North America · Arrival Guide
Just Landed in Greenland? Your First 7 Days
Greenland is a self-governing part of the Danish Realm, so your Danish residence and CPR paperwork carries over, but daily life runs on Greenlandic terms: no roads between towns, one telecoms company, and prices inflated by the cost of shipping everything in by sea. Nuuk is the only place that feels like a small city; everywhere else is a settlement reached by plane, helicopter or boat. Plan around weather delays and stock up when supply ships arrive.
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Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112
Nuuk
Danish krone (DKK)
Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the official language and the mother tongue of most people; Danish is widely used in administration, healthcare and business, and English is common among younger people and in tourism.
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Getting your bearings in Greenland
Arriving in Greenland is unlike arriving anywhere else, because the country is enormous and almost empty: around 56,000 people spread across settlements clinging to a coastline with no road network linking them. Most newcomers land in Nuuk, the capital, which since November 2024 has had a new international airport with a 2,200-metre runway and direct flights from Copenhagen and, seasonally, North America. Nuuk is the only town that reads as a small city, with roughly 19,000 residents, apartment blocks, cafes, a university and government offices. Everything else, from Sisimiut and Ilulissat down to hamlets of a few hundred people, is reached by Air Greenland flight, helicopter or the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry.
The first weeks feel intense and administrative. Because Greenland shares Denmark's civil registration system, your entire life here hinges on activating a CPR number through your kommune, and until that happens you cannot bank, see a doctor without paying, or start most jobs cleanly. Language is the next surprise: signs, official letters and daily chatter are frequently in Greenlandic (Kalaallisut), a polysynthetic Inuit language that is genuinely hard to learn, while Danish carries most administration and English gets you a long way socially. Many arrivals are Danes on work postings, alongside teachers, nurses, tradespeople and researchers from further afield.
The pace is set by weather and logistics rather than clocks. Flights and boats cancel routinely when wind and fog roll in, and a delayed supply ship can empty a supermarket shelf for a week, so people plan loosely, keep stocks deep, and treat schedules as suggestions. What surprises newcomers most is the cost of everyday goods, the darkness of winter and the endless light of summer, the tight-knit community where anonymity is impossible, and how quickly raw Arctic nature becomes ordinary: icebergs drifting past the window, whales in the fjord, and northern lights over the harbour.
Your first 48 hours
The essentials to sort out the moment you land in Greenland.
- 1
Confirm your CPR number and register with the kommune
Residence in Greenland is administered through the Danish civil registration (CPR) system. Report your address to your local municipality (Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq in Nuuk, or Avannaata, Qeqqata or Kujalleq elsewhere) to activate your CPR number. That number unlocks healthcare, banking and public services, so treat it as the very first priority. You can start the process online at sullissivik.gl and finish it at the citizen service desk.
- 2
Buy a Tusass SIM at the airport or in town
Tusass, the former TELE-POST, is the only mobile operator in the country, so there is no shopping around on network. Grab a prepaid SIM at the Tusass counter in Nuuk airport or at a Tusass shop in town, and top up online or in-store. Once you have a CPR number and a fixed address you can move to a residential contract. A working local number is needed for banks, employers and appointment systems.
- 3
Draw cash and check what your card supports
Cards work fine in Nuuk supermarkets and larger shops, but many settlements, boat operators and small kiosks are effectively cash-only. Withdraw Danish kroner from a GrønlandsBANKEN (Bank of Greenland) ATM before you leave the main town. International cards generally work at ATMs but can be declined at small terminals. Keep a modest cash buffer for transfers, tips and the smaller places that card readers do not reach.
- 4
Stock up on food and basics at the main supermarket
Pilersuisoq, Brugseni and Pisiffik are the main chains you will use. Selection depends heavily on when the last supply ship arrived, so buy non-perishables and any specialist items on your first visit rather than assuming they will be restocked soon. Fresh fruit and vegetables can be limited and pricey, and popular goods sell out fast after a delivery. Building a small pantry early saves stress later.
- 5
Dress for the weather and download offline maps
Conditions change fast and there are no inter-town roads, so windproof layers and sturdy boots matter from day one. Save offline maps before you land, as mobile data is patchy outside towns and settlements. Winter brings darkness and ice, summer brings near-endless daylight, and both catch newcomers off guard. If your employer provides staff housing, check what warm gear is already there before buying everything new.
