How long should a Danish cover letter be?

A Danish cover letter should typically be one page, around 300-400 words. Danes value brevity and substance over length. Get to the point quickly and focus on what makes you relevant for the specific role.

Should I write my cover letter in Danish or English?

Match the language of the job posting. If the posting is in English, write in English. If in Danish, only write in Danish if you can do it well. A poor Danish translation creates a worse impression than a good English letter.

Do I need to address my cover letter to a specific person?

If a contact person is named in the job posting, address them by first name (e.g., 'Dear Peter'). If no name is given, 'Dear hiring manager' or simply starting with your opening paragraph is acceptable in Denmark.

Should you apply in Danish or English?

Last fact-checked: 15 July 2026. Sources: Workindenmark and Øresunddirekt (official guidance).

The short answer

Match the language of the job ad. Posted in English → apply in English. Posted in Danish → Danish is expected, but a strong English application with honest Danish-level notes often beats a weak machine-translated Danish one. Workindenmark — the official portal for international candidates — posts its vacancies in English, and official guidance from Øresunddirekt states directly that candidates who are not fluent can write the application in English (Øresunddirekt).

The decision tree

What language is the job ad in? English ad → English application, full stop. Danish ad → go to 2.
Does the role require Danish? Roles with close contact to Danish citizens, patients or customers usually say so in the ad (Workindenmark). If Danish is a stated requirement and you have it → apply in Danish. If you don't have it → the role may not be a fit; don't paper over it with translation.
Is your Danish genuinely working-level? If yes: applying in Danish signals commitment — do it, and mention your level honestly. If no: apply in English and state your Danish level and learning plans in one clear sentence. Overstating your Danish always surfaces at the interview.

The hybrid approach that works

Many successful international candidates in Denmark use a middle path: an English CV and cover letter, with a short Danish opening line or closing paragraph showing effort and respect — plus an honest language line such as "Danish: conversational, currently at module 4, improving fast." That is credible; a fully machine-translated Danish letter is not.

What matters more than language

Danish employers care about Danish conventions: a short, concrete cover letter aimed at this exact job, a clean CV in the format Danish recruiters expect, and evidence you understand the job ad. Our guides cover both: cover letters in Denmark and CVs for the Danish market. When you are ready, our free tool builds a Denmark-ready application from your CV and the job ad — in the language you choose: try the free application tool.