medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration AffairsCitizen in DenmarkA manual for new membersof Danish SocietyMedborger i DanmarkEngelsk

How to use this bookThis book gives general information aboutDanish society and about life as a newcitizen in Denmark.The book is publishedin a number of languages so that as manypeople as possible may benefit from it.The book can be used as a useful sourceof reference about a specific topic. Butyou may also choose to read it from coverto cover.To help you find your way around there isan introductory table of contents and anindex at the back.A large number of words are marked withan asterisk (*). This indicates that theword or term is explained more fully inthe glossary at the end of the book.Of course the book cannot give answers toall your questions. It therefore containsthe names, addresses, telephone numbers,websites and e-mail addresses of some ofthe public authorities that can provide youwith more information or refer you toanother relevant institution or organisation.You will also find a section thatcontains various practical details aboutDanish society and refers you to relevantwebsites. At the end of the book, there isalso a list of selected institutions andorganisations which deal with the integrationof new citizens or are of specialinterest to people with an ethnic minoritybackground.The book naturally does not contain thefull text of acts, rules and regulations, butmerely describes them in general terms.As legislation etc. is amended on a regularbasis, the book cannot tell you your rightsand responsibilities in all cases. In someinstances, you may need to obtain furtherinformation from your municipalauthority, a government organisation, yourhousing association or a lawyer.

List of contents312345Welcome as a new citizen of DenmarkGeography and populationDenmark – a democratic societyfounded on the rule of lawGovernment systemA society founded on the rule of lawDenmark’s role in the wider worldEntry and residenceImmigration to DenmarkRepatriationDanish citizenship (nationality)The initial period as a new citizenin DenmarkHelp and advice provided by municipal authoritiesIntroduction of new citizensInterpretation servicesHousingHigh housing standardsFinding a place to liveTenant-occupied accommodationCo-op accommodationOwner-occupied accommodationRules and regulations for dwellingsand residential areasMoving to another adress46101117202223262830313233343536384141424689101112Jobs and the labour marketWorking in DenmarkFinding a jobSetting up your own businessActivation programmes for the unemployedEconomy and consumptionManaging your moneyHiring and buying on creditInsuranceConsumer rightsThe Danish tax systemCulture and leisure timeFreedom of speech and thinkingReligious worship in DenmarkPopular education in DenmarkAssociationsSports and athleticsHealth and sicknessThe Danish health serviceThe National Health Insurance and theNational Hospital ServiceAt the doctor’s officeAt the hospitalDental careMedicinesCustoms and traditions848589919294959697979810010110310410610710810911011111611812012267FamilyFamily and societyDifferent family typesPermanent relationshipsWhen socity steps in and lends a handGiving birthChildren and young peopleElderly peopleWhen life endsSchool and educationDanish educational traditionsPre-school, primary and lower secondary schoolUpper secondary schoolPost-secondary educationThe Danish educational systemState Education Grants and Loan Scheme (SU)Adult educationApproval of foreign qualificationsDanish language classes for adult foreign nationals48495051535458636566676875777880818182Practical informationUseful referencesOrganisations and institutions ofspecial interest to new citizensState counties of DenmarkEmployment services in DenmarkPolitical partiesGlossaryIndexColophon128131132133135137138148154

4Welcome as a new citizen of DenmarkDear New Citizen,Starting a new life in a new country can involve huge changes.You meet new people andnew ways of doing things.You are introduced to norms, values and traditions that maydiffer from what you are used to. At the beginning particularly, you may face manychallenges that seem overwhelming and confusing.This book is intended to ease your transition to a new life. It provides generalinformation about Danish society and about life as a new citizen of Denmark.It is impossible, of course, to present a single, unequivocal picture of Danish society.Like most countries, Denmark is a diverse society where many different political andreligious beliefs and social and cultural attitudes are represented.To maximise the benefits of this diversity, we must all share a sense of communitybased on certain fundamental values.These values include democracy, welfare, freedom,equality and respect for other people, regardless of gender, age, colour and beliefs.Everyone has rights and obligations and should be able to take part freely in the dailylife of society on an equal basis within the scope of the law.Denmark is governed by a representative democracy, which means that citizens canfreely elect their representatives at local and national elections. Democracy also impliesother freedoms: freedom of thought, speech, and expression, freedom of associationand freedom of worship.Democracy and democratic decision-making are important at every level of society.The democratic process requires the participation of all citizens – participation in areassuch as local government, trade unions, sports clubs, tenants’ associations and schooland kindergarten boards.Democratic principles of equality and freedom for all allow individuals and theirfamilies to create the life that suits them best. But these democratic principles also setcertain limitations on the individual’s freedom of action.The purpose of these limitationsis to ensure that no one suffers injustice or is harmed in any way.

5Thus, Danish society does not accept discrimination against anyone on grounds ofgender, ethnic origin, colour, religious or political persuasion, sexual orientation ordisability; nor does it accept anyone being subjected to violence or mutilatingcircumcision. Mutual respect and understanding between people and groups of people isa fundamental principle of Danish society.The fact that Denmark is a welfare society means that everyone must contribute tothe community as best they can – by getting educated, working, paying taxes andsupporting themselves and their families. In return, the community gives the individualcitizen a helping hand when necessary and takes care of its weakest members. Forinstance, everyone is entitled to free medical and hospital care, and the elderly anddisabled are entitled to special support in their daily living. In addition, people who areunemployed can receive financial support within a system of rights and obligations tohelp them obtain an education or establish a foothold in the labour market.Maintaining and developing a community based on democracy, welfare and mutualrespect between people is a challenge that concerns us all – both new and presentcitizens.We believe that the diversity that you bring to us from outside Denmark will infuse ourcommunity with innovation and dynamism. It is therefore our hope that you will play anactive part in the society of which you are now a member.With these words we would like to welcome you to Denmark and to wish you luck andhappiness in your new life in this country.

1 GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION

7The Danish realmOne of theNordic CountriesDenmark is a small, flat country betweenthe Baltic Sea and the North Sea with nomountains and almost completelysurrounded by water. It consists of thepeninsula of Jutland and an archipelagoof 406 islands. The largest islands areZealand, Funen, Lolland and Bornholm.Many of the other islands are verysmall with only a few or no inhabitants.The individual parts of Denmark aretotally or partly surrounded by water, andmany of them are connected by bridges.The capital, which is also the majorcity of the country, is Copenhagen on theisland of Zealand. The major cities inJutland are Aarhus, Aalborg and Esbjerg,while Odense is the major city on Funen.When speaking of Denmark, most peoplethink of Jutland and the Danish islands.However, Greenland and the Faroe Islandsin the Atlantic Ocean are also part of theDanish realm, although they enjoyextensive home rule.Denmark is a member of the EU*,whereas Greenland and the Faroe Islandshave decided against EU membership.Denmark is part of the Nordic Countries,which also include Sweden, Norway,Finland and Iceland. To the south,Denmark has a border with Germany.Denmark also maintains close relationswith the Baltic countries: Estonia, Latviaand Lithuania on the other side of theBaltic Sea.There are just over 5.2 million peopleliving in Denmark. Although there aremany different dialects, all Danes speakthe same language – Danish. Approximately260,000 people – or 5% of thepopulation – are foreign nationals. 80,000of them are from the Nordic Countries,the EU or North America.The rest comesfrom Eastern Europe, the Middle East orAfrica, primarily from Turkey, Pakistan,Iraq, Iran, Somalia or the formerYugoslavia.Today, Denmark is a highly industrialised,knowledge-based society that focuses oneducation and innovation. One ofDenmark’s special characteristics is itshigh level of environmental protection,which is also reflected in very highproduction activity in the fields of theenvironmental technologies and windmillsectors.5% foreign nationalsKnowledge-based societyRate of employment by industryDenmark has approximately 2.8 million people in employment.The main sectors of employment are:Percentage (in round figures)Agriculture, fisheries, raw materials 4Manufacture 17Energy and water supply 1Construction 6Trade, hotels, restaurants 18Transport, post, telecommunications 7Finance, business services, etc. 12Public and private services 35Total 100GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATIONDanmark i tal, Danmarks Statistik 2002.

8GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATIONExtensive publictransportation networkDenmark has a significant foreigntrade with industrial exports accountingfor approximately 75% and agriculturalproduction for about 12% of the totalexports of goods.Denmark has many roads and railwaysand an extensive public transportationnetwork. You can travel by bus or trainthroughout most of the country at almostall hours. In addition, ferries provide linksbetween parts of the country withoutbridge connection.A country of cyclistsDenmark has more cyclists than most other countries in the world.During city rush hour, you may see droves of cyclists – many of themwith a child on the carrier – on their way to or from work or daycare institutions.To a large extent, traffic planning takes cyclists into consideration.There are bicycle paths and signs reminding motorists to payattention to crossing cyclists at intersections.

GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION9KøbenhavnRoskildeKilometer0 50OdenseNyborgRødbyhavnNakskovMariboNæstvedHaslevRingstedKøgeSlagelseKorsørRønneÅrhusHammelEbeltoftHadstenNykøbingRandersBjerringbroNykøbing MSilkeborgKoldingRingkøbingSvendborgSkælskørhaderslevVejenBrammingVardeGrindstedNordborgSønderborgKertemindeSorøFåborgVojensAssensÅbenråFredericiaHorsensOdderIkastSkanderborgAalborgNørresundbyStøvringHirtshalsHjørringBrønderslevÅrsFrederikshavnSæbySkagenGrenaaHerningHolstebroStruerSkiveThistedHanstholmLemvigViborgVejleBillundBrandeSkjernHolbækKalundborgHelsingørHundestedHillerødFrederikssundFrederiksværkJYLLANDFYNSJÆLLANDSVERIGETYSKLANDBORNHOLMEsbjergMiddelfartRibeTønder

2 DENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETYFOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAW

Government system11The legislative,the executive andthe judicial powerDemocracy wasintroduced in 1849Denmark is governed by a representativedemocracy*. This means that the mostimportant decisions are made bypoliticians – in the Danish Parliament*, inthe county councils* and in the localcouncils* – all of whom are elected by thepeople.The Danish Government and Parliamentenact legislation.The Government and thepublic administration ensure that thislegislation is implemented. The courts –the city/district courts, high courts and theSupreme Court – pass judgements andsentences in disputes, for example,between individual citizens, betweencitizens and private enterprises, orbetween citizens and public authorities.This division of powers aims to preventany abuse of power and to ensure thestability of the representative governmentsystem*.The Danish ConstitutionThe Danish democracy, i.e. therepresentative government system, wasintroduced in 1849. It replaced theabsolute monarchy* that had given theKing an unusually powerful position since1660.The basis of this government systemwas the June Constitution of 1849,Denmark’s first democratic Constitution.Despite the changes made to theConstitution, its basic principles are stillincorporated in the present Constitutionof 1953.Women were given the right to vote whenthe Danish Constitution was amended in1915.The Constitution incorporates the basicrules of government and guarantees alarge number of fundamental rights andfreedoms.These are probably the rules that havethe greatest impact on everyday life ofpeople in Denmark. When people talkabout their “Constitutional rights”, theyare referring to the freedom of expression,the freedom of assembly, the freedom ofreligion and the freedom of property.The Royal familyThe Danish monarchy is the oldest in theworld. For more than a thousand years,there have been kings, queens, princes andprincesses ruling Denmark. The firstknown Danish king was Gorm the Old(Gorm den Gamle), who reigned in the10th century AD. From 1660 to 1849,Denmark was governed by absolutemonarchy.Today, Denmark is a Constitutionalmonarchy operating within a democraticframework.This means that the legislativepower is jointly vested in the King and theParliament.The Danish Parliament has theexclusive right to pass bills, but they mustbe signed by the sovereign to become law.The Royal family has no political powers,but its members undertake a largeConstitutional rightsThe oldest monarchyin the worldConstitutionalmonarchyDENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAW

12DENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAWnumber of representative duties inDenmark and abroad.The amendment to the DanishConstitution adopted in 1953 approvedthe introduction of female succession tothe throne.The legislative powerThe Danish national parliament,Folketinget, has 179 members drawnfrom a wide range of political parties.Danish MPs are elected for a maximumterm of four years. However, the DanishPrime Minister has the right to dissolvethe Parliament and call an election beforethe end of the four-year term.Two members of the Danish Parliamentare elected in Greenland and two in theFaroe Islands.Openness and transparency are among themost important characteristics of arepresentative government. All parliamentarydebates are therefore open to thegeneral public, and any citizen maycontact and ask questions of thepoliticians. The political system is alsomonitored and criticised by the electoratethrough the press.Openness andtransparencyQueen Margrethe IIQueen Margrethe II has been the Danish monarch since 1972.The Danish royal family is very popular and seen, in many respects,as a symbol of the nation’s unity and values.

13Public administrationIndependent courtsDistrict courtsand High CourtsThe executive powerThe Government includes ministers fromone or several political parties and isheaded by the Prime Minister. If theGovernment loses the confidence of amajority in Parliament, it must resign orcall a general election.The Prime Ministerappoints the cabinet, and each minister isgiven his/her own area of responsibility.The executive power is vested in theministries – including the local authoritiesand the county authorities – collectivelyknown as “the public administration”.The most important tasks of theGovernment and the ministries are toprepare and administrate legislation.The judicial powerThe Danish courts are independent. Thismeans that neither the Government, northe Parliament can influence theirdecisions.Denmark has one Supreme Court, twohigh courts and 82 city/district courts.Furthermore, there are a number ofspecial courts that deal with cases withinspecial areas. Examples are the DanishIndustrial Court (Arbejdsretten) and theDanish Maritime and Commercial Court(Sø- og Handelsretten).Most cases – both civil actions andcriminal cases – are tried by the districtcourts*. Most appeals from a districtcourt lies to the high court *.The Danish Supreme Court is the highestnational court. It is the court of finalappeal. This means that the SupremeCourt deals only with appeal cases –normally from one of the High Courts.Thedecisions made by the Danish SupremeCourt are final and conclusive.Any citizen may bring complaints beforethe Special Court of Final Appeal (DenSærlige Klageret) if he or she requests thereopening of a criminal case, for example,if new information has emerged, or he orshe is dissatisfied with the way the casewas handled by the judge or the defence.Municipalities and countiesDenmark is divided into municipalities andcounties governed by independentlyelected councils. This is to ensure thatdecisions are made close to the citizens,as far as possible.Whilst the Danish Parliament and theGovernment provide the functional frameworkfor the Danish society, the municipalitiesand counties are responsible forits implementation.Thus, the Parliament has adopted anact (the Danish Act on Integration*) thatprovides for municipalities to launchinitiatives to promote the integration ofnew citizens into Danish society.The Supreme CourtThe Special Court ofFinal AppealClose to the citizensDENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAW

14DENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAWPolitical parties andnon-party listsAutonomous municipalgovernmentRegional governmentRight to voteThe municipalities are headed by a mayorand a number of members of the localcouncil, all of whom are elected by directelection. Local and county councilelections are held every four years. Bothpolitical parties and non-party lists* runfor these elections.In many respects, municipalities areallowed to pursue local policies.This is thereason why the tax rate, the number ofday care institutions, nursing homes,leisure activities and cultural activitiesvary from one municipality to another.The county councils handle a number oftasks that need to be dealt with at aregional level. For example, parts of thepublic transport system, the running ofhospitals and general environmentalsupervisory control.Elections and participationin politicsAt 18 years of age, all citizens are entitledto vote and run for local and countycouncil elections. However, for personswith citizenship outside the EU* and theNordic countries, permanent residence inDenmark for the last three years prior tothe election is required.In order to participate in nationalelections and referendums you must haveattained Danish citizenship.Citizens from EU member states areentitled to vote at elections for theEuropean Parliament* – either in theircountry of residence or in their nativecountry.Before an election or referendum, citizensentitled to vote will receive a ballot paperindicating where and when to vote.Exercising one’s right to vote isfundamental to being a Danish citizen. Itis also an important way in which theindividual citizen may influence ourcommunity and everyday life.If you wish to obtain influence on thenomination of candidates at local andcounty council elections – or if you wouldlike to be nominated for election yourself– you may join a political party or presentyourself for nomination on a non-partylist.In order to influence the nominationof candidates at the national election, youmust be a member of a political party.Voting – an importantcivic dutyPolitical parties

15Integration CouncilsMost municipalities have various consultativebodies that deal with special issues.Theyinclude senior citizens councils, youth councilsand integration councils.The task of theintegration councils is to provide guidance tomunicipal councils in integration matters.Your municipal authority will tell youwhether an integration council has been – orwill be – established in your municipality, andif not, you may ask for one to be set up.Themunicipal authority is required to providesecretariat services to the IntegrationCouncil.In connection with municipal council elections,the local integration councils appointrepresentatives to the nationwide Council forEthnic Minorities (Rådet for EtniskeMinoriteter) among its refugee or immigrantmembers.This body advises the Minister ofRefugee, Immigration and Integration Affairson issues of importance to refugees andimmigrants.

Political parties and NGOsYou may influence society in other ways than by voting at theelections or being a member of a political party, for example, bybecoming an active member of an association that looks after theinterests of specific groups, i.e. an interest group or NGO.NGOs play an important part in Danish democracy because theycontribute actively to the public debate, and because they are askedto comment on the proposals made by the politicians.Before a bill is debated in the Danish Parliament, it has usuallybeen submitted to consultation with a number of organisations withspecific knowledge and interest in the issue in question.NGOs – such as patients’ organisations, environmental organisationsor industrial organisations – also seek to persuade politicians tosubmit or adopt proposals which benefit the cause they are workingto promote.

A society founded on the rule of law17Professional secrecyAccess to documentsThe Ombudsman of theDanish ParliamentThe fact that Denmark is a democracyalso implies that it is a constitutionalsociety (founded on the rule of law). Thismeans that the executive power isdemocratically controlled, and that thecourts are separated from theadministration. It also means thateveryone enjoys certain fundamentalrights and liberties, that everyone has aduty to comply with the law and is entitledto fair treatment, both by theadministrative authorities and by thecourts.All public authority staff are bound byprofessional secrecy. They therefore needyour consent to pass on any informationthey may obtain from you to somebodyelse, for instance your employer or yourdoctor.According to the Danish PublicAdministration Act, you are entitled toaccess to your own case files. If you applyfor access to these documents, you willnormally be told the contents of the casefiles.However, applications for access todocuments may be denied if the authorityinvolved finds that disclosing suchinformation could be detrimental to athird party.The Ombudsman of the Danish Parliamentis appointed by Parliament and deals withmatters concerning errors or neglect inCitizins’ rights and how tofile complaints about publicauthoritiesThe Danish Public Administration Actrequires the public authorities to treat citizensfairly.Under this Act, grounds must be given forrefusing an application or request. Furthermore,the public authorities must alwaysprovide guidance with regard to where andhow to file a complaint.The Act contains provisions for the timeallowed for processing a complaint and for thekind of information citizens are entitled toreceive. In brief, this Act lays down the rulesfor the case processing procedures to befollowed by ministries, agencies, councils,boards and committees, as well as by municipaland county authorities.public administrative affairs. TheOmbudsman may intervene either tofollow-up on a complaint or at his owninitiative.The Ombudsman is independentof the Government.Anyone suspecting the authorities offailure to comply with rules andregulations or of case processing errorsmay contact the Ombudsman forassistance. However, all other channels ofcomplaint should first be exhausted. Theombudsman service is free to all citizens.DENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAW

19Anyone may contactthe policeDemonstrationsSSP schemeRules for the policeThe Danish policeThe principal responsibility of the policeis to uphold law and order and to prevent,investigate and solve crime. Anyone maycontact the police for assistance in findinglost items or missing persons, and toreport criminal offences.You may, for example, contact thepolice if you have become the victim oftheft or violence, or if you think you havebeen subjected to discrimination.The police also issue passports anddrivers’ licences.Anyone in Denmark is entitled todemonstrate, provided that the police isinformed about the demonstration inadvance. The police are also present atdemonstrations to ensure that they areconducted in a peaceful manner.In many areas, the police cooperate withthe schools and social authorities under acooperative effort, referred to as the SSPscheme (School, Social and Police), toprevent crime among young people.The police must comply with a number ofrules and regulations when stopping,arresting or questioning a person. Forexample, they may not use violence orthreatened violence, and they must readthe arrested person his/her rights.In general, the police are one of theprofessional groups in Denmark thatenjoys the greatest support from thepopulation. Anyone dissatisfied with theway he or she has been treated by thepolice may bring a complaint before thepublic prosecutors*.When the public prosecution servicehandles a complaint, it is closely monitoredby the District Police ComplaintsBoard*, an independent body that caninfluence the way in which the publicprosecution service deals with the case.Taking the law into one’s own hands, e.g.by hitting someone in response to beingharassed, is prohibited and a punishableact.The police enjoypublic supportTaking the law intoone’s own hands isprohibitedDENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAW

20Denmark’s role in the wider worldDENMARK – A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY FOUNDED ON THE RULE OF LAWInternationalcooperationInternationalconventionsEUAs a small country, Denmark has a stronginterest in close cooperation acrossnational borders. Denmark is thereforeengaged in many kinds of internationalrelations.Denmark is a member of, forexample, the European Union (EU), theCouncil of Europe, the United Nations(UN), the North Atlantic TreatyOrganization (NATO), the Organizationfor Economic Co-operation and Development(OECD) and the World HealthOrganization (WHO).In this connection, Denmark has signed anumber of international conventions onthe protection of human rights, includingthe UN convention against torture, the UNconvention on combating all forms ofracial discrimination, the UN conventionon combating all forms of discriminationagainst women and the UN convention onchildren’s rights.Being a member of the Council ofEurope, Denmark has acceded to andratified the European Convention onHuman Rights, which has had significantimpact on Danish law.Since 1973, Denmark has been a memberof the European Union (the EU) –formerly known as the EuropeanEconomic Community (the EEC). SinceDenmark joined the Community, the EUhas continued to gain influence on anincreasing number of issues, and theDanish population has often been dividedover Denmark’s relationship with the EU.Through its membership of the UN,Denmark wishes to help people in distress,to work towards peace and progressworldwide and to promote respect forhuman rights.Denmark’s membership of the NATOmilitary alliance and OECD, the westerneconomic organisation, binds Denmark,the US, Canada and a large number ofEuropean countries closely together.International developmentcooperation programmesDenmark is one of the few countries in theworld that contributes more than the UNrate of 0.7% of the gross national incometo development cooperation programmesin the poor countries in Africa, Asia andLatin America.The economic assistance is allocatedthrough the UN and other internationalorganisations, or channelled directly fromDenmark to the receiving country.To a large extent, the assistance isbased on close cooperation with thereceiving countries, in order to enablethem to take responsibility for developingtheir own societies.Aid to the poorest, equality betweenthe sexes, democracy, human rights andsustainability are some of the key wordsin Danish development aid.UNNATO

Immigration to Denmark23Visits and short staysImmigrants anddescendantsof immigrantsliving in Denmark,approximatefigures:1980: 153,0001990: 215,0002001: 396,000Source: Danmarks Statistikand the Ministry of Refugee,Immigration and IntegrationAffairs.See also www.inm.dkPeople have been migrating to Denmarkfor centuries. Apart from a steady inflowthroughout the ages of immigrants fromneighbouring countries such as Germany,Poland and Sweden, other notableimmigrant groups include the Dutch in theearly 16th century, the Jews since the17th century and the French Huguenotsin the late 17th century. In the 1970s,Danish companies invited workers to cometo Denmark, especially from Turkey,Pakistan,Yugoslavia and Morocco, and inrecent years people have been coming toDenmark from all over the world,especially as refugees or to be reunitedwith their families.In order to be admitted into Denmark, youmust have a valid passport or otherauthorised travelling identification. Anyforeign citizen who wants to stay inDenmark for more than three monthsmust normally have a residence permit. Ifthe purpose of coming to Denmark is toget a job, both a residence and a workpermit are required. Denmark has aspecial cooperation agreement with theNordic Countries – Norway, Sweden,Finland and Iceland. Therefore specialrules apply for citizens from thesecountries.The same goes for citizens fromthe EU* and EEA member states andfrom Switzerland. Nordic citizens do notneed prior permission to enter and/or takeup residence in Denmark. According to thespecial EU rules on the free movement ofpeople across borders, citizens fromEU/EEA member states and Switzerlandmay obtain a residents certificate fromthe relevant state counties*.Citizens from a large number of countriesmust have a visa to visit Denmark, forexample, in order to attend cultural eventsor for business, tourist or family visits. Avisa does not entitle the holder to work inDenmark and is normally issued for aperiod of three months only. Thehomepage of the Danish ImmigrationService* provides a list of the countrieswhose citizens need a visa to come toDenmark. Foreign nationals must applyfor a visa before leaving for Denmark.Theapplication is normally processed by theDanish representation (embassy etc.) inthe foreign national’s home country.Denmark has joined the SchengenAgreement, and a Danish entry visa istherefore normally valid throughout theSchengen area.Refugees and asylum seekersDenmark has acceded to the UN refugeeconvention of 28 July 1951 – also knownas the Geneva Convention – and istherefore committed to protect any personwho is persecuted on grounds of race,nationality or religious or politicalpersuasion. Such persons achieve thestatus of so-called convention refugees.Out of all the refugees who come toDenmark every year, 500 are admitted onVisaThe Geneva Conventionand the EuropeanConvention on HumanRightsENTRY AND RESIDENCE

24ENTRY AND RESIDENCEthe basis of an agreement betweenDenmark and the UN High Commissionerfor Refugees (UNHCR). In addition to theRefugee Convention, Denmark hasacceded to other international conventions,such as the European Convention onHuman Rights and the UN Convention onTorture, which obliges Denmark to protectforeign nationals from being returned totheir home countries if they risk execution,torture and inhuman or degradingpunishment.If the asylum claim is denied, the decisionis automatically appealed to the RefugeeBoard (Flygtningenævnet). The RefugeeBoard may either uphold the decisionmade by the Danish Immigration Serviceor overrule it by granting asylum.If asylum is refusedAsylum seekersIf asylum is grantedAn asylum seeker is a foreign nationalapplying for a residence permit as arefugee in another country. When anapplication for asylum has been submittedin Denmark, the Danish ImmigrationService* decides whether the asylumclaim is to be handled in Denmark or inanother EU member state, or whether theapplication should be referred to a safethird country outside the EU.If the Danish Immigration Service findsthat the asylum seeker satisfies theconditions for asylum, a permission to stayin Denmark as a refugee is granted. TheDanish Immigration Service will thendecide in which municipality the refugeeis to be accommodated.