- 6
Set up your Danish-krone digital payments
Greenland runs on the same money and much of the same infrastructure as Denmark, so install MobilePay for peer payments and small vendors, and register a NemKonto once your account is open so salary and refunds land automatically. These tools are near-universal for splitting bills, paying informal sellers and receiving public payments. Having them working early smooths daily life considerably.
- 7
Locate your health centre and note emergency numbers
Find your nearest health centre, or Queen Ingrid's Hospital (Dronning Ingrids Hospital) if you are in Nuuk, and understand that access runs through your CPR number rather than a GP sign-up. Save 112 as the single emergency number for police, ambulance and fire. Remember that in bad weather medical evacuation can be delayed, which is exactly why registering promptly and holding evacuation-capable insurance until then matters.
- 8
Make contact with your employer or housing provider
Much of Greenland's housing is tied to jobs, so confirm your tenancy, deposit and any waiting-list position with your employer, Iserit or INI as soon as you arrive. Ask locally about the going rate for taxis, boat transfers and services so you are not overcharged. A quick conversation with colleagues or neighbours also demystifies supply-ship timings, weather patterns and where to actually buy things.
Your first week checklist
- Report your address to your local kommune (Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq for Nuuk, or Avannaata, Qeqqata or Kujalleq elsewhere) to activate your CPR number, ideally in person at the citizen service office or via sullissivik.gl.
- Buy a prepaid Tusass SIM at the airport counter or a Tusass shop in town so you have a working number for banks, employers and appointments.
- Open or confirm a bank account with GrønlandsBANKEN (Bank of Greenland), bringing your CPR number, passport and proof of your Greenland address.
- Set up MobilePay and NemKonto so your salary, refunds and everyday payments flow through the standard Danish-krone digital system.
- Do a proper first shop at Pilersuisoq, Brugseni or Pisiffik and stock up on non-perishables, since restocking depends on the next supply ship rather than a fixed schedule.
- Confirm how you access healthcare by locating your regional health centre or, in Nuuk, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, and note that there is no separate GP sign-up as in mainland Denmark.
- Sort out warm, windproof clothing and sturdy boots before the weather turns, buying locally or checking what your employer's staff housing already provides.
- Download offline maps and the Air Greenland and Windy apps, because mobile coverage thins outside towns and weather dictates whether you can travel at all.
- Introduce yourself to your employer's housing or HR contact to confirm your tenancy, deposit terms and any waiting-list status with Iserit or INI.
Getting connected
Tusass (formerly TELE-POST) runs the country's only mobile and internet network, so there is no price competition and data is expensive by European standards. Coverage is 4G in Nuuk and the larger towns and settlements, dropping to 2G or nothing across remote coast and interior, and connectivity has improved as subsea and satellite capacity has grown. Buy a prepaid SIM on arrival and switch to a residential contract once you have a CPR number and address.
Typical cost: Prepaid SIM from around 50-200 DKK; monthly plans with data typically 200-400 DKK, noticeably higher than continental Europe, with large data bundles costing considerably more.
Money & banking
Greenland uses the Danish krone (DKK), the same currency and notes as Denmark, and there is no separate Greenlandic currency. Everyday goods cost noticeably more than in Denmark because almost everything arrives by ship, and imported items, alcohol and electronics carry the steepest markups. Budget generously for the first month while you learn what is genuinely available locally.
Opening an account: GrønlandsBANKEN (Bank of Greenland) is the main local bank and the one most residents use; you can also keep or use a Danish account, as banks like Danske Bank serve people across the Realm. Opening an account requires a CPR number, photo ID and proof of your Greenland address, and it is worth doing early because salary and public payments run through a linked NemKonto.
Cash: Cards are standard in Nuuk and larger towns, and MobilePay is widely used for small and informal payments, but carry Danish kroner in cash for settlements, small boat and dog-sled operators, and kiosks where card terminals are unreliable or absent. A cash reserve is genuinely useful outside the capital.
Tipping: Tipping is not expected and service is not built around gratuities. Rounding up or leaving a little for exceptional restaurant service is appreciated but never required, and no one will chase you for it.
