BRINGING YOUR SPOUSE/PARTNER

Aalborg University (AAU) has its own spouse and partner programme to provide customised support to expat partners of AAU international employees. The programme is called AAU + 1. 

AAU +1 services

• One-on-one meeting - "Welcome to Denmark"
• Networking events
• Career advice
• Personal development workshops
• Free access to the International Dual Career Network (IDCN)
• Danish culture training

If your spouse or partner accompanies you to Denmark, please encourage them to register for this programme by filling in the AAU +1 registration form. 

Visit the AAU +1 spouse and partner network page to read more about AAU+1. 

Establishing a social network

Moving to a new country involves a loss of one’s existing social network. It is good to take into account the potential for building a new network in Denmark when looking into a job position at AAU.

Are regular social events organised by AAU?
Every semester, AAU's International Staff Unit (ISU) hosts a wide number of networking activities for AAU staff, guest researchers and Ph.D. students - and accompanying families. You can find the upcoming activities under events at the bottom of the page. 

AAU also hosts two yearly events for AAU staff, guest researchers and Ph.D. students:

AAU party (Årsfest)
DHL relay race
 
How to meet people in your local area?
Visit the International House North Denmark, International House Copenhagen and New in Esbjerg to find out about local events, sport clubs and associations.

Finding cultural and leisure activities

Libraries in Denmark are free and offer many different services for locals and newcomers. At a public library, you can borrow books, newspapers and magazines, music, DVDs and computer games. You can also gain access to the internet, read the daily newspapers in several languages and get help to find specific information about cultural life and leisure activities, for example.

Many libraries organise different events such as exhibitions, movie screenings, and children’s theatre performances, invite speakers to give talks and provide homework assistance.

• Aalborg main library
• Esbjerg libraries
• Copenhagen main library

Many people in Denmark – children and adults alike – are actively involved in associations and take voluntary education courses at evening classes. In associations and at evening schools you can pursue your interest in sport, politics, history, languages, theatre and music, for example. Associations and evening classes are a good way to meet other citizens and play an active role in your local community.

At Expat in Denmark you can, among other things, find professional and social networks and events for workers from abroad and their families. You can also find a list of other networks at: www.workindenmark.dk.

Lifestyle changes

We recommend that you carefully reflect on differences in climate, available food products, language, culture, work ethic, and quality of life when researching your move. If possible, a few trips to explore Aalborg, Esbjerg and/ or Copenhagen – where AAU has campuses – would be extremely beneficial, ensuring that your needs and expectations are met.

Consider visiting the International Staff Unit (ISU) on Campus Aalborg East, and have a talk. If that is not a viable option for you, we invite you to book a meeting with us, if you are in the recruiting process to come work at AAU. 

You can also find different sources of information at the Life in Denmark's website. 

Cultural training on arrival
Learning about the local culture and how to work with others from a different cultural background, can be beneficial to you. ISU offers a cultural training programme each semester which will help you establishing positive work relationships, collaborating in teams, and supervising students across cultures. 

When working in Denmark, families with children may be eligible for receiving child benefits. Parents have the right to receive child benefits for each child under 18 years of age. The child benefits are paid on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Child benefit rates:

The monthly/quarterly fee per child is (2024):

Children 0 - 2 years old: 5.124 DKK quarterly
Children 3 - 6 years old: 4.056 DKK quarterly
Children 7 - 14 years old: 3.192 DKK quarterly
Youth 15 - 17 years old: 1.064 DKK pr. month
Parents with a yearly income of more than 882,700 DKK will receive a reduced child benefit.

EU/EEA citizens
In order to receive the full amount of child benefits, at least one of the parents who has custody of the child must have resided or worked in Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Lichtenstein or another EU/EEA country for a minimum of 6 years within the last 10 years.

If they have not lived in Denmark or another EU/EEA country for at least 6 years within the last 10 years, they are entitled to a reduced percentage of the child benefit. See the rates at LifeinDenmark.dk.

Non-EU/EEA Citizens
Non EU/EEA citizens are entitled to a reduced percentage of the child benefit proportional to the time they have lived and worked in Denmark. 

Contact
Please contact Udbetaling Danmark via telephone +45 70128062 or contact them by e-mail at udbetalingdanmark@atp.dk to find out whether you are entitled to benefits for your children and how to apply for it.

You can find further information at the LifeinDenmark.dk 

Single providers
In addition to the child benefits, there are other special child allowances which are paid in different situations – e.g. if you are a single provider.

If you want to know more about special child allowances as a single provider, please contact Udbetaling Danmark by phone +45 70 12 80 62.

Read can read more about special child allowances on Lifeindenmark.dk.

All children in Denmark are guaranteed a place in a childcare institution. 

Furthermore, the university offers changing stations and contemplation/lactation rooms to support breastfeeding at work. 

Childcare in Denmark
Options for childcare consist of:

• Day nurseries/home-based childminding for children 0-3 years old
• Kindergartens for children 3-6 years old
• Pre-school/after school centres for children 6-10 years old.

Childcare staff members only 
Children of staff working at Aalborg University Hospital have priority at the kindergarten ‘Børnehuset Sdr. Skovvej’ with extended opening hours. The extended opening hours ensures that children and parents have the opportunity to take time off together.

Childcare guarantee 
All children in Denmark are guaranteed a place in a childcare institution which means:

• The offer fits your child’s age
• The offer is valid from your desired start date
• The childcare is as close to your residence as possible

Costs and extra subsidy for care
Childcare is financed partly by the parents and partly by the municipality. Prices differ depending on the municipality, the type of childcare and the household income.

The amount of the subsidy depends on the household's income. If you are a single parent, an additional deduction would be applicable.

Opening hours and enrollment
In most cases, the opening hours of the childcare facilities are Monday-Thursday 6:30 am to 5 pm, and Fridays until 4 pm. Opening hours may vary depending on the specific institution and geographical area.

To enrol your child in a public day care facility, please contact the municipality and ask for "Pladsanvisningen".

• Please read more about costs on the Municipality of Aalborg website.
• Please read more about costs on the Municipality of Copenhagen website.
• Please read more about costs on the Municipality of Esbjerg website.

Denmark has IB Schools, where the education is in English. These schools can be found in various cities in Denmark. 

For more information read more about IB Schools in Denmark. 

Visit the website of the Danish Ministry of Children and Education to obtain information about the Danish system.