Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Denmark
Renowned for its high standard of living, blend of natural environments and buzzing cities, and a great work-life balance, Denmark is gaining prominence as an exciting destination for expats from around the globe. The country has been a regular in the top 10 of The World Happiness Report since its inception5. It’s no surprise that you may be considering Denmark as a potential place to live, work or study.
Before making a decision you’ll want to know a bit about the cost of living in Denmark so you can plan and budget. This guide has you covered on major aspects that are typically considered. We also go a step ahead and explain how you can use Wise* to send an international money transfer back to South Africa at the mid-market exchange rate.
*Wise Europe is not a bank. Wise Europe is an authorised Payment Institution incorporated as an SA in Belgium, supervised by the National Bank of Belgium.
How expensive is Denmark in comparison to South Africa
The price difference between major cities in Denmark and South Africa is starkly different, so a move is going to considerably increase your monthly expenses. Consumer prices in Denmark are 115.6% higher than South Africa6. Copenhagen, the country’s capital, leaves behind London and Paris in terms of living costs according to Mercer’s survey7.
The currency in Denmark
Despite being an EU member, Denmark refused to adopt the Euro as their official currency. They continue to use the krone (crown), which breaks down into 100 øre. The plural is kroner. The international monetary designation for the Danish kroner is "DKK." (The Swedish currency is the kronor but note the different spelling)8. It is stronger than the Rand (ZAR), you can track the latest exchange rate using our free online converter.
Foreign transfers can be a hassle due to varying exchange rates and hidden fees and are perhaps the most stressful thing when planning a move. But with the right tools like Wise, this formerly stressful experience can be turned into a matter of a few clicks.
Get the mid-market rate for international money transfers from Denmark to South Africa with Wise
If you’re a South African expat living in Denmark, Wise can help you save money¹ when making international money transfers back to South Africa.
Although the majority of banks may allow their account holders to make an international transfer, it is possible that a markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate. It is recommended to check the exchange rate offered by your bank against the mid-market rate, which is similar to the exchange rate shown on Google. Say no to hidden fees!
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them and is considered the fairest rate in the market. Find out what you would pay for an international money transfer with Wise:
Wise customers don’t have to pay an additional markup fee but only a small transparent fee to make an international transaction¹. That’s because Wise uses the mid-market rate for overseas payments!
With Wise, South African expats can save money¹ when making international payments from Denmark to South Africa.
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
Cost of living in Denmark vs. South Africa
Copenhagen is ranked the 9th most expensive city in the world7. Prices in Denmark are overall 100% higher than South Africa, so it is important that you understand all the major expenses6. In this guide we cover significant costs like rent, transportation, groceries, and healthcare, as well as take a look at average salaries to help you understand the average monthly cost of living in Denmark in different cities.
Rental costs in Denmark
Rent prices in Denmark are approximately 140% higher than South Africa7. Rent in Copenhagen is higher than other cities in the country and you can save on costs by simply living outside of major cities.
The following tables breaks down rents in major cities in Denmark.
Average monthly rent in Copenhagen9
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Copenhagen9 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 12,252.96 kr (32,726.32 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 8,913.22 kr (23,806.22 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 20,920.00 kr (55,875.02 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 15,071.51 kr (40,254.35 R) |
Average monthly rent in Aarhus10
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Aarhus10 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 8,719.46 kr (23,288.72 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 5,915.38 kr (15,799.34 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 15,291.67 kr (40,842.36 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 11,250.00 kr (30,047.51 R) |
Average monthly rent in Odense11
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Odense11 |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 6,856.11 kr (18,311.92 R) |
| 1-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 5,666.67 kr (15,135.04 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (in the city centre) | 14,000.00 kr (37,392.46 R) |
| 3-bedroom apartment (outside the city centre) | 10,750.00 kr (28,712.07 R) |
Cost of groceries in Denmark
In terms of food expenses, Denmark stands out as one of the pricier nations in Europe. But you can always cut costs by preparing your own meals and shopping at budget-friendly supermarkets like Netto, Fakta, and Lidl. Apps like Too Good To Go are also worth exploring if you’re looking for an affordable shop.
