How to Get a CPR Number in Denmark: Basic Requirements

In this article, we cover the process of obtaining a CPR number in Denmark—an essential registration required to live, work, and access healthcare in the country. We explain the step-by-step process to help you avoid the most common mistakes, along with the latest updates now that regulations have become a bit stricter.

Getting your CPR (Centrale Person Register) number is the most crucial step when moving to Denmark. However, in recent months, Danish registration offices have become much stricter. Here at Bienvenido a Copenhague, we share everything you need to know about the CPR.

What is the CPR and what is it used for?

The CPR is your civil registration and tax number in Denmark. It consists of a 10-digit code based on your date of birth and functions similarly to a national ID or tax identification number.

In Denmark, it is mandatory for everyday life, as almost everything is digitized and linked to this number. Therefore, you will need it for:

Going to the doctor: It grants access to the public healthcare system and is required to receive your yellow health insurance card (Sundhedskort).
Taxes and banking: It is essential for opening a Danish bank account and for the tax authority (Skat) to calculate your payroll tax deductions.
Basic services: It is required to sign up for internet, electricity, or a mobile phone contract.
Benefits and education: It is necessary to enroll in free Danish lessons or to apply for the government student grant (SU).
Work: Some companies require you to have your CPR number before hiring you, regardless of whether you have your passport. If you do not present it, the tax office applies a very high provisional tax withholding rate until you do. However, to be clear: a CPR number is not legally required to get a job contract in Denmark.

The most common CPR mistake

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to applying for a CPR number. Many people think that the first step is to find accommodation and then register their address, as is common in many other countries.

However, in Denmark, the system works the other way around. You cannot register your CPR at any address unless the government has first authorized your residency in the country. If you rent a room without meeting the prior requirements, you risk paying rent without being able to secure your registration number.

The correct and legal order required by Danish authorities is as follows:

Step 1: Obtain the EU Residence Document. First, you must prove to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) that you have a valid reason to be in the country (employment, studies, sufficient funds, or accompanying a family member who already holds a CPR). If everything is correct, the government will issue your EU Residence Document (EU-opholdsdokument), which grants you the right to reside in Denmark.
Step 2: Secure accommodation. Once your Residence Document is approved, you need a rental contract or a valid address where the landlord permits you to register your CPR.
Step 3: Apply for the CPR. Finally, after applying online, you must visit your local citizen service center (Borgerservice) or the International House with your EU Residence Document and rental contract in hand. It is during this final step that your CPR number is assigned, and your yellow health card is sent to your home address.

We can help you navigate this process with our CPR Support Service, where you can ask all the questions you need.

Finding Housing in Denmark

On the other hand, finding a place to live can be one of the biggest challenges when arriving in Denmark. Did you know that it’s not easy to find a shared apartment, that pets are often not allowed, and that there are almost no apartments for rent in downtown Copenhagen?

We believe this is a complex process that differs from that in other countries, especially Spain. That’s why we encourage you to request information about finding housing in Denmark—we’d be happy to help.