Banks and cards in Copenhagen

To open a bank account in Denmark you need you be a registered citizen, i.e. you need to have a CPR number and the Sundhedskort (the yellow card). Somewhat surprisingly though, if you leave Denmark to reside abroad you can still keep your danish bank account open. You just need to give your new contact data and your foreign tax number.
If you need to make international transfers, since 2012 you need to give the bank a copy of your passport.

Main banks in Copenhagen are:
Danske Bank
Nordea
Jyske Bank
Amagerbanken
Nykredit
Handelsbanken
Spar Nord

You need to get an "online banking account" if you don't want to spend a fortune and a lot of time going to the bank to do simple operations such as money transfers, bill payments, etc.

Also, you need to get two cards (at least) from the bank:
-the debit card that allows you to withdraw money from the cash machines and pay in some supermarkets and shops;
-the credit card (you'll need to prove three months of steady income)
Usually the two cards, if connected to the same bank account, share the same pin code.

The use of both debit and credit cards is very common in Denmark and people use them to pay for anything. Cash has become so rare that waiters might often give you the wrong change!
Remember, very rarely you are asked or allowed to sign a receipt when paying with a credit card.
It is more likely that you will have to use the pin code, which might be not so common for credit card users coming from abroad.

The credit card will arrive to your address with a similar letter:

Dansk
Visa/Dankort - nem og sikker adgang til kontanter og indkøb i hele verden

Vi sender her dit nye Visa/Dankort, der har samme pinkode som dine andre kort i Danske Bank. Visa /Dankortet giver dig nem og sikker adgang til dine penge overalt i Danmark og i de fleste butikker, restauranter, hoteller, banker og pengeautomater i resten af verden. Du kan bruge kortet, lige så snart du har aktiveret det, men vent ikke for længe - om 21 dage udløber aktiveringsperioden.

-Kortet kan aktiveres i Danske Netbank, hvor du først vælger menuen Kort og valuta og derpå Kortoversigt, hvor du så klikker på kortet.
-Du kan også ringe på 70111800 og indtaste kortnummeret fra forsiden af kortet og de fire sidste cifre i dit CPR-nr.

Har du spørgsmål til aktiveringen eller brugen af kortet, er du velkommen til at ringe til os på 70207020.

English
Visa/Dankort - easy and safe access to cash and purchases worldwide



We send here your new Visa/Dankort that has the same PIN as your other cards in Danske Bank. Visa/Dankort gives you easy and safe access to your money anywhere in Denmark and in most shops, restaurants, hotels, banks and ATMs worldwide.

You can use the card as soon as you activate it, but do not wait too long - in 21 days the activation period expires.

-The card can be activated in Danske Netbank where you first select the menu "Card and currency" and then "Card listing", where you then click on the card.

-You can also call 70111800 and enter the card number from the front of the card and the last four digits of your social security number.



If you have questions about activation or use of the card, please call us at 70207020.

The debit cards used to have only the magnetic stripe and no chip, which made them less accepted in the shops. Recently they issued debit cards which are "smart", safer and include chips. In that case, you might get a letter like this:

Dansk
Dit nye MasterCard Direct
Vi sender her dit nye MasterCard Direct, da dit nuværende kort udløber ved udgangen af denne måned - pinkoden er den samme. Det nye kort har chip, hvilket øger sikkerheden. Det gamle kort skal du klippe over og smide ud.

Inden kortet tages i brug
Inden du bruger kortet første gang, beder vi dig skrive det under på bagsiden samt kontrollere, at dit navn står rigtigt på kortet.
Husk altid at opbevare pinkode og kort hver for sig, og husk også at beskytte pinkoden, når du taster den.

Hvis du mister kortet
Mister du dit MasterCard Direct, skal du straks ringe til Korteservice på (+45) 70207020, som derefter spærrer kortet. Kortservice har åbent døgnet rundt, alle ugens dage. Bliver kortet stjålet, skal du altid melde det til nærmeste politistation.

Har du spørgsmål til MasterCard Direct, er du meget velkommen til at ringe til Korteservice på (+45) 70207020.

English
Your new MasterCard Direct
We send here your new MasterCard Direct when your current card expires at the end of this month - the PIN is the same. The new cards have a chip, which increases safety. The old card, cut over and throw out.

Before the card is used
Before using the card the first time, please write it in the back and check that your name appears correctly on the map. Remember to keep the PIN and card separately, and do not forget to protect your PIN when you dial it.

If you lose the card
Should you lose your MasterCard Direct, you must immediately call the Card Service at (+45) 70207020, which then block the card. Card Service is open around the clock, seven days a week. If the card gets stolen, you should always report it to the nearest police station.

If you have questions about MasterCard Direct, please do not hesitate to call Card Services at (+45) 70207020.