Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with breathtaking Arctic landscapes and unique Inuit culture. The world largest island (excluding Australia) offers midnight sun, northern lights, and pristine nature. With only ~56,000 inhabitants, it is one of the most sparsely populated areas on Earth. Life in Greenland is characterized by extreme contrasts: high living costs (almost everything is imported), but a relatively simple tax system; modern infrastructure in Nuuk, but limited services in remote settlements; stunning nature, but also significant social challenges.
Important Notice: No Individual Advice
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal decisions.
Key Metrics
Cost of Living
Cost Breakdown
Quality of Life
Taxes
Tax information for Greenland
Those who reside in Greenland or stay for at least 6 months are generally considered fully tax liable and taxed on worldwide income. For stays under 6 months, there is usually only limited tax liability on certain Greenlandic income (e.g., employment income in Greenland). The system is based on withholding tax: Employers withhold income tax directly from wages.
2025
May 1st of following year
No - worldwide income
How does Greenland's flat tax system work?
National tax (10%) + municipal tax (26–28%) + joint municipal tax (6%) = ~42–44% total burden.
Employers withhold income tax directly from wages. Self-employed pay advances via Skattestyrelsen.
Instead of VAT there are excise duties (alcohol, vehicles, fuels). Employers pay AMA social contributions (~1–2%).
Companies pay 25% corporate tax. Profits from fishing/mining follow the same rates.
Foreign specialists can use gross tax schemes. Foreign interest/dividends may stay tax-free if local wage income stays below a legal threshold.
Income Tax
Greenland has a relatively simple income tax system that essentially resembles a flat tax model (no classic graduated progressive system like in many EU states). Income tax consists of three components: National Tax – approx. 10%, Municipal Tax – approx. 26-28% depending on municipality, and Joint Municipal Tax – 6%. Depending on municipality, total tax rate for employment income is approximately 42-44%. There are allowances and deductions that can reduce the effective tax burden.
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| €0 | Unlimited | 42% |
For foreign professionals, there are special tax programs (Expat Regime/Gross Tax Scheme) where wages may be taxed at a special gross tax rate. Under certain conditions, foreign interest and dividends may remain tax-free. As regulations are complex, individual consultation is recommended. Companies in Greenland generally pay a corporate tax of around 25%.
Capital Gains Tax
Capital gains are generally taxed as income (flat rate ~42-44%).
Dividend Tax
Dividends are generally taxed as income (flat rate ~42-44%). Special rules may apply for foreign workers under certain expat programs.
Wealth Tax
No wealth tax in Greenland. There is also no classic property tax.
Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax follows Danish rules: 15% for close relatives (spouses, children, grandchildren), up to 36% for more distant relatives and third parties. Exemptions available.
VAT
0%There is no VAT in Greenland. Greenland is outside the EU VAT and customs area, even though it belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark. Instead, there are numerous excise duties on e.g. alcohol, certain fishing activities, vehicles, and petroleum products. Additionally, employers must pay social contributions (e.g., in the AMA system) on wages; these are in the low single-digit percentage range.
Important Notice
This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules may change and depend on individual circumstances. Specific tax rates and allowances vary by municipality and personal situation and are regularly updated. For binding information, please contact the Greenlandic Tax Authority (Skattestyrelsen) or a qualified tax advisor.
This is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws change frequently and can be complex. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a tax advisor licensed in Greenland for your specific situation.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Greenland
Universal Danish system - free for all residents. Evacuation to Denmark for complex cases.
No insurance needed. Tourists: Travel insurance recommended (EHIC does NOT apply)
Expat Access
Fully accessible with residency. Main hospital in Nuuk, smaller places only health stations
Not available - only public system
Evacuation insurance to Denmark useful (~€50/month)
Language & Communication
Communication in Greenland
Greenland is bilingual: Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the main language, Danish the second official language. English is spoken in Nuuk and tourism areas, but not widespread. For integration, Danish is more important than Greenlandic.
English Proficiency
English spoken in Nuuk, tourism industry, and by younger generations. In public service and daily life, Greenlandic/Danish dominates.
Nuuk: Better English. Smaller settlements: Almost only Greenlandic/Danish.
Government Services
Government works in Greenlandic and Danish. English only in exceptions.
For visa/residence: Danish Immigration Service - Danish required.
Daily Life & Communication
Supermarkets, restaurants in Nuuk often with Danish/English signs.
No public transit (no roads between towns). Plane/boat for travel.
Hospital in Nuuk: Danish required. Smaller places: Greenlandic.
Banks in Nuuk with Danish forms. No English.
Work Environment
International companies (mining, research) work in English. Local employers: Greenlandic/Danish required.
Limited international presence. Research stations, resource companies often English-speaking.
Expat Community
Very small expat community (mainly Danes, researchers, skilled workers). Nuuk has the largest international presence.
Hardly any organized expat networks. Facebook groups for Greenland enthusiasts. Danes have own communities.
Learning the Local Language
Greenlandic: Very difficult to learn (polysynthetic language). Courses in Nuuk available but limited. Danish: Easier, many resources.
Danish very important for authorities and formal situations. Greenlandic shows respect and facilitates integration into local community.
Tips
- đź’ˇLearning Danish is more important than Greenlandic for practical purposes
- đź’ˇIn Nuuk you can get by well with English and Danish
- đź’ˇGreenlandic shows respect - even basics are highly appreciated
Pros
- •Danish as bridge language - easier to learn than Greenlandic
- •Small community - quick integration possible
Cons
- •Greenlandic extremely difficult (polysynthetic)
- •Outside Nuuk hardly any English
- •Limited language course offerings
Notes
Greenland is linguistically challenging for expats. For short stays, English and Danish suffice in Nuuk. For longer integration: Learning Danish is mandatory, Greenlandic basics show respect for the culture.
