School

Enrolling your children, international schools, childcare.

Checked on 23 October 2026

Enrolling your child in school in Denmark: folkeskole, private schools, French lycée and recognition of qualifications

In Denmark, it is not school that is compulsory but education: from age 6 until the end of compulsory schooling (generally around age 16), that is, grade 0 (børnehaveklasse) then grades 1 to 9. The public school (folkeskole), run by the municipality, is free; you enrol your child through your municipality, and, in some municipalities (mainly the largest ones), a child who does not speak Danish first goes through a reception class. About 15% of pupils attend a fee-paying private school (friskole or privatskole), and Copenhagen has an accredited French lycée, the Lycée français Prins-Henrik.

Costs: Folkeskole and reception classes free; private schools charge fees (set by each school); after-school care (SFO) is paid, DKK 2,042 per month in Copenhagen in 2026
Timeframes: Start school in the year the child turns 6 (start of term in August); enrolment possible during the year for a child who arrives

Steps

Register for the CPR (see DK-SEJOUR-TOUS-001): your address determines the school district and therefore the school offered.
Contact your municipality for enrolment. For a child who arrives during the year or who does not speak Danish, the rules vary by municipality; enrolment is possible at any time of the year.
For entry into grade 0: the child starts in the year they turn 6, in August. The municipality notifies you by Digital Post and you enrol the child online during the enrolment period. A one-year deferral (to be requested in the year the child turns 6, before 1 August, with the agreement of the municipal council) or early entry (at the earliest in the year the child turns 5, if they do so before 1 October, with the agreement of the school management) are decided with the school and the municipality.
Choose your school freely: you can request a public school other than the one in your district, even in another municipality, if there is room.
For a private school or the French lycée, contact the school directly, as early as possible.
Enrol the child in after-school care (SFO or fritidsordning, for roughly ages 6 to 10) at the same time as the school, online.

Documents

Child's CPR number and proof of address.
Previous school reports and school attendance certificates (translated if needed).
For entry into a Danish upper secondary school (gymnasium: STX, HTX, HHX, HF) with foreign schooling: a level equivalent to the end of Danish 9th or 10th year; contact the school concerned.

Costs and timelines

Folkeskole and reception classes: free.
Private schools: fees set freely by each school, very variable.
SFO (after-school care): paid, fee set each year by the municipality; in Copenhagen, DKK 2,042 per month in 2026 (DKK 2,098 announced for 2027), July free. Free or reduced place possible if the household earns less than DKK 677,500 per year (2026).
Lycée français Prins-Henrik: 795 pupils, 15 levels accredited by the French Ministry of Education (Éducation nationale) from petite section to terminale (Rolighedsvej 39, Frederiksberg). Tuition fees to be requested from the school.
Rhythm: 202 school days per year; week of 27.8 hours on average (grade 0 to year 3), 33 hours (years 4 to 6) and 35 hours (years 7 to 9). Winter holiday in February (week 7 or 8), autumn holiday in October (week 42), summer holiday from the end of June to early or mid-August (Lifeindenmark's example: from 30 June to 14 August).
Recognition of a foreign qualification (Uddannelses- og Forskningsstyrelsen, the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science): free, translation not included, 2 months at most in principle after receipt of the complete file.

Common pitfalls

No general school canteen. Public schools generally have no canteen: most children bring a cold packed meal (madpakke); some municipalities have a meal offer (depending on your municipality).
Waiting for the August start of term. A child who arrives during the year can be enrolled right away: contact the municipality as soon as you arrive.
Reception class (modtagelsesklasse): not all municipalities have one, and some place the child directly in an ordinary class with Danish support.
Waiting list at private schools and at the French lycée: register early.
Language subjects: English from grade 1, a second foreign language from grade 5; the school must offer German or French from grade 7.
Complaint: first to the head of the school, then to the municipality within 4 weeks.
Assessment of a foreign qualification: the agency assesses the level of the qualification, not the grades or the subject levels; for admission, it is the school that decides.
Faroe Islands and Greenland: their own school systems.

