This travel advice also covers the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Denmark set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Danish Embassy in the UK.
\n\nDenmark follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Denmark, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:
\n\nThe requirements for working in Denmark are different.
\n\nIf you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries in the 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
\n\nAt Danish border control, you may also need to:
\n\nTo stay longer, you must meet the Danish government’s entry requirements.
\n\nIf you stay in Denmark with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
\n\nRead about entry processes if you live in Denmark.
\n\nIf you are travelling from Denmark to Sweden, see information on border control requirements.
\n\nGreenland and the Faroe Islands are not members of the EU. You do not need a visa to enter for tourism. If you plan to live and work there, you must get a work and residence permit – apply for residence in Greenland or the Faroe Islands.
\n\nThe European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
\n\nThis means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.
\n\nOn your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
\n\nYou do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area. If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.
\n\nEES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.
\n\nIf you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
\n\nYour digital EES record is valid for 3 years.
\n\nRead more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area.
\n\nIf you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries. The full list of EES exemptions is on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
\n\nIf you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction. If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.
\nFollowing the introduction of EES, you may experience delays at passport control when arriving at or departing from Copenhagen Airport on flights to or from non-Schengen countries, including the UK.
\n\nYou should allow extra time when travelling through the airport.
\n\nIf you have a short onward connection, you should take this into account when planning your journey.
\n\nIf you need assistance, for example if you are travelling with young children or have accessibility requirements, speak to airport staff wearing yellow vests who are managing the queues.
\n\nThere are temporary border controls in place to travel into Germany. Check the entry requirements for Germany.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see:
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Denmark. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIt is illegal to import whale products from Greenland or the Faroe Islands into the UK or EU. You could be fined up to £5,000 or given a prison sentence.
\n\nYou cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special foods or pet feed required for medical reasons.
\n\nDeclare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Denmark cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAttacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.
\n\nCrime levels are generally low, but pickpockets and bag-snatchers operate in crowded areas, mainly in Copenhagen.
\n\nThieves use a variety of methods to distract you, particularly on crowded public transport. They sometimes also operate in hotel lobbies, cafes and restaurants.
\n\nKeep your personal belongings, including passports and money, safe. Keep an eye on luggage, including in the overhead baggage compartment, when travelling on trains to and from the airport.
\n\nPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in the following areas of Copenhagen:
\n\nTake extra care in Christiania and Nørrebro, particularly late at night. There have been some instances of gang violence in these areas.
\n\nIt’s illegal to wear clothing that conceals your face in a public place in Denmark. There are legal exemptions – for example, face masks for health reasons. If you cover your face in public, you may get a fine of 1,000 krone (around £115). If you do it again, the fine can increase.
\n\nIllegal drugs, including cannabis, are strictly prohibited, even in small quantities. Severe penalties apply for possessing, using, or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports.
\n\nYou should expect long jail sentences of up to 10 years and substantial heavy fines.
\n\nAirports in Denmark have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nSame-sex relationships and marriage are legal in Denmark.
\n\nRead advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Denmark, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Denmark guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Denmark. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience and a higher minimum age.
\n\nCyclists often have the right of way. Always check cycle lanes before turning right. Pedestrians also often have right of way to cross ahead of you if you are turning at traffic lights.
\n\nCheck if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.
\n\nIf you are visiting Denmark, you may be able to use your Blue Badge in some circumstances. Check local parking rules.
\n\nMany bicycle accidents happen when pedestrians do not give the right of way to bicycles. There are online guides in English on cycling in Denmark at Visit Copenhagen and the Danish Cyclists’ Federation (’Cyklistforbundet’).
\n\nElectric scooters are subject to road traffic rules. If you hire and use a scooter under the influence of alcohol, you could be prosecuted for drink-driving and you may be fined.
\n\nGreenland is in the Arctic Circle, and most of it is very remote. Emergency medical assistance and search and rescue services are limited in these areas. See Arctic travel safety advice.
\n\nTravel between towns is by air, sea or dogsled only. Arctic weather can affect travel, and you should be prepared for delays and cancellations.
\n\nDuring busy periods or when there is travel disruption, there may be no accommodation available unless you have booked ahead.
\n\nSupply chains are limited and travel times are long. Make sure you travel with sufficient prescription medication for all of your time in Greenland.
\n\nSmaller roads may be unpaved and winding.
\n\nThe weather can change quickly, and you should prepare appropriately for the activity you are planning.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 112 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what other health risks you’ll face in Denmark, Greenland and Faroe Islands.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Greenland. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nDenmark does not recognise UK prescriptions. If you need medication, you should speak to a local pharmacist (‘Apotek’), who will be able to tell you if you need a prescription from a local GP.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Denmark where some staff will speak English.
\n\nTo get medically necessary state healthcare in Denmark, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
\n\nThe NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about:
\n\nA GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:
\n\nThere is also guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Denmark.
\n\nYou will not be refused treatment, but an EHIC or GHIC will not cover the costs unless you are resident of a Nordic country, under the reciprocal agreement, or a resident of Denmark. You can find more details about medical assistance available during a temporary stay in Greenland.
\n\nYou may also have to cover the cost of medical evacuation.
\n\nYou cannot use a GHIC or EHIC in the Faroe Islands. The UK has reciprocal agreements with the Faroe Islands, so British nationals can get the same medical treatment they would with a GHIC or EHIC. This arrangement is not a substitute for travel insurance.
\n\nIf you travel to the Faroe Islands, you should still take your GHIC or EHIC with you. You’ll need to provide proof of identity and nationality, such as your UK passport.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police).
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Denmark on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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