Insurance
Medical insurance for a Schengen visa must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum coverage of medical costs: at least 30,000 EUR.
- It should cover all member states of the Schengen Area.
- Cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
Even though travel health insurance is worth having for all travelers to Europe, not everyone is required to have it.
A travel insurance policy is a mandatory requirement only for travelers who need to apply for a Schengen visa. This group of travelers is always required to have the needed coverage for the entire period of their stay in Europe, regardless if they go there for business, tourism, studying, holidays, or other reasons.
Foreign travelers visiting Europe who enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen zone can get their preferred travel insurance policy if they want to and while it is highly recommended – they are not required to.
Who Must Purchase Travel Health Insurance for Europe?
Anyone traveling temporarily to Europe from a country that is subject to visa requirements, be it individual visitors or group visitors, tourists, or business travelers.
Do I need a visa to enter Denmark?
Here is a list of people who do not need a visa to visit Denmark for short trips:
1) Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and other countries who have a visa-free agreement with Schengen
2) Citizens with diplomatic and service passports
3) Citizens with diplomatic passports and citizens with a “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” passport, a “Região Administrativa Especial de Macau” passport, or a “British National Overseas” passport
4) Citizens with diplomatic, special, and service passports
5) Citizens with diplomatic passports
6) Citizens with diplomatic and service passports and “official passports”
If you are travelling visa-free, you can normally enter Denmark if you meet the following basic conditions:
- You have a valid passport or other form of valid travel document. The passport or travel document must be valid for three months past the intended date of departure from the Schengen area. Moreover, the passport or travel document must have been issued within the past 10 years.
- You have the necessary means to pay for your stay and return trip. What will be considered as necessary funds depends on the length of your stay and whether you will stay at a hotel or in a privately owned home with family or friends.
As a general rule, you must have at your disposal approx. DKK 350 per day. A smaller amount may be accepted if you are staying in a privately owned home and your host will cover all the costs. If you are staying at a hotel, you must have a greater amount at your disposal, approx. DKK 500 per day.
- You can substantiate, and, to the required extent, document the purpose of your stay in Denmark.
- You are not registered as undesirable in the Schengen Information System (SIS II).
- You have not been expelled by court from Denmark and been banned from re-entering.
- You are not listed on UN or EU sanction lists.
- You may not be listed on the national sanction list of religious preachers with entry ban.
These conditions apply at the time you enter and stay in Denmark or another Schengen country. It is important that you are able to document at all times that you have the necessary funds to pay for your stay and return trip. If you do not meet these conditions, you can be refused entry at the border or required to leave the Schengen region immediately.
Tourists from countries with a visa-requirement need to obtain a Denmark tourist visa to enter and visit Denmark. The Denmark tourist visa allows you to stay in the Schengen region for up to 90 days so that you can visit the most famous tourist attractions. Tourists from visa-free countries do not need a visa and can enter the country with just their passports.
If tourists are granted a Denmark tourist visa, they must leave the country before the visa expiration date. This rule applies to every country with a visa-requirement with Denmark and Schengen.
When applying for a Denmark Schengen visa, you must submit the following documents:
1) Denmark visa
application form. Complete the application form with correct information, print it, and sign it at the end.
2) Two recent photos. Recently taken photos, not older than three months, in compliance with the Schengen visa requirements & specifications.
3) Passport. Not older than ten years, with two blank pages for the visa sticker. Valid for six months at the time of application and three months after you exit Denmark.
4) Flight reservation or itinerary. You must submit a document of a detailed plan of your flight or travel journey to the Schengen Area.
5) Schengen-compliant travel health insurance. Your travel insurance policy must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and emergencies.
6) Proof of accommodation. Evidence that you have a place to stay during your visit, e.g., hotel, rental agreement, invitation letter from your family or friends in Denmark, etc.
7) Proof of financial means. Proof that you have enough income to support yourself during your stay, e.g., bank statement, sponsorship support.
8) Evidence of employment status. Depending on your employment status, you must submit an employment contract or business plan.
9) Travel itinerary. You must submit a document with the details of your trip to Denmark.
For minors:
10) Birth certificate/proof of adoption/custody decree if parents are divorced / death certificate of the parent.
11) Letter of consent from parents and passport copies of both parents/ legal guardians.
Note: Depending on the embassy/consulate in which you are applying, you may be required to submit additional documents.
Follow these steps to apply for a Denmark Schengen visa:
- Pay the tourist visa fee. Pay the fee and provide a copy of the payment.
