Europe
Denmark
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Still current at: 29 August 2008
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Updated: 19 June 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is a general threat from terrorism in Denmark. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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Around 150,000 British tourists visit Denmark every year (Source: Danish National Statistical Office). Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Denmark in 2007 was for replacing passports including lost and stolen passports.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism in Denmark. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Crime levels remain relatively low. Most visits to Denmark are trouble-free, but you should be aware that the tourist season attracts pickpockets and bag-snatchers in crowded areas. You should observe sensible precautions such as keeping your personal belongings, including passports and money, secure. This is particularly so in the Christiania and Nørrebro areas of Copenhagen. These areas are generally safe, but as there have been sporadic minor disturbances and confrontations with the authorities, you should exercise extra caution there.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Local Travel
The public transport infrastructure is generally of a very high standard. You can buy a variety of bus, train and metro tickets at train station kiosks and also at a selection of supermarkets. Within the Copenhagen inner city area during the tourist season you can rent city bicycles (available for a token fee). Cyclists found outside the inner city area on these bicycles may be subject to fines. Other outlets hire out better quality bicycles for a reasonable fee. Ferries are available to transport you to Denmark’s many Islands.
Road Travel
Road conditions in Denmark are good and driving standards are fairly high. In 2005 (latest comparative figures available) there were 331 road deaths in Denmark (source: DfT). This equates to 6.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.5 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2005 (and an EU average of 9.0).
You should carry a warning triangle in case of breakdowns. You must wear seatbelts. You must drive with dipped headlights at all times (day and night) and they should be masked with special European opaque material available from most garages in the UK and Ireland. It is now law in Denmark (not just good driving practice) to indicate before changing lanes on a motorway. Since September 2005 Denmark implemented measures that could result in driving offences committed in Denmark being reported to the UK authorities. You should therefore take extra care when driving in Denmark.
Cycling is very popular in Denmark. Cyclists often have the right of way. It is particularly important that you check cycle lanes before turning right. You must give due consideration to the many cyclists present in Danish cities.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 are also being implemented in Denmark. For more details about this please see Airline Security
Local laws and customs
You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Although Denmark is generally a liberal society, drug use is illegal and laws are enforced. You will not be treated more leniently than residents and drug dealers in particular can receive heavy sentences. You should be aware that Danish law changed on 1 July 2004 so that anyone found in possession of illegal drugs, deemed to be for personal consumption, will receive a police fine of DKK 500
Homosexuality is legal and Danish law allows same sex marriages.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
Visas are not required to enter Denmark. As a British passport holder you may stay for a period of three months. For longer stays, you should apply to the appropriate office for a residence permit.
You should note that Greenland and the Faroes are not members of the European Union. So, although visas are not required for tourist purposes, you should obtain work and residence permits prior to entry if you are intending to live and work there.
Passport Validity
You should be in possession of a valid passport, with a minimum validity of three months. For further advice on requirements please contact the Danish Embassy in London.
Health
The standard of healthcare is high. A reciprocal healthcare agreement exists between UK and Denmark by which British nationals are covered for emergency treatment whilst visiting Denmark.
The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Danish nationals. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
There are also agreements for the same EHIC facilities in the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
The telephone number for emergencies is 112.
In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 5,500 adults aged 15 or over in Denmark were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Denmark and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Denmark and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Avian Influenza
The Danish authorities have confirmed that there have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in wild birds and domestic birds in Denmark. No human infections or deaths have been reported. or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
If you lose your passport in Denmark, you should contact the British Embassy in Copenhagen. The Embassy runs a full passport service, which operates on a 10-day service.
If you lose your passport in Denmark, you should contact the British Embassy in Copenhagen. The Embassy runs a full passport service, which operates on a 10-day service.
Employment
You should check carefully on bona fides of anyone offering employment opportunities involving asphalting or seasonal work.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Money
Remember the currency for Denmark is the Danish Krone and not the Euro.
From 15 June 2007 new legislation on the controls of cash entering or leaving the EU applies in all Member States. Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers' cheques, money orders, etc. This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country, as long as the original journey started outside of the EU nor to those travelling within the EU.
CONTACT DETAILS
Address:
British Embassy
Kastelsvej 36-40
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
British Embassy
Kastelsvej 36-40
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Telephone:
Main Switchboard (+45) 35 44 52 00
Main Switchboard (+45) 35 44 52 00
Consular General Enquiries:
Tel: +45 80 88 79 40 Please note: there is a DKK 55 charge per call and you will need a Visa/Dankort or Mastercard*
Fax: +45 35 44 52 53
Free Information and forms at www.britishembassy.dk
Visa General Enquiries
Tel: +45 77 34 86 51 *Please note: there is a 14 US$ charge per call and you will need a Visa/Dankort or Mastercard*
Fax: + 45 35 44 52 53
Free Information at:
www.visainfoservices.com
Free Information at:
www.visainfoservices.com
Facsimile:General Enquiries (+45) 35 44 52 93
Government and Public Affairs Section (+45) 35 44 52 46
UK Trade and Investment (+45) 35 44 52 53
Management (+45) 35 44 52 59
Office Hours:
GMT: 0800-1600
Local Time: 0900-1700
Local Time: 0900-1700
Consular GMT: 0800-1130 / 1230-1400
Visa: by appointment only)
Visa: by appointment only)
Consular local time: 0900-1230 / 1330-1500
Website:
www.britishembassy.dk
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile