Ringkøbing-Skjern draws 700 Germans to relocation event

About 700 German citizens have registered for an information day in Ringkøbing-Skjern, a municipality in western Jutland, as they consider moving to Denmark. DR reported that the municipality is hosting the event on Monday.

The turnout is nearly 300 higher than at a similar event last November. “It is completely insane. We are very proud that so many Germans dream of living and working in the municipality,” said settlement coordinator Dorthe Frydendahl.

Participants are travelling from across Germany. Some are driving 800 to 1,000 kilometres each way from southern Germany, and a few Austrian citizens have also registered. At the twice-yearly Info-Tag, visitors can meet local employers and learn about jobs, housing, schools, childcare and cultural activities.

Local businesses are seeking workers in fields including welding, electrical work, care and tourism. The municipality said unemployment stood at 1.6 per cent in August, compared with a national average of 3.1 per cent. Frydendahl said the municipality will need more foreign workers as its population ages and the number of young people declines. Dansk Erhverv estimates that Denmark will have 4,100 fewer people of working age than needed by 2040, she said.

As of September 1, 2026, 827 German citizens lived in the municipality, 124 per cent more than in 2018. Only six of them were without work, according to the municipality. It has held the information day twice a year since 2018.

German relocation guide Chris Wantia said many prospective movers are drawn by the local nature and what they see as the Danish mentality. Some also hope for a better work-life balance: Wantia said many Germans work 40 to 55 hours a week, while 37 hours is normal in Denmark. He advises newcomers to learn Danish and join an association or volunteer to build social ties.

About 80 per cent of tourists in Ringkøbing-Skjern are from Germany, according to the municipality.