- Submit your application, documents, and biometrics. Submit the application together with the required documents in person to whichever Danish embassy/consulate or visa center you are applying through. You must hand in your application in person.
- Attend the visa interview. After applying for a visa, you will be asked to sit for an interview to answer some personal questions and questions about your trip.
- Wait for a response on your application. The embassy/consulate will notify you via email if your visa application has been approved.
Denmark has special travel agencies and tourist arrangements for tourists from Russia, China, Ukraine, and India that they can apply through. These arrangements make it easier for citizens of those countries to visit Denmark as tourists.
Visa Processing Time
The time to proceed with all the documentation and your visa application may take up to 15 days. Depending on the situation, the processing time can take longer if there is an extraordinary case.
For visa extension applications, the processing time is 14 days.
Denmark Tourist Visa Fee
The Denmark visa fees are as follows:
- €90 – the standard visa fee for a tourist (Schengen) visa
- €45 – for children between the age of 6 – 11
- €35 – for nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus
- €67.50 – for nationals from Cabo Verde
Free for:
- Children between the age of 0 to 6 years and
- Family members of EU and Swiss citizens;
- Researchers traveling for scientific research;
- Students, pupils, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers who travel or training or study;
- Holders of diplomatic passports and service passports.
Note: You might be required to pay a service fee to the outsourcing company (VAC).
A Schengen tourist visa permits you to enter Denmark for a maximum of 90 days within six months, with the purpose of traveling or visiting Denmark for pleasure. You can use the Schengen tourist visa to travel and visit other places within the Schengen area. However, if you will be traveling to other Schengen countries, it is recommended to fill in the “multiple entry” gap in the application form.
The applicant must submit the extension application before the visa expiration date or the expiry of your visa-free stay. If you submit the application too late or during an illegal stay, your extension application can be refused.
A Denmark Schengen visa can be extended only on some particular occasions, as:
1) Late Entry
2) Humanitarian Reasons
3) Force Majeure
4) Important Personal Reasons
Reminder: To get a tourist visa extension for any of the reasons mentioned above, you need strong arguments on your application.
You can submit your extension application at the Danish Immigration Services Citizen Service (SIRI) in person. Make sure to book an appointment before showing up, or you won’t be allowed to enter the Citizen Service office.
You can study with a tourist visa if you stay in Denmark for less than three months. If you want to stay longer than three months, you need to apply for a Danish student visa. You can apply for a visa at the authorized Danish mission in your country or the Danish embassy and consulate abroad.
The application processing time will take around two months or 60 days.
Citizens outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland need to obtain a residence permit to study in Denmark longer than three months.
Citizens from the EU, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or Finland can live, work and study in Denmark without a visa or residence permit.
Can I Work in Denmark With a Tourist Visa?
No, you cannot. You must be granted a residence and work permit before you can begin to work in Denmark. To be eligible for a Denmark work visa, you must have a job contract with a Danish employer.
You can perform certain work-related activities with a tourist visa, such as attending meetings, signing a contract, etc.
Who Needs a Visa to Transit Through a Danish Airport?
You need a Danish transit visa if you are from one of the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Syria
Citizens of other countries do not need a visa to transit in Denmark as long as they do not leave the airport transit area. Also, anyone who is exempt from a Danish Schengen visa is also exempt from a transit visa requirement.
Where to Apply for a Schengen Transit Visa?
You should apply at the embassy or the consulate of Denmark.
What Documents Do I Need to Submit to Get the Transit Visa for Europe?
Just like when applying for any other visa, there are a few Schengen required documents that one has to submit in order for is or her application to be considered.
Here are the required documents to apply for an Airport Transit Schengen visa in addition to the standard required documents for any Schengen visa:
1) Your valid passport.
2) Schengen A-Visa application form.
3) Two identical photos that meet Schengen guidelines.
4) Proof of paid Schengen visa fees. The Schengen Transit visa application costs 80€.
5) Biometric Data. Children, handicapped persons and government officials are exempt from this requirement.
6) Copies of previous visas if applicable.
7) A personal cover letter addressed to the embassy. You should explain the details of your travel plan as to when you plan to visit the country, where you will stay and what you will do.
8) Reservation of inbound and outbound flight.
9) Visa for the final destination (if a visa is required)
Can I get a Schengen Transit Visa on Arrival?
Visas on arrival are not a regular practice in Europe. Exemptions exist only for emergencies and family members of EU citizens. Therefore the obtaining of a Schengen Transit Visa on arrival is not possible.
