Do you need to speak Danish to work for a startup?

[surfcity]

I am quite interested in Copenhagen as a place to move, but I'm worried about the language barrier. I speak English and Spanish (the latter would probably not be very useful), would it be challenging to find work in a Danish startup due to my lack of local language skills?

And what about social life, is it hard to integrate into Danish society without becoming fluent in the language?

[Kristine_Marie_Rost1]

Hej Joe
Come
Lot of Danes always says oh Danish so difficult to learn and then they speak in English to you. It is not true. Spanish-english speaking friends of mine do not find Danish difficult. And yes you can get far with english. Also lot of officiell info is found in English.
Hope to show you around one day in my Dear hometown Copenhagen
Regards
Kristine

[zetickus]

Hello Joe,

I think it depends on the nature of the startup, but I'm not qualified to answer that sadly. If it is in the IT, I think you'll have an easier time perhaps? http://www.thelocal.dk/20141206/how-to-get-hired-at-a-copenhagen-startup This article might give a little insight though - The article has a sector on 'Do I need to speak Danish'
Every Dane below the age of 60 generally speaks English, so don't be afraid of the local language barrier

In regards to social life, there shouldn't be any issues either. In my experience, if there is a person in a group whom do not speak Danish, we all just start speaking English instead. If anything, it's a nice conversation opener, we are always interested in where people come from, so that'll always get a conversation flowing.

I found this article after browsing around for a little, and it might be useful. I have a different view from hers, but that might be due to being in a student enviroment.
http://www.thelocal.dk/20150710/my-danish-career-necessary-to-speak-danish

[steffanpedersen]

great answer! i'm moving to Copenhagen in March, from San Francisco