Latest News: Danish government lifts quarantine requirement for arrivals from Malta, several regions of Portugal and Spain; Nepal moved to red list; all arrivals from India banned (SVI, 17.05.2021). Travelers from Israel allowed to enter Denmark without COVID-19 test or quarantine; other countries on Denmark's 'orange' and 'red' list reported (Schengen Visa Info , 10.05.2021).
International Restrictions:
*From within the EU:
Denmark adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Denmark are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.
Countries and regions are classified into 3 categories – "yellow", "orange" and "red", on a weekly basis, and according to their epidemiological situation.
Danish nationals and foreigners who are resident, or hold a valid residence permit in Denmark, can enter regardless of their purpose.
Travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 48 hours prior to departure.
There are currently no specific requirements as to the type of COVID-19 test (rapid antigen and PCR are accepted).
The requirement to test before entry via sea or land borders applies to foreigners who are not resident in Denmark or not holding a Danish residence permit. The requirement to test before boarding an aircraft is applicable to everyone, including Danish citizens and foreigners residing in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit.
Additionally, all entrants must take a second test (antigen or PCR) no later than 24 hours after entering Denmark.
Children aged 12 and under, as well as passengers flying to Denmark from Greenland and the Faroe Islands, are exempted from the testing requirement.
Foreigners who are habitually resident in the border regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Southern Sweden (the provinces of Blekinge and Scania) and western Sweden (the provinces of Halland and West Gothia), and who have a worthy purpose of entry, are required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry. Foreigners who are habitually resident in a border region, but do not have a worthy purpose, can enter Denmark upon presentation of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before entry.
Passengers who have recovered from COVID-19 are no longer perceived to be contagious. These passengers must present proof of a positive COVID-19 test result from a test performed between 14 days and 12 weeks prior to entry.
Travel from countries classified as "yellow"
Travellers from "yellow" countries do not need to demonstrate a "worthy purpose" and are not subject to the quarantine requirement.
Travel from countries classified as "orange" or "red"
Foreigners resident abroad and travelling from "orange" or "red" countries must demonstrate a "worthy purpose" to enter Denmark.
Travellers from "orange" or "red" countries must also complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine, even in case of a negative test result before entry, upon arrival and after entry. This applies regardless of whether the test is a rapid test (antigen test) or a PCR test, and regardless of whether you are a Danish or foreign citizen.
The quarantine period may be shortened by taking a PCR test no less than 4 days after arrival. If the result of this test is negative, the period of quarantine can end.
From 1 May, vaccinated persons who are permanent residents of "orange" EU and Schengen countries, and who can document that they have completed a full cycle of vaccination in an EU/Schengen country, are no longer required to present a negative test or to demonstrate a "worthy purpose" for travelling to Denmark, and they are exempt from the testing and isolation requirements on entering Denmark.
Full details on conditions and requirements are available at coronasmitte.dk.
Find out more:
Entry into Denmark
Forms and certificates
Travelling to Denmark by air
Contact Point for Denmark:
Hotline of the Danish police: +45 7020 6044
Opening hours:
Monday-Wednesday 08.00-16.00
Thursday 08.00-15.00
Friday 08.00-14.00
Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays *Transit:
As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restrictions.
EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.
Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.
Additionally, for Denmark, the following rules apply:
You can travel through Denmark (transit) if you have a worthy purpose outside Denmark or you are going on holiday outside Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland or as part of your homebound journey. This applies regardless of your habitual residence and your means of transport into and out of Denmark.
If you want to transit through Denmark, you must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding. This also applies to foreigners who are habitually resident in a border region and want to transit through Denmark.
The test must be presented in connection with the last flight that has a destination in Denmark. The airline flying the last flight must make sure that the test was taken within 48 hours of boarding the first leg/part of the journey. This documentation may be in the form of a boarding pass or other proof showing the time of start of the continuous journey. As an alternative, the passenger can take a test during the continuous journey, but prior to the flight with destination in Denmark.
Children up to the age of 12 are exempt from the testing requirement.
From 1 May, fully vaccinated persons who are permanent residents of "orange" EU and Schengen countries, and who can document that they have completed a course of vaccination in an EU/Schengen country, are exempt from the testing and isolation requirements on entering Denmark. Full details on conditions and requirements are available at coronasmitte.dk.
