Denmark Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Information last reviewed June 2025. Always verify with official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Denmark follows the Schengen visa code. Entry rules match the rest of the zone. Permission is stamped at the first Schengen border you cross. After that, move freely.
Passport holders from countries with Schengen-area visa waivers may enter Denmark for short stays.
The 180-day clock starts the moment you step into any Schengen country, not when you land in Denmark.
Denmark runs no separate eVisa or ETA scheme. Non-exempt travelers need a classic Schengen visa.
Cost: N/A
Starting in 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will demand online pre-clearance for visa-free travelers. It is not active yet.
Citizens of countries outside Schengen visa waivers must secure a short-stay Schengen visa before travel.
Apply at least four weeks before departure. The visa covers all Schengen states. But Denmark must be your main stop or first landing.
Arrival Process
Arrival steps differ slightly by port. Yet the flow stays the same.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Denmark enforces EU customs rules on duty-free goods, declarations, and banned items.
Prohibited Items
- Meat and dairy products from outside the EU - risk of animal diseases
- Endangered species or products derived from them - protected under CITES
- Weapons and ammunition without prior police permit
- Narcotics and psychoactive substances not prescribed for personal medical use
Restricted Items
- Medication containing narcotics requires a doctor's letter and prescription in English.
- Cultural goods older than 100 years may need an export permit from their country of origin before entering Denmark.
Health Requirements
Denmark demands no vaccinations for entry unless you arrive from a country with active yellow-fever transmission. Health insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever vaccination only if you arrive from a country with active yellow-fever transmission risk.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine boosters (MMR, DPT, polio) up to date
- Seasonal influenza vaccine for travelers with chronic conditions
Health Insurance
EU citizens should carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or its digital version for state healthcare access. Everyone else needs private travel insurance. Visa-required travelers must show proof at the border.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children need their own passport. If only one parent travels, bring a notarized consent letter from the other parent or proof of sole custody to avoid delays.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets need an EU pet passport or EU animal health certificate, a microchip, and a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old. Entry is allowed only at Copenhagen Airport, Billund Airport, and the Gedser and Rødbyhavn ferry terminals. Notify the ferry line or airline ahead.
Tourist stays beyond 90 days require a residence permit for work, study, or family reunification. Apply at least two months in advance via nyidanmark.dk. Denmark rarely grants tourist extensions inside the country.