One thing you can not do online
One of the great things about Denmark is the fact that you can do almost everything online. Almost everything. You can apply for the EU certificate online and you can apply for the CPR number online. But you can only get both when you visit the relevant authority. So you don’t have to go there twice, you can apply for the EU certificate and the CPR number directly one after the other and wait for an invitation letter that you will receive by e-mail from the International Citizen Service. In this email there is a link to make an appointment online.
Let´s go into more detail. In the area of Copenhagen the International House in Copenhagen offers this service:
International Citizen Service (ICS EAST) at International House Copenhagen provides registration services for international citizens living in Copenhagen and in a large number of municipalities outside of the capital. The registration services include CPR registration, EU residence document, health card, U2 (unemployment benefits), NemID and tax card. Please note that all services are free.
The registration services CPR registration and EU residence document (SIRI) you should click on as a EU citizen. It is worth mentioning at this point that a German passport or ID card certainly shows that you are from a EU country but you still need a certificate confirming this to apply for the CPR number. Below you find structured information for the three essential steps until you have your CPR number.
1. EU residence document (SIRI)
All EU nationals who want to register as a resident in Denmark must apply for an EU residence document at SIRI. You can apply for the document online, but you have to make an appointment with SIRI in order to have it issued.
This is what is written in big letters on the information website of the International House and a little bit confusing, because SIRI is situated in the International House which is not really mentioned. SIRI stands for „Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration“ and is nothing else but the Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.
For the online application you need the documents that apply to you, please find them listed here, depending on if you are a student, a worker or someone else listed. For me, this was the rental contract, my work contract and my passport. Make sure to have them upload-ready before you start the application process.
After submitting the form, you receive an email with an application reference number, which you need to bring to the SIRI in the International House when you book the appointment (after step 2, to avoid to go there two times!)
For the appointment at SIRI in the International House you need the filled OD1 form, which is the application for the EU certificate. Keep in mind that you bring either your passport to the International House if you uploaded a photo of it or the ID card, if you chose to upload a photo of that one. I also printed the rental contract and my work contract for this visit. It depends on your specific situation if you need to bring other documents too.
You do not need a photo anymore.
The goal with this online application is that you can pick up your EU certificate in the same run as your CPR number, so make sure to upload everything possible before actually visiting the International House.
2. CPR registration
You can apply for a CPR registration, if you have a place to live in Denmark and plan to stay for more than 3 months.
This is what is written in big letters on the information website of the International House and very misleading in my opinion. Because you can not just go there for a very long vacation if you do not have sufficient funds or an income or are a student… Moreover, as a EU citizen you are allowed to stay for 6 months in Denmark without CPR registration.
For the online application you need to have a passport or ID card, and an address of residence in Denmark. You should prepare files for the upload: a photo or scan of your ID card or passport and a digitalized rental contract for example.
After submitting the form it can take up to four weeks to process the data. For me, it took one day until the invitation letter arrived by e-mail from the International Citizen Service. With this, I booked an appointment in the International House.
3. The appointment
In general, the danish authorities work incredibly efficient. I was surpised that I could book an appointment in the International House the day right after. The International House in Copenhagen is located here:
Before you enter the waiting room, you need to type in the booking number that was send to you via e-mail. You can then take your ticket and enter the waiting area. I was there app. 10 min before my actual appointment and right the next number on the screen was mine. They are friendly and patient and answer all your questions. If you have questions regarding the first steps in Denmark, you should ask them! They are there to help you getting settled.
Here I received the CPR number on a printed letter which can be used as proof of CPR number until the yellow card follows in the post approximately 4-5 weeks later.