Registration & residency
As part of the Danish Realm, Greenland uses the CPR civil registration system administered jointly by the CPR office in Denmark and the Greenlandic municipalities. New residents must register their address with the local kommune to obtain or activate a CPR number, which is legally the gateway to healthcare, banking, tax and public services. Non-Nordic citizens must additionally hold the correct residence or work permit, since Greenland is outside the EU and Schengen. You can begin the process at sullissivik.gl and complete it at your kommune's citizen service office.
Deadline: Register on arrival once you have secured an address; do not delay, as healthcare, banking and payroll all depend on an active CPR number. There is no fixed grace period worth relying on.
Where: Your local kommune office and citizen service desk (Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq in Nuuk; Avannaata, Qeqqata or Kujalleq elsewhere), with the online portal at sullissivik.gl.
Documents to keep handy:
- Passport, plus your residence or work permit if you are not a Danish or Nordic citizen (Greenland sits outside the EU, so entry rules differ from mainland Denmark).
- Your CPR number or the paperwork needed to obtain it, since almost every service depends on it.
- A signed housing contract or written confirmation of your address, which the kommune needs to register you.
- Your employment contract or job offer, often required for housing, banking and, for non-Nordic citizens, the residence permit itself.
- Health and vaccination records, useful because complex care may be transferred between Nuuk and Denmark.
- Bank details and identification documents to set up NemKonto and MobilePay for salary and everyday payments.
Getting around
There are no roads between towns, so inter-town travel is by air, sea or, in season, dog sled and snowmobile. Within Nuuk there is a local city bus (Nuup Bussii) and taxis, and most other towns are small enough to walk end to end. Air Greenland handles domestic flights and helicopter connections, and the Arctic Umiaq Line runs a coastal passenger ferry along the west coast in the open-water season. Weather cancels flights and boats routinely, so build slack into any journey.
From the airport: Nuuk's new international airport opened in November 2024 and sits roughly 4-6 km northeast of the centre, a short taxi ride of a few minutes or a connection on the Nuup Bussii city bus. If you route in via Kangerlussuaq or Ilulissat, you continue by Air Greenland flight or helicopter to your final town rather than driving, as no road links them.
Finding a home
Housing is scarce, especially in Nuuk, and much of the stock is public rental managed through waiting lists, with Iserit and INI administering large parts of the municipal and public housing. Demand outstrips supply and lists can be long, so many employers, hospitals and public bodies provide staff housing as part of a posting. If you possibly can, secure a place through your job before you arrive rather than hunting on the open market.
Typical rent: A flat in Nuuk commonly runs from around 6,000-11,000 DKK per month depending on size and area, with tight supply pushing prices up; smaller towns are cheaper but often have even less availability. Subsidised staff housing, where offered, can be considerably below these figures.
Deposit norm: Expect a deposit of up to three months' rent, sometimes with prepaid rent on top, broadly in line with Danish rental practice. Read the contract carefully for what the deposit covers on move-out.
Healthcare
Greenland has a tax-funded public health service run by the government health authority, and residents with an active CPR number receive care largely free at the point of use. Facilities are concentrated in Nuuk at Queen Ingrid's Hospital (Dronning Ingrids Hospital), with regional health centres in the larger towns and smaller clinics or visiting nurses in settlements. Complex or specialist cases are frequently flown to Nuuk or on to hospitals in Denmark, so distance and weather shape how care is delivered.
How to access it: Access runs through your CPR number: contact your local health centre or, in Nuuk, the hospital directly, as there is no separate GP-registration step like mainland Denmark's yellow card and named doctor. Call 112 for emergencies. Keep in mind that in poor weather an ambulance flight or evacuation can be delayed until aircraft can fly safely.
Insurance: Registered residents are covered by the public system, so private health insurance is not needed for routine care. Until your CPR registration is active, make sure your travel or expat policy covers costly medical evacuation, which is very expensive from Greenland given the distances and flying involved.
Culture & etiquette
- Learn a few words of Greenlandic; a simple 'aluu' (hello) and 'qujanaq' (thank you) is warmly received and signals respect for the language.
- Respect that this is Inuit homeland with a living hunting and fishing culture; hunting seals and whales is normal, legal and central to food security, not something to lecture people about.
- Be patient and flexible about time, because weather routinely cancels flights and boats and plans shift accordingly without anyone taking offence.
