Denmark:Visa Requirements

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Denmark Visa Requirements Map

Denmark: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The traveler must have a valid passport or another valid travel document recognized by Denmark. The document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area and must have been issued within the last ten years. The number of blank pages required in the passport for visa-free entry is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A separate technical criterion for damaged passports is not definitively specified in the central official source. The document used must be valid, recognized, and suitable for identity verification at border control. The requirement for a machine-readable or biometric passport may vary depending on the exemption regulation applicable to the traveler and the type of travel document; a single universal requirement for all visa-free travelers has not been published.
  • The traveler must be able to document the purpose and conditions of the visit. When necessary, accommodation details, travel itinerary, a return or onward ticket, and documents showing the intention to leave the Schengen area at the end of the permitted stay may be requested.
  • Sufficient financial means must be available during the stay. In a general assessment, approximately 350 Danish kroner per day may be considered sufficient. If accommodation is in a hotel, approximately 500 Danish kroner per day may be required. If a private accommodation provider covers the expenses, a lower amount may be accepted. The required number of months for bank statements and the fixed total amount that must be in the account are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Visa-free short-term stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The days of entry and exit are included in the duration of stay. For purposes of work, long-term study, or residence longer than 90 days, an appropriate work or residence permit may be required.
  • For short-term entries via Denmark's external Schengen border, passport information, facial image, and, if necessary, fingerprints are recorded under the Entry/Exit System. Failure to provide the required biometric data may result in refusal of entry. Exemptions based on a residence permit or special status may apply depending on the traveler's situation.
  • Travel health insurance, a specific hotel reservation, vaccination certificate, medical report, employment certificate, or fixed-term bank statement are not established as universal entry documents in the central rules for all visa-free travelers. The border authority may request additional information or documents in line with the purpose of travel and personal circumstances.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • Denmark does not have a regular visa on arrival program generally available. However, an exceptional border visa may be issued at the external border in unforeseen and imperative situations where it was not possible to apply for a visa in advance.
  • The applicant must be able to document why a visa could not be obtained in advance and why the journey cannot be postponed. A valid passport or travel document, documents indicating the purpose of the visit or transit, accommodation and travel plan, sufficient financial means, and a return or onward ticket may be requested.
  • Valid travel health insurance is normally required. If the insurance cannot be obtained at the border or if humanitarian reasons exist, the competent authority may apply an exception. A fixed insurance coverage amount for the exceptional border visa is not separately specified in the central border visa provisions.
  • The application is examined by the police or authorized immigration authority at the external border. A border visa cannot be issued to a person who has a record of refusal of entry in the Schengen Information System or has an active entry ban.
  • The exceptional border visa may be issued for a stay of up to 15 days, for single entry or to cover the necessary transit period. The document may be issued with only limited territorial validity. Its issuance does not mean the applicant automatically acquires the right of entry.
  • The standard border visa fee is 600 Danish kroner. For children over six and under twelve years of age, the fee is 300 Danish kroner. No fee is charged for children under six years of age. The fee may not be charged in cases of flight delays, unforeseen route changes, emergency landings, or similar situations. Accepted payment methods are not definitively specified in the central official source. If payment is received, a receipt is issued.
  • The fixed processing time for a border visa is not definitively specified in the central official source. The examination is conducted depending on the circumstances of the border incident and the completion of necessary verifications.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • An application for a short-term Schengen visa must be initiated online via the ApplyVisa system of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The applicant must create a user account, complete the electronic form, pay the application fee, and print and sign the cover letter generated by the system.
  • After the online process is completed, the application must be finalized in person at the competent Danish diplomatic mission or officially designated visa application center. The passport and supporting documents are submitted, and the required biometric data are collected. Merely completing the online form is not sufficient for a visa application.
