SIM Cards and Mobile Plans
Denmark has a competitive mobile market with both prepaid SIM cards and contract plans available from major carriers and MVNOs.
Denmark has a well-developed mobile telecommunications market. For newcomers and visitors, prepaid (taletidskort) SIM cards are the most accessible option and can be purchased at 7-Eleven stores, supermarkets, and carrier shops throughout the country. Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) also sells SIM cards immediately upon arrival, making it easy to get connected before leaving the terminal. According to student guides from DTU, free or low-cost SIM cards are commonly distributed during university Introduction Weeks — Lebara cards in particular are frequently handed out at DTU's introductory events.
Major Prepaid Providers
Key prepaid SIM options in Denmark
| Provider | SIM Card Cost | Popular Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebara | Free (or small fee) | 99 DKK/month: 30 GB data + 10 hrs calls + unlimited SMS | Available at 7-Eleven; top-up online or in-store; EU roaming available |
| Lycamobile | Free (pick up yourself) | Similar to Lebara; pay-as-you-go or bundles | Free SIM from lebara.dk; suitable for short stays |
| 3 (Hi3G) | Free with plan | 5–60 GB data packages; unlimited calling and SMS | Requires CPR number for monthly contracts; Denmark-only or roaming plans |
| Telmore | Included | Various; competitive rates for calls and data | Subsidiary of TDC; number portability supported |
Lebara's most popular monthly bundle for international students costs 99 DKK (approximately 13–14 EUR) and includes 30 GB of data, 10 hours of domestic calls, and unlimited SMS within Denmark. You activate it by purchasing the top-up at 7-Eleven and calling the activation number on the receipt. The plan is valid for 30 days from activation, and you can refill by returning to 7-Eleven or by logging into your Lebara account online. Lebara also offers roaming in other countries at fixed additional rates, making it useful for travelers moving across Europe.
Lycamobile is another popular budget option widely used by expats and students. Like Lebara, it targets international customers and offers competitive rates for international calls. The SIM card itself is free, though you need to collect it independently. Three (3 DK) distinguishes itself by offering plans that include free roaming in select countries at no additional cost — data packages range from 5 GB to 60 GB with unlimited calls and texting included. However, Three requires a Danish CPR (civil registration) number to sign up for a monthly contract; without a CPR, you can pay for paper bills with an additional fee of roughly 50 DKK per month, or pay at the post office.
All major Danish carriers — TDC/YouSee, Telenor, Telia, and 3 (Hi3G) — operate their own networks. Numerous MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) such as Telmore, CallMe, Oister, and CBB rent capacity from these networks to offer competitive rates. According to the Danish Business Authority's annual telecom report, the market is highly competitive with low average prices by European standards (Erhvervsstyrelsen teleom 2024). 5G network rollout is ongoing under Denmark's national 5G action plan (5G handlingsplan), with coverage expanding in major cities and along transport corridors.
For students at Danish universities, institutional plans may also be available. At the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), standard institutional subscriptions run through Telenor and include 20 GB of data per month, which can be extended by contacting IT support. These are workplace subscriptions for employees and differ from student prepaid options. The standard 20 GB/month plan can be monitored and managed via the 'My Telenor / Mit Telenor' app.
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Internet and WiFi Services
Fiber broadband dominates in Denmark with widespread urban coverage; multiple ISPs offer competitive plans starting around 100–200 DKK/month.
Denmark has one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Europe, with fiber-optic (fibernet) connections widely available in urban and suburban areas. The Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen) tracks broadband rollout, and the government's TjekDitNet service lets residents check what speeds and technologies are available at a specific address. Major ISPs include TDC (through its TDC NET brand), Norlys, Hiper, Fastspeed, and regional providers like K-net and Ewii.
Choosing a Provider
Comparison sites are your best starting point when choosing an internet plan in Denmark. Bredbaandsmatch.dk has an English-language interface specifically for expats, while Samlino.dk and Billigste Bredbaand offer Danish-language comparisons of current prices and speeds. Reddit communities such as r/NewToDenmark and r/Copenhagen are also valuable resources where expats share recent first-hand experiences with different providers (r/NewToDenmark internet thread). Fiber plans typically offer symmetric speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with entry-level fiber subscriptions starting around 100–200 DKK per month for 100 Mbps symmetrical.
Major broadband providers in Denmark
| Provider | Technology | English Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDC NET | Fiber, DSL, cable | Limited | Largest network; check tdcnet.dk/fiber/adressetjek/ for fiber availability |
| Norlys | Fiber | No | Strong in Jutland; competitive prices for gigabit plans |
| Hiper | Fiber | Partial | Copenhagen-focused; simple flat-rate pricing; coverage map on hiper.dk |
| Fastspeed | Fiber | No | Mid-sized ISP; good in select urban areas |
| K-net | Fiber | No | Strong in North Jutland; local community-owned |
| Ewii | Fiber | No | Focused on southern Jutland |
Setting up internet as a foreigner is generally straightforward if you have an address and a Danish bank account or payment card. Most providers allow online sign-up. A CPR number is helpful but often not strictly required for initial setup, though it may be needed for direct debit or certain contract types. Many expats start with a month-to-month contract to maintain flexibility, as some providers offer discounts for annual commitments. For technical setup guidance (router configuration, etc.), TDC provides online setup instructions in Danish, and customer service in English is available at major providers on request.