- Remove outdoor shoes when entering someone's home, following the wider Nordic and local tradition.
- Accept hospitality graciously and reciprocate; in small communities relationships and mutual help matter more than formality.
- Take an interest in local life, seasons and the supply rhythm rather than constantly comparing everything to where you came from.
- Be mindful with cameras: ask before photographing people, homes or hunting activity rather than treating daily life as a tourist spectacle.
Things to watch out for
- Do not treat Greenland as merely a part of Denmark; national identity is strong, the independence question is live, and framing the country as a Danish province lands badly.
- Never walk out onto sea ice, fjords or glacier margins without local guidance, as conditions are lethal and change fast.
- Alcohol can be a sensitive subject in some communities, so read the room rather than assuming a heavy-drinking social scene.
- Avoid glib comments about hunting, sled dogs or traditional food, which are woven into livelihoods and culture.
- Do not underestimate winter darkness and isolation; they affect mood and logistics, and planning around them is normal, not dramatic.
Apps to download before you land
Tusass
Manage your SIM, top up data and pay for mobile and postal services from the national operator.
Air Greenland
Book and manage domestic flights and helicopter connections, and track the frequent weather-related changes.
MobilePay
Send money and pay people and small vendors, widely used across the Danish krone zone.
Nuup Bussii
Check Nuuk city bus routes and timetables if you are settling in the capital.
Windy
Read detailed wind and weather forecasts that determine whether flights and boats will actually run.
MitID
Log in securely to banking, tax and public digital services across the Danish Realm.
Sullissivik
Access Greenland's public self-service portal for registration, moving address and citizen services.
Where newcomers live
Because Greenland has no inter-town roads, choosing where to live means choosing a whole town, not a district. Nuuk is where most newcomers land and where housing pressure is fiercest. Within Nuuk there are a handful of recognisable areas ranging from the old colonial harbour to newer suburbs, while the larger regional towns offer quieter, cheaper alternatives if your job allows.
Nuuk Centrum / Kolonihavnen
The historic colonial harbour and administrative core, with the cathedral, museum, government offices and older wooden houses. Walkable, central and close to services, but the tightest and priciest housing in the country.
Nuussuaq
A large residential district north of the centre, full of apartment blocks and family housing, schools and supermarkets. Practical and well connected by the Nuup Bussii city bus, popular with families and public-sector workers.
Qinngorput
The newest, fastest-growing suburb east of the centre, with modern flats and sea views across the fjord. Feels spacious and contemporary but is a bus ride from the old town and central offices.
Sisimiut
Greenland's second town, north of Nuuk above the Arctic Circle, with a strong fishing and trades economy and a technical college. Lively for its size, somewhat cheaper than Nuuk, and a genuine option for many jobs.
Ilulissat
A tourism and fishing hub beside the UNESCO-listed icefjord, busy with visitors in summer. Beautiful and vibrant but housing is scarce and seasonal demand pushes costs up.
Qaqortoq
The main town of the milder southern region, with sheep farming nearby and a picturesque centre. Quieter and more affordable, suited to those posted to South Greenland rather than choosing freely.
What things cost
Greenland is one of the more expensive places to live because nearly everything is imported by sea, and prices climb further in smaller towns and after supply-ship gaps. Housing in Nuuk is the biggest strain, and imported food, alcohol and electronics carry steep markups. Salaries, especially in the public sector, are calibrated to this, and many postings include subsidised staff housing that changes the maths considerably.
Staying safe & avoiding scams
Greenland is socially very safe, with little of the street crime found in larger cities, and communities are small enough that people look out for one another. The real dangers are environmental: unpredictable weather, sea ice that can break up without warning, glacier margins, cold water and remoteness that turns a minor accident into a serious problem far from help. Never venture onto sea ice, fjords or the backcountry without local guidance and proper gear, tell someone your plans, and respect that alcohol misuse and mental-health strain exist in some communities, so read the room rather than assuming a party scene. In an emergency call 112, but be aware that response and evacuation can take time when weather grounds aircraft.
Newcomers are common targets. Know these before you arrive — and read our guide to avoiding immigration scams.
