Denmark is a Constitutionel Monarchy, and has been since 1848, when Denmark had it's first Constitution giving the power to the politicians. That said, all law's must be signed by the reigning monarch or an appointed deputy.
Denmark is ruled by His Royal Highness King Frederik X (ten) of Denmark, who was proclaimed king January 14th 2024, after his mother, Her Royal Highness Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, had abdicated from the throne due to health issues.
HRH King Frederik is married to HRH Queen Mary, who was raised on Tasmania, Australia. Together they have four children: Crown Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
The Danish Royal family is very popular and beloved by the Danes.
Beside the above named, the Royal Family also counts Prince Joakim (King Frederik's younger brother) and his wife, Princess Marie. Prince Joakim has two children with his previous wife, Dutchess Alexandra: His Excellence Count Nikolai and His Excelence Count Felix. With his present wife, Princess Marie, he has the children: His Excellence Count Henrik and Her Excellence Countess Athena.
Also Queen Margrethe II's younger sister, Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte is encounted part of the Royal Family of Denmark.
Denmark is best characterized as a Social-Liberal Society. We enjoy the benefits of both socialism and liberalism. The trade market is free, but the taxes are high. The high taxes though provides public financed health care for all, public financed schools, high schools, university's/colleges, public financed roads (except for a couple of bridges) etc. The trade market also benefits from the social-liberalism, as they can easily hire and lay off employee's. If employee's are laid off, they can recieve a high social welfare income for few years, while they are looking for a different job. This means they don't loose everything because they are layed off.
Denmark is also ruling Faroe Islands and Greenland, but they have a large selfgoverning, too. Denmark is primarily in charge of their forreign affairs and military affairs.
Denmark has a Parlament consisting of 179 members. 175 members elected in Denmark, plus 2 members from Faroe Islands and 2 members from Greenland. We have a wide range of political parties to a degree that many looses count. The benefit of this though is, it is easier to find a political party you agree with.
Denmark is also member of EU and Nato.
The Danish Parlament, Christiansborg.
Denmark is devided into five regions, who's in charge of the local health care, and 98 municipalities, called: Kommuner, who's taking care of local administration. Each region and each municipality have a board of elected politicians, making local decisions.
Dannebrog is the name of the National flag of Denmark. It is also to be seen as a long slim version, called: "Vimpel".
Denmark is not part of the Euro currency, but has decided to keep the Danish Kroner (crowns) as currency.
"The Yellow Card", or the "Health Insurance Card", gives you access to free health care in Denmark. It is also used as ID card, even though it has no pictures on it. It is also used as library card on Danish library's and more.
The card contains your social security number, consisting of your Day of Birth (DoB) + 4 digits. Also your doctor's name, address and phone numer is printed on the card.
The card can also be downloaded as an app for your smartphone.
‼️ It is important you take very good care of this card, and is very careful of whom you give the last 4 digits to. These 4 digits, combined with your DoB is uniq to you and is your identification.
‼️ If you are a trimester student from EU, you will not need a Yellow Card. Your blue EU Health Insurance card will do. Remember to apply for such in your home country.
In Denmark Credit Card's is king. It is possible to use cash, but many stores have a very limited amount of change, so you cannot expect they can give change if paying in cash.
Be aware if using a foreign credit card in Denmark, you will be charged a fee. How big this will be varies from store to store.
We recommend Exchange Students with more than 5 month's stay apply for a bank account in Denmark. Your parents can then transfer money to you, by sending to the Danish bank account. Your Host Family can help you apply for a bank account in Denmark. Keep in mind, international transfers may take a few days extra.
Another common payment system in Denmark is MobilePay, which is an app for your phone.
Denmark is known for high consummation of alcohol. It's common to be offered a beer or two, when visiting anyone. At holidays it's also common to drink beers or even stronger alcoholic beverages.
Law: Beverages with an alcohol volume on 16.5% or above must not be sold to youngsters under 18 years old. The store is obliged to ask for ID if they are unsure of your age.
ID can be drivers licens or passport.
Drinking in public is common and allowed. When the weather is good, you will see people sit around outside of cafés and restaurants drinking beer, or hanging out in parks or other public areas drinking.
You will find all kinds of alcoholic beverages is sold in all grocery stores, kiosks etc.
It is always acceptable to reject offers on beers or other beverages.
When Denmark celebrate public holidays, you will find stores and companies are closed. Only small grocery stores, kiosks and gas stations will be open.
Public holidays 2024-2025 are:
December 25th and 26th
January 1st
April 13th
April 17th and 18th
April 20th and 21st
May 29th
June 8th and 9th
Half public holidays 2024-2025 are:
June 5th
A half holiday means schools, companies and some stores close by 12 AM.