Average grocery costs in Copenhagen9
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Copenhagen9 |
|---|---|
| Bread | 22.15 kr (59.15 R) |
| Milk | 51.65 kr (137.95 R) |
| Eggs | 32.55 kr (86.92 R) |
| Cheese | 38.59 kr (103.07 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 35.04 kr (93.58 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 70.00 kr (186.96 R) |
Average grocery costs in Aarhus10
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Aarhus10 |
|---|---|
| Bread | 18.99 kr (50.73 R) |
| Milk | 49.27 kr (131.59 R) |
| Eggs | 30.76 kr (82.17 R) |
| Cheese | 37.48 kr (100.11 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 35.50 kr (94.83 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 65.00 kr (173.61 R) |
Average grocery costs in Odense11
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Odense11 |
|---|---|
| Bread | 23.02 kr (61.48 R) |
| Milk | 52.05 kr (139.02 R) |
| Eggs | 30.65 kr (81.87 R) |
| Cheese | 42.44 kr (113.36 R) |
| Chicken fillets (1kg) | 36.57 kr (97.68 R) |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | 60.00 kr (160.25 R) |
Transport costs in Denmark
Denmark has an amazing and affordable public transportation system including trains, light rail systems, and buses that connect different regions. The monthly bus pass can be purchased for just 350 DKK. Be sure to also check out the discounts that can be availed using their electronic ticketing system called the Rejsekortet.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-way ticket in Copenhagen9 | 24.00 kr (64.10 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Copenhagen9 | 650.00 kr (1,736.08 R) |
| 1-way ticket in Aarhus10 | 22.00 kr (58.76 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Aarhus10 | 420.00 kr (1,121.77 R) |
| 1-way ticket in Odense11 | 23.00 kr (61.43 R) |
| Monthly transport pass in Odense11 | 400.00 kr (1,068.36 R) |
Eating out in Denmark
Denmark has a vibrant food culture and big cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus offer a variety of options. Take-out is expensive in Denmark and Danes typically cook most meals at home. However, we’ve put together estimates on how much meals out would cost you in the tables below:
Average meal costs in Copenhagen9
| Category | Copenhagen9 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 150.00 kr (400.63 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 800.00 kr (2,136.71 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 100.00 kr (267.09 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 43.94 kr (117.36 R) |
Average meal costs in Aarhus10
| Category | Aarhus10 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 150.00 kr (400.63 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 765.00 kr (2,043.23 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 92.50 kr (247.06 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 43.06 kr (115.01 R) |
Average meal costs in Odense11
| Category | Odense11 |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 150.00 kr (400.63 R) |
| Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant, three-course | 825.00 kr (2,203.48 R) |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent combo meal) | 100.00 kr (267.09 R) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 40.00 kr (106.84 R) |
Study costs in Denmark
Home to some of the best universities worldwide, Denmark attracts students from all around the globe. The education here is known to be affordable and of high-quality. Several programmes are delivered in English which makes it a desired study destination for international students.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland can study for free in Denmark. However, students from outside these areas including South Africans have to pay tuition fees. The tuition ranges from €6,000 to €9,000 per year at the more affordable institutes, this again entirely depends on your field of study. Bachelor’s programmes are priced lower than Master’s degrees15. As an international student you may also be charged an application fee of DKK 750 / €10015.
This fee is charged separately by every Danish university you apply to; but it can cover a number of applications at the same institution. For example, at Aarhus University, the application fee covers up to three applications.
As an International student you will need to apply for a residence permit which costs €28415.
To obtain this you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be admitted to a programme at a Danish university.
- You must speak Danish or English at a proficient level; Norwegian, Swedish or German are also accepted
- You must be able to support yourself financially and be able to show e.g. bank statements confirming an amount corresponding to a monthly budget. In 2023, this requirement is DKK 6,589 (ca. €886) for every month you intend to spend in Denmark, up to a maximum of 12 months.
The cost of applying for the residence permit as a student is about €28415.
Wise simplifies the process of fee payment through its multi-currency account at no monthly fee and the best exchange rates.
What is the average salary in Denmark?
The average employee in Denmark earns DKK 46,972 per month before taxes12. The amount includes pension and is calculated by the so-called standardised hourly earnings translated to a full-time monthly salary.
The table below lists salaries of the most popular job occupations in Denmark.
Average salary in Denmark
| Designation | Average salary in Denmark13 |
|---|---|
| Pilot | 636,035 kr |
| Nurse | 649,435 kr |
| Bank Teller | 272,586 kr |
| Pharmacist | 789,047 kr |
| Bartender | 272,586 kr |
| Bank teller | 310,300 kr |
What about healthcare costs in Denmark?
Denmark, like most of Europe, has free, universal healthcare for people living there. The system is funded by taxes and run by the government. Expenses such as checkups at your general practitioner, treatment at hospitals and emergency services are free of charge in the country.
Medicine and dental work are not covered by the universal healthcare system. Getting private health insurance is a good option to avoid paying large sums of seeking these treatments. Just to give you an overview of what you should be prepared to pay we list a few examples below16:
- 10 paracetamol tablets 20 DKK
- Checkup at the dentist (diagnostics) free for 18-21 year olds/175 DKK if you are older than 21
Life in Denmark is attractive - but certainly not cheap. If you’re moving there, it makes good sense to plan your budget in advance and cut costs where you can.
One smart way to avoid paying excess bank fees for international money transfers is to use a Wise multi-currency account to send, spend, and receive money internationally4.
Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visit www.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
Sources:
- Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
- Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.
- Eligibility is subject to verification of customers identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions. Please visitwww.wise.com to check for availability and learn more about our offerings.
- World Happiness Index
- Cost of living Denmark vs South Africa
- Mercer's Cost of living index
- Currency in Denmark
- Cost of living in Copenhagen
- Cost of living in Aarhus
- Cost of living Odense
- Average salary
- Salary in Denmark.
- Grocery stores in Denmark
- Studying in Denmark
- Healthcare in Denmark
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
