Quote Originally Posted by FarligOpptreden View Post
[MENTION=1608]shibobo[/MENTION] What industry are you in career-wise? How did you manage to make the move to Denmark? What type of visa or you on there and how does permanent residency and citizenship work over there?

The fact that the country borders Germany appeals to me - I love German efficiency and have already started learing some of the language (which isn't all the difficult for an Afrikaans boytjie, to be honest). I also know a biy of Swedish and can read it quite well for the most part. Speaking or understanding it is quite different, I agree. Have a couple of Swedish and Norwegian friends and one Danish contact.
I am an attorney working in the legal department of a Danish company with subsidiaries all over the world, including South Africa. However, if you want to practice in Denmark you would need authorisation and the requirements are quite high / difficult for anyone other than a local, i.e. Danish Bachelor's and Master's degree + Danish official recognition.

There are quite a few professions on the skills shortage or Positive List and the requirements are stated. I was lucky because I know someone involved with the company, which made the process much easier. I don't think Denmark is that easy to get into to be honest, but it can be done. If you are on the shortage list your chances are pretty decent I think. Attorneys and legal professionals are listed by the way.

I have a residence and work permit for a specific period, which can be extended. It is attached to the company I work for. If I change jobs I have to reapply, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem because having the job is key.

To qualify for permanent residence you have to permanently reside here for 5 years plus a few other requirements such as passing a language test etc. For citizenship by way of naturalisation, 9 years plus a few other things.

Going to Hamburg from Århus, where I live, is faster than going to København. It's a different world out here, really easy to travel around by bus, train or air. Looking forward to a few weeks off at the end of the year.