The requirement to present a negative COVID-19 test does not apply to foreigners habitually resident abroad who fall within one or several of the groups below:
- Foreigners who enter in connection with the transportation of freight;
- Foreigners who enter Denmark as air crew members (whether on or off duty) after having performed their job or having undertaken such function abroad and are in transit;
- Foreigners who are crew members on trains, buses, ships, taxis or any other commercial passenger transportation vehicle operating under permission of the Danish Taxi Act (taxiloven) and are in transit;
- Foreigners who enter Denmark in emergency vehicles on duty;
- Foreigners who can present a positive COVID-19 test taken at least two weeks but no more than 12 weeks before entry (as the person is no longer assumed to be contagious).
If you transit through Denmark, but you do not enter Denmark, for example if you are in airport transit and you do not leave the transit area, you are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival to Denmark. However, you are not exempted from the test requirement for people arriving to Denmark by plane.
Persons arriving in Denmark by plane, including Danish nationals and foreigners who are habitually resident in or have a residence permit for Denmark, must present a negative COVID-19 test when boarding the plane for Denmark.
Find out more:
Rules for persons in transit
Entry conditions vary according to whether the country of origin is classified as yellow, orange or red.
Danish nationals and foreigners who are resident or hold a valid residence permit in Denmark can always enter, regardless of their purpose.
The requirement to test before entry via sea or land borders applies to foreigners who are not resident in Denmark or not holding a Danish residence permit. The requirement to test before boarding an aircraft is applicable to everyone, including Danish citizens and foreigners residing in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit.
Travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test.
The test must be taken within 48 hours prior to departure.
There are currently no specific requirements as to the type of COVID-19 test (rapid antigen and PCR are accepted).
Additionally, all entrants must take a second test (antigen or PCR) no later than 24 hours after entering Denmark.
Children aged 12 and under, as well as cargo, aircrew and other transport categories, are exempted from the testing requirement.
Travel from countries classified as "yellow"
Travellers from "yellow" countries do not need to demonstrate a "worthy purpose" and are not subject to the quarantine requirement.
Travel from countries classified as "orange" or "red"
Foreigners resident abroad and travelling from "orange" or "red" countries must demonstrate a "worthy purpose" to enter Denmark.
Worthy purposes are, for example:
- primary caregiver of minors;
- relationship with a seriously ill or dying person in Denmark;
- treatment at a healthcare institution;
- participation to the birth of your child;
- attendance of a funeral;
- participation in legal proceedings;
- you are a seaman, an aircraft crew member, a diplomat, etc.;
- you enter Denmark in connection with the transport of goods.
Travellers from "orange" or "red" countries must also complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine, even in case of a negative test result before entry, upon arrival and after entry. This applies regardless of whether the test is a rapid test (antigen test) or a PCR test, and regardless of whether you are a Danish or foreign citizen.
The quarantine period may be shortened by taking a PCR test no less than 4 days after arrival. If the result of this test is negative, the period of quarantine can end.
Find out more:
Entry into Denmark
Entry forms and certificates
Travel documents for border controls
* Travel in Denmark: The Danish Government regularly monitors the risks of COVID-19, and adjusts measures in line with the levels of infection to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Full details can be found on the Coronavirus in Denmark website.
*Public spaces and services: From 21 May, there is further re-opening of society in Denmark. The outdoor limit on gatherings is 100 people, and the indoor limit is 50 people.
Restaurants and cafes are open. For indoor dining, you will need to have a ‘corona pass’ (full vaccination, a negative test taken within 72 hours, a positive test taken between 14 days and 12 weeks ago). For outdoor dining, a ‘corona pass’ is not required.
Outdoor attractions, museums, libraries, cinemas, concert venues and gyms are open, but you will need a `corona pass’ for entry. Nightclubs remain closed.
The social distancing recommendation in public spaces, including supermarkets is at least 1metre, and 2 metres whenever possible.
You should follow Danish guidelines on physical distancing, health protection and business opening hours. The Danish authorities have issued recommendations for travellers using public transport. You must wear a facemask on all public transport, including taxis and ferries and in all public spaces to avoid a fine.