Can I Leave the Airport Transit Area?
However, many airports have waiting areas, lounges, restaurants, and shops before the checkpoint, therefore the travelers can stay there until their next flight. If you have to leave the international transit area at the airport where you have landed in order to make your transfer, you cannot transit without a visa and you need a full short-stay Schengen visa.
Requirements for pets entry
1)Microchip
A microchip is one of the fundamental necessities of international pet transport. A microchip is a small electronic transponder about the size of a rice grain. It contains information about your pet and is mandatory for international pet travel. Your vet will implant the microchip under the skin between the shoulder blades. A microchip reader is used to retrieve the information on the chip.
Pet dogs and cats traveling to Denmark must have a microchip that is compliant with ISO standard 11784. The chip must apply HDX or FDX-B technology and can be read by a reading device compatible with ISO standard 11785. When your pet enters the country, they will be scanned with the microchip reader at the point of entry. The information on the chip and the import paperwork must match for the pet to be allowed to enter.
Check your country category
Denmark, like other EU countries, has different regulations depending on the country your pet is traveling from. Check your country category before making your travel plans. Denmark has three categories.
They are:
Category 1 – EU member countries fall into this category. These countries have low or zero incidence of rabies. You will need a pet passport certified by an EU-authorized vet to be able to enter Denmark from other EU countries.
Category 2 – Third countries are countries with low or zero incidence of rabies. They are Andorra, Switzerland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City State, Ascension Island, United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda, the BES Islands, Belarus, Canada, Chile, Curaçao, Fiji, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, St Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, St Lucia, Montserrat, North Macedonia, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, St Pierre and Miquelon, Russia, Singapore, St Helena, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United States, St Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.
Category 3 – Non-listed countries that are not mentioned in the categories above belong to this category. These countries have a high incidence of rabies.
2) Vaccinations for pets traveling to Denmark
Pet vaccinations are an essential step in the international pet transport process. They help keep your pets safe from life-threatening diseases. Most countries insist on mandatory pet vaccinations before traveling to safeguard local animals from introduced diseases.
If your pet is traveling to Denmark, they must be vaccinated against rabies to be able to enter the country. Pets traveling from EU countries and countries in Category 2 must wait for 21 days after the date of vaccination to enter Denmark. If your pet has received a booster dose before the expiry of the primary immunization, they can travel to Denmark without waiting for the mandatory 21 days. Your dog or cat must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the vaccine. Make sure the microchip is implanted before the vaccination.
Pets traveling to Denmark from non-listed countries have an extra step in the pet import process. These pets need a rabies titre test (RNATT) to be able to enter Denmark. The rabies titre test checks the efficacy of the rabies vaccine by measuring the antibodies produced by your pet. A satisfactory result is at least 0.5 IU/ml of antibodies in the blood. The sample for the test must be drawn at least 30 days after the date of the vaccination and must be analyzed only at an EU-authorized laboratory.
After your pet receives a satisfactory result, they must wait for three months before traveling to Denmark. If your pet is going to Denmark from an unlisted country, it is best to begin travel plans much ahead of the date of travel to factor in the waiting period.
If you are returning to Denmark with your pet from a third country, your pet need not wait for three months after the rabies titre test if your pet has had a rabies titre test before moving out of Denmark, as long as the vaccinations are current.
3)Veterinary health certificate
Pets traveling to Denmark from non-EU countries need a veterinary health certificate issued by the government agency in charge of pet exports in the country of origin.
The document must contain the following details:
- Pet’s name and identification
- Microchip details
- Proof of rabies vaccination
- Details of the rabies titre test, if necessary
- Name and contact information of the pet owner
- Dogs and cats traveling to Denmark from EU member countries do not need a veterinary health certificate as long as the pet passport is current and the vaccinations are up-to-date.
- Cats traveling from Australia must not reside in a place where there are cases of Hendra disease for 60 days before the date of travel. You will need a letter from an Australian official vet attesting the same.
Non-commercial transport to Denmark
Pet transport to Denmark is considered non-commercial if the pet is traveling to the country because of the owner’s movement. The pet must be under the direct responsibility of the pet owner during the transport.
The pet dog or cat must not be up for sale or adoption in Denmark, and there should be no transfer of ownership. The pet parent must follow the EU five day rule and travel into Denmark within five days of the pet’s travel. If you cannot travel within five days of your pet, you can authorize a family member or a pet travel agency to move the pet on your behalf. If you are flying to Denmark with more than five pets, it will be considered commercial transport.
