For consumer goods and services, Denmark had the highest prices of all EU member countries, coming in at 49 percent above the EU average.

 

As many as 90 percent of our readers surveyed said that Denmark is an expensive country to live in but had many money-saving tips to share.

 

“Use Earlybird for booking restaurants…the Tilbudsavis app to find discounts on groceries, buy coffee capsules online, never pay for electricity Aconto – settle only for actual consumption, get a prepaid phone plan from Lycamobile or Lebara as it’s best value for money,” 31-year old Ivan in Copenhagen suggested.

 

Cooking at home and avoiding eating out was a popular suggestion from many readers. They also recommended researching online before buying expensive products and to check discounts in supermarkets.

 

37-year old Magda based in Copenhagen said, “Use the minetilbud app so you can buy øko [organic, ed.] products for lower prices, buy discounted products in a larger amount and store them, buy good quality bread or øko meat/fish with a short expiration date and freeze it…grow your own vegetables, use the Too Good To Go app.”

 

 

One reader said, “For public transportation, check company card options with your employer. For insurances, check your employer schemes and do your research online with comparison tools. For car insurance, consider joining a motorist association as they offer much cheaper car insurance plus other benefits. There is little sense in buying new or large cars as they are excessively expensive.”

 

 

For those with children, it was recommended to buy annual membership cards to zoos, museums and amusement parks if you will visit at least twice a year.

 

“Buy second hand stuff especially for babies and small children and check out libraries or cultural centres for events, especially for kids as they are often free,” one reader said.

 

 

 

 

Some 92 percent (34 out of 37) of our readers in the survey said the expense of Denmark had changed the way they live, compared to other countries. Many noted how they don’t go out to eat and drink as much, or to the cinema or theatre. Others said a lot of their money went on bills and rent, leaving less to spend on leisure activities.

 

A much lower proportion, 38 percent said they would consider moving away from Denmark because of how expensive it is. 

 

Items people found particularly expensive in Denmark included rent, property, food, especially healthy food and sweets, alcohol, coffee shops, clothing, the price of spectacles, eating out, cinema and theatre, family trips out for example the zoo, museums, public transport and taxis, petrol, cars, dry cleaning, hairdressers, spa treatments, handyman services, and electricians.

 

The items our readers found cheaper in Denmark compared to other countries were education, healthcare, internet and mobiles, car insurance, long-distance bus journeys, bikes, some food (such as rye bread), clothing, houses outside of city centres and even real estate in Copenhagen relative to other European capitals.