All about the working holiday in Denmark!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
Specific amount depends on nationality
This must be your first participation
Comprehensive health insurance
Must be a citizen of a partner country
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the working holiday in Denmark: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. Check your eligibility here.
03. What is the application fee?
The processing fee is DKK2,490.
04. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Denmark.
05. What is the processing time?
The normal processing time is three months.
06. When do I have to enter the country by?
You must arrive in Denmark within six months of submitting your application.
07. Can I bring my spouse and/or children?
No, your family cannot apply for a residence permit to accompany you on your working holiday stay in Denmark.
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Unless you are Australian or Japanese, you must submit proof of insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in Denmark for the duration of your stay. We recommend choosing a policy that covers at least medical, hospitalisation and repatriation. Those are standard requirements for working holidays in most countries.
You will be issued a permit that expires at the same time as your insurance coverage. If your insurance does not cover you for a full year from the approval date of your permit, your permit will be shortened.
09. Are there any work restrictions?
Depending on your citizenship, you will be limited on the number of months you can work during your WHV. Some citizenships will also be limited on the number of months they can work for one employer.
Check the conditions for your citizenship here.
10. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday, to Denmark and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
11. Where can I apply?
Select your country of citizenship on the official website and click “How to apply.” Depending on your citizenship, you will be able to apply online or you will have to apply in-person in your country of citizenship.
As mentioned earlier, most citizenships applying for a WHV in Denmark must have health insurance for the duration of their stay. Even if you are exempt from this rule, you should consider purchasing insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation to avoid expensive, out-of-pocket medical costs.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- What to know about travel insurance for your working holiday abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Denmark’s currency is the krone (DKK). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a DKK debit card in hand before even arriving in Denmark, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your DKK account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Denmark. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Denmark. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Denmark.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Denmark before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnbs or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing abroad: a way to meet friendly locals and save money
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things you need to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, from the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot but don’t worry, take it one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Denmark, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is the perfect chance to learn or brush up on your Danish. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our other deals for working holiday makers.
The age limits vary by nationality. You can be up to 35 years old if you are from Australia, Canada or South Korea.
You can be up to 30 years old if you are from Argentina, Chile, Japan or New Zealand.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday and for at least three months after the visa expiry date.
You must show a minimum savings amount in order to apply. The specific amount depends on your nationality:
-Australians: DKK18,000
-Canadians: DKK15,000
-New Zealanders: DKK24,000
Check your citizenship’s requirements here.
You must add on another DKK5,000 if you arrive on a one-way ticket.
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Denmark on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
During the application process, you must submit proof of insurance that covers the cost of healthcare in Denmark for the duration of your stay.
The exception is Australian and Japanese citizens, who do not have to prove they have insurance.
You must be a citizen of a partner country to apply. Denmark currently has bilateral accords with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Check your eligibility here.