, your tax rate will be determined and you will get all the back taxes in the following paycheck.

Could someone write about what happens after 3 years on the 25% tax??

Public Holidays in Denmark

A list of public holidays in Denmark can be found here. Risø DTU generally observes all public holidays.

Useful Links

A list of links is located here