This Country Provides Happiness ‘Insurance’ To Expats for Moving There in 2025
Written by
Kerra Bolton
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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Copenhagen, Denmark, offered an expatriate, or expat, deal that sounds too good to be true: If you relocate to the city for work and decide you don’t like it, Copenhagen will reimburse your travel expenses back home.
The “Life Quality Insurance” initiative was designed to attract global talent to the Greater Copenhagen Region (GCR), which covers Eastern Denmark and Southern Sweden, while promoting its renowned work-life balance.
GOBankingRates laid out why people should consider this “insurance” if they plan on moving abroad to this European country in 2025.
How Does Life Quality Insurance Work?
“It is a bold relocation program aimed at attracting global talent to the Greater Copenhagen Region,” said Joe Cronin, president at International Citizens Insurance. “While not a traditional insurance policy, the program provides a financial safety net for people moving to the area.”
Cronin explained that the Life Quality Insurance provides reimbursement of up to a certain amount, which typically covers the standard economy travel costs, to people who decide to return home within a year if life in Copenhagen does not meet their expectations.
“With this initiative, participants can get travel cost reimbursements of up to around 5,000 DKK (about $716) and an added 2,000 DKK ($286) for family-dependent members,” Cronin said. “However, the total reimbursements authorized for the program are capped at 50,000 DKK (around $7,158) on a first-come, first-served basis while funds are available.”
Reimbursements are only available for residents of the GCR who have moved to Copenhagen during the open enrollment period and lived and worked in the city for 12 consecutive months afterward.
“Participants must at least give the city a reasonable chance before deciding to leave,” said Silvia Lupone, a travel expert with 15 years of experience helping people relocate to new destinations.
The program’s initial open enrollment closed in November. However, keep checking the Greater Copenhagen Region’s website for updates.
“Unlike traditional insurance plans that cover unforeseen losses like health or property damage, this program provides a guarantee for relocation confidence,” Cronin said.
However, there are terms and conditions. The program only applies to participants who have signed up through the GCR website during the promotional period. Participants must also provide proof of employment, residency changes, employment termination, and travel receipts.
Other Travel Costs To Consider
Travel costs for pets or non-immediate family members are not reimbursed.
Travel and relocation experts said Copenhagen’s Life Quality Insurance differs from other government-sponsored programs because it focuses on human well-being over material risk.
“While the immigration policies of Canada and New Zealand offer appeal with the possibility of permanent residence and tax relief, Copenhagen’s program is short-term and focuses on emotional well-being and confidence,” Cronin said. “This gives credence to the Danish philosophy that life should not feel like a constant struggle to earn money, but rather happiness and work-life balance are most important.”
Lupone said Copenhagen’s Life Quality Insurance program was a smart move because by lowering the barriers to relocation, the city can attract talented citizens who will want to stay permanently.
“Copenhagen stands out with its emphasis on well-being and trying things out, while other regions in the world such as the U.S. use relocation bonuses to attract employees,” Lupone said.
“Denmark has been rated as one of the happiest countries in the world, and this approach resonates well with that.”
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