25Closest familymembers eligibleMatrimonial orcohabitation relationshipsmust be genuineFamily reunificationUnder the Danish Aliens Act*, andprovided that certain conditions are met,persons with permanent address inDenmark may have their immediaterelatives join them. This is called familyreunification. Family members eligible forreunification typically include spouses andminor children.A residence permit cannot be granted onthe basis of a marriage or cohabitationrelationship that is not genuine, but whosesole aim is to provide the applicant with aresidence permit.Residence permitA residence permit with a view topermanent residence is granted primarilyto refugees and persons who have beenreunited with their family. If you havebeen granted a residence permit with aview to permanent residence, you mayobtain an unlimited residence permit aftersome years, provided that you have madean effort to become integrated into Danishsociety, and that you satisfy a number ofspecific requirements. Among otherthings, you may not owe debts above acertain amount to public authorities orhave committed serious criminal offences.Granting of unlimitedresidence permitENTRY AND RESIDENCERequirementsregarding accommodation,financialsituation, age, etc.In order to be granted family reunification,you must meet a number ofspecific requirements according to thecategory you belong to. Such requirementsmay relate to the resident’s housingand income conditions. Or it could be arequirement for both parties to amarriage to be over 24 years of age andhave greater affiliation to Denmark thanto any other country. One of the aims ofthese requirements is to protect veryyoung people from being forced intomarriage against their will, and to ensurethe best possible basis for the integrationprocess.If you have obtained your residence permitby fraud or have been reported as anunwanted person in the Schengen InformationSystem*, you risk having yourresidence permit revoked, regardless ofwhether it is issued for a limited orunlimited period of time.A limited residence permit may also berevoked on other grounds, e.g. if theinformation provided on the applicationform or in the residence permit isincorrect or no longer valid. If, forexample, you were reunited with yourspouse in Denmark, but no longer livetogether, your residence permit will usuallybe revoked.Residence permit maybe revoked

26RepatriationENTRY AND RESIDENCEDeportationUntil a permanent residence permit isgranted, refugees enjoy the protection ofDanish society for such time as they mayrisk persecution by returning to theircountry of origin. This implies, amongother things, that your limited permit maybe revoked if you go on holiday in yourcountry of origin.Finally, your residence permit –whether limited or unlimited – will lapse ifyou abandon your home in Denmark orreside outside Denmark for a longerperiod of time.Any foreign national convicted of aserious crime can be deported fromDenmark.If, at some point, you consider returningto your country of origin, but areuncertain whether it is safe to do so, orhow you and your family will be able tocope financially, you may get advice fromthe Danish Refugee Council (DanskFlygtningehjælp). Moreover, the municipalitymay grant financial assistance toyou and your family for repatriation inyour home country or former country ofresidence. See also the section “Introductionof new citizens” on page 32.If you consider returning to your countryof origin or former residence, you shouldcontact the municipality where you live.Based on an assessment of your financialsituation, they will determine the financialassistance payment you are entitled to.The assistance covers travelling expenses,moving and settlement costs, help topurchase and transport business equipmentand expenses for health insuranceand prescribed medicine that you aretaking with you.Guidance andfinancial assistanceAssessment bymunicipal authorityIf you have come to Denmark for thepurpose of family reunification and wishto return to your home country, you mayonly obtain financial assistance if you arereturning together with the family memberwith whom you were reunited.Payment of repatriationbenefit to united familymembers subject tocertain requirements

27Granted once onlyRe-integration benefitAssistance to return to your country oforigin or your former country of residenceis only granted once.If you are at least 65 years of age, or areat least 55 and unfit for work, you areentitled to re-integration benefit.You mayreceive this special benefit each month forfive years. To qualify for this benefit, youmust have obtained an unlimited residencepermit and been a continuous resident inDenmark for at least five years.ENTRY AND RESIDENCE

28 Danish citizenship (nationality)ENTRY AND RESIDENCEUnder the Danish Constitution, the powerto grant Danish citizenship generally lieswith the Parliament. It exercises thispower by issuing so-called CitizenshipActs on a regular basis. In order to beeligible for Danish citizenship, you musttherefore satisfy certain criteria establishedby the Danish Parliament.These criteria include a certainknowledge of the Danish language,documented by a certificate issued by alanguage training centre or othereducational establishment. You must alsomeet certain requirements concerning theduration of your stay in Denmark.Basically, you must have been acontinuous resident in Denmark for atleast nine years. For stateless citizens andrefugees, the required period of residenceis only eight years. An applicant that hascommitted a criminal offence cannotattain Danish citizenship until after acertain period of time. If the offence isvery serious, he or she may never becomea Danish citizen. Nor can you become aDanish citizen if you have any outstandingbalances with public authorities, e.g.overdue (re)payment of certain publicbenefits, loans, taxes and duties.You must be at least 18 years of agebefore you can apply for Danish citizenship.You should submit your applicationto the police in the police district in whichyou reside. The police will also tell youhow long it usually takes to process anapplication.Some citizens may be granted Danishcitizenship by declaration. In addition toDanish-born citizens and citizens of theother Nordic countries, this applies toyoung foreign nationals with no criminalrecord who have lived in Denmark for atleast 10 years. You may obtain furtherinformation and an application form atthe state county in which you reside.When you have been granted Danishnationality, you are entitled to hold aDanish passport and to vote and benominated at national elections.

4 THE INITIAL PERIOD ASA NEW CITIZEN IN DENMARK

Help and advice providedby municipal authorities31Find a jobA folk high schoolis a good startAs soon as you have been grantedresidence permit in Denmark, you mustbegin the process of becoming familiarwith Danish society and getting an activelife.Much of daily life in the Danishcommunity goes on at the workplace, andone of the best ways to become part ofDanish society is to get a job as soon aspossible. In this way, you will also be ableto support yourself and your family.However, many new citizens may find itdifficult to find a job immediately –especially because they lack sufficient skillin Danish. For further information aboutyour options, see the sections “Introductionof new citizens” and “Jobs andthe labour market” on pages 32 and 84.A good alternative is to enrol at a folkhigh school*.These schools offer excellentopportunities to understanding the Danishsociety, people and language. For furtherinformation, see the section “Youth andadult education in Denmark” on page 104.All new citizens are entitled to assistanceand guidance from the municipality inwhich they will eventually be living. If youare a refugee, the Danish ImmigrationService* will decide in which municipalityyou will be residing, based on a number ofconsiderations and assessments.After you have obtained a residencepermit, you should contact themunicipality in which you reside toregister with the Danish national register(Folkeregistret). If you have been grantedresidence permit after having applied forasylum, the Danish Immigration Servicewill see that you are registered in themunicipality where you will be living.Upon registration, you will automaticallybe issued with a civil registry number.Thecivil registry number consists of your dateof birth plus four digits that are specificto you. A civil registry number may becomposed as follows: 23(day) 04(month)54(year) – 3476. For women the last digit(in this case 6) is even, whereas for men itis uneven.You will need your civil registrynumber every time you contact publicauthorities and institutions.Your civil registrynumberTHE INITIAL PERIOD AS A NEW CITIZEN IN DENMARKWhen you have registered with themunicipal authority, you will automaticallybe registered with the NationalHealth Service and receive a nationalhealth insurance card. See page 110.Your national healthinsurance card

32Introduction of new citizensTHE INITIAL PERIOD AS A NEW CITIZEN IN DENMARKIntroductionprogrammeIndividual contract,lessons and activationprogrammeYour municipality of residence will offeryou an introduction programme, thepurpose of which is to help you learnDanish and become self-reliant as quicklyas possible. The introduction programmeis free of charge.The programme is meantas an offer, but if you receive introductionbenefit, it is mandatory for you to attendall the programme activities and to beavailable for the labour market.The programme is only available topersons with citizenship outside the EU*and the Nordic Countries.The introduction programme comprises anindividual contract, a training course insocial affairs, Danish lessons and anactivation programme*.The individual contract is a bindingagreement between you and themunicipality, and you must draw it uptogether. Other parties may also beinvolved in the drafting of the contract, inorder to ensure that it covers the activitiesand offers most relevant to you.Thus, thecontract may establish the level at whichyou will start your Danish lessons. It mayalso identify the activities and skills youwill need before starting to look for aneducation or a job.The contract should bedrawn up within the first month after youhave obtained your residence permit andtaken up residence in the municipality.Your individual contract is of greatsignificance to you as a new citizen inDenmark. It is therefore important tomake sure that your own wishes are takeninto consideration. You should, forexample, make sure that the plan takesyour skills and needs into account, andthat it contains specific opportunities foryou to develop and utilise yourcompetencies.The contract may also allow for thesituation that, at some point whenconditions allow, you may want to returnto your country of origin. For example, youmay – while in Denmark – acquire thequalifications needed to undertake a jobin your country of origin or take part in adevelopment or reconstruction project.See also “Repatriation” on page 26.Make demandsregarding yourindividual contract

Interpretation services33The interpreteris neutralIt is your own responsibility to learnDanish as quickly as possible – e.g. byattending the Danish lessons offered freeof charge. In many situations, however,persons not sufficiently familiar with theDanish language may get assistance froman interpreter. The public authorities willassess your need for an interpreter and areresponsible for booking one.The interpreter you need will be assignedto you. He or she is responsible fortranslating everything being said asaccurately as possible and may notdeliberately leave something out. Like theconcerned public authority the interpreteris bound to observe professional secrecyin all matters and must be neutral andunbiased. The interpreter may onlyinterfere with the conversation orinterview to clear up misunderstandings.Good advice on speaking through aninterpreter:• Do not talk directly to the interpreter,but talk to the person you are actuallyaddressing.• Speak slowly and clearly.• Avoid telling things you do not wishthe interpreter to translate.THE INITIAL PERIOD AS A NEW CITIZEN IN DENMARK

5 HOUSING

High housing standards35The standard of housing in Denmark hasimproved considerably since the 1950s.With rising incomes, larger accommodationwas built. In addition, families hadfewer children, and since the 1960sespecially, more citizens are living alone,or only two people share a house or a flat.In 1955, approximately 50% of thepopulation lived in dwellings with less thanone room per person. 45 years later, mostaccommodation had one room for eachfamily member.In 1970, approximately one-third ofdwellings did not have private bathroomand toilet facilities or central heating. In2000, this was down to 7%, mainlylacking a private bathroom. Almost allmodern dwellings have central heating ordistrict heating. This means that heatingis provided by a central heating stationfired with oil or natural gas.A few dwellings are still heated by oil orparaffin burners.Especially in the 1960s, many Danesmoved into single-family houses. In 2000,twice as many people lived in single-familyhouses as in 1955. At the same time, thepercentage of people living in multi-storeyblocks dropped from 50% to 30%.The number of owner-occupieddwellings has increased considerably, notjust because most single-family houses areowner-occupied, but also because manypreviously tenanted flats in multi-storeybuildings have been converted into owneroccupiedflats. However, many newly-builtmulti-storey buildings are rented accommodation.The prices of rented and owneroccupiedaccommodation vary a greatdeal, depending on where the accommodationis located, how old it is, how largeit is and its state of repair.HOUSING

36Finding a place to liveHOUSINGCo-op, tenant- orowner-occupiedaccommodationMost rented accommodation is found inmulti-storey buildings, typically as largehousing estates in the residential areas ofmajor cities.The municipalities manage anumber of flats, including housing for theyoung and the elderly, and may allocatetenants to these flats. You must meetcertain requirements to be eligible forallocation of this type of accommodation.Ask your municipality about thepossibilities.Private housing societies also let flats,and some private house-owners let one ormore rooms. Single-family houses arehardly ever let.Most single-family houses are owneroccupieddwellings purchased and sold onthe private housing market. The privatemarket also includes a sector for flats andterrace houses. Some of these are ownedby cooperative housing societies. Thismeans that you buy a share, and thus theright, to live in one of their houses or flats.If you are looking for a place to live, youhave the following options:• Ask at the municipal housing office.• Put your name on a waiting list for aflat in a housing society.• Look for advertisements in the nationalor local newspapers*, or insert anadvertisement yourself.• Search the Internet, or insert anadvertisement free of charge.You mayget access to the Internet at the publiclibraries.• Look under “Housing Agencies” (Boliganvisning)in the yellow pages* in theDanish telephone directory.• Put up a notice on the board in yourlocal supermarkets.• Ask family, friends and acquaintances.Look for advertisementsor ask around

Many people own their homeIn Denmark, 63% of the population live in single-family housing.Most of them are couples with children, and most of them own theirhome. Most single-family houses are built as detached units, i.e. onehouse on each plot of land. Others are terraced houses.30% of the population live in blocks of flats.This applies inparticular to single people without children. Most of them aretenants.Some people live in shared accommodation where they have their ownroom(s), but share the expenses, cooking and other domestic chores.Many young people share a flat or live alone in a room rented from aprivate landlord.Students may rent a room at a student hostel. A student hostelaccommodates many students, each with a room of their own. Usually,the room has private toilet and washing facilities, while the kitchen andliving room are shared.

38Tenant-occupied accommodationHOUSINGNon-profit or privatehousing societyRights and dutiesYou are entitled to alease contractRented accommodation is owned by aprivate or a non-profit housing society*.You can put your name on a waiting listfor a flat. This means that you may rentthe flat when your name is at the top ofthe waiting list. But you may have to waitfor many years. Ask the housing societyconcerned about waiting times.Private housing societies rarely have awaiting list. When a flat becomes vacant,the owner chooses the new tenant.Lease contractBoth tenant and landlord have rights andduties.These are stated in the Danish RentAct. This Act contains provisions on thetermination of leases. As a tenant, youmay generally terminate your lease bygiving three months’ prior notice, and aslong as you comply with your duties, thelandlord cannot suddenly evict you.The Danish Rent Act also lays downrules on how high the rent may be, who isto be responsible for maintaining therented premises, and how many peoplemay live there.According to the Danish Rent Act, youmust receive a lease contract that sets outthe agreements made between you and thelandlord.The lease contract must specify,for example, how much prior notice youmust give if you want to terminate thelease. The contract must also specify therequired state of repair of the flat whenyou move out.Do not sign the lease contract withoutreading it carefully – also the small print.Nor should you sign the lease contractwithout having inspected the flat togetherwith the landlord´s representative.Make a list of the defects in the flat, ifany, either in the actual lease contract oron a separate piece of paper that both youand the landlord sign. If you detect anydefects in the flat after you move in, youshould notify the caretaker within twoweeks. In this way, you do not have to payfor damage not caused by you.Lease deposit or lease premiumYou should expect to pay either a leasedeposit or lease premium before or alongwith your first rent payment.The amountof the deposit or premium payable is to beagreed between you and the landlord.The landlord may use the leasepremium to pay for repairs of any damagethat you may have caused. However, if youleave the flat in the same state of repairas when you moved in, you are entitled torepayment of your lease premium whenyou move out.If you are a married couple who will beliving together in the same flat, you mayboth sign the lease contract. In this way,either of you is entitled to stay in the flatif the other person moves out, or youdivorce.Inspect the flatImportant to agree theamount of deposit withthe landlord in advanceMake sure that bothyou and your spousesign the lease contract

39Number of occupantsper room may be limitedApply to the municipalauthority for a loanand assistanceComplaints guidelinesHow many occupants?In some lease contracts, the landlord hasstipulated an upper limit for the numberof persons allowed to live in the flat.Municipalities may adopt a rulepermitting max. two occupants per roomin a flat. Contact the municipality forfurther information about applicable rulesand regulations.Housing benefit for rentedaccommodationYou may apply to the municipality for aloan to pay the deposit for rentedaccommodation.The municipality decideswhether to grant the loan based on anassessment of your financial and socialsituation.The loan must be repaid.As a tenant, you may also apply to themunicipal authority for assistance to payyour rent, i.e. rent subsidy. The municipalauthority determines the subsidy on thebasis of the following:• How many people live in the flat• The size of the flat• The rent• Total household incomePensioners can apply for a special rentallowance.If you cannot accept the decision made bythe municipality, you may file a complaint.The letter from the municipality, in whichits decision is communicated, should tellyou where to file your complaint and statethe deadline for complaining.SublettingYou may rent a flat from a tenant or amember of a co-op housing society.This iscalled subletting and is allowed for a twoyearterm. Subletting periods may belonger, but only if the owner consents.SwappingSome rental property owners and co-ophousing societies allow you to swap yourflat with other tenants. Thus, if you havea flat, you may swap it for a larger or asmaller one, or for a flat in anotherneighbourhood. Ask the buildingmanagement office* whether you areallowed to swap your flat.Disputes and complaintsIf you have a disagreement with yourlandlord, for example about maintenance,swapping or subletting issues, you cancomplain. If you live in rentedaccommodation owned by a non-profithousing society*, you can file a complaintwith a special tenants’ complaints board.Ask the tenants’ association* or themunicipality for further information onhow to contact the board.If you live in private rentedaccommodation, you can file a complaintwith a rent control board*. The sameapplies if you have a dispute with one ofyour neighbours about noise, for example.SublettingFlat swappingHOUSING

40HOUSINGHousing counsellingGuidanceSome large non-profit housing societies*have a housing consultant who givesadvice and guidance about youraccommodation.You may also get help tounderstand letters you have receivedabout matters concerning youraccommodation.Tenants’ democracyNon-profit housing societies* operate awell-developed tenants’ democracy. Thismeans that the tenants are responsible forappointing representatives to a tenants’council or board, who will have a say in,for example, how common areas should beorganised.The tenant representatives canalso adopt house rules and launchcommunity activities.Tenants’ democracy innon-profit housingTenants in large privately-owned rentalproperties are also entitled to appointrepresentatives to safeguard theirinterests vis-à-vis the landlord.The tenantrepresentatives have the right to inspectthe property’s financial statements, andmust be heard, for example, before thelandlord increases the rent or initiatesmajor renovation projects.Tenants’ influence inprivate rental housingJoin inYou can contribute to good neighbour relations in your own housingarea. You may participate in electing representatives to the tenants’council, the board of the cooperative housing society or of the houseowners’ association or other kinds of representative bodies. You mayattend meetings and activities arranged by the residents. You can beactive both as an elected representative and by proposing activitiesfor children and adults. In this way, you can influence your immediateenvironment and get to know your neighbours.Communal buildings and roomsMost non-profit and co-op housing includea communal building or rooms where theresidents can meet for various activities.Tenants may hire the communal buildingfor private parties.Communal room formeetings and partiesWhen you move in, ask around where the residents meet, andwhether they have a tenants’ association*.

Co-opaccommodationOwner-occupiedaccommodation41Participate in decidingon rules and activitiesRent level and price ofa share in the societyfixed at the annualgeneral meetingCo-op dwelling units consist of groups ofhouses or flats owned and run by acooperative housing society. In order toobtain a co-op dwelling, you must buy ashare in a co-op. This makes you a coownerof the entire property and entitlesyou to a flat. In addition to the share, youpay rent to the cooperative housingsociety.As the owner of a share, you automaticallybecome a member of the cooperativehousing society. Together with the othermembers you may decide, for example, thekind of activities the society shouldinitiate or which rules should apply for thesociety and the residents.The cooperative housing society makes itsmost important decisions at the annualgeneral meeting.The annual general meeting decidesthe cost of shares and the amount of therent to be charged. In some societies, theprice of a share is relatively low, while themonthly rent is high. In other societies it isthe other way around. But most co-ophousing is less expensive than owneroccupiedhousing.An owner-occupied dwelling can be eithera house or a flat that you buy.You need to be a Danish citizen to beallowed to buy an owner-occupieddwelling. But if you have been granted aresidence permit, you may apply forexemption. You may get an applicationform from the Danish Ministry of Justice(Justitsministeriet).Estate agent and solicitorMost owner-occupied dwellings are soldthrough an estate agent. Check theadvertisements in the newspapers, on theInternet or at the estate agents’ in thearea where you would like to buyaccommodation.The estate agent is primarily theseller’s representative, but may also advisethe buyer regarding the rules and rightsthat apply to the sale. You may alsochoose to buy without the services of anestate agent.Regardless of which you choose, however,it is always a good idea to engage asolicitor. This ensures that your interestsare taken into consideration. Besides, thesolicitor is insured against any losses youmay sustain as a result of errors made bythe solicitor.Permission to buyreal estateAdvice regarding rulesand rightsAlways contact asolicitorHOUSING

42Rules and regulations fordwellings and residentialareasHOUSINGSavings bank ormortgage bankLoansYou can borrow money from a regularbank or a mortgage bank* to buy a house.Before granting the loan, the bank willlook at your ability to repay it. In thisconnection, it is important whether youhave a job and a fixed income. You mayalso obtain a loan from a mortgage bankagainst security in the form of a mortgageon your house.CaretakerMost rented and co-op housing has acaretaker, who is engaged by the owner tocarry out practical jobs, such asmaintaining common areas.The caretakerwill also make minor repairs to the flatsor call a craftsman. The caretaker isfamiliar with the house rules applying tothe property.Most rented and co-op housing havehouse rules.They are determined either bythe house owner or by the residents. Thehouse rules may include provisions onstair cleaning, tidying up, pet keeping andwhere to place bicycles and prams.If you are in doubt about any of thehouse rules, you should ask the caretakeror one of your neighbours.Maintenance workIf in doubt, contactthe caretaker or aneighbourWaste managementDifferent municipalities have differentrules for handling waste. In many places,people must sort their waste into separatecontainers and skips. This means thatkitchen waste, glass and paper are placedin different containers.Old paint, oil, batteries and leftovermedicines, which may be hazardous to theenvironment and human health, must betaken to a special collection point. Largeitems, such as furniture and refrigerators,should go to a recycling plant*. Contactthe municipality for further informationabout the rules that apply in your area.Waste sortingSpecial rules forwaste hazardous tohuman health or theenvironment

43HOUSINGNoise and consideration to othersWhen a large group of people live close to each other, it is especiallyimportant that they show consideration towards each other. Youshould therefore comply with the house rules, respect your neighboursand avoid causing any nuisance or disturbance.People living in a flat will always be able to hear their neighbours.The occasional footsteps heard through the ceiling, raised voices,children crying and the sound of television and stereo equipment areinevitable.Aerial schemeMost rented accommodation operate acommunal aerial scheme, which you joinautomatically when you move in. Theaerial system may either be designed forreceiving cable TV (via a hybrid network)or community aerial TV. The aerial fee isusually included in the rent.Installing your own aerial requires theowner’s permission.Communal aerialschemes in rentalhousingBut if music and general noise become a continuous din, somethingshould be done about it. If talking to the noisy neighbour does nothelp, you may have to contact the tenants’ association or file acomplaint to the tenants’ complaints board or the municipal rentcontrol board*. A noisy resident may eventually be forced to move.

