Moving to Denmark from Kenya

The Kingdom of Denmark is one of Kenyan nationals’ frequent destinations offering standard study and family emigration routes along with dedicated bilateral travel agreements. The nation is a frequent destination for professionals, particularly those working with the Danish Council for Refugees, the Denmark development corporation (Danida), Maersk, and international NGOs with Copenhagen headquarters.

Famed as a ‘land of the happy’ based on the 2018 World Happiness Report where it ranked third, Denmark is an egalitarian society with progressive ideals, high-quality universities, and bustling industries. Many people dream of experiencing the country’s exquisite bakeries, amazing seafood, and hygge or ‘that feeling of coziness and warmth’ everybody craves in the colder seasons.

But moving to Denmark from Kenya isn’t just about buying a plane ticket. Whether you’re relocating for work, returning home, or moving with family, this guide covers everything you need to know, from required documents and custom procedures and tips to make your transition as smooth as possible.

The Cost of Moving to Denmark from Kenya

Moving costs to Denmark vary depending on the size of the move or shipment volume, visa fees, international moving logistics (sea vs air freight), and the immediate cost of settling in.

If you choose to ship your household goods and personal effects by air, expect them to arrive in Denmark in just about 2-3 days. While air freight is faster, it’s also more expensive and only makes sense for last-minute or time-sensitive relocations.

Sea freight is much slower compared to cargo planes but more cost-effective. However, you will need to plan your move well in advance. Depending on the size of your move, you will use either a 20ft or 40ft container or you can share a container with others for Less Than Container Loads (LCL) or shipments under 10 cubic meters. If you engage an international moving company offering door-to-door services, your moving costs will be relatively higher compared to a port-to-port service provider.

Remember, for a 3-bedroom house you will need at least a 20ft container for household goods alone, but if you also plan to relocate with your car then you will require a 40 ft container. You will require a 40ft container for a 4 or 5-bedroom house. 

Documents Required to Move to Denmark from Kenya

The Danish Embassy in Nairobi is the regional visa hub that handles applications for work and residence permits for Denmark. The process is managed online via the New to Denmark portal. After the online authorization, you will submit your physical documents and biometrics at the VFS Global Application Center in Nairobi.

Denmark offers several immigration schemes for skilled workers, including the Pay Limit Scheme and Positive List Scheme. The EU blue card is also available for highly qualified professionals. If you wish to reunite your family, you must process a family reunification permit allowing children and spouses to live in Denmark.

Denmark allows the importation of household goods and personal items, often duty-free, provided they’re used items that are part of your move (not for sale). Custom procedures are generally efficient and transparent, but proper documentation is necessary to avoid costly delays.

Essential documents required include;

• Detailed packing or inventory list
• Bill of lading
• EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (EU ToR rules apply; personal household effects are duty-free for individuals relocating their primary residence to Denmark from outside the EU, following 12+ consecutive months of overseas residence)
• Passport and valid Danish residence permit
• Proof of residence overseas for 12+ months

Remember, Denmark is part of the EU and the Schengen Area; Non-EU nationals require a valid residence permit before customs can process the Transfer of Residence exemption. Working closely with an experienced international moving company for your relocation will ensure safety and compliance.

The Step-by-Step Moving Process

1. Free Home Survey and Quotation

Our surveyor will visit your home in Nairobi or conduct a virtual walkthrough to calculate the total volume in cubic feet or cubic meters. This will help determine the best shipping method: LCL or groupage consignments for small households and full container loads (FCL) for larger households.

The surveyor also checks for fragile high-value items that require specialized packing materials, access constraints for moving trucks, and generates an itemized quotation detailing freight cost, packing supplies, customs clearance, and destination port fees.

2. Documentation and Planning

One you approve the quotation; you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator to handle every aspect of your move. At this stage you will put together essential official documents such as the EU Transfer of Residence Declaration, Bill of Lading, and detailed packing lists.

Your coordinator will help draft-fill the Danish Customs Declaration form and guides you through the application for the EU Transfer of Residence (ToR) exemption

3. Professional Packing

Our trained packing team wraps, boxes, and crates your household goods and personal items using export-grade materials. Every single box, wrapped item, and loose piece is tagged with a numbered sticker corresponding to a comprehensive packing list detailing the contents and condition of the item.

4. Loading and Transportation

Your consignment will be carefully loaded onto moving trucks and transported to the port of Mombasa under our supervision. Our licensed clearing agents will present the export manifest, a detailed packing list, and tax compliance documentation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Finally, after securing the export release, our agents will supervise the physical loading of the container with your shipment into the vessel.

5. International Transit

Your shipment travels to Copenhagen or Aarhus. Sea freight takes 22-32 days. 

For time-sensitive shipments, air freight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) takes 4 to 6 days. Your coordinator monitors the vessel tracking and sends you the Bill of Lading (OBL) or Air Waybill (AWB) and tracking details once the carrier confirms departure.

6. Denmark’s Customs Clearance

Approximately one week before the vessel arrives in Denmark, our partner agent in Denmark receives the shipping documents and submits the customs entry through the Danish Customs (Toldstyrelsen) electronic system. The agent links your shipment to your Danish National Register Registration (Folkeregister) to secure the duty and VAT exemption.

If Customs selects the container for random physical inspection, X-ray scanning, or agricultural checks, the agent coordinates the logistics at the port terminal and manages port authority fees to clear the cargo for release.

7. Delivery to Your New Home

Following customs release, the container is transported directly to your new address in Denmark. The crew unloads the items, places boxes in their designated rooms based on your instructions, reassembles standard furniture pieces, and unwraps large appliances. 

Full-service packages include unpacking and furniture assembly and placement.

Best Movers to Denmark: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company

Moving to Denmark offers an exciting opportunity to experience a higher quality of life, cultural diversity, and excellent public infrastructure. While the logistics and visa processes may initially seem difficult, thorough preparation and understanding of these aspects can help ease your transition.

Are you planning to relocate to Denmark from Kenya? Retain professional international moving services from Nellions Moving and Relocations Company to simplify your move. The IAM-certified company provides expert packing, customs clearance, and door-to-door shipping. With Nellions as your moving partner, your move to Denmark can be a rewarding and enriching new chapter in your life.

Contact us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke to get a free moving quote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)