How to save money in Denmark

Living in Denmark can be quite expensive. Luckily, there are some ways to make your student budget stratch further. Here are some money-saving tips for students headed to the land of Vikings:

1. Enjoy free and low-cost activities

It can be hard to find something cheap to do in your spare time, but having fun in Denmark does not have to cost a lot - and some activities are for free.

During the warmer months, Denmark’s cities offer plenty of free outdoor activities. In Copenhagen, for example, you can take a swim in one of the city’s harbour baths, including Islands Brygge Harbour Bath, free of charge.

Keep an eye out for local festivals, outdoor concerts, open-air cinema screenings, local screenings of sports events and other free events during the summer. Programmes change from year to year, so check your municipality, local tourist organization, student house or higher education institution for current events.

Finally, many museums and other cultural activities are free of charge for students (sometimes the free admission is on selected days), which are perfect to start exploring when the weather gets colder. To stay updated on free, local activities it might be an idea to join a local Facebook group or similar digital local initiative.  

2. Why not use Student Discounts

First of all: always carry your student ID. It might end up saving you more money than expected.
Many shops, cafés, gyms, cultural venues and online services offer discounts to students. Not all businesses advertise their student discounts clearly, so it is worth asking before you pay.

You can also use student discount services such as Studiz to find current offers both online and in physical stores. Discounts and conditions change regularly, so check that an offer is still valid before making a purchase.

There are also different apps for your smartphone where you can find discounts - both if you are a student or not.

3. Transport

Enjoy your time at campus while you are studying in Denmark, but be sure to see the country when you have time to spare.

If you travel regularly between your home and your higher education institution, check whether you are eligible for an Ungdomskort. It is a public transport pass for eligible students and young people that offers discounted travel between your home and an educational institution as well as discounts on other journeys in Denmark.

For longer journeys, booking ahead can often save you money. The Danish stated owned rail company DSB offers discounted Orange tickets on selected departures, and young people and students may be eligible for additional discounts.

There is not one single type of transportation that is always the cheapest. Compare your options before traveling - especially for longer trips - and remember that cheap tickets may be tied to a specific departure.

For everyday journeys, cycling is also one of the cheapest (and healthiest...) ways to get around. Denmark has extensive cycling infrastructure, and a second-hand bike can quickly pay for itself if you use it instead of public transport.

4. Grocery Shopping

Grocery stores generally do not offer a standard student discount, but there are still plenty of ways to reduce your grocery bill.

Look for grocery stores' own budget brands and weekly offers, and compare prices rather than always shopping at the same store. Many grocery shops also mark down products that are close to their use-by or best-before date. Sometimes you have to buy a very large quantity to get a discount, so ask a fellow student if they also need a few kilos of oats and team up on the purchase.

Consider meal planning so you shop less times (and thereby get less tempted) and focus on using up the ingredients already in your fridge or kitchen cabinets.

You can also use food-waste services such as Too Good To Go to buy surplus food from grocery stores, bakeries, cafés and restaurants at reduced prices.

5. Madpakke - packed lunch 

Eating out regularly can quickly eat into your student budget. Cooking food at home is quite popular in Denmark, and in order to save money many Danish students choose to do this most of the week.

Many students pack a lunch box that they bring to class instead of paying for lunch at the cafeteria or restaurant. Danish students have been used to "rugbrødsmadder" (open faced sandwiches with rye bread) as their madpakke for their entire upbringing. But your lunch box can, of course, be anything prepared at home at brought in a lunch box.

Cooking larger portions for dinner and taking the leftovers with you the next day is another easy way to save both time and money.

If you can grow accustomed to the culture of bringing your own food combined with shopping for cheap brands, money will stay in your pocket. So, if you want to embrace the Danish food culture, and have a cheap lunch, you should try to bring some rugbrødsmadder.

6. Consider looking for purchases second-hand 

Denmark has a strong second-hand culture, and buying used things can be particularly useful when you have just moved here.

Furnitures, kitchen equipment, bicycles, clothes and textbooks for your studies can often be found much cheaper second-hand than new. Look at local second-hand shops, flea markets, student groups and online marketplaces.

If you are leaving Denmark after your studies, you may also be able to sell the things you bought and recover some of the cost.

7. A little planning goes a long way

Denmark may not be the cheapest country to live in, but student discounts, cycling, bringing your own 'madpakke', second-hand shopping and a little forward planning can make a significant difference to your tight student budget. Just remember that offers, prices and events change, so check current information before making your plans.

Enjoy your time in Denmark - without spending more than you need to