44HOUSINGSome house owners’associations operate acommunal aerial schemeAerial associations canselect the TV channelsto be broadcast tomembersIf you live in an owner occupied dwelling,you may install your own aerial. However,your house owners’ association* mayoperate a communal aerial scheme.Many communal aerial systems areestablished by a communal aerialassociation. If you join the association, youmay influence the choice of TV channelsto be broadcast in your housing area.Remodelling your homeIf you own your home, you may carry outinterior decorating and remodelling as youplease. However, for safety reasons youmust observe certain rules for installingelectricity, water and heating. Some of thiswork must be performed by licensedcraftsmen. If you fail to comply with therules, your insurance does not cover theloss in case of damage.Rules for electrical,water and heatinginstallationsHigh energy taxesElectricity, water and heatingIn Denmark, electricity, water and heatingare relatively expensive. Society wishes toreduce the consumption of energy in orderto protect the environment.This is why theduties levied on energy are so high.You may lower your consumption ofelectricity, water and heating, for instance,by:• Switching off the light when leaving aroom.• Using economiser light bulbs.They aremore expensive than ordinary lightbulbs, but their average service life isten times as long.• Taking a shower instead of abath.• Doing the dishes in a basin rather thanunder running water.Major exterior remodelling, for example,building a dormer window or a balcony, oradding an outbuilding or a carport, issubject to certain rules and regulationsregarding size and design. You shouldtherefore obtain the necessary approvalsand permits from the municipal authoritybefore starting any such remodellingwork.If you are a member of a cooperativehousing society, you should find outwhether the rules and regulations of thesociety impose any special restrictionsbefore you begin to remodel the premises.If you are a tenant, you are allowed tomake certain changes and improvementsto your accommodation.You may install a washing machineand a dishwasher, provided that theinstallations are approved. Before makingany major changes, such as putting in anew kitchen or renovating the bathroom,Building an extensionrequires permissionfrom the municipalauthorityMembers of a cooperativehousing societymust inform the boardTenants required toobtain the landlord’spermission to makeimprovements to thepremises

45InsuranceA contents insurance policy covers yourentire household and such items asfurniture, clothes, music systems andtelevision sets in case they are stolen ordamaged, for example, by fire or water.Any theft must be reported immediatelyto the police. Otherwise you will notreceive compensation from the insurancecompany.Compensation for itemsstolen or damaged byfire or waterHOUSINGWhether you rent a room in a house orlive in a flat, it is important that you takeout an insurance policy that covers yourfurniture and other belongings.If you live in a rentedroomSee page 97 for more information aboutinsurance.you should obtain the landlord’spermission. You must pay the cost oflabour, but part of this cost may berefundable by the landlord when you moveout.Contact the landlord or the buildingmanagement office* before commencingsuch work.

46 Moving to anotheraddressHOUSINGImportant to notify themunicipal authority ifyou change addressAll municipalities register the residents inthe municipality. If you move, you musttherefore notify the municipality of yournew address. Notification should be givenno later than five days after you move.Get a change-of-addressfolder at the post officeAt the post office, you can get a changeof-addressfolder with all the forms youneed to notify the relevant people that youhave moved.

6 FAMILY

Family and society49Equal rights and jointresponsibilityDanish society is built on respect for theindividual and responsibility for thecommon good, both at family andcommunity level.This means that men and women shareequal rights and duties and have equalopportunities for taking part in politicaland economic life.It further implies that the individualcitizens and families share with society theresponsibility for ensuring that childrenand young people have a good childhoodand adolescence and get an education.In cooperation with families andindividual citizens, society fulfils a numberof tasks aimed at helping those who find itdifficult to manage daily living on theirown.Coping with a busy lifeWork occupies a great deal of the family’stime. In most families, both man and wifehave a job and work almost an equal numberof hours per week.In particular, parents with young childrenspend much time on work and education.This means less time for the family and, forexample, for caring for seriously ill familymembers.This is one of the reasons that families inDenmark leave it to the public authorities tosolve some of these tasks.Thus, citizensunable to take care of themselves because ofdisability, illness or age may, for example,visit a day centre or live in a residential-carefacility.FAMILYMost young children are looked after in aday-care institution or in private day care.More than 90% of children in the 3-5-yearage group are in some form of day care awayfrom home. Many school-age childrenparticipate in an after-school care scheme orattend an after-school recreation centre.See page 73.Today, very few Danish women stay at home.Nevertheless, women still do most of thehousework. However, a more equal sharing ofdomestic chores is becoming more common,especially in families with small childrenwhere the mother is relatively young, highlyeducated and employed.

50Different family typesFAMILYAt the beginning of the 20th century, mostDanish families had many children. Butduring the next 100 years, the number offamilies with many children fell, and at thesame time more people were living aloneor with just one other person. In 1901, theaverage family included 4.3 members, butby 2000 this figure had dropped to 2.2.The major changes took place in the1960s. Today, the typical family stillconsists of a father, a mother and theirchildren, and in 2000, 75% of all childrenunder 18 were living with both theirbiological parents. Many people marryquite late in life, and several couples livetogether without being married. A greatmany married couples divorce and findnew partners.This means that the childrengrow up in families with a “new” father ormother and half sisters and brothers.Some children live with a single parent,though they visit the other parent veryoften.This has given rise to many types of familynetwork that, although different from andmore changeable than those of a hundredyears ago, may nevertheless be wellfunctioningand close-knit.Family categoriesIn 2002, there were approximately 2.9 millionhouseholds in Denmark with an average of 2.2members.They break down by family categoryas follows:14%: Married couples with children.4% : Other cohabiting couples with children21%: Married couples with no children6% : Other cohabiting couples with no children4% : Single parents with children49%: Single parents with no childrenSource: Danmarks Statistik.

Permanent relationships51MatrimonyNo one must beforced into marriageCity Hall or churchObligation to maintainone anotherA couple may marry if both have reachedthe age of 18. Young people under 18must apply to the local state county* forspecial permission to marry. Special rulesapply if you want to marry a person thatlives abroad and become united with himor her in Denmark under the rules onfamily reunification. Moreover, you mustnot already be married, and you must notmarry your sister, brother or any otherrelative in direct line of descent, i.e.parents, children and grandparents.With these exceptions, you are free tochoose whom to marry. In Denmark,marriages are entered into on a voluntarybasis, and it is therefore illegal to forcesomeone into marrying against his or herwish. A forced marriage can be revoked.A marriage can be celebrated in either acivil or a religious ceremony. The civilwedding ceremony is carried out by amayor. The religious ceremony isperformed by a clergyman of the NationalChurch of Denmark or by a minister ofanother religious community who isauthorised to perform wedding ceremonies.Marriages entered into in othercountries generally have the same judicialvalidity in Denmark as marriagescontracted in Denmark.As a married couple, you have anobligation to support each other financially.This is called mutual maintenanceduty. As a rule of thumb, all yourpossessions will be jointly owned. Whenyou have children, you will automaticallyhave joint custody.When couples decide to live together andhave children without being married, theirrelationship is referred to as anuncertified marriage.People living in an uncertified marriagedo not automatically have the same legaland financial responsibilities towards eachother as if they were legally married.Thisis particularly important in the situationwhere couples with children decide to splitup.If you have children without being legallymarried, the mother will be granted childcustody*, unless the parents agree toshare child custody.If a couple in an uncertified marriagesplits up, the parties have to decide forthemselves how to divide their property,and if they have debts, each party mustpay his or her share. They will also haveto decide where the children are going tolive. If they cannot reach an agreement onhow to divide their property, the mattermust be settled in court. If they are unableto come to an agreement regarding withwhom the children are going to live, theyshould contact the state county* foradvice.Non-maritalrelationshipsCustodyEnding a non-maritalrelationship may requirelitigationFAMILY

52FAMILYRegisteredpartnershipsJoint custodyIn Denmark, homosexuals have the samerights and duties as all other citizens, andthey are entitled to form a registeredpartnership, which is as legally binding asmatrimony.Legal separation and divorceAny married person who no longer wantsto stay in the marriage is entitled to legalseparation. Legal separation is a kind oftrial period, during which the couple liveseparately, but are still married. A marriedcouple may get a divorce after beinglegally separated for one year. If bothparties want a divorce, they may get itafter six months.If adultery or violence is involved,divorce may be granted directly, withoutthe period of legal separation.If there are children in the marriage, theparents must decide how to share parentalresponsibility. If they cannot agree on thedivorce terms, they should contact thelocal state county* for advice. As a lastresort, the dispute must be settled incourt.Persons seeking legal separation anddivorce should contact the local statecounty*. If you live in Copenhagen, youshould contact the Prefecture ofCopenhagen*. Here, you may get furtherinformation about the terms andconditions for legal separation, divorce,child custody, division of communityproperty and financial support to thechildren or to your former wife orhusband.The parent not living with the child mustpay child support to the other parent.There is a minimum amount to be paid,but you can pay more if you want to. Childsupport is normally tax deductible.Child maintenanceFree abortionDenmark has provided free abortion since 1973. Any womanhas a legal right to have an abortion at a hospital until the12th week of pregnancy. In exceptional cases, an abortion mayalso be performed later in pregnancy.If you choose to have an abortion, you must ask your generalpractitioner for a referral to a hospital. An induced abortionis usually a surgical procedure performed under generalanaesthesia. You may also have a medical abortion, i.e. anabortion induced by medication.It is the woman’s sole decision whether to have an abortion.On an annual basis, between 15,000 and 20,000 abortionsare performed in Denmark. Some find this figure too high.One of the arguments against abortion it that terminating alife is morally wrong.The determining principle of Danishabortion legislation is that women should be able to choose anabortion to avoid giving birth to unwanted children or puttingtheir own lives at risk by having an illegal abortion.

When society steps in and lends a hand53No one must besubjected to violenceEmergency counsellingand refugesSeek help before theproblem develops intoa crisisWhat goes on within the walls of thehome is a private matter, and is notinterfered with by either state ormunicipal authorities. However, nocitizens, whether children or adults, shouldbe exposed to violence or abuse by familymembers. Anyone who is beaten,threatened or forced to sex may seek help,either from the municipal authority or, ifsuch institutions are found in yourneighbourhood, at a refuge/shelter oradvisory centre.In an emergency, you may move into arefuge or shelter until you find out whatto do next.You will also be offered social,psychiatric and educational support.Refuges have been established all overDenmark, both for men and women.However, most refuges are for women whoneed protection from a violent husband orsomeone else who abuses them.It is important to seek help before thingsget to a stage where you have to move toa refuge. If you need help, you shouldcontact the municipal authority or anadvisory centre, where your right toremain anonymous will be respected.Physically or mentally disabled childrenand adults and their families are entitledto support to facilitate everyday living.Thepurpose of this support is to allowhandicapped people to live a life as activeand as close to normal as possible. Bothmunicipal and county authorities employdisability consultants, who give advice andguidance concerning handicap aids andappliances, accommodation, educationand job opportunities.Most handicapped children live with theirparents and attend ordinary kindergartens,schools and after-school activities.However, some of these children go tospecial kindergartens and schools wherethey are trained and taught by speciallytrained staff.Handicapped young people and adultsare offered special education, day- orresidential-care centres, venues, shelteredworkshops and workplace facilities.Some handicapped people live intheir own home and receive personal andpractical support from the municipalauthority. Others live in a specialinstitution, a shared house/flat orsheltered accommodation.Support for disabledchildren and adultsSpecial facilitiesFAMILY

54Giving birthFAMILYPre-natal check-upswith your doctor andmidwifeMedical record for youand your babyPre-natal classesAll pregnant women are entitled to aseries of medical checkups by a doctorand a midwife. The first visit will be withyour own doctor when you are nine weekspregnant. You have to make anappointment for the visit.The doctor will set up a medical record ofyour pregnancy, which you must bringwith you on all your ante-natal care visitsto the doctor and the midwife. In thisrecord, the doctor and the midwife willdocument the progress of your pregnancy.The purpose of these checkups is to makesure that everything is going well with youand your baby and to reveal any problemsat an early stage.Some counties offer ultrasoundscanning*. The scans make it possible todetect if the baby is suffering from anyserious physical deformities or any othercomplications. It is up to you to decidewhether to accept this offer.You may bring your husband or anyother person, such as a friend or yourmother, on all your ante-natal care visits.You may find it helpful to attend antenatalclasses, especially if you are havingyour first baby. During classes, you willlearn about what happens to your bodyduring pregnancy, and how the babydevelops. You will also learn breathingexercises and physical exercises to trainyour body and make it easier and lesspainful to give birth. You should ask yourmidwife about ante-natal classes offeredin the area where you live.You may bring your husband to theclasses or anyone else you would like tohave with you when you give birth.Most maternity wards offer you the choiceof having your baby at the hospital or athome. If you opt for home birth, one ofthe midwives from the maternity ward willcome to your home to attend to youduring the delivery. Maternity wards thatdo not offer this option may refer you toanother hospital that does. A few countieshave special home birth schemes,according to which specially assignedmidwives are in charge of both thepregnancy checkups and the home birth.Home birthWhen in doubt, contact your doctoror midwifeYour doctor and your midwife will answer any questions you mayhave during your pregnancy. So do not hesitate to ask themwhenever you are in doubt about something, for example, regardingbirthing positions, pain relief during delivery, etc. Write yourquestions down before contacting your doctor or midwife so not toforget anything important.You should also let the hospital or clinic know how you want togive birth, or whether you have any post-delivery requirements,for example, special dietary wishes.

55FAMILYOn going into labourThe father may attendWhen you feel the birth starting, youshould call the maternity ward at thehospital. They will tell you whether youneed to go to the hospital at once, or askyou to call back later. You must arrangefor your own transport to the hospital.Remember to bring a bag with toiletriesand the baby’s first set of clothes.Childbirth is an important event, and youmay like to share this experience withsomeone close to you. Many fatherschoose to be present at the delivery oftheir child, but if this is not possible, youmay ask someone else that you trust tosupport you during the birth.You do not have to use any specificmethod of giving birth. You are free towalk around, sit down or lie down duringcontractions. Many hospitals providewarm pools. You can also have variouskinds of painkilling treatment. Themidwife will determine what is best foryou. Should you need a caesarean section,you may have either general or localanaesthetics.The first physical contact between motherand child is very important. The midwifewill therefore ask you if you want the babyto be placed on your stomach immediatelyafter the delivery. It is a good idea to putYour choiceFirst importantcontact

56FAMILYIn the post-natal wardBirth certificate,naming and baptismThe Danish NationalChurch registers allnewbornsthe baby to the breast soon after it hasbeen born. This is partly because it willmake it easier to get started withbreastfeeding, and partly because rawbreast milk contains nutrients andantibodies essential for the baby’s health.You should tell the midwife if you do notwish to breastfeed your baby.After the delivery, you and your baby willbe moved to a room in the post-natalward*.The staff will help you care for thenewborn baby and advise you on how tobreastfeed, wash and nurse it.When the baby has been born, the parentswill receive a form, which should becompleted and handed in or mailed to theoffice of the parish where the child wasborn.The parish office then issues a birthcertificate. All newborn citizens,regardless of religious persuasion, areregistered by the Danish NationalChurch*, acting for the Danish state.The Danish National Church also registersthe names of all newborn babies.You musttherefore inform the parish office of thechild’s name before the child is six monthsold. The child will then receive a birthcertificate and a name certificate. Thechild may also be named at a baptismceremony performed by a clergyman ofthe Danish National Church or a ministerof religion of another recognised religiouscommunity. In this case, the child gets abirth and name certificate.The certificatewill be needed later, for example inconnection with applying for a passport.You are not allowed to give your childrena first name that could be to theirdisadvance and expose them to teasing byothers. The Danish Ministry ofEcclesiastical Affairs (Kirkeministeriet)has published an official circular listing allthe approved names. The list can bedownloaded from the Ministry’shomepage.You must apply to the Ministryof Ecclesiastical Affairs (via your parishoffice) for permission to give your child aname not included in the circular.Any parent who is or has been asubject of another country is entitled togive his or her child a name that is notapproved in Denmark, provided that it isa common first name in the home countryof one or both of the parents.All pregnant woman are entitled topregnancy and maternity leave for acertain period before and after givingbirth. Similarly, the child’s father may takepaternity leave for a certain period. Thepublic authorities and some privatecompanies have entered into agreementson paid maternity or paternity leave.Parents who do not receive wages orsalaries during their leave may claimmaternity/paternity benefits from themunicipal authority. This also applies toself-employed people who have run theirOnly approved firstnames can be usedMaternity, paternityand parental leave

57The health visitormakes house callsbusiness for at least six months.Furthermore, parents of young childrenare entitled to parental leave. You shouldcontact the department of social andhealth administration in your municipalityfor further information.You are entitled to free post-natal homevisits by a health visitor. The first visitusually takes place about one week afterthe mother and the baby come home fromthe hospital. The health visitor willarrange the subsequent appointments withyou on a visit-to-visit basis.It is the health visitor’s job to provideadvice and guidance to ensure that youand the baby get the best possible starttogether. The health visitor will monitorthe baby’s development by measuring andweighing it. She checks its reflexes andlooks at its nutritional state, as well as itslinguistic and motoric development. Thehealth visitor is interested in the wellbeingof the family as a whole and canadvise you on the child’s development. Shewill also answer any questions of doubtthat you may have.A health visitor is a qualified nursewho has completed further training. Thehealth visitor is therefore able to answeryour questions about how to care for asick child.Monitors the child’sdevelopmentFAMILYYour child is entitled to a number of freehealth checks by your family doctor. Seepage 113 for more details.Check-up with yourown GPThe health visitor may set up mother-andbabygroups for the women from yourneighbourhood who have given birtharound the same time. The mothers whofeel like joining such a group meet at eachother’s homes by rotation to chat andshare experiences.Mother-and-babygroups

58Children andyoung peopleFAMILYChildren should be heard and given careand encouragementIn Denmark, children are generally seen as individuals to belistened to and involved at an early age in decisions affectingthem. Both families, day-care institutions and schools placeemphasis on teaching children, in a way that matches their ageand maturity, to take responsibility and show consideration forothers.Under Danish law, children are entitled to care and securityand to be treated with respect for their personal integrity.Hitting children or subjecting them to other kinds of violenceis illegal and punishable by law.This also applies to thecircumcision of young girls, which is a mutilating practicewith serious consequences for the girls. See also the fact boxon circumcision on page 115.Most children under six spend the daytogether with other children, for instance,in childminder care, a day nursery or akindergarten. There are many kinds ofday-care facility. The municipal authorityis responsible for providing day care, andthe range of facilities offered variesdepending on the municipality. However,the most common facilities include:• Municipal day care. In this type ofarrangement, the child is looked afterin a private home together with otherchildren by a childminder approved bythe municipal authority. Age group: 0to 3 years.• Day nursery. Age group: 0 to 3 years.• Kindergarten. Age group: 3 to 6 years.• Outlying kindergarten. Here, the childrenspend the day in the country-sideor in a forest.• Age-integrated day-care institution.This is a mixed facility for the 0 to 6-year age group.• Free-choice scheme. A scheme underwhich some municipal authoritiesoffer grants to parents who opt forprivate child care.Your child must be registered with theday-care registration department in yourmunicipality. If the municipal authority isunable to offer you a place immediately,your child’s name will be put on a waitinglist.The sooner you enter your child on thewaiting list, the better your chance ofgetting a place in the day-care facility ofDay nursery, day careand kindergartensYou must apply fora place

59your choice. If you want your child to goto a day nursery, you must put your child’sname on the waiting list immediately afterit is born.siblings’ discount, and you may also applyto the municipal authority for a wholly orpartly free place. Please contact themunicipal office for further details.FAMILYIf you move to anothermunicipalityCall the institution andmake an appointmentFeesIf you move to another municipality beforeyour child starts in day care, you mustcontact your new municipal authority tohave your child placed on their waitinglist. Don’t forget to tell your newmunicipal authority how long the child’sname has already been on a waiting list,or you will have to start from the bottomof the list again.If you move to another municipalityafter your child starts in day care, youshould also contact your new municipalauthority to have your child’s name put ontheir waiting list. You will most likely beallowed to keep your child in an institutionin your former municipality for up to sixmonths after you have moved.You are always welcome to visit severalday-care institutions before you decidewhich one you would like your child to goto. Call the institution in advance andmake an appointment to ensure that thestaff have time to talk to you and showyou round the facilities.A fee is charged for a place in a day-careinstitution. However, the public authoritiescover part of the expense, so you will notbe paying the actual cost of the place. Ifyou have more than one child in a daycareinstitution, you are entitled to aAnyone receiving cash payments,unemployment benefits or introductionbenefits must be available for the labourmarket. This means that you are obligedto start a new job or accept any activationprogramme* whenever it is offered to you.However, you will only be able to do so ifyour children are looked after during theday.If you have not already found asolution to your need for child day-care,the municipal authority will probably offeryou a place in a day-care institution orwith a childminder. If you do not want tolose your financial benefits, you mustaccept such an offer.Some municipal authorities provide asupplementary allowance to parents thatlook after their children themselves.Another possibility is applying for amunicipal grant to cover some of the costof hiring a nanny. However, not allmunicipal authorities provide this option.Day-care institutions are usuallyorganised into a number of age grouprooms. This allows the staff to divide thechildren into small groups according totheir age and special needs.Each room has its own regular staffwho plan the group’s activities, and theyDuty to accept aday-care place foryour childMunicipal subsidytowards privatechildminding costsEveryday life in aday-care institution

60FAMILYNot merely looking after the childrenMunicipal day care is more than just child minding.The staffincludes highly trained teaching professionals who take care of thechildren’s linguistic, physical and mental development throughsinging, talking, playing games, going for nature walks, visiting museums,play-acting, etc. Being in a group with other children teach childrento take social responsibility and show consideration for others.By playing with other children and through contact with the teachers,the children also become familiar with the Danish language andsociety.Thus, day-care institutions help give the children a mentalballast which they will benefit from when they start school.

61are the people you will normally meetwhen bringing and collecting your child.arrangements will be made for an externalinterpreter to be present.FAMILYTell the staff aboutyour childCommunicationbetween day-careinstitution and parentsWhen your child starts in a day-careinstitution, you will be invited to a meetingwhere you will be informed about the rulesand daily routines of the institution. Atthese meetings, you also have a chance totalk about your child. Is there anythingspecial the staff should know about? Forexample, any particular food habits orproblems with certain activities.The betterthe staff know the child, the better theywill be able to help the child andaccomodate its needs.Good communication between you, theparents, and the staff of the day-careinstitution is essential to your child’s wellbeing.Most day-care institutions have anotice board where you can read aboutupcoming plans and activities.You also have a chance every daywhen you come to drop off or pick up thechild to talk with the staff membersresponsible for your child, and ask themwhat the day has been like or inform themabout any changes in your family that mayaffect your child.If you need more time to talk to thestaff, you may make an appointment for aparents’ interview.Many day-care institutions havebilingual staff who can help with theinterview. If there are no bilingual staffmembers familiar with your language,Twice a year, the day-care institution holdsa meeting for all the parents. At thesemeetings, the staff will present the plansfor the coming year and raise issues forfurther discussion. Parents are expectedto attend these meetings because it is achance to get important information onwhat goes on in the institution. Theparents may also suggest topics fordiscussion and activities for the childrenand their parents. At one of thesemeetings, the parents elect representativesto the parents’ board.The management of the day-careinstitution is responsible for the day-todayrunning of the institution. However,the parents’ board represents the viewsand requirements of the parents and caninfluence the educational principles andallocation of funds in the day-careinstitution.Both parents and young people may findadolescence a difficult time. The youngpeople go through physical and mentalchanges.They need to come to terms withwho they are, break away from theirparents and demonstrate theirindependence. At the same time, theparents are still responsible for the youngpeople and for creating the framework fortheir development and self-expression.Parents’ meetingsParents’ boardYoung people caughtbetween two cultures

62FAMILYThis period of transition can beparticularly difficult for young people andparents who perceive Danish culture asvery different from their original culture.The young may feel torn between theyouth culture they meet in Danish societyand the culture they were brought up withat home, and the parents may find itdifficult to understand the norms ofDanish society and therefore worry abouttheir children’s future.If problems reach deadlock, you mayneed professional help. Both parents andyoung people can get advice and guidance– together or separately. Contact yourmunicipal office or call a crisis hot-line ortelephone-advice line for moreinformation. These services are free, andyour call may be anonymous.Support for families and childrenwith problemsParents are responsible for giving their children love and care andfor creating a safe environment for them to grow up in. Society doesnot interfere with this relationship unless it is suspected that thechild’s welfare is at risk.If this is the case, the municipal authority will contact the family andtry to help solve the problems.The family or one of its members mayalso contact the authority for help.If the problem is very serious, the child may be placed for some timein institutional or family care. Young people who have serious socialproblems and whose parents are unable to take care of them may beplaced in special institutions where they are offered help and supportto get an education or find a job.The same applies for young peopleunder 15 years of age who have committed a crime.

