There’s a lot to get acquainted with as a newcomer. Here’s everything you need to know about moving to Sønderborg.
As a newcomer, there are many things to get acquainted with. We will do our very best to ensure that you and your family settle comfortably in Sønderborg.
When you move to Sønderborg, there are several useful things to organise in order to get off to a good start:
Citizen Service offices in Sønderborg, Nordborg or Gråsten are your first point of contact for help with digital self-service, such as registering a change of address, applying for housing benefits, enrolling your child in day care and similar services. You will also find a citizen café here with free computers available.
The library in Sønderborg offers free borrowing of books, films and more – and you can use your health insurance card as your library card. The library also organises a wide range of activities for both children and adults.
Visit Sønderborg is the local tourist office and can help with information about attractions, events and tickets.
Waste sorting is mandatory in the municipality, and you can sign up for an SMS service that reminds you when your recycling and household waste containers are due to be emptied.
Transport options are excellent, with Sønderborg Airport offering several daily departures to Copenhagen, as well as trains, buses and ferries. As a new resident, you can order a newcomer travel card (tilflytterkort) that allows you to travel free of charge on Sydtrafik buses for two months after moving.
It is important to know the relevant emergency and service numbers when you move:
Sønderborg Municipality offers a diverse range of housing options for newcomers, whether you wish to rent, buy or build your next home. You can choose between various types of housing – from detached houses and terraced homes to owner-occupied apartments, exclusive luxury properties or your own building plot. Several areas also offer beautiful natural surroundings and views of the water along the coastline.
The combination of nature and a wide selection of housing makes the municipality attractive both for those who want the vibrancy of town life and for those who prefer the tranquillity of village living. There is also a good supply of rental housing through housing associations, and working newcomers can often move up waiting lists with these associations more quickly, making it easier to find a home that suits your needs. You can read more about the many options here.
If you are moving to Sønderborg to study, there are also good opportunities to find student accommodation or a room in a student residence. Read more here.
Please note that if you rent your home when you move to Sønderborg, you may in certain circumstances be eligible to apply for housing benefits.
For families with children, Sønderborg Municipality offers excellent conditions for both children and parents. The municipality guarantees childcare places and offers both municipal and private childcare options, including German-language and international kindergartens with favourable staff-to-child ratios. Read about childcare options in Sønderborg Municipality.
The school system includes many public and private schools, special education schools, as well as German and international schools, ensuring plenty of options regardless of your child’s needs. Get an overview of schools in Sønderborg Municipality.
Outside school hours, there is a wide range of leisure activities – from sports such as football and scouting to music and art – enabling children to explore their interests and become part of social communities.
Sønderborg Municipality warmly welcomes new residents with a range of attractive welcome offers. As a newcomer, you can download a welcome booklet and find a presentation with the most important information about the area.
In addition, you will be invited to a Welcome Day twice a year, where you can join either a brunch event or coffee and cake and meet other new residents.
The municipality also offers a free newcomer bus card valid for two months. One card can be ordered per household, and it must be ordered no later than three months after moving.
Read more about the welcome offers here.
In Sønderborg Municipality, there are many good opportunities to build a social network as a newcomer. The municipality’s Newcomer Network brings together both Danish and international newcomers and organises social activities several times a month – such as yoga classes, a food club, a German-language “Stammtisch”, and small excursions where you can meet new people. Get an overview of upcoming events for newcomers.
In addition, there are more than 700 local associations and sports clubs that welcome you and your family, whether your interests lie in sport, hobbies or volunteering. Get an overview of associations in Sønderborg.
A digital community such as Boblberg can also make it easy to connect with others who share your interests. Sign up for Boblberg.
Sønderborg Municipality offers good employment opportunities for newcomers across a wide range of sectors and professions – from industry, technology and research to trade, service, healthcare and public administration. Unemployment is low, and the labour market includes skilled workers, graduates and apprentices, giving you a strong starting point for finding a job that matches your skills and ambitions.
You can search for vacancies via the municipality’s job portal, national job databases such as Jobnet and Jobindex, or through recruitment agencies. You can also increase your visibility to local employers by uploading your CV to relevant job databases.
If your partner is also looking for work in the area, Sønderborg offers a Partner Job Scheme to help you get started in the local labour market. Through this scheme, you gain access to guidance on job applications, CVs and interviews, information about local job opportunities, and support with skills development, further education and possible internship or wage-subsidy programmes – all based on your skills and preferences.
The municipality’s Newcomer Service team is ready to answer any questions you may have. You can contact them at tilflytter@sonderborg.dk. You can also find additional information here.
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