Denmark entry requirements for Germany passport holders
Verified May 13, 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
German passport holders can visit Denmark without a visa for short stays. Since both countries are in the Schengen Area, you can travel freely for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Just ensure your passport meets the validity rules and carry your return ticket.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your German passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Denmark. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required for Schengen entry, but airlines may enforce a 3-month rule — check with your carrier before flying. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Schengen area | Immigration at Copenhagen Airport routinely asks for a return or onward ticket showing you'll leave the Schengen zone within 90 days. A bus or train ticket to Germany works just as well as a flight. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a hotel confirmation, hostel booking, or a letter from a friend you're staying with ready. Border officers rarely ask for it for German passport holders, but they can request it at their discretion. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself | Carry a bank statement or credit card showing access to around 500 DKK per day of your stay. I've never been asked for this entering Denmark from Germany, but keep a recent statement on your phone just in case. | Recommended |
Schengen 90/180 rule applies
Your 90-day allowance is for the entire Schengen Area, not just Denmark. If you've already spent 60 days in France, you only have 30 days left for Denmark. Use the Schengen calculator online to track your days.
Passport validity counts from entry date
Count 6 months from the day you land in Denmark, not from your departure date. If your passport expires sooner, renew it before you go — even if it's still valid for your trip.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Copenhagen Airport or other entry point
You'll go through passport control. For EU/Schengen citizens, there's a separate fast lane. Have your passport and return ticket ready. The officer may ask about your trip purpose and accommodation.
2
Present your passport for stamping
Hand over your passport. The officer will check the validity and blank page. They'll stamp the entry date. This stamp starts your 90-day Schengen stay clock.
3
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, proceed to baggage claim. Then walk through customs (green channel if nothing to declare). No additional forms needed for German citizens.
Download Denmark Entry Checklist
PDF · Germany Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 13, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 5 years (usually 1 year)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For longer stays or if visa-free entry is not sufficient.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per visit within 180-day period
ValidityUp to 5 years
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (national D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires specific documentation.
work visa
Danish Work Visa (Pay Limit Scheme)
Up to 4 years, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For highly skilled workers with a job offer meeting salary threshold (currently DKK 465,000/year). Requires employer sponsorship and valid contract.
Apply student visa
Danish Student Visa (Residence Permit for Studies)
Duration of study program, up to 5 years
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For full-time students at accredited Danish institutions. Requires proof of admission, sufficient funds (DKK 6,000/month), and health insurance.
Apply family reunification
Family Reunification Visa
Up to 2 years, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For spouses, registered partners, or children of Danish residents. Requires proof of relationship and adequate housing.
Apply digital nomad visa
Denmark Start-up Visa (for entrepreneurs)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€80 (~$87 USD) application fee
For innovative entrepreneurs with a business idea approved by the Danish Business Authority. Requires a viable business plan and sufficient funds.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension (if applicable)Visa-free stays are not extendable; must leave Schengen area. | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, valid for up to 5 years for frequent travellers. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa-free period; enforced at departure. | €100 per day (max €1,000) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds for stay30%
No return 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
German passport holders do not need a transit visa for Denmark. They can transit airside without a visa for up to 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsCopenhagen Airport (CPH) · Billund Airport (BLL) · Aalborg Airport (AAL)
Health & vaccines for Denmark
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, etc.)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Risk in wooded areas, especially in summer; vaccination recommended for rural travel.
Lyme diseaseLow risk
Transmitted by ticks in forests and grasslands; use repellent and check for ticks.
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
Main office for visa and residence permit applications; appointments required.
Aarhus
Aarhus Immigration Office
Søndergade 12, 8000 Aarhus C
Mon–Fri 09:00–15:00
Handles extensions and residence permits for the region.
Practical information for DE 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 = 6.36 DKK
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
Frequently asked questions
No. Germany and Denmark are both in the Schengen Area, so you can travel freely without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. This applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Denmark. If you've already spent time in other Schengen countries, that counts toward your 90 days.
You should renew it before traveling. Danish immigration requires at least 6 months of validity beyond your entry date. A passport with less than 6 months may be denied entry.
Yes. You need proof of onward travel out of Denmark or the Schengen Area. For a ferry, a booking confirmation works. For driving, a planned itinerary or hotel booking in a non-Schengen country is acceptable.
No, not as a tourist. The 90-day limit is strict. For longer stays, you'd need a residence permit or visa for work, study, or family reunification — apply at the Danish embassy in Berlin before traveling.
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended. If you need medical care, costs can be high. Your German public health insurance (e.g., AOK, TK) covers you in Denmark with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but private insurance covers extras like repatriation.
Overstaying is a violation of Schengen rules. You may face a fine, deportation, or a ban from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 3 years. Always track your days carefully.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 13, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.