Elderly people63Pre-retirement benefitand early retirementpensionThe usual age of retirement is 65 years,but some people choose to leave thelabour market earlier and collect preretirementbenefit (efterløn). Some peoplemay have so many physical and mentalproblems that they are unable to work andmay be granted early retirement pension(førtidspension).You have to meet certaincriteria in order to receive pre-retirementbenefit and early retirement pension.Please contact your municipal authorityfor further information.FAMILYNational pension schemeActive senior citizensAny pensioner is entitled to receive statepension. If you have lived in Denmark for40 years, i.e. from the age of 15 until yourretirement year, you are entitled to the fullstate pension. If you have lived inDenmark for a shorter period of time, yourpension will generally be lower. The localpension office determines the amount ofyour pension, and will tell you what youare entitled to.There are many opportunities for seniorcitizens with the necessary determinationand ability to pursue interests and live anactive life. The Danish government’sageing policy aims to enable seniorcitizens to influence and takeresponsibility for their own life as far aspossible. Elderly people therefore haveopportunities for taking part in decisionmaking,both on a personal level and intheir local community.

64FAMILYHome helpHousing for the elderlyFor example, senior citizens councilselected among the elderly people in themunicipality advise the municipal authorityon matters of special importance tothis group.Most senior citizens remain in their ownhome for as long as possible. Seniorcitizens are entitled to get help, forexample, with personal care, housecleaning and shopping. How much helpyou can get depends on the municipalauthority’s assessment of your needs.If you are a senior citizen and have specialneeds or physical problems, you can applyto the municipal authority for a seniorcitizens accomodation. This type ofhousing is specially designed for elderlyand disabled people. This type ofaccomodation is often attached to anursing centre, which makes it easy tocall for help in case of emergencies. Youmay have to wait some time for seniorcitizens accomodation. So it is a goodidea to place your name on a waiting listwell in advance.Senior citizens needing a great deal ofcare are entitled to sheltered accommodationor accommodation in a nursinghome. These facilities employ staff forpractical tasks, such as cooking, washingand cleaning and helping the residentswith their personal hygiene.Senior citizens pay for the servicesthey receive. However, charges aregenerally affordable, even if you receiveonly the state pension.Shelteredaccommodation ornursing home

When life ends65Death certificateFuneralWhen a person dies, a doctor must issue adeath certificate. If the death occurs athome, a relative of the deceased personmust notify the doctor as soon as possible.The death certificate is handed over to thefamily of the deceased together with adeath notification, which must besubmitted to the office of the parish inwhich the deceased resided. All deaths,regardless of the religious denominationof the deceased or his or her relatives, areregistered by the Danish NationalChurch*, acting for the Danish state.When a person dies, the probatecourt* is automatically notified. Soonafter, the court calls the closest relativesto a meeting to discuss matters relating tothe settlement of the estate of thedeceased, i.e. the dead person’s property.Normally, a deceased person must beburied or cremated within eight days.Theundertaker will help you with all thepractical details. You may receivefinancial support (funeral benefit) fromthe municipal authority. If the deceasedperson is to be buried in another country,the municipal authority must issue a socalledlaissez-passer (French for ‘letpass’), a special document that mustaccompany the dead body during thetransport.The Danish National Church* owns andmaintains approximately 2,100 cemeteries,and any Danish citizen is entitledto be buried at the cemetery of the parishin which he or she lives. Members ofreligious communities other than theNational Church of Denmark cannotdemand that their burial traditions andcustoms be closely observed. However,they may express their wishes to thecemetery board.A few cemeteries have set aside specialplots for members of religiouscommunities other than the NationalChurch of Denmark. Moreover, otherreligious communities may establish theirown burial grounds. Permission must beobtained from the Danish Ministry ofEcclesiastical Affairs, but it is the task ofthe religious community to find a suitablesite and pay the cost of purchasing andestablishing the burial ground.It is a condition for obtaining thispermission that the project has beenapproved by the public health authorities,and that a local plan for the area has beendrawn up. A set of rules for the use andsupervision of the burial ground must alsobe laid down. The religious community isfree to decide who can be buried in thecemetery.2,100 cemeteriesBurial places formembers of otherreligious communitiesPermission to establishburial groundsFAMILY

7 SCHOOL AND EDUCATION

Danish educational traditions67Fewer jobs for peoplewith no education ortrainingAn enlightenedpopulation essential todemocracyDenmark is a country with few naturalresources.We therefore depend largely onour human ressource – the people, theirknowledge and skills. The rapidtechnological development and globalisationof recent years have increased theneed for us to improve these assetsthrough education and training. Otherwise,we will be lagging behind in internationalcompetition and find it increasingly harderto maintain and further develop theDanish welfare state.Education and training are also importantto the individual. In modern society, thereare not many jobs for unskilled people. Aremoval man must learn how to lift heavyloads without injuring his back. A cleaningassistant must be able to read theinstructions for the proper use of cleaningproducts. A kiosk owner must know howto keep VAT and tax accounts.Therefore, all Danish citizens haveaccess to a wide range of opportunities foreducation, skill improvement and personaldevelopment.The country’s tradition for populareducation* is as old as our democracy. Itis based on the belief that an educatedpopulation is an important prerequisitefor a well-functioning democracy.In practice, this means that everyoneis offered the opportunity of lifelonglearning, for example, by attending a folkhigh school* or evening classes*, and bywatching radio and TV programmes orparticipating in training courses at theirworkplace.Compulsory educationDenmark provides nine years ofcompulsory education. However, mostchildren start their introductory schoolperiod* in a pre-school class already atthe age of six.On completion of the nine years ofcompulsory schooling, further education isoptional. Most young people continuetheir education at a vocational or anupper secondary school or study for theso-called higher preparatory examination*.Many opt for some kind of shortterm,medium-term or long-term postcompulsoryeducation.Participation and cooperationThe Danish school system is based to alarge extent on freedom and activeparticipation. From their first years atschool up to university level, the pupilsand students are entitled to makedecisions about the school and theeducation programme, and they areexpected to exercise this right.Important components of the curricularcontent include the learning of basicknowledge, dialogue skills and cooperationwith others. Right from 1st grade, thechildren learn to work in groups and to doassignments together.Most people get postcompulsoryeducationor trainingFreedom andparticipationCooperation andcommunity spiritSCHOOL AND EDUCATION

68Pre-school, primary andlower secondary schoolSCHOOL AND EDUCATIONIn the older grades, they may worktogether and sit for examinations ingroups. At higher education institutions inthe university sector, students are oftendivided into study groups that meet bothprivately and on campus to cooperate onassignments.The municipal primary and lowersecondary school (Folkeskole) providesfree education on an equal basis to allchildren.This includes one-year pre-schoolclass followed by nine years of compulsorybasic school plus an optional one-year10th grade.Pre-school classCompulsory education covers grades 1 to9. However, most pupils start in pre-schoolclass at the age of five or six.Pre-school class mixes playing andlearning. The children learn the alphabet,sing, play and develop rhyming and jingleskills.The aim of pre-school class is toprepare the pupils for daily life in school.Some of the children who meet in preclassschool may become classmates in1st grade.Municipal primary and lowersecondary schoolsThe municipal primary and lowersecondary schools are comprehensiveschools, meaning that all pupils are taughttogether in the same group through allgrades, i.e. without streaming.Getting used to schoolthrough playingAll pupils staytogether in the sameclass

The school providesbasic knowledgePupils learn activeparticipation and jointresponsibilityPupils’ councilsare heardNo marks before8th gradeThe municipal primary and lowersecondary schools give pupils basicknowledge in maths, languages, socialstudies and science. The school also aimsto familiarise them with Danish cultureand give them an understanding of othercultures.Other goals of the primary and lowersecondary school system include furtheringthe personal development of thechildren and stimulating their imaginationand urge to learn.The school must prepare the children forlife in a society based on freedom, equalityand democracy.This is achieved by givingthem influence and responsibility and byteaching them about rights and obligations.The pupils learn to express their ownopinions.They may set up a pupils’ council,which is consulted when importantdecisions are made at the school.In the first years of primary school, thepupils’ work is evaluated in oralconsultations between the teachers andthe parents. There are no actual grading,testing or examinations until they reach8th grade.Private independent schools atprimary and lower secondary levelParents may opt for another kind ofschooling than that provided by the publicThe aims of the Danish primary and lowersecondary school system (Folkeskolen)The Danish primary and lower secondary school system is based on the“Act on the Folkeskole”.This Act states the following objectives for Danishprimary and lower secondary education:“1. (1) The Folkeskole shall – in cooperation with the parents – further thepupils’ acquisition of knowledge, skills, working methods and ways ofexpressing themselves and thus contribute to the all-round personal developmentof the individual pupil.(2) The Folkeskole shall endeavour to create such opportunities for experience,industry and absorption that the pupils develop awareness, imaginationand an urge to learn, so that they acquire confidence in their own possibilitiesand a background for forming independent judgments and for takingpersonal action.(3) The Folkeskole shall familiarise the pupils with Danish culture and contributeto their understanding of other cultures and of man’s interactionwith nature.The school shall prepare the pupils for active participation,joint responsibility, rights and duties in a society based on freedom anddemocracy.The teaching of the school and its daily life must therefore buildon intellectual freedom, equality and democracy”.

70SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONBased on other ideasand philosophiesprimary and lower secondary schools, forinstance, by enrolling their child in aprivate independent school. Here, parentspay a fee to cover part of the cost ofrunning the school.Some of these schools may be based onideas and values that differ from those ofthe municipal primary and lowersecondary schools, for example, specificteaching philosophies or religiouspersuasions. Some schools teach subjectsnot provided in the public school system.Same academic levelas the municipalprimary and lowersecondary schoolsPupils live at theschoolHowever, according to Danish law, theinstruction given in the privateindependent schools at primary and lowersecondary level must correspond to thatprovided by the public school system.Theymust, for example, give their pupils thesame Danish language skills, academicknowledge and social understanding asthe public primary and lower secondaryschools.Lower-secondary continuationschoolsParents may choose to send their child toa lower-secondary continuation school forone or two years at 8th, 9th or 10th gradelevel. The lower-secondary continuationschools are a kind of boarding schoolwhere the pupils live throughout thecourse period. The pupils take turns athelping with daily chores, such as cleaningand cooking.Normally, young persons choose a lowersecondarycontinuation school becausethey are looking for an alternative to thepublic school system – or need some timeaway from their family.The instruction focuses on generaleducation, personal growth and maturity.Many lower-secondary continuationschools therefore attach great importanceto creative and practical subjects, such asdrama, music, sports, photography,agriculture and crafts.School enrolmentChildren are automatically allocated to aschool in the district where they areregistered.The parents are invited to visitthe school and to talk to the teacher wellin advance of their child’s start in preschoolclass.Focus on personalgrowthParents are invited tovisit the school

71Things to remember atschool startParents must contactthe private schoolthemselvesGenerally, the parents will receive a letterwith practical information about theschool start, e.g. that the child shouldbring a school bag, pencil case and a lunchpack on the first day. Usually, the pupilsbring a lunch pack every day. A fewschools operate a lunch scheme, whileothers run a canteen where pupils can buyfood cheaply.Parents wishing to enrol their child in aprivate independent school must contactthe school to get the child’s name on awaiting list. Many schools have a longwaiting list, so you need to enter yourchild’s name several years before the childis due to start school. The schools willinform the parents well in advance of theschool start date whether their child hasbeen admitted.Objectives and content ofschool educationDanish legislation establishes certainminimum requirements for the subjects tobe taught. Except for these requirements,each school is free to decide how toorganise its educational plan.In the lowest grades, the pupils swim anddo sports together, but have separateshower facilities.The subject of Christian studies/religiouseducation deals with general humanissues, presented and discussed in thecontext of both Christianity and otherreligions and philosophies of life.The education is non-confessional, itssole aim being to provide information.Theinstruction thus helps improve the pupils’understanding of the historical andcultural background of many modernsocieties as we know them.The parents may have their childexempted from attending classes inreligious education by submitting astatement that they want to teach thechild themselves.Christianity and otherreligionsSCHOOL AND EDUCATIONGirls and boys aretaught the same subjectsIn the municipal primary and lowersecondary schools girls and boys aretaught the same subjects. This applies toacademic subjects, such as Danish,English, social studies and mathematics,as well as to creative subjects. Both girlsand boys learn to sew, cook and use tools.

72SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONChildren havingdifficulty keeping upwith lessonsSex education: bodyand emotionsBeing bilingualLanguage stimulationfor pre-school childrenChildren having major problems keepingup with the rest of the class may get extraor special instruction. This applies, forexample, to dyslexic children.The school also provides lessons in sexeducation. The pupils are taught how thebody functions. They talk about falling inlove and about love itself, and aboutconception and contraception.Sex education is not a specific subjectin the curriculum. The teacher will bringup the topic when it fits naturally into theinstruction.Learning Danish as a secondlanguage and native languagetrainingBilingual pupils are children havinganother native language than Danish, andwho only start to learn Danish on contactwith the surrounding society, for example,at school.The municipal authorities are required tooffer the necessary support to bilingualpre-school children whose linguisticdevelopment needs to be promoted toenable them to learn Danish more quickly.The offer includes different activitiesdesigned to stimulate the children’slinguistic development.When bilingual pupils are admitted intothe municipal primary and lowersecondary schools, the headteacher willdecide, based on an assessment of thepupil’s needs, whether to refer the child tospecial classes in Danish as a secondlanguage. Remedial lessons in Danish as asecond language are provided to pupilsfrom pre-school class up to and includingtenth grade level.The municipal authorities must offernative language training to pupils from theEU member states, EEA countries(Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), theFaroe Islands and Greenland. However,lessons will only be offered in theindividual school or municipality oncertain conditions, for instance, enrolmentof a sufficient number of eligible pupils.Municipal authorities may also providenative language training on a voluntarybasis to pupils from other countries.Theyare entitled to charge for this kind oftraining.Lessons in Danish as asecond languageNative language training

73After-school day-carefacility until 4th gradelevelAfter-school recreation centresand after-school care schemesThe children may attend an after-schoolrecreation centre or an after-school carearrangement (SFO) until they start in the4th grade. Here, they can play with theirfriends, do their homework or just relax.After-school recreation centres closearound 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.Parents must pay part of the cost ofthese facilities, unless they are offered aplace free of charge. The amount ofcharge payable depends on the householdincome of the parents.SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONClub facilities for olderchildrenSome municipalities also provide youthclub facilities. They are intended forchildren who are too old to go to an afterschoolrecreation centre.Important to the sociallife of the classSchool campSchool camp is part of the teachingcurriculum. It also plays an important rolein strengthening the social ties andbuilding solidarity among the pupils. Manypupils consider school camp one of themost important events of the school year.The pupils prepare for camp bycarrying out assignments and writingpapers.In camp, the children cook their ownfood, go fishing or biking, have campfires,play and swim in the sea. There areseparate dormitories for girls and boys.School camp in a secure environmentThe school camp is part of the curriculum, and creates anopportunity for the pupils to gain hands-on and concrete experience.The pupils are taught in a secure environment under the guidanceand supervision of the teachers.Practical matters, such as food and accommodation, are discussedin advance with the parents, so that they can feel safe about lettingtheir children participate.

74SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONPupils help save up forschool campIt depends on the school how often andfor how long the children go to camp. As aminimum, the trip always includes acouple of overnight stays somewhere inDenmark or perhaps abroad.Upper grade pupils often help raisemoney to finance a school camp abroadby taking leisure-time jobs.Parents’ participationUnder the Act on the Danish Primary andLower Secondary School (Folkeskoleloven),parents are given influence inschool-related matters. They exercise thisright through the school board. Boardmembers include both school representativesand elected parent representatives.Parents take part in school eventsThe school provides many opportunities for parents to becomeinvolved in and gain influence on their children’s school life. Mostparents attend parents’ meetings, festivities and other school events.This is a good way to get a taste of what lessons and everyday lifeat school are like and how their child is doing – and at the sametime get to meet the other parents.

Upper secondary school75The Danish educational system includes anumber of education programmes andcourses for people who have completedthe 9th or 10th grade level of the primaryand lower secondary school system. Manyof these programmes are for young peopleonly, while other programmes also caterfor older age groups.SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONUpper secondary educationCourses of general and vocational uppersecondary education take two or threeyears, and passing an upper secondaryschool leaving examination gives access topost-secondary educations. Danish uppersecondary educations comprise:• Upper secondary school (Gymnasium),which takes three years, and a 2-year or 3-year adult upper secondarylevel course (studenterkursus). At theend of both courses, students sit forthe upper secondary school leavingexamination (Studentereksamen).• A 2-year higher preparatory educationcourse (HF).• 2-year or 3-year vocational trainingprogrammes at upper secondary level.These programmes comprise: Highertechnical examination (HTX) andhigher commercial examination(HHX) programmes.They qualify studentsfor the labour market as well asfor further and higher education.Vocational and post-compulsoryeducation and training programmesPeople – young as well as older – whohave passed the final examination ofprimary and lower secondary educationafter 9th or 10th grade can apply foradmission to various general andvocational upper secondary education andtraining programmes.There are about one hundred different 3-year or 4-year vocational education andtraining programmes to choose from.Theyinclude both theory classes and practicaltraining at a workplace, and give access toa number of jobs in the sectors of businessand administration, finance, the constructionindustry, the iron and metalindustries, graphics, transport, agriculture,horticulture and forestry.3-year or 4-yearvocational education andtraining programmes

76SCHOOL AND EDUCATION2-year social andhealth educationprogrammesProduction schoolsAnother possibility is the 2-year social andhealth training programme. This programmequalifies students for a job as asocial and health assistant or helper.Young people under 25 can enrol at oneof the one hundred production schoolsfound all over Denmark. This type ofschool combines theoretical training withpractical training in workshops where thestudents participate in manufacturingvarious products.Contact the student counsellorAll schools and other educational establishmentshave a student counsellor, who helps studentschoose the type of education programme thatsuits them best.Students must themselvesfind a traineeshipPractical trainingMany post-compulsory education programmescombine theoretical lessons withpractical training at a workplace – atraineeship.You have to find an approved practicaltraining place yourself, which may bedifficult. Many young people aredisappointed again and again in theirattempts to get a traineeship.Practical trainingat schoolIf you have not been able til obtain atraineeship after the first school term, youmay do your practical training at theschool instead.You will then receivea combination of workshop training atthe school and traineeship training at areal workplace.So, you still have to find a traineeship,but only for half the time.Trainee wagesAs long as you are in practical training,you will receive a trainee’s pay.The rate ishigher than the state education grants, butlower than regular wages.

Post-secondary education77Student intake andadmission requirementsIf you have completed an upper secondaryeducation programme, you can proceed toa post-secondary education.They fall intothree categories:• 2-year short-term post-secondary educationprogrammes. These coursesqualify students to become, for example,a laboratory technician, a marketeconomist, an electrician or an engineeringtechnician.• 3-year or 4-year medium-term programmes.Qualify you for a job, forexample, as a teacher, a pre-schoolteacher, a nurse or a social worker(Bachelor of Social Work).• Long-term programmes at a universityor other institution with university status.Provide qualifications to become,for example, a physician, a Master ofScience in Engineering or an uppersecondary level teacher. A universityeducation may be supplemented, forexample, by a PhD programme, whichlasts approximately three years, duringwhich time you will be working asa salaried researcher and instructor.Admission criteriaEvery year, the Danish Ministry ofEducation sets the student intake for theeducation programmes provided. Thestudent intake level determines theadmission requirements to the individualeducation programmes.The admission requirements may bebased on marks obtained at the qualifyingexamination, as well as on previousactivities. Thus, experience from earlierjobs or travelling and any previoustraining and education will be taken intoconsideration.Entry to some of these educations isbased on an admission test.This typicallyapplies for courses in artistic and creativesubjects, such as acting, film directing,journalism and design.Introduction to the study programmeand to your fellow studentsMost universities and other institutions of higher education organisean introductory programme for first-year students.The new studentsare introduced to the study programme and to each other throughpresentations, discussions and partying.The programme oftenincludes a few days’ excursion to a place in the country.Councils and social societiesAt all educational institutions, studentsare entitled to organise into academiccouncils – i.e. subject-related councils,student faculty councils or pupils’councils. The councils safeguard theinterests of the pupils or students ingeneral and put forward demandsconcerning the contents and quality of theeducation. Anyone may influence thecontent of the education by running for astudent faculty council.Most educational institutions also have anumber of social societies that look afterthe interests of various student groups.Admission testStudents may influencecourse contentSocietiesSCHOOL AND EDUCATION

78 The Danish educational systemSCHOOL AND EDUCATIONCOMPULSORY EDUCATION ADULT EDUCATIONAge28272625242322212019181716151413121110987Year level1918171615141312111010987654321Short postsecondaryeducationprogrammesMedium-longpost-secondaryeducation programmes(3-4 years)General and vocational upper secondaryeducation programmesPrimary and lower secondary educationPhDLong post-secondaryeducation programmes(more than 4 years)Post-compulsoryeducation andvocational trainingprogrammes60Pre-school classAge levels are indicative only.Source: Bogen om Danmark, Danmarks Nationalleksikon A/S and the authors, 2001.

ActivitiesThe many councilsand societies athigher educationinstitutions providea broad range ofactivities for thestudents and ampleopportunities forgetting to knowother students.All educationalinstitutions havetheir own specialtraditions for sportsand festivities andtheir own specialstudy environment.It is very much upto the studentsthemselves tocontribute to lifeat the educationalinstitution.

80State Education Grantsand Loan Scheme (SU)SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONFinancial assistancetowards living costsEducation grants, loansand after-school jobsAt most educational institutions thetuition is free. However, as a student youneed money for living costs, books, etc.TheDanish state therefore grants financialassistance to students attending anapproved study programme that qualifiesstudents for this assistance.You can receive state education grants inthe form of a fixed monthly paymentwhich is not normally subject torepayment. You may also be granted aloan that must be repaid with interestwhen you have completed your studies.Student loans have a special low rate ofinterest.Many students choose not to take aloan. Instead, they have a spare-time jobto avoid running up a debt that has to berepaid after they have finished theireducation.

Adult educationApproval of foreignqualifications81Opportunity tosupplement schooleducationCompleted with anexaminationGeneral adult vocational trainingGeneral adult vocational training isoffered to all citizens over the age of 18.The training programmes are not aimed atany specific industry or academic area,but give adults the opportunity tosupplement or up-date their schooleducation with respect to general subjects.The subjects offered includemathematics, English, natural science,philosophy, psychology, Danish as a secondlanguage, computer science and socialstudies.The programme can be completed withthe equivalent of the final examinationafter 9th or 10th grade or the higherpreparatory examination (HF).The instruction takes place at anAdult Vocational Training Centre (VUC).Both day and evening courses areprovided, with new courses starting atregular intervals over the year. You cantherefore study when it suits you best.If you have completed an educationabroad, it may be relevant to establishwhether your qualifications are recognisedin Denmark, or whether you needsupplementary training to be able to useyour education here.If you are participating in a municipalintroduction programme or any otheractivation programme, you may contactyour caseworker for advice.The Danish Centre for Assessment ofForeign Qualifications (CVUU) is thecentral Danish body to contact if you wantto know how the educational credits youhave earned abroad compare with Danishacademic and labour market standards.Can you transfer yourqualifications toDenmark?Help with assessmentof foreign educationprogrammesSCHOOL AND EDUCATION

82 Danish language classesfor adult foreign nationalsSCHOOL AND EDUCATIONLessons in Danish forall adult citizens offoreign nationalityAll foreign nationals over 18 years of agewho have been granted a residence permitin Denmark are entitled to free lessons inDanish language and social affairs.Participants may take a final test, whichcan be used, for instance, to gain entry toan education programme. At any rate,unless special circumstances apply, youmust pass this test if you wish to obtain apermanent residence permit or Danishcitizenship.If you are attending the introductionprogramme for newly arrived foreignnationals, the municipal authority mustoffer you the course not later than onemonth after you have become a residentof the municipality.The programme can beimplemented in many different ways, e.g.with participants being taught individuallyor in large or small groups, at a municipallanguage training centre, at a vocationalschool or in a job environment, possiblycombined with distance learning sessions.Mandatory participation inthe Danish language trainingprogrammeIf you do not succeed in finding a job soonafter your arrival in Denmark, you willneed financial assistance from the Danishstate in the form of introduction benefits.In order to receive introduction benefitsyou must participate actively in theDanish language training and activationprogrammes and be available for thelabour market, so that you canimmediately take advantage of any jobopportunity offered. The school thereforerecords the participants’ attendance andis required to report absentees to themunicipal authority. Absence without avalid reason may cause the municipalauthority to reduce or withdraw thefinancial assistance.Financial assistancemay be reduced

Danish language – your key to societyThe Danish language is your key to education, work and social life.Furthermore, learning the language is important to understandingyour rights and obligations in Danish society. Ignorance of the law isno excuse for not following it. Moreover, the many safety rules youwill come across every day are usually written in Danish.The more you socialise with Danes, the faster you will pick up the language.It is therefore important to meet Danes – for example inevening classes, at sports or other leisure activities. You may also joinlocal associations or parents’ boards.In many neighbourhoods, you may get help with your homework andwith learning Danish from voluntary groups, for example, under theDanish Refugee Council.

