Denmark

U.S. Embassy Copenhagen

Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark

Telephone: +(45) 3341-7100

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(45) 3341-7400

Fax: +(45) 3538-9616

CopenhagenACS@state.gov

U.S. Consulate Nuuk

Postboks Nr. 552
Kujallerpaat 1
Nuuk 3900, Greenland

Telephone: +(45) 3341-7100 

Emergency After-hours Telephone: +45 3341-7400

Fax: +(45) 3538-9616

CopenhagenACS@state.gov

Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Denmark. 

Denmark is a party to the Schengen Agreement. Visit the U.S. Embassy website for the most current visa information.

• Passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.
• You may enter  Denmark for up to 90 days for tourist purposes without a visa.
• Further useful information, in English and Danish, can be found on the Danish Immigration Service website.
• If you are a student or prospective student, your student visa allows you to enter 30 days prior to the start of your program and remain for 14 days after the end of your program. More detailed information is available on the Danish Immigration Service website.
• Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not party to the Schengen Agreement; however, you may travel to either location for 90 days for business or tourism purposes without a visa.
• Residence and work permits issued exclusively for Greenland or the Faroe Islands are not valid for travel to Schengen countries.

Traveling Through Europe: If you are planning to visit or travel through European countries, you should be familiar with the requirements of the Schengen Agreement. 

• Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay. If you plan on transiting a Schengen country review our U.S. Travelers in Europe page.   
• You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket. 
• For additional information about visas for the Schengen area, see the Schengen Visa page.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Denmark.

Dual Nationality: As of September 1, 2015, Denmark allows the acquisition of dual citizenship.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Terrorism: Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.  Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack - including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds. Frequently, their aim is unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Schools
• Parks
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights) 

For more information, see our Terrorism page. 

Crime: Organized crime groups operate in Denmark, including in and around Copenhagen. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and immediately leave the area if they feel threatened. In response to crime, police may establish “Search Zones” (“visitationszoner” in Danish) and stop and search individuals. 

Pickpockets and purse-snatchers operate aggressively in areas frequented by tourists, as well as on trains and buses, and at transit stations, including Copenhagen Central Station, Copenhagen Airport, and cruise ship quays. Do not place any bags containing valuables, such as your passport or credit cards, on the ground or on the back of a chair in public places, such as restaurants, bars, and cafes.  Watch your laptop and mobile devices, which are particularly desirable to thieves. U.S. citizens are encouraged to review the OSAC Crime and Safety Report for more information on crime in the Kingdom of Denmark.

When traveling or living in the Kingdom of Denmark, you should:

• Be aware of the local security situation and take appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.
• Monitor media and local information sources, and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.
• Address specific safety concerns to Danish law enforcement authorities who have responsibility for the safety and security of all residents and visitors.
• Exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
• If stopped by the police, cooperate and be prepared to present identification.

Freetown Christiania, located in the Christianshavn area of Copenhagen, is known for illicit drug activity. Drug enforcement efforts have resulted in clashes between the police and Christiania residents.  Christiania residents have imposed a strict no-photography policy; tourists have been assaulted and robbed for taking pictures. Police and emergency services are limited in Christiania.

Demonstrations occur regularly in Denmark. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on holidays, or during international events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 

Bear in mind that large public gatherings can affect transportation arteries in the city.

• Monitor local media for updates and traffic advisories. 

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +45 3341-7100 or +45 3341-7400 for after-hours assistance. For non-life threatening situations, individuals in the greater Copenhagen area may dial 1813 to reach an urgent medical helpline. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home in cases of destitution
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Victim Compensation Program: Denmark has a program to provide financial compensation to victims who suffer serious injuries due to crime.

• A police report must be filed within 72 hours.
• Local police or the Danish Criminal Injuries Compensation Board can provide the forms to file for compensation.
• Processing time can vary from one to three months to receive compensation.
• More information about compensation payments to victims of serious crime is available at the Compensation Board’s website.
• If you are victim of crime in Greenland or the Faroe Islands, please contact the Embassy at +45 3341-7100 or +45 3341-7400 (after hours) for further assistance.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. Domestic violence victims are also encouraged to file a police report with local law enforcement at 112.

Tourism: The tourism industry is regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. This is especially true in Greenland – a semi-autonomous, self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is vast and remote, and the weather can be unpredictable, making it especially difficult for first responders to access areas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Driving under the influence may lead to confiscation of your driver’s license and could land you immediately in jail.
• Possession of dangerous weapons, including pocketknives, may result in criminal penalties.
• Your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution if you break the law in the Kingdom of Denmark.

