Menu
Expat.com

Urgent help appreciated! Job change: Germany V.S Denmark

Last activity 28 August 2018 by andix70

Post new topic

CCHamburg

Hi fellow expats
I am Chinese, I have been working in Hamburg for 3 years and recently got my permanent residence permit in Germany. My German work contract is limited so I am looking for a new job.

I just received a job offer but it’s in Copenhagen. And needs my confirmation urgently. I’m totally panicking...

I earn about 100K EUR gross income in Hamburg including quite stable bonus.
The new job offer from Copenhagen is 65100 DKK per month to allow me to just fall into researcher tax scheme (27%+8%AM ), but no pension, no bonus.

How is this new offer compared to my current income in Hambury? Especially in terms of buying power, will I feel better off or worse?

And how is health insurance deducted in Denmark?
In Germany I have private insurance which costs 650 EUR per month shared by employer and me.

Will moving to Denmark to work impact my PR in Germany? If I moved, then I will stop paying pensions in Germany.

Thanks and best regards

CCHamburg

If anyone wants to share more insights/opinions about living in Denmark V.S Germany, I would also appreciate a lot!

The decision making should consider more than just income I suppose. :)

CCHamburg

I received several messages asking me about how I got the job. Short answer: headhunter... then several rounds of interviews

But I still look forward to some insights about life in Copenhagen compared to Germany

SimCityAT

Have you asked the same question on the Denmark forum? Then maybe you coukd compare the answers should someone reply here.

CCHamburg

Thanks but I only posted here. Haven’t received any response so far. I have never been to Denmark nor have any friends living there.

I reviewed all the previous posts on this forum already.
But U didn’t find much about health insurance.
And life compared to Germany

Many thanks!

SimCityAT

Oops sorry, ask in the Germany forum.

Nellie Berg

Hi CC,

You asked for a comparison between Germany and Denmark. As I know nothing about the German society, I haven't responded to your question. However, as you know the German society from your present stay there, it should be possible for you to make this comparison yourself. The question is how much information you need?

Regarding health insurance in Denmark - you'll be entitled to receive health treatment for free if we are talking GP's and hospitals. You'll have to pay part of the bill to the dentists.

The pay offered is excellent. However, I wonder why you haven't been offered a pension scheme in addition. However, as your pay will be in the low end of the scale when the talk is about highly paid people, it may be more profitable for you to be taxated by the normal Danish taxation scheme.

A rough estimate: 65,000 kroner - special taxation (AM and tax) 32 % (+/-) 21,000 kroner leaves a net income of 44,000 kroner a month.

An estimate:
Apartment 14,000 kroner, commuting expenses 1,300 kroner, household 3,500  kroner, lets say 20,000 kroner amonth. Plus insurance ............

No problem with the economy as such (except for the lacking pension scheme).

Whether to accept the offer or not, is perhaps more a question of other factors:
Will you be able to keep your German citizenship if you go to Denmark - ask the authority. Such an important question needs knowledge, not belief.
No possibility for having the employment prolonged?
Similar positions on the German market?
Is the Danish position only for a limited period since you haven't been offered a pension scheme?
Denmark is a little country so the range of similar jobs can be limited in relation to
Germany, and you'll have to learn a new country, language to know.
Will the Danish company help you to find a housing. Housing is always an issue in itself in Denmark.

You're welcome back with further questions, or if you want more detailed information.

/Nellie

andix70

Hi
Let me add to the post here.
Denmark is a small country and options are limited and expensive (Copenhagen) in comparison to Berlin (Germany) flight is with easyjet costing around 100 euros return and duration 45 MTS.
Other means of transport also exists like train takes longer and road via ferry over Hamburg, Germany or Rostock, Germany.
Denmark the people are happy and has been very positively rated. If you want have fun or work I don't know. For fun Copenhagen is expensive then Berlin. Although Berlin is bigger city and has more alternate options but English is not well spoken as in Denmark and Sweden.
So it all depends on what you looking for.
Greetings

andix70

Danish health system is state owned. The time you get a Danish CPR nr. You are insured. Germany on the other is not that easy to be health insured. You need have a job to get insured or else you need get social benefit from job center to be insured. You can be privately insured also costs are low nevertheless you don't know what they won't cover is always tug of war. But the basic visits are covered. Eg. German insurance is Mawista, check it out. Jobs as far as skilled are concerned not many and if yes paid less. Rent can be found cheap as a Berlin is big east and west. East areas are cheaper to live generally.
If there is anything specific I can tell you I have lived in Denmark and Sweden and of course also Berlin.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Copenhagen

  • Working in Esbjerg
    Working in Esbjerg

    The city of Esbjerg is located on the southwest coast of Denmark. It is a flourishing port city and the second ...

  • Internships in Denmark
    Internships in Denmark

    If you are under 34 years of age and looking to gain experience abroad, why not consider an internship in Denmark? ...

  • Setting up a business in Denmark
    Setting up a business in Denmark

    Denmark is one of the easiest countries to set up your own business. The procedures are relatively clear-cut, ...

  • Working in Copenhagen
    Working in Copenhagen

    Are you on the lookout for job opportunities in Copenhagen? The Danish capital is home to many expats who have ...

  • Working in Odense
    Working in Odense

    Located on the large island of Funen (Fyn) which connects Jutland and Zealand is Odense, one of Denmark's larger ...

  • Working in Denmark
    Working in Denmark

    Are you thinking about relocating to Denmark for work? Denmark is an open and welcoming country where expats adapt ...

  • Working in Denmark as a digital nomad
    Working in Denmark as a digital nomad

    Denmark is an attractive destination for expats: its high quality of life, good wages, and urban development make ...

  • Copenhagen's labour market
    Copenhagen's labour market

    If you have set your sights on working in Copenhagen, it is important to understand what kind of jobs the city ...

All of Copenhagen's guide articles