What changes by country of origin

French citizens: the Lycée français Prins-Henrik follows the French curriculum (AEFE network). AEFE school grants (means-tested) are requested from the French consulate, which processes the file; it is the AEFE that decides, after the opinion of a national commission. You must be registered on the Register of French nationals residing abroad (Registre des Français résidant hors de France).
German citizens: there are private schools of the German minority (Lifeindenmark mentions them among the private schools).
All countries: the Danish public school is open to all resident children, whatever their nationality. International schools (English-language or IB programmes) exist in the larger cities: check the list and fees with your municipality.

Official sources (11) ›

Checked on 23 October 2026

Childcare for young children in Denmark: dagpleje, vuggestue, børnehave, guaranteed place and fees

In Denmark, every child whose parents are legally resident is entitled to a childcare place from 26 weeks until starting school: dagpleje (childminder, ages 0-3), vuggestue (nursery, ages 0-3) or børnehave (kindergarten, ages 3-6). You register online with your municipality, which sets the fees; parents pay at most 25% of the running cost. In Copenhagen, in 2026, a nursery place with lunch costs DKK 4,289 per month up to 3 years and 1 month, then DKK 2,816.

Costs: Parents: at most 25% of the running cost; in Copenhagen in 2026, DKK 4,289 per month in a nursery with lunch up to 3 years and 1 month, DKK 2,816 afterwards
Timeframes: Place guaranteed from 26 weeks; the municipality has 4 more weeks if the request is late

Steps

Register for the CPR: childcare registration goes through the municipality of residence.
Put your child on your municipality's waiting list, online ("Childcare" self-service), stating the date from which you need a place. Do it as early as possible.
State your preferences (specific facility, dagpleje or nursery): the municipality takes them into account as far as possible.
Receive the offer of a place. The municipality must offer an age-appropriate place from 26 weeks; if you apply just before or after, it has 4 more weeks.
Apply for support if needed: income-based reduction (online), sibling reduction (automatic).
Pay the monthly invoice, in advance.

Documents

CPR of the child and the parents, address in Denmark.
For an income-based reduction: the household's monthly income.
For a part-time place during parental leave: proof of the leave.

Costs and timelines

Parents' share: at most 25% of the running cost; the rest is paid by the municipality. Prices vary by municipality and type of care.
Copenhagen example (prices as of 1 May 2026): nursery or kindergarten DKK 4,289 per month with lunch (DKK 3,555 without) up to 3 years and 1 month, then DKK 2,816 with lunch (DKK 1,988 without); dagpleje DKK 3,489 before age 3, DKK 2,816 after.
Income-based reduction (2026 scale): fully free up to DKK 218,101 of annual household income, partial reduction from DKK 218,101 to DKK 677,499, none from DKK 677,500. Thresholds raised by DKK 7,000 per additional child and by DKK 76,317 for a single parent (2025 amounts).
Siblings: half price on the cheapest place (Lifeindenmark); in Copenhagen, full price for the most expensive place and half price for the other places.
Prices announced for 1 January 2027 (Copenhagen): nursery or kindergarten DKK 4,604 per month with lunch (DKK 3,850 without) up to 3 years and 1 month, then DKK 3,045 (DKK 2,195 without); dagpleje DKK 3,837 before age 3, DKK 3,045 after.
Parental leave: possibility of a 30-hour-per-week place at a reduced fee during a parent's leave.

Common pitfalls

Registering too late. Waiting lists are common, especially in cities; register as soon as you know your arrival date and your address.
Confusing public and private. For a private nursery or private childcare, you contact the facility directly; the municipality does not allocate these places but can pay a subsidy if it has approved them.
Language. Most facilities operate in Danish, which helps the child learn the language; a few operate in English (ask the municipality).
Hours. Opening hours vary; if your work involves irregular hours, a "combined care" arrangement (part-time place and flexible childminder) exists under conditions.
Change in income. Each month, the municipality compares your income with Skattestyrelsen's income register and recalculates the reduction if the gap is at least 5 steps on the scale; report changes in household composition, self-employment income and income not taxable in Denmark.
Faroe Islands and Greenland: their own rules.

What changes by country of origin

All countries: the right to a place depends on the parents' legal residence in Denmark, not on nationality.
Income not taxable in Denmark (for example a foreign pension): to be declared by you to the municipality for the calculation of the reduction.