Climate Change & Future Outlook
Climate risks in Greenland
Greenland is ground zero for climate change. The ice sheet loses ~270 billion tons of ice annually. Temperatures rising 2-3x faster than global average. For residents this means: changed hunting/fishing seasons, thawing permafrost (infrastructure damage), thinner fjord ice. Paradoxically, new economic opportunities may emerge (mining, ice-free shipping).
Climate Scenarios
Switch between IPCC SSP pathways
SSP2-4.5
Current policy trajectory – ~2.7°C warming by 2100, moderate mitigation.
Values are approximations relative to our SSP2-4.5 baseline. They illustrate directional change, not exact national projections.
Overall Climate Risk
Projected risk index (0 = low risk, 100 = extreme risk)
Risk Categories
City-level climate outlook
Localized projections for the key expat metros in Greenland.
Nuuk is Greenland's capital and has the mildest climate in the country (annual average -1.4°C). The city experiences climate change directly: fjord ice is thinning, winters are milder, but storms more unpredictable. Permafrost is thawing, endangering building foundations.
December-March average
Days with safe fjord ice
Active layer depth increasing
Katabatic storms up to 300 km/h
- •Permafrost monitoring: Thermal probes in building foundations
- •New building codes for elevated foundations and thermal insulation
- •Airport expansion for year-round operation (fewer ice runways)
- •Older buildings (pre-1990) often not designed for permafrost thaw - cracks and settling possible
- •Never venture onto fjord ice without local expertise - thickness varies greatly
- •Housing shortage: Waiting lists for rental apartments are common
Ilulissat sits at the UNESCO World Heritage Ilulissat Ice Fjord, where the Northern Hemisphere's most productive glacier calves. The town is colder than Nuuk (annual average -4.5°C) with true polar night in December. Climate change is dramatically accelerating glacier melt.
Sermeq Kujalleq
Astronomically unchanged
Climate tourism growing
- •New airport 2025 for larger aircraft (direct tourism access)
- •Coastal protection measures against storm surges in harbor
- •Iceberg tsunamis possible during major calving - avoid coastal areas
- •Polar night can be psychologically challenging - SAD common
Personal climate risk assessment
Tune the analysis to your health profile and comfort level.
Age group
Sensitivity
Risk tolerance
Personalized risk index
Current level: Moderate
Priority risks
Extreme Weather
Base 78 → Personal 78
Floods & Coastal
Base 68 → Personal 68
What to prioritize
- •Look for reliable shelter options and emergency communication plans.
- •Prefer elevated districts and buildings with flood-mitigation infrastructure.
- •Budget for higher insurance/utilities and diversify income streams against climate shocks.
Adaptation Measures
- •Permafrost monitoring and infrastructure adaptation
- •Early warning systems for glacial lake outbursts
- •Adaptation of fishery regulations
- •Flexible travel planning (weather can change quickly)
- •Utilize traditional knowledge about ice and weather
- •Robust building construction
Climate Resilience
Medium resilience: Strong communities and traditional knowledge, but limited financial resources (dependent on Danish subsidies). Infrastructure adaptation expensive due to remoteness. ND-GAIN: Via Denmark high capacity, but local implementation challenging.
Tips
- đź’ˇAvoid coastal proximity when buying property (glacier risk, erosion)
- đź’ˇHave permafrost status of building ground checked
- đź’ˇPlan supplies for weather-related supply disruptions
Pros
- •Unique nature experiences (icebergs, northern lights, midnight sun)
- •No heat waves, excellent air quality
- •Potential economic opportunities from climate change
Cons
- •Extreme weather events (storms, cold) are everyday reality
- •Infrastructure endangered by permafrost thaw
- •Traditional lifestyles (hunting on ice) becoming more difficult
Notes
Greenland experiences climate change more directly than almost anywhere else on Earth. The ice sheet - second-largest ice mass on Earth - is shrinking rapidly. For residents and newcomers, this means a world in flux: New opportunities (mining, tourism) alongside new risks (infrastructure, safety). Traditional Inuit knowledge remains valuable for adaptation.
Data sources
Scientific Disclaimer
Climate projections are based on models with inherent uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ. We present mainstream scientific consensus (IPCC) but acknowledge uncertainty ranges. This is not financial advice. Consult climate scientists and experts for specific decisions.
Safety & Security
Safety & Crime in Greenland
Safety Indicators
Comparison with DACH Region
For comparison: Germany (CPI: 78), Austria (CPI: 71), Switzerland (CPI: 82)
Notes
Official safety statistics are partly based on Danish data, as Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. The corruption index reflects Danish administrative culture.
Visa & Immigration
Immigration Options for Greenland
Visa Options
Nordic Free Movement
Citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland can live and work in Greenland without permit.
Work and Residence Permit
For EU and non-EU citizens: Apply via Danish Immigration Service (SIRI). Greenland is NOT part of EU/Schengen! Cost: DKK 3,500-6,300.
Family Reunification
For spouses and children of permit holders. Cost: DKK 3,500-6,300.
Path to Permanent Residency
Greenland is NOT part of the EU or Schengen - a Schengen visa does not apply! Stays over 3 months require permit via Danish Immigration Service. Naturalization possible under Danish law (9 years residence, Danish language). Nordic citizens have special status.
Important Notice
Visa and immigration regulations change frequently. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Please consult the official government website or an immigration attorney for current and accurate information.