Banned breeds in Denmark
Denmark prohibits the import of several aggressive breeds into the country. Banned dog breeds in Denmark are:
1) Pit Bull Terrier
2) American Staffordshire Terrier
3) Dogo Argentino
4) Boerboel
5) Central Asian Shepherd Dog
6) South Russian Shepherd Dog
7) Sarplaninac
8) Tosa Inu
9) Fila Brasileiro
10) American Bulldog
11) Kangal
12) Caucasian Shepherd Dog
13) Tornjak
Crossbreeds of the banned dog breeds are also not allowed inside the country. Wild dog species and cross breeds of wild dog species are banned in Denmark.
Transport of puppies and kittens to Denmark
Puppies younger than eight weeks of age are not allowed to travel to Denmark unless they are traveling with the mother. Puppies younger than 16 weeks can travel to Denmark only from category 1 and 2 countries.
If your pup is younger than 12 weeks old and hasn’t received their rabies vaccination yet, you will need to fill out a Puppy Declaration Form which states that the pup has not been in contact with wild animals susceptible to rabies since their birth till the date of journey.
Puppies between 12 and 16 weeks of age that have been vaccinated against rabies, but the vaccination is not yet valid, also need the Puppy Declaration Form.
Kittens younger than 12 weeks of age cannot travel to Denmark unless they are travelling with their mother. If your kitten is not vaccinated for rabies or if your kitten’s rabies vaccination is not yet valid, you will need to fill in a Kitten Declaration Form. The form should state that the kitten has not been in contact with animals susceptible to rabies from the time of birth till the date of journey.
If you are moving puppies or kittens with their mother, the EU pet passport must state that the mother has been vaccinated against rabies before the birth of the kittens/puppies.
Entering Denmark with pets
Pets traveling from non-EU countries can enter Denmark through one of the three Traveler’s Point of Entries. The three points of entry are:
- Copenhagen airport
- Billund airport
- Aalborg airport
Pets traveling from EU member countries and Andorra, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, Vatican City and Switzerland can enter Denmark through any border crossing.
Pets will be checked for any signs of illness and whether the documentation satisfies all pet import requirements. If the conditions are not met, your pet will be returned to the country of origin or placed in quarantine. In extremely rare cases when return or isolation is not possible, the pet will be euthanized.
1. Copenhagen Airport is only a short train ride from the city center
Unlike the airports in Paris or London, Copenhagen Airport is only a 15-minute metro ride from the city center! This means you can even see a good part of the city if you have a long layover at Copenhagen Airport.
If you plan to use public transportation in Copenhagen, be sure to purchase a Copenhagen Card or a City Pass.
2. Cycling is serious business
There are more bicycles in Denmark than cars, and you'll probably be amazed by the cycling culture. If you really want to blend in, hop on a bike to get from point A to point B. However, there are some important cycling rules to follow if you don't want to anger your fellow riders. Keep in mind that for locals, a bicycle is primarily a means of transportation, not entertainment. In general, stay away from major bike lanes during peak hours (7:15-8:45 am and 3:30-5:00 pm). Always keep to the far right of the bike lane. If you are braking, signal in advance by raising your left hand in the air and use your hands to show when you are turning.
3. Drink water from the tap
The water in Denmark is so clean that residents swim in the city harbor year-round and have access to some of the best drinking water in the world - right from the tap. To reduce plastic waste and save some money, bring a reusable water bottle with you and fill it up at your hotel or at one of the city's free drinking fountains.
4. Copenhagen Card is a great way to save money on public transportation and attractions
Copenhagen Card is a great card that includes access to more than 80 attractions in Copenhagen, and also offers free public transportation within Copenhagen, as well as to and from the airport. You can purchase the Copenhagen Card in increments of 1 to 5 days, depending on how long you will be in the city.
Some of the best attractions you can visit with the Copenhagen Card are the Canal Cruise, the Round Tower, Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Castle, the Danish Design Museum, and many more!
5. It is forbidden to turn right on a red traffic light (including bicycles)
One more tip if you are traveling in Denmark by car: it is forbidden to turn right on a red traffic light. This may take some time to remember if you come from the US, where it is allowed.
And as soon as the light turns green, you must be very attentive to cyclists passing you on the right side before turning right. If you're driving during commuter traffic, it can be quite stressful when bicycles pass you.
Sources:
https://www.destinationdaydreamer.com
https://www.lonelyplanet.com
Denmark