Official sources (3) ›

These guides give the general rules. Your situation can change the answer: Moovy looks at it with you and tells you when you need a professional.

School

Enrolling your children, international schools, childcare.

Checked on 23 October 2026

Enrolling your child in school in Denmark: folkeskole, private schools, French lycée and recognition of qualifications

Costs: Folkeskole and reception classes free; private schools charge fees (set by each school); after-school care (SFO) is paid, DKK 2,042 per month in Copenhagen in 2026
Timeframes: Start school in the year the child turns 6 (start of term in August); enrolment possible during the year for a child who arrives

Steps

Register for the CPR (see DK-SEJOUR-TOUS-001): your address determines the school district and therefore the school offered.
Contact your municipality for enrolment. For a child who arrives during the year or who does not speak Danish, the rules vary by municipality; enrolment is possible at any time of the year.
For entry into grade 0: the child starts in the year they turn 6, in August. The municipality notifies you by Digital Post and you enrol the child online during the enrolment period. A one-year deferral (to be requested in the year the child turns 6, before 1 August, with the agreement of the municipal council) or early entry (at the earliest in the year the child turns 5, if they do so before 1 October, with the agreement of the school management) are decided with the school and the municipality.
Choose your school freely: you can request a public school other than the one in your district, even in another municipality, if there is room.
For a private school or the French lycée, contact the school directly, as early as possible.
Enrol the child in after-school care (SFO or fritidsordning, for roughly ages 6 to 10) at the same time as the school, online.

Documents

Child's CPR number and proof of address.
Previous school reports and school attendance certificates (translated if needed).
For entry into a Danish upper secondary school (gymnasium: STX, HTX, HHX, HF) with foreign schooling: a level equivalent to the end of Danish 9th or 10th year; contact the school concerned.

Costs and timelines

Folkeskole and reception classes: free.
Private schools: fees set freely by each school, very variable.
SFO (after-school care): paid, fee set each year by the municipality; in Copenhagen, DKK 2,042 per month in 2026 (DKK 2,098 announced for 2027), July free. Free or reduced place possible if the household earns less than DKK 677,500 per year (2026).
Lycée français Prins-Henrik: 795 pupils, 15 levels accredited by the French Ministry of Education (Éducation nationale) from petite section to terminale (Rolighedsvej 39, Frederiksberg). Tuition fees to be requested from the school.
Rhythm: 202 school days per year; week of 27.8 hours on average (grade 0 to year 3), 33 hours (years 4 to 6) and 35 hours (years 7 to 9). Winter holiday in February (week 7 or 8), autumn holiday in October (week 42), summer holiday from the end of June to early or mid-August (Lifeindenmark's example: from 30 June to 14 August).
Recognition of a foreign qualification (Uddannelses- og Forskningsstyrelsen, the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science): free, translation not included, 2 months at most in principle after receipt of the complete file.

Common pitfalls

No general school canteen. Public schools generally have no canteen: most children bring a cold packed meal (madpakke); some municipalities have a meal offer (depending on your municipality).
Waiting for the August start of term. A child who arrives during the year can be enrolled right away: contact the municipality as soon as you arrive.
Reception class (modtagelsesklasse): not all municipalities have one, and some place the child directly in an ordinary class with Danish support.
Waiting list at private schools and at the French lycée: register early.
Language subjects: English from grade 1, a second foreign language from grade 5; the school must offer German or French from grade 7.
Complaint: first to the head of the school, then to the municipality within 4 weeks.
Assessment of a foreign qualification: the agency assesses the level of the qualification, not the grades or the subject levels; for admission, it is the school that decides.
Faroe Islands and Greenland: their own school systems.

What changes by country of origin

French citizens: the Lycée français Prins-Henrik follows the French curriculum (AEFE network). AEFE school grants (means-tested) are requested from the French consulate, which processes the file; it is the AEFE that decides, after the opinion of a national commission. You must be registered on the Register of French nationals residing abroad (Registre des Français résidant hors de France).
German citizens: there are private schools of the German minority (Lifeindenmark mentions them among the private schools).
All countries: the Danish public school is open to all resident children, whatever their nationality. International schools (English-language or IB programmes) exist in the larger cities: check the list and fees with your municipality.

Official sources (11) ›

Checked on 23 October 2026

Childcare for young children in Denmark: dagpleje, vuggestue, børnehave, guaranteed place and fees

Costs: Parents: at most 25% of the running cost; in Copenhagen in 2026, DKK 4,289 per month in a nursery with lunch up to 3 years and 1 month, DKK 2,816 afterwards
Timeframes: Place guaranteed from 26 weeks; the municipality has 4 more weeks if the request is late

Steps

Register for the CPR: childcare registration goes through the municipality of residence.
Put your child on your municipality's waiting list, online ("Childcare" self-service), stating the date from which you need a place. Do it as early as possible.
State your preferences (specific facility, dagpleje or nursery): the municipality takes them into account as far as possible.
Receive the offer of a place. The municipality must offer an age-appropriate place from 26 weeks; if you apply just before or after, it has 4 more weeks.
Apply for support if needed: income-based reduction (online), sibling reduction (automatic).
Pay the monthly invoice, in advance.

Documents

CPR of the child and the parents, address in Denmark.
For an income-based reduction: the household's monthly income.
For a part-time place during parental leave: proof of the leave.

Costs and timelines

Parents' share: at most 25% of the running cost; the rest is paid by the municipality. Prices vary by municipality and type of care.
Copenhagen example (prices as of 1 May 2026): nursery or kindergarten DKK 4,289 per month with lunch (DKK 3,555 without) up to 3 years and 1 month, then DKK 2,816 with lunch (DKK 1,988 without); dagpleje DKK 3,489 before age 3, DKK 2,816 after.
Income-based reduction (2026 scale): fully free up to DKK 218,101 of annual household income, partial reduction from DKK 218,101 to DKK 677,499, none from DKK 677,500. Thresholds raised by DKK 7,000 per additional child and by DKK 76,317 for a single parent (2025 amounts).
Siblings: half price on the cheapest place (Lifeindenmark); in Copenhagen, full price for the most expensive place and half price for the other places.
Prices announced for 1 January 2027 (Copenhagen): nursery or kindergarten DKK 4,604 per month with lunch (DKK 3,850 without) up to 3 years and 1 month, then DKK 3,045 (DKK 2,195 without); dagpleje DKK 3,837 before age 3, DKK 3,045 after.
Parental leave: possibility of a 30-hour-per-week place at a reduced fee during a parent's leave.

Common pitfalls

Registering too late. Waiting lists are common, especially in cities; register as soon as you know your arrival date and your address.
Confusing public and private. For a private nursery or private childcare, you contact the facility directly; the municipality does not allocate these places but can pay a subsidy if it has approved them.
Language. Most facilities operate in Danish, which helps the child learn the language; a few operate in English (ask the municipality).
Hours. Opening hours vary; if your work involves irregular hours, a "combined care" arrangement (part-time place and flexible childminder) exists under conditions.
Change in income. Each month, the municipality compares your income with Skattestyrelsen's income register and recalculates the reduction if the gap is at least 5 steps on the scale; report changes in household composition, self-employment income and income not taxable in Denmark.
Faroe Islands and Greenland: their own rules.

What changes by country of origin

All countries: the right to a place depends on the parents' legal residence in Denmark, not on nationality.
Income not taxable in Denmark (for example a foreign pension): to be declared by you to the municipality for the calculation of the reduction.

Official sources (3) ›

These guides give the general rules. Your situation can change the answer: Moovy looks at it with you and tells you when you need a professional.

School

Enrolling your child in school in Denmark: folkeskole, private schools, French lycée and recognition of qualifications

Steps

Documents

Costs and timelines

Common pitfalls

What changes by country of origin

Childcare for young children in Denmark: dagpleje, vuggestue, børnehave, guaranteed place and fees

Steps

Documents

Costs and timelines

Common pitfalls

What changes by country of origin

Other topics

School

Enrolling your child in school in Denmark: folkeskole, private schools, French lycée and recognition of qualifications

Steps

Documents

Costs and timelines

Common pitfalls

What changes by country of origin

Childcare for young children in Denmark: dagpleje, vuggestue, børnehave, guaranteed place and fees

Steps

Documents

Costs and timelines

Common pitfalls

What changes by country of origin

Other topics