8 JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKET

Working in Denmark85Having a job is veryimportantMost adults have a jobHaving a job gives you both self-respectand the respect of others because itenables you to support yourself and yourfamily and contribute to the community.In Denmark, most people of working age,men as well as women, are active on thelabour market.Most people work for others – in privateor public enterprises – for a wage orsalary. But there are also many selfemployedpeople in the sectors of retailtrade, catering, industry and agriculture.Rate of employment in DenmarkLabour market status for people agedbetween 16 and 66 years as of 1 January2001.Absolute numbers Per centEmployed 2,681,438 75 %Unemployed 118,520 3 %Outside the workforce 798,346 22 %Total 3,598,304 100 %Source: Danmarks StatistikThe Danish labour market is highlyspecialised. Qualifications and skillsmatching labour market requirements aretherefore in demand. This applies equallyto people seeking a job with a cleaningservice, at a factory, as an engineer or at asenior citizens’ home, as well as to thosewanting to run their own shop orenterprise.Whether you should try to find a job rightaway or complete a training andeducation programme first depends on thelevel of your skills. If you have noeducation or training at all, it might bemore realistic to find an unskilled job –possibly after completing a few shorttraining courses to prepare you for thework.Your first job may not always be wellpaid. Nor may it be within the area ofyour education/training or interests. Itwill, however, make you familiar with thelabour market, and thus open the doors tobetter jobs.For further information about how todevelop your skills, for example, througheducation or practical training at aworkplace, see the sections “Introductionof new citizens” and “School andeducation”.Specialised labourmarketWhat skills do you have?Gaining a foothold inthe labour marketJOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETNobody is guaranteed a job. When youstart applying for jobs, you will find thatthere are many applicants for each job.Many applicants foreach job

86JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETShortage ofqualified labourGetting a job is particularly difficult if youhave no education/training, and if you arenot familiar with the Danish language.In Denmark, the rate of unemployment isvery high among ethnic minorities,although the overall unemployment ratehas declined from approximately 10% inthe mid-1990s to 5% in 2001. However,the decline has had the effect that manylines of business now have difficultyfinding qualified personnel. Ethnicminority citizens who speak Danish andhave an education/training are thereforeincreasingly in demand.The Danish labourmarket modelNo strike orlock-out within thepay-settlement periodThe Danish labour marketIn Denmark, employers enter intovoluntary collective agreements withemployees, for example, on wages/salaries,working hours, education and training andrules on dismissal. Unlike the situation insome other countries, there is no traditionin Denmark for legislation in these areas.Instead, we have the so-called “Danishlabour-market model”, which is based to avery large extent on collective agreementsbetween the social partners.The Danish government rarely intervenesin industrial negotiations. When acollective agreement has been adopted,both parties agree not to strike or lockout during the settlement period. Thismeans that no strikes or lock-outs cantake place during the life of the collectiveagreement.At present, a full working week on theDanish labour market is 37 hours withfive weeks paid vacation.Women and menare entitled to maternity/paternity leave,respectively. The rules and regulations onhealth and safety in the workplace arevery strict. Children under 13 years of ageare not allowed to have paid work outsidethe home.A regulated labourmarket

87Most people join atrade unionOrderly conditionsensuredVoluntary unionismTrade unionsDenmark has a long tradition for wageand salary earners to join a trade union.The trade unions safeguard the interestsof the members vis-à-vis the employersand ensure that they work underreasonable pay and working conditions.The employers are also to a large extentorganised in employers’ associations. Mostemployers cooperate with the tradeunions. They consider it an advantage tobusiness to ensure the welfare and safetyof their employees and to have orderlyconditions with respect to such issues aswage increases, strikes and working hours.Denmark has freedom of association.Therefore, no employer can forbid anemployee to join a trade union. On theother hand, your fellow employees cannotrequire you to do so. At most workplaces,however, your co-employees expect you tobe a member of the trade union withwhom the employer has signed a collectiveagreement.This is because they are afraidthat it may otherwise be difficult to ensurereasonable pay and working conditions.Which, if any, trade union to join dependson your trade or profession.When you joina trade union, you pay a membership fee.If you become unemployedIf you lose your job after you have becomeinsured against unemployment, you shouldobserve the following:• Contact the Employment Service in thearea where you live.• Here you will be registered as unemployedand get a benefit card, which you mustpresent when you collect your benefit from the unemploymentinsurance fund.• You must be available for the labour market.This means thatyou must accept any job offer at one day’s notice.• You must make an effort to find a job while receiving benefits.• If you cannot find a job, the Employment Service is required tooffer you an activation programme designed to improve yourqualifications, for example, through training courses or a traineeshipwith a company.Unemployment insuranceOnce you get a job, it is a good idea tocontribute to an unemployment insurancefund*. This entitles you to help andfinancial assistance in the form ofunemployment benefit* if you lose yourjob. Both trade union contributions andunemployment insurance payments aretax deductible.You must have contributed to anunemployment insurance fund for oneyear before you can claim unemploymentbenefits.JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKET

88JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETThe workplace plays amajor role in mostpeople’s lifeLife at the workplaceDanish workplaces differ widely. However,they have one thing in common: they playa major role in most people’s lives. A goodworking life, friendly colleagues and goodworking conditions are all factorscontributing to high quality of life.Work-related drinking and socialisingMost workplaces do not allow alcohol consumption during workinghours. But on various social occasions – out of working hours – alcoholis often served.For example, at the annual company Christmas party where peoplewish each other Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and haveChristmas lunch together, or at excursions and other parties. Someworkplaces have kept the tradition of Friday night beer.To a large extent, the employeesthemselves are responsible for makingtheir workplace a nice place to be. In thiscontext, good relations among colleaguesare important.Problems at workVarious problems may arise in aworkplace, such as poor health and safetyconditions, problems of co-operation andcommunication and, in rare cases,harassment or insulting or threateningbehaviour. Such conditions are totallyunacceptable, of course.At most workplaces, the employees elect astaff representative* to represent themvis-à-vis the employer. The staffrepresentative is also the trade unionrepresentative at the workplace.If you have any problems at work or feelthat you have been treated badly orunfairly, you should contact your staffrepresentative. He or she will then raisethe issue with the employer or the tradeunion. A staff representative cannot befired and can therefore take on conflictsthat others find difficult. If yourworkplace does not have a staffrepresentative, you should take anyproblems up with your trade union, orpossibly directly with your employer.Important tocommunicate andsocialise with fellowemployeesMost workplaces havea staff representativeIn many workplaces, the employees elect ahealth and safety representative*, whomonitors the working environment. TheThe health and safetyrepresentative monitorsthe working environment

Finding a job89Industrial injuriesmust be reportedhealth and safety representative is tomake sure, for instance, that theemployees do not operate dangerousmachinery or handle hazardoussubstances without using the mandatorysafety equipment.If you are injured at work, the health andsafety representative or the employermust report your accident to the DanishWorking Environment Authority* and theNational Board of Industrial Injuries* asan industrial injury. These agencies willthen decide whether you are entitled tocompensation.DiscriminationDiscrimination in the labour market onthe grounds of gender, race, skin colour,religious or political observance, sexualorientation, or national, social or ethnicorigin is prohibited.If you are a member of a trade union,you may contact the union for help if youhave been discriminated against for any ofthese reasons.Finding a job can be difficult if you lackadequate skills in Danish. Danish languagerequirements vary depending on the typeof work. But even in unskilled jobs, youmust be able to understand instructionsand manuals.Although many sectors experience ashortage of manpower today, people whospeak Danish go to the front of the jobqueue.Many foreign nationals – even those whoare well-qualified – have problems gettinga job interview. However, you just have tokeep trying until you find an employer whois able to spot and use your qualifications.You must put a lot of effort into finding ajob, and there are many things you coulddo:• Read the job ads in the newspapersand in trade and professional papers.• Contact or send an uninvited job applicationto the employers you would liketo work for.• Use your personal contacts to peoplewho already have a job.• Seek information and advice fromyour local Employment Service.• Seek information and advice fromyour trade union.• Apply for jobs through private tempagencies.Standard of Danishlanguage skills requiredKeep looking for a jobMany ways to find a jobJOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKET

90JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETWritten job applicationJob interview• Search on the Internet (all publiclibraries provide access to the Internet).• Put an ad in a newspaper or on theInternet.• Seek advice from the municipalauthority or the Employment Serviceon how to improve your qualifications.Job application and job interviewIn many cases, you will be asked to send awritten job application. You may get helpwith writing the job application from theEmployment Service, the municipalauthority or your trade union.If you are invited to a job interview, therewill often be more than one personpresent. For example, the general managerand a representative of the employees.During the interview, they will, of course,try to get an impression of whether youare qualified for the job, and whether youwill fit into the workplace.The interview also gives you anopportunity to ask questions about thejob, the workplace and their expectationsof you.Once you are hired, you must get anemployment contract. The contractincludes provisions for the following:• Wages/salary and working hours• Holidays• Start-work times• Term of notice.This is what employers arelooking for:• Ability to communicate in a clear andreadily understandable Danish that meetsthe requirements of the job.• Relevant work experience.• A well-formulated written job applicationwith an enclosed “Curriculum Vitae”(a short description of your educationalbackground, work experience, age andinterest areas) and documentation foryour qualifications. For example, copiesof diplomas, course certificates andletters of recommendation.The applicationmay also provide information aboutyour leisure activities, including anyvoluntary work you are doing.• Ability and will to work independentlyand in teams.• Initiative.• Flexibility and an open mind for newideas.Employment contract

Setting up your own business91Many laws andregulationsDanish society needs people with thenecessary drive and initiative to set uptheir own business. However, establishing anew business takes a good deal of thoughtand preparation. Irrespective of the typeof business, there are a number ofstatutory rules and regulations that youmust know – and comply with.The business must be registered with theregional customs and tax authorities.Financial statements must be reported tothe customs and tax authorities on aregular basis. Restaurants will have toobtain a licence to serve liquor, and thekitchen facilities must meet the standardslaid down by the health authorities. If youhave employees, you must take outindustrial injury insurance and healthinsurance for them. These requirementsaim to protect customers and staff frompoor hygiene conditions, accidents at workand to prevent tax fraud.JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETSeek advice beforesetting up in businessBefore taking the plunge into selfemployment,you should take advantage ofthe many opportunities for advice. Forexample, you may contact the vocationalguidance office in your municipality, theenterprise establishment consultant inyour county, the customs and taxauthorities (Told og Skat) and theEmployment Service. On the Internet, youcan get an overview of advisory servicesavailable and information about thestatutory rules and regulations, financingopportunities, etc.

92 Activation programmesfor the unemployedJOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETActivation programmesfor people not able tofind a jobDenmark has an extensive “social securitysafety net” aimed at helping those withoutmeans to support themselves develop theirqualifications and gain a foothold on thelabour market.While thus making yourselfavailable for the labour market, you areentitled to financial assistance in the formof introduction benefit*, cash benefit * orunemployment benefit*.The social system is based on theprinciples that those with the abilityshould be self-supporting, and that rightsand duties go hand in hand.Thus, you havea duty to seek and accept a job and toattend to it. However, if you are unable tofind a regular job right away, it it is acondition for receiving financial assistancethat you accept any activation offer.Failure to comply with this obligation willlead to sanctions, such as withdrawal ofall or part of the financial assistance towhich you would otherwise be entitled.Municipal activation programmesAs part of the introduction programme fornewly arrived citizens, the municipalauthorities must offer job-orientedactivation programmes*. For furtherinformation, see the section “Help andadvice provided by the municipalauthority” on page 31.If you are still unemployed after being inDenmark for three years, you may also gethelp and advice from the municipalauthority.The same applies if you becomeunemployed later on, and do not haveunemployment insurance.The municipal authority must offer you anactivation programme. Persons underactivation must obtain the necessaryqualifications to start an education or finda job, for example, through vocationalcourses and work placement activitiesoffered by an employer.Obtaining qualificationsthrough education ortraineeshipIn order to receive financial assistanceduring the activation programme, youmust show active commitment. Thus, youmay not be absent from a training courseor work placement activities without avalid reason, such as illness.You must accept any job offered toyou under the activation programme.Otherwise, you may risk losing all or partof your introduction benefits or cashpayments.Active effort required

93Activation programmes forinsured unemployed personsIf you contribute to an unemploymentinsurance fund* (see the section“Unemployment insurance” on page 87)and become unemployed again, you areentitled to activation and financialassistance on certain conditions. Thepurpose of the activation programme is toimprove your qualifications to enable youto find a new job as soon as possible.JOBS AND THE LABOUR MARKETThe main difference between activationprogrammes for insured and non-insuredunemployed persons is that those coveredby insurance are the responsibility of theEmployment Service, not the municipalauthority.

9 ECONOMY AND CONSUMPTION

Managing your money95Many things toconsiderElectronic moneytransferAutomatic paymentof billsLooking after your private finances can bea complex matter. On the one hand, youearn wages or a salary or have otherforms of income. On the other hand, youhave to pay for accommodation, heating,electricity, food, clothing, etc. On top ofthat, you must pay tax on your income.A bank accountToday, many types of payments areincreasingly transferred electronically topeople’s bank accounts, for example,wages and salaries, cash payments, childbenefits and pensions. Most peopletherefore have a bank account.You can walk into any bank and open anaccount. If you have a bank account, youmay arrange for your bank to pay yourbills automatically directly from youraccount.You may also open a special budgetaccount for payment of your bills, or youmay open a savings account with a higherrate of interest than an ordinary depositaccount.Danish nationality not requiredBanks have no right to refuse to lend you money simply becauseyou do not have Danish nationality.Shops have no right to make Danish nationality a condition forgranting you credit or entering into a hire agreement with you.However, they are entitled to require that you have a regularincome and a permanent address in Denmark.Payment cardsIf the bank finds your financial situationsatisfactory, you may get a Dankort*.Thecard can be used for payment in mostplaces. After evaluating your creditworthiness,the bank decides whether tolet you have a payment card.Many shops have credit card facilities. Itis up to the individual shop to decidewhether to grant you a credit account.Loans and bank credit facilitiesMost banks are happy to provide loansand credit facilities to their clients. Butthey require you to have a reasonablystable income, and that your finances arein good order.If you are self-employed and have anirregular income, an overdraft facilitymight be a good solution. With anoverdraft facility, you can withdraw moneyfrom a basic account up to an agreedlimit. However, you should be aware thatthe rate of interest on an overdraft facilityis very high, and it is a precondition forobtaining an overdraft facility that thebank has assessed your creditworthinessand found it acceptable.The price of obtaining a loan differsdepending on the bank.The rate of interestdepends on the type of loan. It is thereforea good idea to check where you can getthe cheapest loan.DankortCredit card facilitiesWell-ordered financesnecessaryOverdraft facilityCheck out the marketECONOMY AND CONSUMPTION

96Hiring and buyingon creditECONOMY AND CONSUMPTIONCheck things outfor yourselfNot an independentadvisorFinancial adviceMost banks offer financial advice. Forexample, on how to plan a budget orcompare various loan opportunities.However, you should always check thingsout thoroughly yourself, for instance,before making high loan commitments.Although the bank will normally providegood and professional advice, you shouldremember that it is not an independentadvisor, but a private commercial business.Many shops offer hire arrangements totheir customers, especially for moreexpensive goods, such as refrigerators,freezers, television sets or VCRs.Some shops offer credit facilities. Inprinciple, this is equal to borrowing themoney at a specific rate of interest. Inthese cases, you should be aware that therate of interest is often relatively high.Moreover, the shop charges a fee forproviding the loan.If the product you want to hire orpurchase on credit costs above a certainamount, you will have to sign a contractthat stipulates the terms and conditions ofthe arrangement. It is important that youread the contract carefully or have itexplained to you. Otherwise, you may be infor some unpleasant surprises.Purchasing on creditRead the contractcarefullyLet an accountant takecare of complex issuesIf your finances are complex, for examplebecause you run your own business, youshould contact an accountant.Breach of contractIf you fail to pay interest and instalments on your debts, you riskbeing registered as a bad payer. If this happens, you will not be ableto hire anything or buy on credit again – either from the creditor orothers.If you leave Denmark without paying your debts, the money can becollected in the country you go to by debt collectors who cooperatewith Danish businesses.

InsurancesConsumer rights97Private insuranceYou can protect yourself and your familyby taking out private insurance.This entitles you to claim compensationfor injuries and losses due to theftor damage to your property, or if anaccident renders you unfit for work.Third-party liability insurance isprobably the most important type ofinsurance. It covers damage done by youto other people and other people’sproperty.As a consumer, you have rights thatprotect you against being misled anddeceived. For example, you are entitled toreplacement or repair of any goods thatare defective or fail to comply with theseller’s description. All you have to do iscontact the seller within 24 months ofbuying the goods. Remember to bring thereceipt.Complaints to be madewithin 24 monthsECONOMY AND CONSUMPTIONDifficult choiceThere are many insurance companies andmany types of insurance, ranging from life,personal accident and third-party liabilityinsurance to household, health and carinsurance.The insurance companies havedifferent prices and terms, and it isdifficult to compare services and prices.Thus, the most expensive insurancescheme may not always be the best.Things to consider when choosing thetype of insurance to take out include thecoverage you want and the amount of ownrisk you are prepared to pay.Statutory insurancecoverSome insurances are obligatory. If youown a property, you must have fireinsurance coverage. If you have a dog, acar, a motorcycle or a moped, you musttake out third-party liability insurance.Third-party liability insurance coversinjuries caused by you to other persons.

98 The Danishtax systemECONOMY AND CONSUMPTIONNo right of returnDeclaration andlabellingYou must also be able to prove that youdid not cause the defect yourself.You are not entitled to replacement ofitems that you regret having bought.Nevertheless, many shops offer thisservice. Some will even return your money,while others issue a credit voucher for theamount of purchase, or allow you toexchange the article for another item.You are entitled to information about thecontents of the food you buy, itsmanufacturing and use-by dates.There area number of food labelling and controlschemes. For example, in the form of awarranty that a product is ecologicallymade or has tested safe for sufferers ofallergies.Complaints facilitiesIf you feel that you did not get fair treatmentwhen complaining to a shop, vendor orcraftsman about their products or services,you may file a complaint with the DanishConsumer Complaints Board or with aprivate complaints and appeals board.Generally, a fee is charged for submitting acomplaint. If your complaint is sustained,you will be reimbursed for the fee.According to the Danish tax system, anyprivate person is liable to pay state, countyand municipal income tax. Members ofthe Danish National Church must paychurch tax, and enterprises pay corporatetax.In addition to income tax, we pay anindirect tax in the form of VAT wheneverwe buy a product or service. Other indirecttaxes include duties on a number of goods,such as petrol, alcohol and tobacco.Wages and salaries are taxed at source,which means that income tax isautomatically deducted from wage orsalary earners’ pay each month.Once a year, you must complete a taxreturn with information about yourincome and tax allowances. You willreceive the tax return form in January orFebruary, and you must return it not laterthan 1 May.Much of the information needed by thetax authorities, especially applying towage or salary earners, has already beenreported to them automatically.Tax allowances are expenses that may bededucted in the assessable income, fromwhich the income tax is calculated.Such tax deductions include intereston debts, trade union contributions,unemployment insurance payments andchild support and, in some cases, the costof transport between home andworkplace.Direct and indirecttaxesTax rate andtax returnAllowable expenses

99In addition to the above tax allowances,every individual can claim a specialpersonal allowance not related to anyparticular expense.Some of these allowances are oftenreported to the tax authorities in advance.However, many people must themselvesinform the tax authorities of some of theirdeductible expenses.The amount of tax payable by theindividual citizen depends on his or herincome, property and deductible expenses.Furthermore, tax rates vary from onemunicipality or county to the next.Denmark has a progressive tax system.This means that the higher your income,the higher your tax rate. The underlyingidea of this system is that those with thebroadest shoulders should carry thebroader burden.Tax ratesProgressive tax systemECONOMY AND CONSUMPTIONFinancing the welfare stateThe cornerstone of the Danish welfare modelis that those with the ability must supportthemselves and their families and contributeto the community through taxes.One of the objectives of the Danish taxsystem is to maintain a level of services thatensures reasonable living conditions for allcitizens – regardless of their general financialsituation.Tax revenues are allocated, for example, tothe health service, education and research,road and railway construction, the defenceforce, environmental improvements and socialservices, such as state pensions, cash benefitsand special assistance for those findingdifficulty managing on their own.

10 CULTURE AND LEISURE TIME

Freedom of speechand thinking101A rich cultural lifeCulture is a manyfacettedconceptMany activities andhigh participationDenmark has a rich cultural life andprovides many opportunities for leisuretimeactivities. This is rooted in ourhistorically determined tradition forpopular education* association activitiesand freedom of ideas and speech.The concept of culture encompasses thecreative arts, the press and media and ageneral interest in ideas and religion aswell as the habits and customs ofeveryday living.Many people are members of associationsor NGOs, engage in sports or receiveleisure-time education, go on arrangedexcursions or enrol at a folk high school*(see also “Popular education” on page104).Other cultural offers include theatres,cinemas, museums, exhibitions, lecturesand libraries. These activities can be veryexpensive, but some offer a discount forunemployed people, pensioners andstudents.Most major cities have touristagencies where you can find informationabout artistic and cultural events in yourlocal area.You may also seek informationat the library or through newspapers,magazines and the Internet.A country’s culture also comprises thetraditions and habits associated withfriendship, social gatherings, parties andbirthdays.The media and public debateThe freedom of speech and ideas isessential to democracy and forms thebasis of the free press and public debate.Everyday life in Denmark is influenced bythe wide range of television and radiochannels, newspapers, magazines and theincrease in Internet communication.Today, many of these media also caterespecially for ethnic minority groups.To a large extent, the media world offersmerely entertainment. However, it alsoprovides important scope for the ongoingcultural, political and social debate. Andfree debate plays an important part inhighlighting societal problems and theirsolutions.Important part ofdemocracyMany media cater forethnic minority groupsWide world of themediaA country of associationsDenmark is among the countries in the world with the highest rate ofmembership of clubs and associations. 73% of the population aremembers of at least two associations.New citizens wishing to meet other people may find it useful to joinan association.CULTURE AND LEISURE TIME

102CULTURE AND LEISURE TIMEFree-press restrictionsDenmark has a free press withoutcensorship. Even so, the media are barredfrom publishing certain kinds ofinformation.Thus, it is illegal to reveal statesecrets, make defamatory or libellousstatements, and disseminate degrading,racist or discriminating attitudes or ideas.Naturally, this does not imply thatsuch attitudes and ideas cannot bediscussed in the media, as long as it isdone fairly and objectively or in order toprovoke debate.Licence feeRadio Denmark and TV2 are both public service*broadcast stations.They have a legal obligation toprovide radio and television programmes over awide range of interests.The public service media are mainly financed bythe radio and television licence fee*, whichowners of a radio and television set must paytwice a year.The licence fee is set by the DanishParliament.Registration for payment of the licence fee ismade through the shop where you buy a newtelevision set or a radio. You may also contactRadio Denmark’s licence department directly.