Danish Compulsory Military Service: All male citizens 18 years of age and resident in Denmark must participate in a military draft. Conscription periods vary from four to 12 months, according to specialization.

Greenland: Special Circumstances

Removal of Natural Resources:

• Greenland has strict laws regarding removal of natural resources, including any precious and semi-precious metals, stones, and gemstones. Check with local authorities before attempting to extract or export any of these materials.

Cruise Ship Travel: If you are considering travel on cruise ships near Greenland, you should:

• Be aware that search and rescue capabilities are restricted due to limited capacity and long distances between populated areas.
• Check the operational records and the experience of captains and crews operating vessels in Arctic waters when selecting cruises off the shores of Greenland.

Greenland by Land: Greenland’s landscape is vast and remote. Periods of darkness, extreme temperatures, and fast-changing weather are common.

• You should use experienced guides.
• Official permission is required for travel into the huge Northeast Greenland National Park or for treks across the central ice fields. Check with your tour operator to make sure that the company has received the necessary permission for such trips.
• Persons unfamiliar with the area can become disoriented easily and risk long-term exposure to the elements.
• Greenland mountains are of moderate altitude but are technically difficult. You should be familiar with ascent and descent routes.
• Local authorities will rescue individuals in difficulty, but land search and rescue capabilities are limited and subject to weather restrictions.
• You may be billed for the cost of rescue services.
• For more information about traveling to Greenland please visit Greenland Tourism.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in the Kingdom of Denmark.

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section six of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Danish law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, and access to health care or other state services. In addition:

• Danish law mandates access to buildings, education, information, and communications for persons with disabilities.
• Public transportation can accommodate persons with disabilities, but many buildings and outdoor sites are not easily accessible for the disabled.
• Accessibility information is available at Visit Denmark.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Excellent medical facilities are widely available in Denmark. Hospitals are modern and fully equipped. Medical facilities in Greenland and the Faroe Islands are limited, and evacuation is required for serious illness or injury.

For emergency services in the Kingdom of Denmark, dial 112.

• Emergency medical treatment may be free of charge; however, the patient is charged for follow-up care.
• In Denmark, you must call in advance to be admitted to an emergency room for immediate treatment for nonlife-threatening emergencies. If you show up at an emergency room unannounced you may be turned away. Dial 1813 to speak to the national medical helpline, staffed by physicians and nurses, who will determine which emergency room or clinic you should go to for care and coordinate an appointment for you.
• Ambulance services are widely available throughout Denmark but are limited in Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.  

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Denmark to ensure the medication is legal in the Kingdom of Denmark. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

World Health Organization

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Road Conditions and Safety: Danish roads are of high quality and connect all areas of the country.

• Driving in the Kingdom of Denmark is on the right side of the road.
• Road signs use standard international symbols.
• Many urban streets have traffic lanes reserved for public transport only.
• Bicycles are widely used in Denmark, and bike lanes are very common.
• Bicycles have the right-of-way. Many accidents occur when pedestrians and vehicles fail to give the right-of-way to bicycles.

Greenland has no established road system between towns. Most domestic travel is by foot, boat, or air.

The majority of the Faroe Islands are interconnected by roads and tunnels, and boats. On the large islands even small hamlets are generally accessible by road. Travel on the smaller islands is mostly done on foot.

Traffic Laws:

• You must be 18 years of age to drive a car in the Kingdom of Denmark.
• Your U.S. state’s driver’s license is acceptable in the Kingdom of Denmark for up to 90 days.
• Long-term residents must obtain a valid Danish driver’s license.
• In Denmark, the speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on open roads, and 130km/h on expressway, unless otherwise noted on traffic signs.
• You must use your seat belt while driving in a vehicle.
• Children between 3-12 years of age or under 36kg and/or 135 cm in height must be in a car seat.
• Driving any vehicle, including a bicycle, under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered a very serious offense. 
• It is illegal to make a right turn on a red light in the Kingdom of Denmark.
• It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving.
• Laws are strictly enforced and violations can result in high fines and jail sentences.

Public Transportation: Denmark has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. Trains, buses, and ferries connect Copenhagen with other major cities in Denmark and with Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Germany. There are municipal bus services in large Greenlandic towns, but service times vary and are posted only in Danish and Greenlandic. Consider travel on foot or by cab.

See our road safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit Visit Denmark and Denmark’s Ministry of Transport for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Denmark’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Denmark’s air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to the Kingdom of Denmark should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.  Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings (select “broadcast warnings”).