Public WiFi in Denmark is widely available in cafes, libraries, shopping centres, public transit stations, and many outdoor spaces. The 'eduroam' network is accessible at all Danish universities and many public institutions — students and researchers with a university account can connect automatically across campuses (DTU IT instructions). Copenhagen Airport, train stations, and most hotel lobbies offer free WiFi. WifiMap is a useful crowdsourced resource to locate free hotspots while exploring.
If you need temporary internet before a fixed line is installed, mobile broadband (mobilt bredbånd) is a practical bridge option. Most mobile carriers offer data-only SIMs and portable routers. Pocket WiFi rental is also available for short-term visitors through companies like HipPocketWifi. For students in university housing, WiFi is typically provided as part of the accommodation arrangement — though speeds and reliability vary by institution. At the University of Copenhagen, housing internet services are managed through a partner service for students (KU housing Wi-Fi).
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Mobile Phone Rates and Contracts
Denmark's competitive market offers affordable contracts; switching operators is easy with number portability guaranteed by law.
Denmark's mobile market is among the most competitive in Europe, resulting in relatively low prices for consumers. Monthly contract plans (abonnement) from major carriers typically include unlimited calls and SMS within Denmark plus a data allowance, ranging from around 50–80 DKK for basic 5–10 GB plans to 200–350 DKK for premium unlimited data plans. Budget MVNOs like Telmore, CBB, and Oister offer the lowest entry prices. Comparison platforms such as Mobilabonnement.dk and Mobilsiden.dk rank the cheapest current plans and are updated frequently. Consumer advocacy publication Taenk (taenk.dk) publishes independent reviews.
Number Portability and Contract Terms
Number portability in Denmark is a legal right — you can take your mobile number with you when switching carriers. The process is handled through your new provider and typically completes within 1–2 business days. Instructions for number transfer are provided by all major carriers: Telenor, Telmore, 3 DK, and CallMe. The national authority for number portability is DIGST (Digital Agency), which oversees the process. Teleankenævnet (the Telecom Complaints Board) handles disputes between consumers and operators free of charge.
Most mobile contracts in Denmark run on either a monthly rolling basis or a 6–12 month commitment with lower monthly rates. Some carriers require a CPR (civil registration) number for direct-debit billing, while others accept international credit or debit cards. Three (3 DK), for instance, requires a Danish CPR for monthly contracts; without one, you can pay at a post office (PostNord) for an additional fee. You are legally entitled to cancel a rolling monthly contract with one month's notice. Longer fixed-term contracts may incur early termination fees, but Danish consumer protection law limits these. The Consumer Ombudsman (Forbrugerombudsmanden) enforces rules against unfair contract terms in the telecom sector.
Typical mobile contract price ranges in Denmark (2024–2025)
| Plan Type | Typical Price (DKK/month) | What's Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget prepaid top-up | 50–100 DKK | Varies by bundle; usually limited data | Short stays, tourists |
| Entry-level SIM-only contract | 49–99 DKK | 5–15 GB data + unlimited calls/SMS | Light users, students |
| Mid-range contract | 100–199 DKK | 20–50 GB data + unlimited calls/SMS | Regular users |
| Unlimited data plan | 200–350 DKK | Unlimited data + calls/SMS; may include streaming | Heavy users, remote workers |
| Institutional/business (e.g., DTU Telenor) | Varies (covered by employer) | 20 GB/month standard; extendable | Employees at Danish institutions |
EU Roaming rules are critically important for anyone living in or visiting Denmark from another EU/EEA country. Under EU Regulation 2022/612, roaming charges were abolished within the European Economic Area (EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) effective 15 June 2017. This means you can use your Danish SIM card in other EU/EEA countries at no extra cost (subject to fair-use policies), and EU SIM cards work in Denmark on domestic rates. This 'Roam Like at Home' policy is confirmed by europa.eu and enforced for Denmark as an EU member state. Outside the EEA, standard international roaming rates apply and can be expensive — check your carrier's published international rates before travelling.
MobilePay, Denmark's dominant mobile payment app (owned by Vipps MobilePay after a Nordic merger), is deeply integrated into daily life and extremely relevant for telecom services — many carriers accept payment via MobilePay. However, MobilePay requires MitID (Denmark's digital identity system) to link a bank card, which means newly arrived foreigners may need to set up a Danish bank account and MitID before using it. Once set up, MobilePay can be used to top up prepaid plans and pay bills from many Danish service providers (MobilePay app). Vipps MobilePay help provides setup instructions.