Religious worship in Denmark103Right of free worshipUnder the Danish Constitution “thecitizens shall be entitled to formcongregations for the worship of God in amanner consistent with their convictions”.All Danish citizens are therefore freeto worship according to their chosenreligion. As a result, there are manydifferent religious persuasions – and alsomany atheists.CULTURE AND LEISURE TIMENational ChurchmembershipThe Danish National ChurchUnder the Danish Constitution, the DanishNational Church* is EvangelicalLutheran*. The Church carries out anumber of tasks for society at large,including the registration of births, namesand deaths.The majority of the Danish population –approximately 85% – are members of theDanish National Church. Most of thembecame members when they were baptisedin this Church.Any newcomer to Denmark may jointhe Danish National Church in one of thefollowing ways:Persons who inform the authorities onentering Denmark that they belong to anEvangelical Lutheran community otherthan the Danish National Church will beinformed on being entered into the DanishNational Register that they will beregistered as members of the DanishNational Church (for further informationabout registration, see also the section“Help and advice provided by themunicipal authority” on page 31).If you have been baptised, but not inan Evangelical Lutheran community, youmay become a member of the DanishNational Church by contacting aclergyman of the parish in which you willbe residing.If you have not been baptised, you mayjoin the Danish National Church bybecoming baptised.Any member of the Danish NationalChurch who is subject to unlimited taxliability in Denmark must also pay churchtax.The church taxes go towards the costof running the churches and churchyards.The churches are used for church servicesand ceremonies such as baptisms,weddings and funerals.If you no longer wish to be a member ofthe Danish National Church, you may

104Popular educationin DenmarkCULTURE AND LEISURE TIME150 differentdenominationsApproved and recogniseddenominationswithdraw from membership by contactinga clergyman of your local parish. If youwithdraw within six months from the dayyou registered with the Danish NationalRegister, your withdrawal will becomeeffective from that date.Other religious communitiesThere are many religious communities inDenmark other than the EvangelicalLutheran* national church. It is estimatedthat there are about 150 differentreligious communities of varying sizes inDenmark.These religious communities mayengage their own priests – imams, rabbisor ministers of congregations. Subject tolocal planning regulations, they are alsoentitled to put up buildings for the purposeof worship, and may obtain permission toestablish burial grounds. In addition, theyare allowed to run schools and issuepublications.There are about 90 officially approvedreligious communities in Denmark,including Islamic, Buddhist and Hinduones, which means that their priests areauthorised to officiate at weddings.Of these, 11 have achieved specialrecognition, which entitles them toofficiate at name givings or baptisms aswell as at weddings, and to issuecertificates with the same validity as theDanish National Church.Public librariesThe library is a good place to startlooking for information on events takingplace in your municipality.There is no charge for visiting publiclibraries, and most of them offer a broadselection of books, materials, facilities andother resources.In addition to lending books, CDs,audiocassettes and videotapes, manylibraries arrange exhibitions, filmshowings, children’s theatre performancesand lectures.You can also access the Internet, readthe daily newspapers or get help to findinformation or materials on varioussubjects.Most major libraries employ a librarianwhose job is to help non-Danish speakerslocate books and magazines. If thematerial you want is not available at thelibrary, a reservation can be made with thePublic Libraries’ Service for Immigrants,which keeps more than 140,000 titles inabout 100 different languages.This library service for immigrantslends books to other libraries, but is notopen to the general public.Leisure-time educationMany people in Denmark spend theirleisure time improving their skills withina specific subject or field.For example, you may attend classesin sewing, drama, dance, music, choirsinging, computer training, cooking,foreign languages, philosophy or history.Start at the libraryMaterial in differentlanguagesLearn something newin your leisure time

105Folk High SchoolsThe Danish folk high schoolsThe Danish traditions for populareducation* – which influence Danishsociety even today – emerged from acultural movement originating in the mid-19th century. It was based on the beliefthat anyone should have the opportunityto learn and obtain knowledge aboutsociety.The Danish folk high school* wasestablished in the context of thismovement.Today, there are about 87 statesubsidisedfolk high schools. They offer abroad curriculum ranging from creativesubjects and sports to academic subjectsand general information about society.CULTURE AND LEISURE TIMECultural activitiesThe students live, eat and sleep at theschool for the duration of the course. Acourse may take anything from one weekto a year. In addition to lessons, the courseincludes a number of cultural activities,excursions, social get-togethers andevening lectures. If you do not want or areunable to be a resident student, you maylive at home and attend the course as aday student.Besides residential folk high schools, thereare also a number of day folk highschools. Here all the students go homeafter lessons.A folk high school is a good place to meetthe DanesThe folk high schools provide a good key to understanding Danishsociety.They present, in an open manner, the Danish cultural heritageas well as a number of other topics.They also offer a good opportunityof meeting “ordinary” Danes.Evening classesFinally, many people attend one of themany evening classes* provided all overthe country. Many of these offer coursesspecially tailored for new citizens.The courses are subject to a fee, butsince they are subsidised by the publicauthorities, the participants do not paythe full cost.Evening classes fornew citizens

106 AssociationsCULTURE AND LEISURE TIMEPeople sharing thesame interestsBroad range ofinterestsOne of the most characteristic features ofDanish leisure-time life is the culture ofassociation.An association is a group of peoplewith common interests – e.g. academic,political, cultural, etc.There are numerous associations,organisations and clubs. They includesports clubs, political party associations,housing associations, art associations,immigrants associations, religiousassociations and associations for peoplewith a particular hobby.Other associations aim to safeguardthe interests of disabled people, variouspatient groups, senior citizens orhomosexuals. Yet others work for aparticular political cause, e.g. environmentalprotection or animal welfare.Finally, there is a multitude of venues,clubs and culture centres, often associatedwith a residential area, where people canplay cards, have debates, engage in leisureactivities or attend lectures.Associations of special interest toimmigrants and refugeesThere are more than 200 associations of special interest to immigrantsand refugees, e.g. cultural associations, political associationsand friendship associations.The objectives of these associations include strengthening internalties among refugees and immigrants and mutual ties with the Danes,as well as doing away with myths and prejudice on both sides.Anyone may startan associationAnyone may set up an association. Theonly condition is that a statutory meetingshould be held to establish the objective ofthe association and its statutes.

Sports and athletics107In and out ofsports clubsMany Danes – especially children andyoung people – engage in various sports intheir leisure time.Some join a sports club to playfootball, handball, tennis or to swim or dogymnastics, etc. Others prefer rollerskating,jogging or other types of freesports that you can do whenever you feellike it.CULTURE AND LEISURE TIMEAffordable feeSupportive parentsAlmost all municipalities have a sportscentre which is open to the public –sometimes against a charge.Most organised exercise and sportsactivities are run by associations, clubs ororganisations open for everyone to join.There is a membership fee to be paid,but the municipal authority provides asubsidy, which makes the fee affordable –even for people with strained finances.Parents often support their children’sparticipation in voluntary athletics, e.g. bypaying the membership fee and taking andcollecting them to and from the club.

11 HEALTH AND SICKNESS

The Danish health service109Treatment andpreventionLife-style relateddiseasesImpaired quality of lifeand major health costsThe Danish National Health Serviceplaces equal emphasis on prevention andtreatment of disease. Prevention aims –for example, through information abouthealthy lifestyle – to reduce the risk ofcontracting disease. Treatment seeks torestore health and relieve pain in sick orinjured people.Some of the most common diseases inDenmark are cancer, diabetes, cardiovasculardiseases and other life-stylerelated conditions. The factors causingthese diseases include obesity, smoking,too much alcohol and too little exercise.These diseases reduce the quality of life ofmany people and cost the Danish NationalHealth Service billions of Danish kronerannually. Therefore, the authorities givehigh priority to both disease preventionand the promotion of good health. Peopleare encouraged to eat more vegetablesand less fat, smoke less, drink less alcoholand to exercise more.An open dialogue is importantTo many people, sickness and health are sensitive and personalsubjects, associated with strong traditions. Misunderstandings andconflicts therefore easily arise in the meeting of different cultures’perception of health, illness and health care practises, especially iflanguage difficulties are also involved.It is difficult to express your wishes and expectations in a foreignlanguage, and it can be difficult for the Danish health care professionalsto give you adequate information on a course of treatmentor about your rights and obligations as a patient.It is therefore important that you inform the staff about your wishesand expectations regarding your treatment programme or diet. Forthe sake of the other patients and the sanitary conditions, it isimportant to be sympathetic to the way the staff go about their workand to comply with their requests.HEALTH AND SICKNESS

110The National Health Insuranceand the National Hospital ServiceHEALTH AND SICKNESSEveryone has ageneral practitionerAll Danish residents have a generalpractitioner. If you get ill, this is thedoctor to contact first. Your generalpractitioner will advise you on diseaseprevention and offer treatment for anumber of ailments. Your generalpractitioner is also the best to determinewhether you should have a different kindof treatment or need to be examined by aspecialist.treatment in a hospital when needed. Thecost of these services is covered by taxes,so patients get free treatment.However, you must pay part of the cost ofmedicine, spectacles, dental care andother kinds of treatment not given by adoctor or hospital. But reimbursements ofmedical expenses are available, dependingon your situation and income.You must pay part ofthe expenses yourselfNational HealthService paid forthrough taxationThe National Health Service and thenational hospital service ensure that youcan see a doctor or have medicalWhen you register with the NationalRegister in the municipality where youlive, you will automatically be asked tochoose a general practitioner, and you arefree to choose a male or a female doctor.Free choice of doctorAfter you have registered, you will receivea national health insurance card.This is asmall, yellow plastic card with your name,address, civil registry number and thename of your general practitioner on it.The national health insurance card is yourdocumentation that you are entitled toreceive services from the Danish NationalHealth Service.Bring your nationalhealth insurance cardAlways bring the card with you toappointments with your doctor or dentist,to the emergency ward, or if you areadmitted to hospital. You must also carryit with you when travelling abroad.

At the doctor’s office111Make an appointmentIf you wish to see your doctor, you mustmake an appointment with his or heroffice. Most doctors are open forconsultation from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. onweekdays and have telephone hours in themorning. Normally, you will have anappointment not later than five weekdaysafter you have called your doctor.However, if you are feeling very ill, thedoctor will usually fit you into his schedulethe same day.HEALTH AND SICKNESSExamination,treatment or referralThe doctor examines you and decideswhat to do next. Perhaps he prescribessome medicine for you. However, far fromall conditions can be cured by medication.You may have to be referred to aspecialist, such as a dermatologist or agynaecologist.If you have back trouble, your doctor mayrefer you to a chiropractor or aphysiotherapist. You have to pay some ofthe cost of this treatment yourself.Appointments with your general practitioner• Keep the appointed time.• Call the doctor well in advance if you wish to cancel anappointment. Someone else may be able to use it.• If the doctor is seeing an acute patient, your appointment maybe somewhat delayed.• Visit the doctor alone or accompanied by no more than oneperson.Medical emergenciesoutside surgery hoursFinally, you may be referred to a hospitalfor examination or admission.Emergency medical service andacute helpIf you need medical attention outside yourdoctor’s surgery hours – i.e. after 4 p.m.on weekdays and at any time duringweekends and holidays – you will have tocontact the emergency medical service.You can find the telephone number of yourlocal emergency medical service in thetelephone directory.When you contact the emergency medicalservice, you will be asked about your/thepatient´s condition. In case of any injury,how serious is it? Is there fever, and if so,how high is it? From your replies, theservice will decide whether to send you aQuestions asked aboutthe patient’s condition

112HEALTH AND SICKNESSContact the emergencymedical service only whenabsolutely necessaryAcute emergenciesdoctor, or whether you have to come to theservice yourself or go to a hospitalemergency ward.You will also be asked togive your or the patient’s civil registrynumber.You should only contact the emergencymedical service in an emergency – or ifyou are not sure whether the condition iscritical.Emergency 112In emergency and life-threateningsituations, you must dial 112 immediately.For example, if an artery has been cut, ifthe patient is unable to breathe or hassevere chest pain.The alarm centre will ask for your name,address and the telephone number you arecalling from.They will then arrange for anambulance or other relevant help.Interpretation servicesPublic authorities must ensure that theirmessages are understood.The doctor musttherefore make sure that you understandwhat he or she is telling you – and that heor she understands you. If this is not thecase, the doctor must take steps to get aninterpreter to assist you.Mental problemsIn Denmark, it is increasingly recognisedthat soul pain may find an outlet in bodypain. If you have back, stomach orheadaches for no apparent physicalreason – or have problems sleeping – yourdoctor will examine whether yourcondition could be due to psychologicalfactors.The doctor will then ask you questionsabout your general health and welfare.Whether you have many worries.Whetheryou have marital problems. Whether youmiss your native country and your family.Or whether you have experiencedtraumatic events – such as imprisonment,torture or war.The doctor must observe professionalsecrecy, so you can feel fully confidentabout describing your problems.Whateveryou may tell the doctor will not bereported to any other authority or person.Depending on the outcome of theinterview, the doctor may find that yoursymptoms cannot be treated withmedicine alone, and may instead refer youto a psychologist or other relevanttreatment.“Soul pain”Interviewed bythe doctorDoctor bound toobserve professionalsecrecyPsychological helpMany people seek psychological help tosolve their problems or get over, say, adivorce or a serious grief.

113Health-checkprogrammesHealth checks of children andadolescentsAll children are offered at least ninepreventive medical checks between theage of five weeks and 15 years following acarefully planned programme. Seven ofthese health checks are carried out beforethe child starts school.HEALTH AND SICKNESSInterviewed aboutchild and familyAt the first check, the doctor asksquestions about the family’s situation ingeneral, breastfeeding and sleeping habits,the child’s development and well-being.The child will be examined thoroughly, andthe doctor may advise you on how to feedand stimulate the child.At the subsequent checks, the doctor willexamine the child’s motoric skills, itssensory and linguistic development, schoolmaturity and everyday living skills.You must make anappointmentThe health checks enable the doctor todetect any problems affecting the child’swell-being and health that need furtherattention.The parents are responsible for makingthe appointments for the health checksuntil their child starts school. The firsttime the health visitor comes round, shewill give the parents a booklet containing,among other things, a schedule showingwhen the checks are due.VaccinationsAll children are offered vaccination for anumber of diseases that can be lethal.Thevaccinations are free, and are often givenin connection with the health checksdescribed above.The children’s vaccination programmecovers diphtheria, tetanus, whoopingcough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella andmeningitis.Free vaccinations

114HEALTH AND SICKNESSFee charged forvaccinations fortrips abroadWomen who have never had rubella, andhave not been immunised, should bevaccinated before becoming pregnant.Thisis because women who contract rubelladuring pregnancy risk giving birth to adisabled child.In contrast to the above-mentioned freevaccinations, a fee is charged for specialshots required for travelling abroad.Age: Vaccination programme3 months Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough-polio 1,haemophilus influenzae type B*5 months Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough-polio 2,haemophilus influenzae type B*12 months Diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough-polio 3,haemophilus influenzae type B*15 months MMR vaccination 1 (measles, mumps, rubella)2 years Polio-sugar 1**3 years Polio-sugar 2**4 years Polio-sugar 3**5 years Diphtheria-tetanus 412 years MMR vaccination 2 (measles, mumps, rubella)18 years Rubella (women)*For meningitis and epiglottis laryngitis caused by the bacteriahaemophilus influenzae type B**As of 1 July 2001, the administration of oral anti-poliomyelitisvaccine to 2-year olds was discontinued. Instead, children are nowgiven a diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough-polio vaccine when theyare five years old. Older children who have already begun ananti-poliomyelitis vaccination programme will continue with theprogramme until they receive the last doses of the vaccine at their3-year and 4-year check-ups.

115Circumcision of young girls is illegalCircumcising young girls is a serious mutilation of the bodyand may cause infections, sterility, lifelong pain, psychologicalproblems and a wide range of other health problems. Femalecircumcision is prohibited by law and therefore a criminaloffence.Male circumcision is subject to special rules. Contact yourgeneral practitioner for further information.HEALTH AND SICKNESS

116At the hospitalHEALTH AND SICKNESSFree choice of hospitalYou may be admitted to a hospital as aresult of an acute condition or injury, oryour doctor may refer you to a hospitalfor treatment.In Denmark, you have a free choice ofhospital. Some patients may wish to beadmitted to a specific hospital.This couldbe because it is close to where their familylives – or because it has a shorter waitinglist for treatment. You must tell yourdoctor which is your preferred hospital forexamination or admission.Ward rooms in Danish hospitals aredesigned to accommodate between oneand four patients. Men and women are inseparate ward rooms.Doctors and nurses do daily rounds. Thedoctor checks the patient, schedulesexaminations and medical treatment, andanswers questions from the patient.Food and visiting rulesAll hospitals have fixed visiting hours. Butsince patients are expected to have peaceand quiet, you should ask at the wardoffice how many visitors are welcome atNumber of beds inward roomsDoctors’ roundsPeace and quiet – alsoduring visiting hours

117The hospital providesfood, clothing andhygieneSpecial dietaryrequirementsOvernight facilities forparents of hospitalisedchildrena time. You should be extra considerate ifyou come outside visiting hours. If thepatient is able to get out of bed and walkabout, patient and visitors should leavethe ward room and use the communalroom during the visit.The hospital takes care of all the needs ofthe patient, including food, laundry andpersonal hygiene, and provides anypractical help necessary. Except fromfruit, you are not allowed to bring anyfood for the patient because of the riskthat it may contain items not included inthe patient’s prescribed diet.If as a patient you have any special foodrequirements – e.g. if you suffer fromallergies, are a vegetarian or not allowedto eat pork – you should inform thehospital staff. You will then be servedspecial food.The food served at the hospital is only forthe patients. Some hospitals have canteenfacilities where visitors may buy food.Other hospitals sell food tickets for thehospital food.Children in hospitalMost hospitals have overnight facilities forparents of hospitalised children. Parentsof sick children are allowed to stay in thehospital outside visiting hours. Somehospitals will charge the parents for thefood they eat.If you have a seriously ill child underfourteen, your employer and municipalauthority may agree to reimburse you forlost earnings if you are working fewerhours or take leave while your child is inhospital.Mental hospitalIf you have mental problems which are soserious that you are unable to cope in yourown home, your doctor may suggest thatyou be admitted to a mental hospital.Here you will be offered interview therapyand, if necessary, medical treatment. Youwill be allowed to participate in planningthe treatment process. You will also bemeeting people who are in the samesituation as you. Many mental hospitalsoffer private wards for most of thepatients.Persons who present a danger tothemselves or to others, and who refuse tobe admitted to hospital can be committedto a closed mental hospital against theirwill. The treatment will be similar to thatof an open hospital. However, patients arenot allowed to leave the hospital withoutsupervision.Reimbursement forlost earningsInterviews and drugtreatmentCommitment to amental hospitalHEALTH AND SICKNESS

118Dental careHEALTH AND SICKNESSFree dental carefor children aged0 to 18 yearsDental care for childrenand adolescentsIn Denmark, all children between zero andeighteen years of age are offered freedental care. They see a dentist once ortwice a year. The children are taught howto take care of their teeth, and havetreatment and dental adjustments, asneeded.As a result of this effective preventionstrategy, the standard of Danish dentalhealth is among the world’s highest. Mostchildren have few or no cavities. Childrenrarely lose their teeth or have a toothpulled out.All children are usually invited to thedentist before they reach the age of two.Although the child may not yet havegrown any teeth, it is a good idea to go. Itgives the child an opportunity to meet thedentist and visit the clinic – and theparents can get advice on how best to carefor their child’s teeth. Although the milkteeth fall out during early childhood, theymust be well looked after as long as theyare retained. Otherwise, there is a risk ofdamage to the new, permanent teeth.Most municipalities provide school dentalclinics. Some small municipalities havearranged for a private dentist to carry outthis service. However, also this form ofchildren’s dental care is provided free ofcharge.Take good care ofmilk teethWhen the children start school, they areautomatically invited to a dental check-upvia the school.The dental staff also cometo the school and teach the children howto look after their teeth.School dental serviceWhile the children are in the lower grades,it is a good idea if the parents accompanythem to the dentist. When they get older,they can go by themselves. If majortreatment is required, the parents willalways be consulted.

119Find a private dentistDental care for adultsAdults over 18 years of age must find aprivate dentist, for example, through thelocal telephone directory. You must payfor dental examinations and treatment,but the National Health Service providesreimbursement for many of the services.The amount of reimbursement isautomatically deducted on the dentist’sbill.A private health insurance scheme maycover major treatment or surgery.Routine dental check-upsA dental check-up is recommended about every six months – and notjust when there is something wrong with your teeth, or you have atoothache.This helps reveal problems such as cavities at an earlystage. Furthermore, the dental bill becomes more affordable and thetreatment less comprehensive.The municipal authorities must offerdental care to people who are unable toget to the dentist themselves. Thistypically applies to elderly or seriouslyhandicapped people. The patient is onlyrequired to cover a small part of the costof this service.Emergency dental treatmentIf you get a sudden and severe toothacheoutside the dentist’s office hours, you cannormally get help at all hours from anemergency dental clinic near your home.You can find the telephone number in yourlocal telephone directory.Dental care forpeople unable tovisit a dentistHEALTH AND SICKNESSMake an appointmentSome dentaltreatments requireseveral visitsJust as with your general practitioner, youmust make an appointment with thedentist in advance – and arrive at theagreed time. If you go to the dentistregularly, you will automatically beadvised when the next visit is due.Some treatments require more than onevisit to the dentist. The treatment maycontinue over a long time, for example, iftooth adjustment is needed. It isimportant not to discontinue thetreatment prematurely, as this involves arisk that the problems may get worse thanthey were originally.

120 MedicinesHEALTH AND SICKNESSOnly approved drugsPrescription andover-the-counter drugsMedicinal products may only be placed onthe Danish market after a marketingauthorisation has been issued by theEuropean Commission or the DanishMedicines Agency (Lægemiddelstyrelsen).In Denmark, a distinction is madebetween prescription medicine and overthe-countermedicine.You can only obtainprescription medicine from a pharmacy onpresentation of a prescription from adoctor. Over-the-counter medicine can bebought without a prescription. Any type ofnon- prescription medicine is available atthe pharmacy. You may also buy someover-the-counter remedies, for example,for mild pain, sore throat, coughs andsmoking prevention, from such outlets asauthorised druggists and supermarkets.they are ill and need medicine.The amountof reimbursement is determined by yourexpenses over a one-year period formedicines eligible for reimbursement.Contact your doctor or your localpharmacy for more information about therules on medicine reimbursement.Drugs obtainable only from pharmaciesare sold at the same price all overDenmark.Drug reimbursementsystemThe National Health Service providesreimbursement for some of the cost ofcertain medicines. This is to ensure thatpeople do not suffer financially because

12 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

123Religious holidays, nationalholidays and church festivalsDuring the year, there are a number ofreligious and national holidays when thechildren are off school, most adults are offwork, and shops close all or part of theday. Services are held in the NationalDanish Church on all religious holidays.The most important religious holidaysare associated with the three great churchfestivals: Christmas, celebrating the birthof Jesus Christ, Easter, commemoratinghis crucifixion, death and resurrection, andPentecost or Whitsun, to remember thereceiving of the Holy Spirit.Many traditions surround the religiousfestivals – Christmas in particular – andto most people the festivals are welcomeoccasions for spending time with theirfamily, relatives and friends.Other religious holidays include:• New Years Day, 1 January.• Store Bededag (All Prayers’ Day – aDanish religious holiday, falling on thefourth Friday after Easter). It wasintroduced many years ago when anumber of prayer days in the churchcalendar were lumped together intoone.• Ascension Day, when Christians commemoratethe ascension of Jesus intoheaven.The most important national holidays are:• 1 May, the international labour day.• 5 June, Constitution Day, in memoryof the signing of the first Danish Constitutionin 1849.CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSChristmasOn Christmas Eve, 24 December, families gather, eat Christmas dinner andgive each other presents. Most people dance around their Christmas tree,a decorated fir tree, and sing Christmas carols. Many people attendChristmas service in church.Christmas starts in November in the streets and in the shops, which aredecorated with spruce, Christmas hearts, angels and pixies. In December,many workplaces have a Christmas lunch, and the children make Christmaspresents and decorations at kindergarten, after-school recreation centreand school. Many children have an Advent calendar, and TV channelstransmit Advent calendar programmes every day from 1 to 24 December.On 25 and 26 December, the first and second day of Christmas, manyfamilies have a Christmas lunch.

124CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSParties and social get-togethersIn Denmark, people celebrate all kinds ofoccasions with a party – weddings,baptisms, confirmations, birthdays andreligious festivals, when someone movesinto a new home, has completed his or hereducation, is going abroad – or justbecause they feel like it.Friends, relatives and colleagues areinvited for food and drinks, and sometimesthere will be dancing until late in theevening.If you are invited to a party or aformal dinner, it is a nice idea to bring asmall present for the host or hostess, forexample, a bottle of wine, flowers,chocolate, etc. If you are invited to abirthday party, you are expected to bring apresent.Easter and WhitsunEaster falls in March or April and Whitsun in May or June everyyear. In addition to the religious traditions associated with theChristian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Danes havean old tradition of giving each other Easter eggs, usually made ofchocolate. Eggs are an old fertility symbol. On Whitsunday morning,there is a tradition of getting up early to see the sun dance and ofhaving a special lunch, for instance, a picnic in the woods.Children’s birthday partiesMany parents of pre-school and schoolchildren invite their child’s friends andclassmates to a birthday party. Someinvite only girls or only boys. The foodserved at a traditional Danish children’sbirthday party usually includes a multilayeredbirthday cake, buns and hotchocolate or soft drinks, and the childrenwill sing the birthday song to the birthdaygirl or boy, and they will all play gamestogether. The children who are invited tothe party are expected to bring a present.If you are not sure what present your childshould bring, and how expensive it shouldbe, you may ask the other parents.Irony and humourIn Denmark, humour is an importantvehicle for communication. Irony is alsowidely used. This is why the tone in manyworkplaces may sometimes seem quitedirect. People may say things to eachother that sound rude and may startlepeople who are unaccustomed to this formof communication. However, it is often justa way of showing that you like and respecteach other, and a little teasing should beaccepted among friends.Perception of timeDanes live very much “by the clock”.Theyexpect you to arrive at the agreed time –neither before nor after.

125This applies to work and privateappointments alike, and to appointmentswith doctors, dentists and publicauthorities.Turning up late – or not at all– without a good reason is guaranteed tomake you unpopular.Alcohol and drivingIt is illegal – and socially unacceptable –to drive a car if you have had too muchalcohol. It is prohibited to drive a car orride a motorcycle with a blood alcoholconcentration of 0.5 mg/ml or more.CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSThe Danish national flagAccording to legend, the Danish national flag (the “Dannebrog”)fell from heaven during a battle in Estonia on 15 June 1219.Public authorities and private people set the flag on special flagflyingdays, including religious holidays, some royal family birthdaysand all national holidays, such as Constitution Day (5 June).Danes also use the national flag on many unofficial occasions.For example, many people put a flag on the table on birthdaysand anniversaries. Many Christmas trees are decorated with smallpaper flags, and flags are also used in Christmas decorations instreets and shops.The extensive use of the flag is an old tradition and not anindication that the Danes are especially nationalistic.

126CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONSBody and sexWhether you like it or not, nudity andsexuality are often encountered in publicplaces. Newspapers and magazines havearticles about sex and relationships, andmany advertisements expose the humanbody.This is the result of a generaldevelopment in society which has led to amore liberal attitude to sexuality. Duringthe past few decades, new types ofrelationships have emerged, people havegained more freedom over their ownbodies and conditions for homosexualshave improved. However, it is a freedomwith responsibility. This means that thereare limits to what you are allowed to do. Itis a criminal offence to have sex with aperson under the age of 15, and no onecan be forced to do something againsttheir will.The basic principle is respect for otherpeople’s personal and sexual boundaries.Thus, when people are sunbathing in apark or at the beach and swim with fewor no clothes on, it is not an invitation tosex. Nor should body signals expressedthrough clothing be interpreted as a goaheadsignal for sexual advances.Sexual abuse must be reported to thepolice, so that the perpetrator(s) can bebrought to justice.The age at which young people start anactive sex life varies considerably. But itis quite common for adolescents to havea girlfriend or boyfriend, and most ofthese relationships are based on mutualsympathy and respect.

128Practical informationPRACTICAL INFORMATIONBanksBanks normally open from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdaysand Fridays, and most open on Thursdaysfrom 10 a.m. to 5.30 or 6 p.m. Manybanks have cash dispensers for use withDankort* and credit cards.EmergencyIn an emergency or life-threateningsituation such as an accident, fire, robberyand illness, phone 112.LibrariesThere are public libraries in allmunicipalities. Books, CDs and video filmsmay be borrowed free of charge andaccess is also available to the internet.Most main libraries open from 10 a.m. to7 p.m. on weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to1 or 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Local branchesoften have shorter opening hours. Contactyour municipal authority for furtherinformation.MuseumsThere are about 300 different museumsin Denmark. Half are state museums orreceive state funding. Most museumscharge an entrance fee, but many admitchildren free. Some state museums, suchas the National Museum of Denmark,(Nationalmuseet) and the DanishNational Gallery (Statens Museum forKunst) have free entrance on Wednesdays.PharmaciesPrescription and non-prescriptionmedicine is generally obtainable frompharmacies on Mondays to Fridaysbetween 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and onSaturdays until 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.There arealso drug stores that sell non-prescriptionmedicine during normal opening hours andcan accept prescriptions and ordermedicine from pharmacies. Certain typesof non-prescription medicine, such aspainkillers and cough medicine, areavailable from a number of supermarketsand petrol stations.A 24-hour pharmacy service isprovided on a rota basis. Details of whichpharmacies are open outside normalhours can be obtained by calling thenearest pharmacy or by visitingwww.sundhed.dk.A surcharge is payable on medicinepurchased outside normal opening hours.

129Postal servicesStamps can be bought at post offices aswell as many kiosks. The post officeshandle letters and parcels and nationaland international payments. Changes ofaddress can be notified to local postoffices, from which change of addressfolders are also available. Tickets fortheatre performances, concerts, andsporting events can also be booked at postoffices.Local post offices have differentopening hours, but most open Mondays,Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays to 5.30p.m, and Saturdays to 1 p.m.The openinghours of all post offices can be found atwww.postdanmark.dk.Domestic and international lettersshould be posted in the red letter boxesfound everywhere.The collection times areshown on the front of the letter box.Public officesMost public offices have specific telephoneand opening hours. Many offices openslightly longer on Thursdays and closeearly on Fridays. Most public authorities,such as municipal and county councils andgovernment departments, have their ownwebsite with self-service facilities. Contactyour municipal authority for moreinformation or visit www.danmark.dk.Public transportDenmark has an extensive network ofnational and local public transport. It ispossible to buy monthly and otherdiscount cards for bus and train travel.Contact train stations, bus stations ormunicipal authorities for furtherinformation, or visit www.rejseplanen.dk.ShopsShops are permitted to open all hoursfrom 6 a.m. on Monday to 5 p.m. onSaturday. They may also open on fourSundays a year. Small shops selling mainlyfood, beverages and other groceries mayopen on all Sundays.Small shops, such as clothes shops,normally open Monday to Thursday from10 a.m. to 6 p.m., keep open slightlylonger on Fridays and close early onSaturdays. Many large supermarkets anddepartment stores open from 8 a.m. or 9a.m. to 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.PRACTICAL INFORMATION

130PRACTICAL INFORMATIONTelephonesThere are pay phones in many publicplaces. It is possible to phone using eithercoins or special paycards that can bebought from kiosks or supermarkets.All local areas are covered bytelephone directories distributed by mailto all households in the district. As well astelephone numbers, the directories containuseful information about the municipality,emergency medical services, the police,associations, museums, local maps, andyellow pages.Telephone numbers are alsoobtainable from Directory Enquiries on118 and www.tele.dk.

Useful references131Internet information serviceswww.danmark.dkDenmark’s official website. Providesinformation about Danish society inDanish.www.finfo.dkInformation about Danish society inAlbanian, Arabic, Kurmanji, Persian,Somali, Turkish, Vietnamese, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, French, English andDanish.www.denmark.dkInformation about Danish society inEnglish, German, French and Spanish.Telephone information servicePhone 1881, the State InformationService.Service in Danish and English.LibraryContact your local library for furtherinformation.Your municipalityFor municipal addresses, internetaddresses, e-mail addresses, telephonenumbers, etc., visit www.kl.dk. Thisinformation is also obtainable from theNational Association of Municipalities(Kommunernes Landsforening) on telephone33 70 33 70.DR – international daily newsDR Nyheder InternationalNews in English,Turkish, Arabic, Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, Urdu and Somali.Website:www.dr.dk/nyheder/fremmedsprogTelephone: 70 26 80 80 orDR Text TV: pages 171, 172, 173 and174.Factsheet DenmarkA series of factsheets containing generalinformation on Denmark’s history,politics, economy, culture, etc. in English,German, French and Spanish. Contact:UdenrigsministerietAsiatisk Plads 2, 1448 København KTelephone: 33 92 00 00Website: www.um.dkE-mail: um@um.dkEasy DanishPå Let DanskNewspaper for Danes with readingdifficulties and for immigrants andrefugees not yet fully conversant with theDanish language. Published ten times ayear and covers news, culture and sport.Obtainable from language training centresor from:Kroghs ForlagChr. Hansens Vej 3, DK-7100 VejleTelephone: 75 82 39 00Website: www.kroghsforlag.dkE-mail: kf@kroghsforlag.dkPRACTICAL INFORMATION

132Organisations and institutions ofspecial interest to new citizensPRACTICAL INFORMATIONMinistry of Refugee, Immigrationand Integration AffairsMinisteriet for Flygtninge,Indvandrere og IntegrationHolbergsgade 61057 København KTelephone: 33 92 33 80Website: www.integrationsministeriet.dkE-mail: inm@inm.dkThe Ministry deals with overall immigrationand integration policy matters andcitizenship issues. The Ministry alsoconsiders appeals from decisions made bythe Danish Immigration Service on familyreunification, visa and residence permitapplications based on employment orother special reasons.Danish Refugee CouncilDansk FlygtningehjælpBorgergade 10, 3. salPostboks 531002 København KTelephone: 33 73 50 00Website: www.flygtning.dkE-mail: drc@drc.dkHumanitarian organisation that supportsrefugees and offers information andadvice on integration and repatriation.Danish Association forInternational Co-operationMellemfolkeligt Samvirke (MS)Borgergade 141300 København KTelephone: 77 31 00 00Website: www.ms.dkE-mail: ms@ms.dkThe Association works to promoteunderstanding, integration, education,voluntary programmes, etc.The Council for Ethnic MinoritiesRådet for Etniske MinoriteterMinisteriet for Flygtninge, Indvandrereog IntegrationHolbergsgade 61057 København KTelephone: 33 92 33 80Website: www.etniskeminoriteter.dkE-mail: rem@inm.dkThe Council for Ethnic Minorities advisesthe Ministry of Refugee, Immigration andIntegration Affairs on issues ofimportance to immigrants and refugees.The Council is elected from representativesof the municipal integrationcouncils.

State counties of Denmark133The Danish Immigration ServiceUdlændingestyrelsenRyesgade 532100 København ØTelephone: 35 36 66 00Website: www.udlst.dkE-mail: udlst@udlst.dkThe Danish Immigration Service dealswith cases concerning the right of foreignnationals to enter and stay in Denmark,including asylum, family reunification,residence and work permits, and visas.TheDanish Immigration Service considersappeals concerning decisions in casesrelating to residence and work permitsunder the special EU/EEA rules.The state counties handle cases concerningseparation, divorce, maintenance,child support, parental responsibility/custody,access, citizenship, namesand free legal aid. They also deal withcases concerning residence and workpermits relating to the special EU/EEArules.Website: www.statsamt.dkThe Prefecture of CopenhagenKøbenhavns OverpræsidiumHammerensgade 1, 1267 København KTelephone: 33 12 23 80E-mail: overpraesidiet@statsamt.dkThe State County of CopenhagenStatsamtet KøbenhavnHejrevej 43, 2400 København NVTelephone: 38 17 06 00E-mail: koebenhavn@statsamt.dkPRACTICAL INFORMATIONThe State County of FrederiksborgStatsamtet FrederiksborgRoskildevej 10 A, 3400 HillerødTelephone: 48 22 73 00E-mail: frederiksborg@statsamt.dkThe State County of RoskildeStatsamtet RoskildeAlgade 12, 4000 RoskildeTelephone: 46 30 60 00E-mail: roskilde@statsamt.dk

134PRACTICAL INFORMATIONThe State County of West ZealandStatsamtet VestsjællandSlagelsevej 7, 4180 SorøTelephone: 57 87 07 00E-mail: vestsjaellands@statsamt.dkThe State County of StorstroemStatsamtet StorstrømBrovejen 4, 4800 Nykøbing FTelephone: 54 84 18 00E-mail: storstroems@statsamt.dkThe State County of BornholmStatsamtet BornholmStoregade 36, 3700 RønneTelephone: 56 93 02 60E-mail: bornholm@statsamt.dkThe State County of FunenStatsamtet FynSlottet, Indgang A, 1. salNørregade 36 – 38, 5000 Odense CTelephone: 66 11 90 00E-mail: ftn@statsamt.dkThe State County ofSouth JutlandStatsamtet SønderjyllandH.P. Hanssens Gade 42, 6200 AabenraaTelephone: 74 31 31 31E-mail: soenderjylland@statsamt.dkThe State County of RibeStatsamtet RibeBøge Allé 2, 6760 RibeTelephone: 76 88 66 66E-mail: ribe@statsamt.dkThe State County of VejleStatsamtet VejleVedelsgade 17 B, 7100 VejleTelephone: 75 82 33 00E-mail: vejle@statsamt.dkThe State County of RingkjøbingStatsamtet RingkjøbingHolstebrovej 31Postboks 151, 6950 RingkøbingTelephone: 97 32 08 55E-mail: ringkjoebing@statsamt.dkThe State County of AarhusStatsamtet ÅrhusMarselis Boulevard 1, 8000 Århus CTelephone: 89 40 11 11E-mail: aarhus@statsamt.dkThe State County of ViborgStatsamtet ViborgSt. Sct. Hansgade 2-4, 8800 ViborgTelephone: 87 26 20 00E-mail: viborg@statsamt.dkThe State County of North JutlandStatsamtet NordjyllandAalborghus SlotSlotspladsen 1, 9000 AalborgTelephone: 96 31 92 00E-mail: nordjylland@statsamt.dk

Employment services in Denmark135The Employment Service (AF) is the bodyto contact if you are seeking employment.There are 14 regional AF offices, eachwith their own website containing localinformation for job seekers andemployers.Website: www.af.dkEmployment ServiceNorth Jutland Regional OfficeAF – Nordjylland RegionskontorVestre Havnepromenade 159100 AalborgTelephone: 99 33 90 00Website: www.nordjylland.af.dkE-mail: nordjylland@af.dkPRACTICAL INFORMATIONEmployment ServiceBornholm Regional OfficeAF – Bornholm RegionskontorTornegade 5Postboks 1193700 RønneTelephone: 56 95 30 33Website: www.bornholm.af.dkEmployment ServiceFrederiksborg Regional OfficeAF – FrederiksborgRegionskontorDatavej 363460 BirkerødTelephone: 48 22 85 00Website: www.frederiksborg.af.dkE-mail: frederiksborg@af.dkEmployment ServiceFunen Regional OfficeAF – Fyn RegionskontorDannebrogsgade 35000 Odense CTelephone: 66 11 77 70Website: www.fyn.af.dkEmployment ServiceRibe Regional OfficeAF – Ribe RegionskontorTeglværksgade 46701 EsbjergTelephone: 79 12 33 44Website: www.ribe.af.dkEmployment ServiceRingkøbing Regional OfficeAF – Ringkøbing RegionskontorNørregade 447400 HerningTelephone: 96 27 34 00Website: www.ringkoebing.af.dkEmployment ServiceRoskilde Regional OfficeAF – Roskilde RegionskontorJernbanegade 124000 RoskildeTelephone: 46 18 11 00Website: www.roskilde.af.dk

136PRACTICAL INFORMATIONEmployment ServiceGreater Copenhagen RegionalOfficeAF – StorkøbenhavnRegionskontorVesterbrogade 1231620 København VTelephone: 33 55 10 20Website: www.koebenhavn.af.dkEmployment ServiceStorstrøm Regional OfficeAF – Storstrøm RegionskontorVestensborg Allé 8DK-4800 Nykøbing FalsterTelephone: 54 88 05 05Website: www storstroem.af.dkE-mail: af-storstrom@af-dk.dkEmployment ServiceSouth Jutland Regional OfficeAF – SønderjyllandRegionskontor“Bjergparken”Bjerggade 4 K6200 AabenraaTelephone: 74 63 21 20Website: www.soenderjylland.af.dkE-mail: soenderjylland@af.dkEmployment ServiceWest Zealand Regional OfficeAF – Vestsjælland RegionskontorSmedelundsgade 164300 HolbækTelephone: 59 48 12 00Website: www.vestsjaelland.af.dkE-mail: af-region.vestsjaelland@af-dk.dkEmployment ServiceViborg Regional OfficeAF – Viborg RegionskontorFælledvej 38800 ViborgTelephone: 96 15 22 00Website: www.viborg.af.dkE-mail: af-region.viborg@af-dk.dkEmployment ServiceAarhus Regional OfficeAF – Århus RegionskontorSøren Frichs Vej 38 K, st.8230 ÅbyhøjTelephone: 89 34 66 00Website: www.aarhus.af.dkE-mail: region.aarhus@af.dkEmployment ServiceVejle Regional OfficeAF – Vejle RegionskontorFiskergade 17100 VejleTelephone: 70 10 26 26Website: www.vejle.af.dkE-mail: afvejle@post4.tele.dk

Political parties137List of parties eligible to stand at generalelections as of 1 October 2002.The Christian People’s PartyKristeligt FolkepartiAllégade 24 A, 1. sal, 2000 FrederiksbergTelephone: 33 27 78 10Website: www.krf.dkE-mail: krf@ft.dkThe Conservative People’s PartyDet Konservative FolkepartiNyhavn 4, Postboks 15151020 København KTelephone: 33 13 41 40Website: www.konservative.dkE-mail: info@konservative.dkThe Danish People’s PartyDansk FolkepartiChristiansborg, 1240 København KTelephone: 33 37 51 99Website: www.danskfolkeparti.dkE-mail: df@ft.dkThe Danish Social DemocraticPartySocialdemokraterneThorvaldsensvej 2, 1780 København VTelephone: 35 39 15 22Website: www.socialdemokratiet.dkE-mail: socialdemokratiet@net.dialog.dkThe Danish Social-Liberal PartyDet Radikale VenstreChristiansborg, 1240 København KTelephone: 33 37 47 47Website: www.radikale.dkE-mail: radikale@radikale.dkThe Danish Socialist People’sPartySocialistisk FolkepartiChristiansborg, 1240 København KTelephone: 33 12 70 11Website: www.sf.dkE-mail: sf@sf.dkDenmark’s Liberal PartyVenstre, Danmarks Liberale PartiSøllerødvej 30, 2840 HolteTelephone: 45 80 22 33Website: www.venstre.dkE-mail: venstre@venstre.dkThe Minority PartyMinoritetspartietFrederiksgade 22II, 8000 Århus CTelephone: 40 54 82 93Website: www.minoritetspartiet.dkE-mail: info@minoritetspartiet.dkThe Red and Green AllianceEnhedslisten – De Rød-GrønneStudiestræde 24I, 1455 København KTelephone: 33 93 33 24Website: www.enhedslisten.dkE-mail: landskontoret@enhedslisten.dkPRACTICAL INFORMATION

138GlossaryGLOSSARYAbsolute monarchy (Enevælde)A type of political system in whichabsolute power lies with the king orprince. Denmark was ruled under differentforms of absolute monarchy from 1661 to1848.Activation programme(Aktivering)Citizens receiving introduction benefit*,cash benefit* or unemployment benefit*are entitled and obliged to accept an offerof a job activation programme. Activationprogrammes for recipients of introductionbenefit and cash benefit are organised andoffered by the municipal authorities.Programmes for persons receivingunemployment benefit are provided by theemployment services (AF).Job activation can include guidance oneducation and work opportunities, jobtraining with public or private employersor special training activitiesAdult education associations(Oplysningsforbund)Adult education associations areorganisations that coordinate andadminister adult education – particularlyleisure-time education. See also Eveningclasses*.Bible, the (Bibelen)The Bible is the holy book of Christianity.It is divided into two parts: The OldTestament and The New Testament. TheOld Testament was originally written inHebrew and mainly deals with therelationship between God and the Jewishpeople.The New Testament was originallywritten in Greek and tells the story ofJesus Christ and his disciples and the firstChristian church. For Christians, JesusChrist is the most important person in theBible.The most recent Danish translationof the Bible was published in 1992 and isreferred to as Queen Margrethe II’sDanish Bible.Building management Office(Ejendommens administration)Management of a residential property bystaff employed by the owner.Tasks includedealing with rent agreements, collectingrent, hiring caretakers and handlingcontact with tenants on administrativematters.Cash benefit (Kontanthjælp)Citizens having no income or savings andtherefore unable to support themselves ortheir families can obtain cash benefit.Thisis a payment granted by the municipalauthority to live on. To qualify for cashbenefit, applicants must have explored allmeans of finding work or accept a jobactivation offer from the municipalauthority. New citizens do not qualify forcash benefit in their first three years inDenmark, during which period they arecovered by the Danish Act onIntegration*.

139Child custody(Forældremyndighed)Child custody refers to the duty of parentsto look after their children and to takedecisions that are in the children’s bestinterest. Parents who are marriedautomatically share custody. If theparents are not married, custodyautomatically lies with the mother of thechild, unless otherwise agreed between theparents. If the parents separate or divorce,a decision must be made as to who will beawarded custody. The parents may agreeto continue to share custody.County councils (Amtsråd)At 1 January 2003, Denmark was dividedinto 13 county authorities responsible forimportant local matters, such as hospitals,health care, upper secondary education,nature conservation, environmentalprotection and highway maintenance.Thecounties are governed by popularly electedcounty councils consisting of between nineand 31 members.The councils are electedfor a four-year term.religious and cultural life of Danishsociety. The intention is also to enablenewly arrived citizens to supportthemselves within a short time and to givethem an understanding of thefundamental norms and values of Danishsociety. The Act requires municipalauthorities to provide accommodation forrefugees and to offer all newly arrivedrefugees and immigrants an introductionprogramme.All persons covered by the Act onIntegration are offered a course on Danishsociety and Danish language lessons.Persons without other means of supportare also offered job and educationorientedactivation programmes alongwith payment of introduction benefit*.Danish Aliens Act(Udlændingeloven)The Danish Aliens Act contains provisionsgoverning the right of foreign nationals toenter and reside in Denmark, includingvisa, work and residence permitrequirements and rules for deportation.GLOSSARYDanish Act on Integration(Integrationslov)In 1999, the Danish Parliament(Folketinget) adopted “The Act onIntegration of Foreign Nationals inDenmark”, also called the IntegrationAct.The primary purpose of the Act is tohelp ensure equal opportunities for newlyarrived refugees and immigrants in thepolitical, economic, working, social,Danish Immigration Service(Udlændingestyrelsen)The Danish Immigration Service is anagency under the Ministry of Refugee,Immigration and Integration Affairs(Ministry of Integration). However, theImmigration Service makes decisionsindependently of the Ministry. It dealswith a wide range of issues relating to theentry and residence of foreign nationals in

140GLOSSARYDenmark – for example, asylum, familyreunification, and visa and work permitapplications. The Immigration Servicemakes decisions on specific applicationsand informs applicants about the termsand conditions for entry and residence.Danish National Church, the(Folkekirken)Under the Danish Constitution(Grundloven), the Evangelical-LutheranChurch is the Danish national church (DenDanske Folkekirke). As indicated by itsname (“Folkekirke” literally means “thePeople’s Church”), most of the Danishpopulation belong to this church, which ismore closely connected to the state thanother religious denominations. Under theConstitution, the national church is to besupported by the state, and the DanishParliament* lays down statutoryguidelines on how it is to be run, but thestate tends not to interfere with churchlife. Services are open to the public, andmembers of the church are entitled to achurch christening, wedding and burial.For centuries, the church has beenresponsible for registering all births inDenmark.This does not apply to SouthernJutland, however, where this task isperformed by a civil registrar. Funeralservices are also part of the job of thechurch clergy, who grant permission forthe deceased to be buried or cremated.Danish Parliament (Folketinget)Folketinget is the Danish nationalparliament. It consists of 179 members,including two representing Greenland andtwo representing the Faroe Islands.Danish MPs are elected for amaximum term of four years. The PrimeMinister has the right to call an electionbefore the end of the four-year period.Parliamentary elections take place byproportional representation, whereby thepolitical parties receive parliamentaryseats in proportion to the number of votesthey win at the election.Danish realm, the(Rigsfællesskab)The economic, legal and linguisticcommunity that ties Denmark, the FaroeIslands and Greenland together under theDanish Constitution. The Faroe Islandsand Greenland enjoy extended home rulewithin the Danish realm.Danish Working EnvironmentAuthority (Arbejdstilsynet)The Danish Working EnvironmentAuthority is a public body tasked withpromoting health and safety in theworkplace and a stimulating workingenvironment. It does so by supervisingenterprises, formulating regulations, andpublishing material about the workingenvironment. The Authority has offices inall the counties, the City of Copenhagenand the Municipality of Frederiksberg.

