Denmark entry requirements for Austria passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 15, 2026·View sources
No visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Austrian passport holders can enter Denmark without a visa for short stays. You can travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This policy is unchanged for 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for entire stay
Your Austrian passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Denmark. Since Denmark is part of the Schengen zone, the 90/180-day rule applies across all Schengen countries — not just Denmark.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Schengen zone
Immigration at Copenhagen Airport routinely asks for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within 90 days. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Norwegian check this before boarding.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Have a hotel confirmation, hostel booking, or a letter from your host ready. Danish border officers sometimes ask for this, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary.Recommended
Proof of funds
Sufficient means for your stay
Carry a bank statement or credit card showing you can cover your expenses. The Danish Immigration Service doesn't publish a fixed amount, but around 500 DKK per day is a safe benchmark.Recommended
Schengen zone rules apply
Denmark is part of the Schengen Area. Your 90-day visa-free period counts across all Schengen countries. If you've already spent 30 days in France, you only have 60 days left for Denmark and the rest of Schengen.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you enter Denmark, not from when you leave. If it expires sooner, renew it before you travel.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Copenhagen Airport or other entry point
You'll go through passport control. For Schengen flights, there's no border check — you walk straight out. For non-Schengen flights, join the queue for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Have your passport and return ticket ready.
2
Present your passport to the immigration officer
Hand over your passport. The officer may ask your purpose of visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer briefly and honestly. They'll stamp your passport with the entry date.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, head to baggage claim if you checked luggage, then walk through customs (green channel for most tourists). You're free to enter Denmark.
Download Denmark Entry Checklist
PDF · Austria Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 15, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry) - not needed for visa-free
Max stay90 days (same as visa-free)
ValidityUp to 90 days
CostFree (not applicable)

Visa-free entry already covers short stays; no alternative visa needed.

Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year (renewable)
Cost~€80 (approx. $90 USD)

For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship and application at Danish embassy.

Work visa
Max stayUp to 4 years (tied to employment)
ValidityUp to 4 years
Cost~€200 (approx. $220 USD)

Requires a job offer and work permit; processed by Danish Immigration Service.

Student visa
Max stayDuration of studies (up to 5 years)
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost~€160 (approx. $175 USD)

For enrolled students at recognized institutions; requires proof of admission and funds.

work visa
Work and Residence Permit (Erhvervsophold)
Up to 4 years, renewable
~€200 (approx. $220 USD)
For skilled workers with a job offer in Denmark. Requires employer sponsorship and meeting salary thresholds. Allows family reunification.
Apply
student visa
Student Residence Permit (Studieophold)
Duration of studies (up to 5 years)
~€160 (approx. $175 USD)
For full-time students at Danish universities or accredited institutions. Requires proof of admission, sufficient funds, and health insurance.
Apply
family reunification
Family Reunification Permit (Familiesammenføring)
Up to 2 years, renewable
~€200 (approx. $220 USD)
For spouses, registered partners, or minor children of Danish residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship and financial support.
Apply
digital nomad visa
Start-up Denmark (for entrepreneurs)
Up to 2 years, renewable
~€300 (approx. $330 USD)
For innovative entrepreneurs with a viable business idea. Requires approval from the Danish Business Authority. Not a traditional digital nomad visa but allows remote work.
Apply
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry) - not required for visa-freeVisa-free entry covers tourism; no visa needed.Free (not applicable)
Tourist visa (multiple entry) - not required for visa-freeVisa-free entry covers multiple entries within 90/180 rule.Free (not applicable)
Stay extension feeVisa-free stays cannot be extended; must leave Schengen area and re-enter after 90 days outside.Not available
Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are enforced by Danish authorities; avoid overstaying to prevent fines and entry bans.Varies (typically €100–€300 per day, max cap may apply)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return or onward ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Denmark

No transit visa needed

Austrian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Danish airports, as Denmark is part of the Schengen Area and Austria is a Schengen member.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsCopenhagen Airport (CPH) · Billund Airport (BLL) · Aalborg Airport (AAL)

Health & vaccines for Denmark

Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTick-borne encephalitis (TBE)Consider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk

Risk in forested areas, especially on Bornholm island; vaccination recommended for outdoor activities.

Lyme diseaseLow risk

Transmitted by ticks in rural areas; use repellent and check for ticks.

Seasonal influenzaLow risk

Common in winter; consider annual flu vaccine.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Copenhagen
Danish Immigration Service (Udlændingestyrelsen)
Ryesgade 53, 2100 Copenhagen Ø
Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00

Handles visa extensions, residence permits, and re-entry permits. Book appointment online.

Aarhus
Danish Immigration Service (Aarhus office)
Søndergade 12, 8000 Aarhus C
Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00

Regional office for Jutland; same services as Copenhagen.

Practical information for AT travellers

Country basics
CapitalCopenhagen
LanguageDanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyDanish krone (DKK)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 6.39 DKK
updated May 15
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,F,KTypes C (Europlug), E (French), F (Schuko), and K (Danish) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is safe and of high quality throughout Denmark.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical112
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Denmark. If you've already spent time in other Schengen countries, count those days too.
No, extensions are not available for tourist stays. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a residence permit before your 90 days expire.
No, for stays under 90 days you don't need to register. If you stay longer than 90 days, you must register with the local municipality (kommune) and get a CPR number.
You should not travel with a passport that expires during your stay. Renew it before you go. If it does expire while you're there, contact the Austrian embassy in Copenhagen for an emergency passport.
Technically, the visa-free stay is for tourism and business visits. Remote work for a foreign employer is usually tolerated, but you cannot work for a Danish company or do paid work locally without a work permit.
Overstaying can result in a fine, a ban from re-entering the Schengen Area, and complications for future visa applications. Leave before your 90 days are up.
No, Austrian passport holders do not need a transit visa for Denmark. You can stay in the international transit area without passing through passport control.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 15, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.