  • The applicant's passport or recognized travel document must be valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area, must have been issued within the last ten years, and must contain at least two blank pages.
  • One recent passport photograph must be submitted. The photograph must be 35 × 45 millimeters in size, with a face height from chin to crown of 30–36 millimeters. The photograph must clearly show the applicant and must not be older than six months. The exact background color code, file format of the photograph, and digital pixel size are not definitively specified in the central official source. The mission applied to may request additional photographs or copies.
  • The applicant's fingerprints and photograph are taken. Fingerprints that have been properly recorded within the previous 59 months may be reused. The competent authority may request the submission of biometrics again for identity verification or file assessment.
  • As a rule, the application must be made in the country where the applicant legally resides. If applying from another country, the applicant must demonstrate that he or she is legally present in that country and has a valid reason for applying there.
  • The application must be made to Denmark if Denmark is the main destination of the travel. If an equal number of days will be spent in more than one Schengen country, the application is directed to the country of first entry.
  • The applicant must submit documents showing the purpose of travel, accommodation arrangements, travel itinerary, sufficient financial means, and the intention to leave the Schengen area at the end of the permitted stay. The exact list of documents varies according to the purpose of travel, nationality, country of legal residence, and the mission where the application is submitted.
  • In a general financial sufficiency assessment, approximately 350 Danish kroner per day may be required. In the case of hotel accommodation, approximately 500 Danish kroner per day may be considered necessary. If accommodation or other expenses are covered by the inviting person, the assessment may vary. The required number of months for bank statements and the fixed total amount that must be in the bank account are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Depending on the purpose of application and the local checklist, flight reservation, proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, bank account statements, salary slips, employment certificate, employer leave letter, student certificate, company documents, or sponsorship papers may be requested. Not all of these documents form a universal list for all applicants.
  • Purchasing a flight ticket before a decision on the application is generally not recommended. However, the local checklist of the relevant diplomatic mission or application center may request a reservation or a purchased ticket.
  • Travel health insurance must be valid throughout the entire Schengen area, cover the entire period of the visa, and provide coverage of at least 30,000 euros. The insurance must cover the risks of emergency medical treatment, emergency hospital admission, repatriation for medical reasons, and transport of remains in the event of death. If the insurance's validity period is shorter than the planned travel, the visa duration may be limited accordingly.
  • An invitation may be submitted for a private visit or business trip. Using the invitation form is recommended but not mandatory in all applications. An electronic invitation is generally valid for six months and must be issued separately for each applicant.
  • The invitation document must include the identity and contact information of the inviting person or organization, the applicant's information, the purpose of visit, planned duration of stay, accommodation arrangements, and who will cover the expenses. For business visits, the commercial relationship between the parties, the meeting or activity program, and the information of the company sending the applicant may also be requested.
  • Whether documents of the inviting person such as passport, identity card, residence permit, address, and financial sufficiency are required varies according to the purpose of visit and the local checklist. There is no single central document list applicable to all applications for the sponsor's bank documents and proof of financial sufficiency.
  • Which pages of the applicant's passport to copy, the requirement for a national identity document, the number of months that the bank statement must cover, the format of employment or company documents, and the content of the accommodation document may vary according to the local checklist of the relevant diplomatic mission.
  • For minor applicants, a birth certificate, copies of parents' identity documents or passports, parental consent, custody decision, or documents showing family ties may be requested. The signature and consent requirements vary according to the child's age, who they are traveling with, and the country where the application is made. There is no single central document list applicable to all minor applicants.
  • The requirement for translation, notarization, apostille, or legalization of documents varies according to the country where the document was issued, the type of document, and the diplomatic mission receiving the application. A single translation or certification rule applicable to all applications is not specified in the central official source.
  • The standard short-term visa application fee is 90 euros for adults. For children over six and under twelve years of age, it is 45 euros. Exemptions and different fees may apply based on age, special agreements, the applicant's status, or reciprocity arrangements. The authorized application center may also charge a service fee.