Fake tour and accommodation listings
With few operators and high seasonal demand, fraudulent 'guides' or holiday-let listings sometimes ask for full bank transfers up front and then disappear. Book through established operators, cross-check names against Visit Greenland and Visit Nuuk, and avoid paying large deposits to unverified individuals on social media or classifieds. If a deal for scarce summer accommodation looks unusually cheap, treat it with suspicion.
Overpriced informal boat and transfer offers
Because there are no roads between towns, newcomers can be quoted inflated cash prices for boat rides, water taxis or airport transfers. Ask locals or your employer for the going rate and agree the fare before setting off. Established taxi companies in Nuuk are metered, so use them rather than accepting a vague cash quote from a stranger.
Online marketplace and rental deposit fraud
Housing is scarce enough that scammers advertise flats they do not control and pressure you to wire a deposit to hold it. Never transfer money for a home you have not verified through your employer, Iserit, INI or a known agent, and be wary of anyone refusing a viewing or a proper contract. Genuine landlords will not demand cash-only secrecy.
Phishing messages posing as banks or public services
As across the Danish krone zone, fraudsters send fake texts and emails impersonating banks, MitID or public authorities to harvest logins and MobilePay codes. GrønlandsBANKEN and official services will never ask for your full credentials or one-time codes by message, so log in only through official apps and sites and never share codes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register when I arrive in Greenland?
Yes. Greenland uses the Danish CPR civil registration system, so you must report your address to your local kommune to obtain or activate a CPR number. Without it you cannot access healthcare cleanly, open a bank account or use public services. You can start online at sullissivik.gl and finish at the citizen service office.
Can I get around Greenland by car?
Only within a single town. There are no roads connecting towns, so travel between them is by Air Greenland plane or helicopter, by the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry in the open-water season, or by boat, snowmobile and dog sled locally. Within Nuuk you can use the Nuup Bussii city bus, taxis or simply walk.
Which currency and SIM card do I use?
The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), identical to Denmark's, with the same notes and coins. For mobile service there is a single operator, Tusass, so you buy a prepaid SIM at the airport or a Tusass shop and top up online. Once you have a CPR number and address you can switch to a residential contract.
Is healthcare free for new residents?
Once you are registered with an active CPR number, the tax-funded public health service covers you largely free at the point of use, with the main hospital in Nuuk and regional health centres elsewhere. Access runs through your CPR number rather than a GP sign-up. Until you are registered, ensure your insurance covers medical evacuation, which is very expensive here.
Do I need a visa or residence permit?
Greenland is outside the EU and the Schengen area, so its rules differ from mainland Denmark. Danish and other Nordic citizens can settle freely, while non-Nordic citizens generally need a residence or work permit specific to Greenland, often tied to a job. Check requirements well before travelling, as they are not the same as Denmark's.
How expensive is everyday life compared with Denmark?
Noticeably more expensive, because almost everything is imported by ship. Housing in Nuuk is the biggest cost, and imported food, alcohol and electronics carry steep markups, though some staples can be reasonable. Public-sector salaries are calibrated to this, and subsidised staff housing, where offered, changes the picture significantly.
What is the language situation day to day?
Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the official language and most people's mother tongue, so you will see it on signs and in daily life. Danish carries most administration, healthcare and business, and English is common among younger people and in tourism. Learning a few Greenlandic phrases is welcomed, but you can function early in Danish or English.
How do I find housing when it is so scarce?
The most reliable route is through your employer, as many jobs include or arrange staff housing. On the public market, Iserit and INI administer large parts of the rental stock through waiting lists that can be long. Avoid wiring deposits for flats you cannot verify, since rental fraud targets newcomers desperate for a place.
What should I know about weather and travel delays?
Weather governs everything: flights and ferries cancel routinely for wind and fog, and a delayed supply ship can empty a shop shelf for days. Build slack into every journey, keep a food buffer at home, and use apps like Windy and Air Greenland to anticipate disruption. Locals plan loosely and so should you.
How safe is Greenland for a newcomer?
Socially it is very safe, with little street crime and close-knit communities, but the real risks are environmental. Sea ice, glaciers, cold water and remoteness are genuinely dangerous, so never head into the backcountry or onto ice without local guidance and gear. Call 112 in an emergency, remembering that evacuation can be delayed by weather.
Planning the move, not just the landing?
This guide covers your first days on the ground. If you’re still weighing visas and pathways to Greenland, start with a free eligibility assessment.