141DankortThe Dankort is a special Danish paymentcard issued by the Danish banks andbased on a nationwide electronic moneytransfer system.District court (Byret)The district court is the court of firsthearing in the Danish judicial system. Itdeals with civil actions and most criminalcases.District Police Complaints Board(Politiklagenævn)There are District Police ComplaintsBoards covering Copenhagen, Zealand,Funen, Aalborg, Viborg and Sønderborg.They assist the public prosecutors* indealing with complaints against the policeand reported offences committed by thepolice while on duty. A District PoliceComplaints Board consists of an attorney,who is the chairman of the board, and twolay judges*.EUUntil 1993, the European Union wasreferred to as the European EconomicCommunity (EEC). The Community hasgradually been enlarged since the first sixmember states adopted the Treaty ofRome in 1957. Denmark joined the EECafter a referendum* in 1972. Today, theEU has 15 European member states, theother members being Austria, Belgium,Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UnitedKingdom.European Parliament(Europa-Parlamentet)The European Parliament has 626parliamentary members, who are electedby the citizens of the 15 EU memberstates. MEPs are elected for a five-yearterm. The number of MEPs depends onthe size of the member states. Denmarkhas 16.Evangelical Lutheran(Evangelisk-luthersk)The Danish national church is EvangelicalLutheran. It was one of the Christianchurches that separated from the RomanCatholic Church during the Reformationin the 16th century. The teachings of thischurch are based on the Bible, threeconfessional writings of the oldestChristian churches, the AugsburgConfession dating from the time of theReformation, and “Luther’s SmallCatechism”, a manual of instruction in theChristian faith written by the Germanmonk Martin Luther.GLOSSARY

142GLOSSARYEvening classes (Aftenskole)Voluntary tuition provided as a leisuretimeactivity. Evening classes offer a widerange of subjects for study, includinglanguages, history, computer training,philosophy and creative subjects. Thetuition provides no formal qualifications,and there are no exams. The classes areusually organised by an adult educationassociation*.Folk high school (Folkehøjskole)The folk high school is a special type ofresidential school for young people andadults that originated in Denmark in themid-19th century. The idea of folk highschools is to provide an understanding ofculture and society in a wider context.They offer courses on many differentsubjects, such as music, art, sport,philosophy and social studies. The tuitionprovides no formal qualifications, andthere are no exams.Health and safety representative(Sikkerhedsrepræsentant)A health and safety representative is aperson elected by his or her co-employeesto represent them on matters of healthand safety in the workplace. Health andsafety representatives are elected for atwo-year term in the same way as staffrepresentatives*, and must complete aspecial training programme.High court (Landsret)Denmark has two high courts: the EasternHigh Court (Østre Landsret) inCopenhagen and the Western High Court(Vestre Landsret) in Viborg. They dealwith cases relating to decisions made bypublic authorities and with criminal casesconcerning serious offences and hearappeals from district court decisions.House owners’ society(Grundejerforening)An association of private house owners ina housing area which attends to mattersof common interest – such as maintenanceof pavements and shared facilities.Introduction benefit(Introduktionsydelse)Introduction benefit is an allowancegranted by municipal authorities tocitizens covered by the Danish Act onIntegration* who are unable to supportthemselves and are not supported byothers.Introductory schooling(Indskoling)The period from nursery class (børnehaveklasse)up to and including 2nd gradeis also called the introductory schoolingperiod. During this period, the school andthe teachers make a special effort toaccustom the pupils to the school

143environment.The aim is to strengthen theintellectual, musical, motoric and socialdevelopment of the individual pupil.Lay judge (Lægdommer)Lay judges are persons who sit in oncriminal cases, either as jury members orlay assessors, without being legal judges.Licence fee (Licens)The licence fee is a charge paid by theowners of radios and television sets for theright to receive radio and TV programmes.The fee is used to finance TV/radioprogrammes broadcast by companies withpublic service* obligations, i.e. RadioDenmark (DR Radio and DR Television )and Danish TV2.The licence revenues areshared between DR and TV2 on apercentage basis fixed by the Ministry ofCulture (Kulturministeriet).Local council(Kommunalbestyrelse)At 1 January 2003, Denmark was dividedinto 271 municipalities (kommuner). Amunicipal authority is a public body thatundertakes various tasks in and on behalfof the local community. Under theprinciple of autonomous local government,municipal authorities have a widescope for independent action. Themunicipal authorities also carry out tasks– particularly in the social domain –within a more detailed statutoryframework.The municipalities are governed by alocal council elected for a four-year termby the local residents.Local newspapers (Distriktsblade)Local newspapers are weekly paperssponsored by advertising revenues anddistributed free of charge.Mortgage credit institute(Realkreditinstitut)A mortgage credit loan is one secured onreal estate. With such loans, you pledgeyour property as security. Mortgage creditinstitutes specialise in granting this typeof loan.They therefore function as a kindof specialist bank.GLOSSARY

144GLOSSARYNational Board of IndustrialInjuries (Arbejdsskadestyrelsen)The National Board of Industrial Injuriesis a government institution under theMinistry of Social Affairs. Its task is toadminister the legislation on industrialinjuries, which includes provisions forpeople injured at work to claim damages.Non-party list (Borgerliste)This is a list of non-party candidatesrunning for a local election. Such lists areformed to further specific local interestsnot represented by the political parties.Non-profit housing society(Alment Boligselskab)An organisation operating on a non-profitbasis that addresses a number of socialhousing needs. These societies havespecific aims, such as building, letting,managing, maintaining and renovatingpublic-sector housing. Social housingneeds are met to some extent through theright of municipal authorities to allocateaccommodation in the non-profit housingsector to socially challenged groups.Anyone aged 15 or more can be puton a housing waiting list against a smallannual fee, and will be allocatedaccommodation on reaching the top of thelist.Non-prescription medicine(Håndkøb)Some kinds of medicine can be boughtover the counter, i.e. without a doctor’sprescription.Popular education(Folkeoplysning)Popular education provides nonvocationaltraining and knowledge ongeneral subjects to adults and youngpeople. Adult education associations, folkhigh schools, libraries and cultural, churchand political organisations all offerpopular education. See also Eveningclasses*.Post-natal ward (Barselsgang)A hospital post-natal ward to whichwomen are admitted with their newbornbabies immediately after giving birth.Prefecture of Copenhagen, The(Overpræsidiet)The Prefectrure of Copenhagen(Københavns Overpræsidium) is a stateauthority covering the same geographicalarea as the City of Copenhagen (KøbenhavnsKommune). It is headed by aPrefect and performs similar tasks to thestate counties*.

145Probate court (Skifteretten)The probate court is a division of thedistrict court*. It deals with administrationof the estates of deceased persons,insolvency and division of property indivorce cases.Public prosecutor (Statsadvokat)The public prosecutor represents thecrown prosecution service in criminalcases tried before the high court*.Public servicePublic service channels are independentand non-commercial radio and televisionchannels tasked with broadcastingprogrammes for the whole population.Radio Denmark (DR) is a public serviceorganisation required by the Danish Acton Broadcasting to provide cultural andinformative programmes characterised byquality, balance and diversity.Recycling facility(Genbrugsplads)Municipal authorities are required toensure that as much waste as possible isrecycled. They have therefore establishedrecycling facilities where the public candispose of sorted waste in separatecontainers for cardboard, glass, metal,garden waste, etc. Environmentallyhazardous waste must be disposed ofseparately in specially approved facilities.Referendum (Folkeafstemning)A referendum is a procedure whereby thepublic votes on a particular policy thatParliament either has adopted or intendsto adopt. A referendum can either bebinding on the government or serve asguidance. Under the Danish Constitution,constitutional amendments and delegationof sovereignty to international authoritiesmust be decided by referendum.Denmark’s most recent referendumconcerned its relationship with the EU.Remanding in custody(Varetægtsfængsling)Remanding in custody is the pre-trialdetention of persons suspected of havingcommitted a punishable offence.Rent Control Board(Huslejenævn)All municipalities are required to have aRent Control Board, but joint boards maybe set up between several municipalities.The Board consists of three members.Twoare appointed by the municipal authoritybased on recommendations submitted bylocal tenants’ associations and houseowners’ associations. The third member,the chairman, is a lawyer appointed by thethe county governor. The Rent ControlBoard deals with complaints about rent,the state of repair of flats, and othertenancy-related matters.GLOSSARY

146GLOSSARYRepresentative democracy(Repræsentativt demokrati)A representative democracy is a form ofgovernment in which the people elect arepresentative body. In Denmark,members are elected to the DanishParliament*, county councils* and localcouncils*.Greece, the Netherlands, Italy,Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,Germanyand and Austria plus Norway.Under the Agreement, citizens of memberstates can pass freely between thecountries, i.e. without border controls.Denmark acceded to the SchengenAgreement in 1997.Representative government(Folkestyre)Representative government is the same asrepresentative democracy.Right of access to documents(Aktindsigt)Under the Danish Act on Public Access toDocuments in Public Files(Offentlighedsloven), any citizen has rightof access to documents held by state,county or municipal authorities.In some cases, access to documentsmay be denied, for example, to protectindividual privacy, national security ornational economic interests.Parties to legal proceedings aregranted extended access to the documentsfiled in their case.Schengen Agreement(Schengensamarbejdet)The Schengen Agreement aims at closercooperation between the EU memberstates Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,Schengen information system(Schengeninformationssystemet)A central component of the SchengenAgreement* is an electronic networkenabling all police offices and consulatesin the member states to accessinformation about wanted and missingpersons, and missing or stolen propertyand vehicles.Staff representative(Tillidsrepræsentant)Staff representatives are elected by andamong their co-employees for a two-yearterm. Their task is to look after theemployees’ interests vis-à-vis the employer.The staff representative also representsthe relevant trade union in the workplace.State County(Statsamt)The state counties are state regionalbodies covering the same geographicalareas as the counties. There are 14 suchoffices plus the Prefecture of Copenhagen,

147which has roughly the same duties. Theoffices are headed by a governor(Statsamtmand) and deal with legalseparation, divorce, child custody andaccess cases. The offices also serve assecretariats for the supervisory boardsthat monitor municipal compliance withlegislation.Tenants’ association(Beboerforening)An association formed by residents whoare tenants of the same housing society.Its purpose is to safeguard the tenants’interests vis-à-vis the landlord.Ultrasound scanning(Scanning med ultralyd)An ultrasound scanner is a device used tocarry out systematic examination of aspecific area of a person’s body. Itemploys ultrasonic waves to take picturesof bodily organs or of a foetus inside thewomb. Scanning makes it possible to seethe size and gender of a foetus and todetect any serious congenital deformities.Unemployment insurance fund(Arbejdsløshedskasse)An unemployment insurance fund (Akasse)is a private association ofwage/salary earners or self-employedpeople that provides its members withfinancial assistance if they becomeunemployed. The funds are closely linkedto the trade unions, but union membershipis not required to join an unemploymentinsurance fund.Yellow pages (De Gule Sider)The yellow pages are the pages in thetelephone directory where businessesoffering products and services are listed.GLOSSARYUnemployment benefit(Arbejdsløshedsdagpenge)Unemployment benefit is a paymentpeople are entitled to if they lose their joband have contributed to an unemploymentinsurance fund*.

148IndexINDEXAAbortion 52Absolute monarchy 11Access to documents 17Accountant 96Act on the Danish Primary andLower Secondary School(Folkeskoleloven) 69, 74Activation programmes 32, 59, 87, 92Admission criterias, education 77Admission requirements, education 77Adult education 81Adult vocational training centre 81Adultery 52Advisory centre 53Aerial association 44Aerial scheme 43Aerials 43After-school care arrangement 73After-school recreation centre 73Ageing policy 63Agricultural production 8Alcohol 88, 125Ante-natal classes 54Approval, foreign qualifications 81Association activities 101, 106Asylum application 24Asylum seeker 23, 24Autonomous municipal government 14BBallot paper 14Ballot 14Bank account 95Bank 128Baptism 56Bilingual children 72Birth and name certificate 56Birth certificate 56Birth 55Birthday party, child 124Boarding school 70Body 126Booking an appointment, dentist 119Booking an appointment, doctor 111Breastfeeding 56Building management office 39Burial ground 65, 104Burial place 65Business, setting up your own 91CCapital 7Car driving 125Caretaker 42Cash benefit 92Cemetery 65Censorship 102Change-of-adress folder 46Chief public prosecutors, the 19Child support 52Childcare 58, 59Children 58Choice of doctor 110Choice of hospital, free 116Christmas lunch 123Christmas 123Church festivals 123Church tax 103Circumcision 115Citizenship 28Citizenship, Danish 28City court 13Civil registration number 31Coaching 83Colleagues 88Collective agreement 86Commitment to a mental hospital 117Common area 40Communal buildings 40Community property 51Compulsary education 67, 68Compensation, from insurance 45Complaint 97Complaints facilities 17Complaints guidelines, housing 39Comprehensive school 68Compulsory education 67,68Confidentiality 17, 33, 112Consumer Complaints Board 98Consumer 97Consumption 94Contents insurance 45Contract, individual 32Convention on Human Rights,The European 20, 23Conventions, international 20Co-op accomodation 36, 41Cooperative housing society 41, 44Corporal punishment 58Council of Europe, the 20Counselling, economic 96Counselling, education 77County authority 13County councils 11

149Couples 21Courts 11, 13Credit card 95Credit facility 95Crime 18, 62Criminal record 18Crisis hot-line 62Culture 100Custody 52Customs and tax authorities, the 91Customs 122CV (curriculum vitae) 90Cyclists 8DDanish Act on Integration 13Danish Aliens Act 25Danish Centre for Assessment ofForeign Qualifications (CVUU) 81Danish citizenship 14Danish Constitution, the 11, 103, 123Danish Immigration Service 23, 24, 31Danish language courses 32, 72, 82Danish National Church, the 56, 65, 103Danish national flag,the (Dannebrog) 125Danish Refugee Council, the 26Danish Working EnvironmentAuthority 89Dankort 95Day care institution 59Day care registration department 58Day folk high schools 105Day nursery 58Day nursery 58Day-care facility offers 58Death certificate 65Death notification 65Death penalty 18Death 65Debate, public 101Deductibles 98Democracy 11, 101Democracy, representative 11Democratic society foundedon the rule of law 10, 17Demonstrations 19Dental care 118Dentist, private 119Deportation 25Deposit 38Development cooperationprogrammes 20Disability 53Discrimination 89District police complaints board 19Division of property 52Divorce 38, 50, 52Drivers licence 19Drug reimbursement system 120Duty 98EEarly retirement pensions 63Earnings, lost 117Easter 123Economy 94Education and training 66, 77Education 32, 71EEA 23Elections 14Electricity 44Emergency dental treatment 119Emergency medical service 111Emergency number 112, 128Employers’ association 87Employment contract 90Employment Service, the 87, 89Employment 85Estate agent 41Estate of deceased person 65EU (European Union, the) 7, 20, 23European Parliament 14Evangelical-Lutheran Church 103Evening classes 67, 105Examination 69Expenses, medical 110FFamily categories 50Family reunification 25, 26Family 49, 50Fine 18Fire insurance 97First-year student arrangement 77Flag-flying days 125Folk high schools 31, 67, 101, 105Food, hospital 117Forced marriage 51Free place 59, 73Freedom of association 87Funeral benefit 65Funeral 65INDEX

150INDEXGGeneva Convention, the 23Geography 6Government system 11Government, the 11, 13Grades 69Grant, child care 59HHalf-brothers and half-sisters 50Health and safety representative 89Health check, child’s 57, 114Health insurance, private 119Health Service, DanishNational 31,109, 110,119,120Health visitor 57Health 108Heating 44High Court 13Higher commercial examination 75Higher preparatory examination 67, 75Higher technical examination 75Holidays, national 123Holidays, religious 123Home birth 54Home help 46Homosexuality 52Hospital service 110Hospitalisation 116, 117House owners’ association 40, 44House rules 42Housing agency 36Housing benefits 39Housing guidance 40Housing society 38Housing standard 35Housing swap 39Housing 34Housing, sheltered 53Human rights 20Humour 124IInduction programme 32Industrial export 8Industrial injury 89Industrial safety 87Informative label 98Institution, integrated 58Insurance 45, 97Integration Councils 15Internet, the 104Interpretation services 33, 112Interpreter 61Introduction benefit 32, 82, 92Introductory school period 67Irony 124JJob application 90Job interview 90Job seeking 89Job training 92Jobs 31,84,85,88Joint property 51KKindergarten 58Knowledge-based society 7LLabour market model, the Danish 86Labour market 84, 86Laissez-passer for a corpse 65Language 7Lawyer, home buying 41Lease contract 38Lease, termination of 38Legal Advice Bureaux 18Legal aid 18Legal aid, free 18Legal separation 52Leisure time 100Leisure-time education 104Library service for immigrants,the public libraries’ 104Library 104, 128Licence fee 102Life-style disease 109Loan, bank 95Loan, house buying 42Local Councils 11, 13, 26Local newspapers 36Local politicies 14Lower-secondary continuation school 70MMaintenance duty 51Marks 69Marriage, uncertified 51Marriage, violent 52Maternity benefits 57Maternity leave 56Maternity ward 55Matrimony 51

151Media 101Medical record of pregnancy 54Medication 111, 120Medicine reimbursement 120Member of cooperativehousing society 41, 44Mid-wife 54Ministries 13Monarchy, constitutional 11Mortgage bank 10Mother-and-baby group 57Moving to another adress 46Museum 128NName certificate 56Names, approved 56Naming 56National Board of Industrial Injuries 89National health insurance card 31, 110National holidays 123Native language training 72NATO (North Atlantic TreatyOrganization) 20NGO’s 16Non-party list 14Nordic countries, the 7Nursing centre 64Nursing home 64OOECD (Organization for EconomicCo-operation and Development) 20Offices, public 129Ombudsman, the 17Outlying kindergarten 58Owner-occupied dwellings 35, 36, 41PParental leave 56Parental responsibility 51, 52Parents’ board 61Parents’ meetings 61, 74Parents’ partipation 74Parish office 56Parliament debates 12Parliament, the Danish 11, 12Parties 124Partnership, registered 52Passport 19Paternity leave 56Payment card 95Pharmacies 128Police 19Political party 14, 19Popular education 67, 101,105Population 6Postal services 129Power, the executive 11, 13Power, the judicial 11, 13Power, the legislative 11, 12Practical training 76Practitioner, general 110Prefecture of Copenhagen 52Pregnancy 54Pre-retirement benefit 63Pre-school class 68Prescription 120Primary and lower secondaryschool 68, 70Prime Minister 13Prison 55Private independent schoolsat primary and lowersecondary level 69, 71Private school 71Probate court, the 65Production schools 76Psychiatry 117Psychological help 112Public Administration Act, the 17Public administration, the 11, 13Public service 102Punishment 18Pupils’ council 69RRadio Denmark 102Rate of employment 7Realm, the Danish 7Recycling plants 42Referendum 14Refuge 53Refugee Board, the 24Refugee 23Re-integration benefit 26Religious communities 104Religious education classes 71Religious worship 103Remand in custody 18Remodelling 44Rent Act, the 38Rent control board 39, 43Rent 38Rented accommodation 36, 38INDEX

152INDEXRepatriation 26Representative government 11Representative, to the parents’ board 61Residence permit 23, 25Retirement age 63Right to vote 14Rights, constitutional 11, 19Royal family, the 11SScanning, ultrasound 54Schengen Agreement, the 23School camp 73School dentist 118School start 70School 66Senior citizens council 63Senior citizens housing 36, 64Sentence, suspended 18Sentence, unsuspended 18Sex 126Shops 128Siblings’ discount 59Sickness 108Single parent 50Social and health administration,the department of 57Social and health educationprogrammes 76Social get-togethers 124Social societies 77Society 49Solicitor, house buying 41Special court of final appeal, the 13Special instruction 72Specialist, physician 110, 111Sports 107SSP scheme(School, Social and Police) 19Staff representative 88State County 23, 52State Education Grants andLoan Scheme (SU) 80State pensions 63Statutory meeting, associations 106Student counsellor 76Student loan 80Study group 68Subletting 39Supreme Court, the 13TTaking the law into one’s own hand 19Tax allowances 98Tax rate 99Tax return 98Tax 98Telephone 130Telephone-advice lines 62Temp agency 89Tenants’ association 39, 40Tenants’ complaints board 39, 43Tenants’ council 40Tenants’ democracy 40Theft 45Third-party liability insurance 97Time, perception of 124Tourist agency 101Trade union 87, 88, 89Transport 8Transport, public 129TV 2 102UUN (United Nations) 20Unemployment benefits 87, 92Unemployment insurance fund 87, 93Unemployment insurance 87Unemployment 86Upper secondary education 75Upper secondary school 67, 75VVaccination, children 113Vaccination, going abroad 114VAT 98Violence 52Visa 23Visiting hours 116Vocational education and trainingprogrammes 67, 75WWaiting list, children’s day care 58,59Ward round 116Waste 42Water 44Wedding ceremony 51Welfare state 99Whitsun 123WHO (World Health Organisation) 20Work permit 23Work placement activities 92Work 31, 84, 85, 88Working environment 86, 88

153Working hours 86YYellow pages 36Youth club 73Youth culture 62Youth, crime 19Youth, housing 36INDEX

154ColophonTitleCitizen in Denmark – A manual for new members ofDanish societyPublished byMinistry of Refugee, Immigration and IntegrationAffairsMinisteriet for Flygtninge, Indvandrere og IntegrationHolbergsgade 61057 København KTelephone: 33 92 33 80E-mail: inm@inm.dkEdited byMinistry of Refugee, Immigration and IntegrationAffairs in co-operation withCommitment Kommunikation ApSEditing deadline: 1 October 2002.ISBN nr.87-91118-78-6.First published, First impressionEnglish version, October 2003.Number printed10,000ManuscriptAnnie Hagel, Bjarne Hesselbæk and Maja Plesner incooperation with the Ministry of Refugee, Immigrationand Integration Affairs.Project managementCommitment Kommunikation ApSHavnegade 391058 København KTelephone: 33 44 44 50E-mail: post@commitment-aps.dkGraphic design and lay-outMark Gry Christiansen.TranslationFlygtningehjælpens Tolkeservice.Printed bya-s Holbæk Eksprestrykkeri, Holbæk.Photo researchMichael Daugaard.PhotosPer Morten Abramsen (112), Mark Andersen (118),Lars Bahl (19, 24, 26, 36, 37, 38, 45, 68, 74, 81),Claus Bonnerup (86), Anders Clausen (87), Jacob Dall (22),Michael Daugaard (Front and back cover, 8, 24, 28, 30, 33,34, 40, 43, 50, 55, 58, 66, 69, 73, 76, 79, 80, 91, 94, 96, 97,105, 107, 111, 122), Jan Djenner (6, 120, 126),Anne-Li Engström (48, 78, 123), Per Folkver (110),Klaus Holsting (43, 75, 108),Teit Hornbak (16, 84),Nikolaj Howalt (71), Sonja Iskov (60), Mikael Jonsson (88),Stuart MacIntyre (100), Kissen Møller Hansen (57),Heine Pedersen (103), Poul Rasmussen (113),Henrik Saxgren (12, 116), Mikal Schlosser (125),Stig Stasig (46, 62, 102), Søren Svendsen (63),Henrik Sørensen (83), Mikkel Østergaard (10, 17)Map of Denmark: Kampsax/Cowi.

Citizen in Denmark is published in eight languages:ArabicBosnian/Croatian/SerbianDanishEnglishFarsiSomaliTurkishUrduThe handbook is available at:Danmark.dk’s NetboghandelIT- og TelestyrelsenTelephone: 1881www.danmark.dk/netboghandelPrice:DKK 20.00 (inclusive of VAT).The book is available at: www.integrationsministeriet.dk