  • The application fee in the ApplyVisa system is paid by credit card during the online payment stage. The payment method for the application center service fee varies according to the country and center where the application is made.
  • The application may be made no earlier than six months before the planned date of entry. For seafarers, this period may be up to nine months. As a rule, the application must be submitted at least 15 days before the planned entry.
  • The normal official processing time is 15 calendar days from the submission of an admissible application. If additional examination, document verification, or consultation with other authorities is required, the period may be extended up to 45 calendar days.
  • The visa may be issued for single entry, double entry, or multiple entries. The short-term stay cannot exceed 90 days in any 180-day period. The validity of multiple-entry visas may be set from six months up to five years depending on the applicant's travel history and circumstances; however, the 90/180-day stay limit continues.
  • The approved visa is affixed to the passport as a sticker. Making an online application does not mean the visa is an electronic visa. The short-term Schengen visa for Denmark is not issued as a separate e-visa document.
  • The short-term Schengen visa may be used for tourism, family or friend visits, business meetings, and other permitted short-term purposes. The visa does not normally grant the right to work, long-term study, or residence. For these purposes, the appropriate residence or work permit must be obtained.
  • A Schengen visa issued by Denmark is not automatically valid for the Faroe Islands or Greenland. If these territories are to be visited, the visa must be issued as explicitly valid for the relevant territory.
  • The competent diplomatic mission or the Danish Immigration Service may request additional documents, original documents, additional copies, new photographs, or an interview. The personalized checklist created by the local application center should be followed as a basis.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • An application for an airport transit visa must be initiated online via the ApplyVisa system and finalized in person at the competent diplomatic mission or visa application center. Whether an airport transit visa is required may vary depending on the type of travel document, other visas held, residence permits, and personal status.
  • The application form must be completed in full and signed. The cover letter generated by the system must be printed and attached to the application file.
  • The passport must contain at least two blank pages, and the passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the Schengen area. The passport must have been issued within the last ten years.
  • One color photograph must be submitted. The photograph must be 35 × 45 millimeters in size, taken against a light-colored background, showing the full face, and not older than six months. The digital pixel size of the photograph is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The applicant must submit a flight ticket or verifiable flight reservation showing onward travel to the final destination. If the next or final destination country requires a visa, a valid visa for that country must also be presented.
  • Documents showing why the transit is necessary and that the journey will continue must be submitted. The competent authority may request additional clarification regarding the travel itinerary, final destination conditions, or the intention to stay in the transit area.
  • An airport transit visa only permits staying in the international transit area of the airport. If passing through passport control, leaving the transit area, entering Denmark, or transferring to another airport is necessary, a regular short-stay entry visa may be required.
  • The standard transit visa application fee is 90 euros for adults, and 45 euros for children over six and under twelve years of age. The application center service fee may be charged separately. Exemptions or different fee applications may vary according to the applicant's status.
  • The fixed validity period of a transit visa is not definitively specified in the central official source. The visa may be issued to cover one, two, or multiple airport transits according to the submitted travel itinerary.
  • A fixed financial sufficiency amount, bank statement period, or travel health insurance coverage for all applicants for an airport transit visa is not definitively specified in the central official source. The local diplomatic mission may request additional documents or an interview.
Population
6,023,520(2026 est.)
Official language
Danish
Government type
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Continent
Europe
Capital
Copenhagen
Currency
Danish krone
Area
42,925 km²
Phone code
+45

Denmark: Key Destinations

Copenhagen is the capital and primary gateway to Denmark. Most international flights arrive at Copenhagen Airport, connecting the city to global destinations. Beyond the capital, Aarhus offers a dynamic cultural scene on the Jutland peninsula.

Denmark's rich Viking heritage and modern design attract visitors interested in history and architecture. The country's many islands, including Funen and Bornholm, provide coastal escapes and rural charm. Education and business hubs like Aarhus and Odense contribute to a vibrant atmosphere.

Travelers often combine a stay in Copenhagen with trips to other Scandinavian capitals via efficient rail or air links. A common route includes exploring Zealand, crossing to Funen and then Jutland by bridge or ferry. City-to-city movement is straightforward, enabling a seamless itinerary across Denmark's regions.