👧 Children & Family

Denmark's parental leave system is one of the most generous in the world. The Barselslov was reformed on 2 August 2022 to give both parents equal and individual rights, with further updates in 2024.

How leave is divided under the post-2022 model (per parent):

Payment: barselsdagpenge at a maximum rate of DKK 4,865 per week (2025) from Udbetaling Danmark. Many employers top this up to full salary — check your employment contract or collective agreement.

Eligibility — the gotcha for newcomers: to receive barselsdagpenge from the state, you must have worked at least 160 hours in Denmark in the 4 months immediately before your leave starts. Newcomers who just arrived may not qualify yet — check with your kommune and Udbetaling Danmark before assuming.

Apply for barsel via your employer and through borger.dk at least 8 weeks before the expected birth.

Denmark's publicly subsidised childcare is world-class. The state covers the majority of costs — you pay a maximum of 25% of the actual cost.

Sibling discount: 50% reduction on the cheapest child's fee when you have two or more children in public care.

Income-based reduction: Low-income families pay less. The maximum fee is the ceiling — you may qualify for a significantly reduced rate.

Apply for childcare as soon as you have a CPR number — wait times in Copenhagen can be 3–9 months, particularly for vuggestue. Apply via your municipality's digital self-service portal.

Børnecheck (formally børne- og ungeydelse) is a tax-free payment from the state for every child under 18. The remarkable thing: you don't apply for it. It is paid automatically to your NemKonto once your child is registered with a CPR number — quarterly for under-15, monthly from 15.

Rates (2025), per Skatteministeriet:

Quarterly payments arrive on the 20th of January, April, July, October. Monthly payments (15–17 yrs) arrive on the 20th of each month.

⚠️ The 2-year rule that catches newcomers: Full børnecheck requires 2 years of residence or employment in Denmark/EEA within the last 10 years. New arrivals receive a phased percentage:

EU/EEA work counts towards this. Income from employment in Denmark also counts. Don't budget for the full amount until you've crossed the 2-year mark.

Your NemKonto must be set up for this to arrive. If you're new and haven't received it within 3 months of your child registering, check with Udbetaling Danmark.

The folkeskole is Denmark's public school system. It is free, includes school materials, and runs from class 0 (børnehaveklasse, age 6) through class 9 (age 15/16), with an optional 10th grade.

Key facts about the folkeskole:

• English is taught from 1st grade. Most children speak excellent English by class 5.
• No uniforms. Danish schools emphasise wellbeing, creativity, and independent thinking over academic competition.
• Food is not provided at most schools — children bring packed lunches (madpakke).
• Grading starts in class 8. Before that, learning is assessed through written feedback, not grades.
• Class size: average 22–24 students

Enrol your child: Contact your local municipality's Børne- og Ungeforvaltning (Children and Youth Administration). EU children have the right to enrol in the local folkeskole. Enrolment is by address.

Many international children integrate well even with no Danish — Danish children are generally welcoming, and schools provide language support (modtageklasse) for newcomer children.

If you plan to leave Denmark within a few years, or prefer an English-curriculum education, international schools are a good option. They are private and fees apply.

Many employers with international staff offer school fee assistance as part of relocation packages — ask your HR department before assuming you must pay alone.