Denmark as a Travel Destination – Information and Tips

 

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Denmark as a travel destination

Denmark is a safe and easy country to travel in – also for those traveling with a motorhome, caravan, or rooftop tent. Distances are short, the infrastructure is well developed, and throughout the country you will find many nature-based regions and authentic local experiences.

Here you will find practical information relevant for your trip to Denmark.

Entering Denmark

Citizens from EU and Schengen countries can freely enter Denmark. Random border checks may occur, so you should carry a valid passport or national ID card.

Driving in Denmark

If you are traveling by car, motorhome, or caravan, you should carry the following documents:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Valid liability insurance
  • Vehicle registration certificate or rental contract if the vehicle is rented

An international driver’s license is recommended if your license was not issued in an EU country.

Speed limits in Denmark

  • Urban areas: 50 km/h
  • Rural roads: 80 km/h
  • Motorways: 110–130 km/h (depending on the road)

Rules in Denmark

In the Scandinavian countries there are similar laws and regulations, but there are rules that are specific to Denmark.

Headlights

Remember to keep your headlights on at all times. It is required in Denmark, even during the daytime.

Seat belts

There must be seat belts to all seats in the car. In other words, it is illegal to have more people in the car than there are seat belts for, and everyone in the car must wear a seat belt. When the children in the car are under 15, it is the driver´s responsibility that they use a seat belt.

Mobile phones

It is strictly prohibited to use mobile phone while driving in Denmark. The use of a hands-fee phone (not a headset) built into the car is permitted.

Danish street signs

In public traffic area the road signs use standard international symbols. Sometimes they include the Danish language.

Tolls

You don’t pay for using the roads in Denmark. However, you have to pay when you cross the two major bridges, the Storebelt Brigde (Storebæltsbroen) between the island of Zealand (Sjælland) and Funen (Fyn) and the Oresund Bridge (Øresundsbroen) between Denmark and Sweden.

In case of an emergency

If you get into an accident or require other emergency services, call 112 nationwide to reach the Danish police, fire department and ambulance. Nearly all Danish police and emergency staff speak English and will be able to communicate with you without any problems.

Tips

Not common in Denmark, even in tourist areas. But it is not rejected.

Bringing pets to Denmark

An EU pet passport is required for travel with certain pets (dogs and cats). It proofs that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies (vaccination must be given no earlier than 21 days before entry), and your dog must also be chipped to enable clear identification. In addition to the chip, it is also mandatory in Denmark for your dog to wear a tag on the collar that states the name of the dog owner and their address.

Drugs

Denmark ban driving under the influence of marijuana (THC, cannabis), methylamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy). If the police suspect a driver is under the influence, they will test for various substances. Operating a vehicle while under the influence can lead to a big fine, imprisonment, or even being banned from Denmark.

Driving on the right

In Denmark, you drive on the right side of the road – similar to most of Europe.

Children and car seats

Children under 3 years and measuring less than 135 centimeters must be seated in a properly-fitted child seat. If the vehicle does not have seat belts, children under 3 years old are not allowed in the car while it´s moving.

Speed limits

In Denmark the speed limits are 50 kilometers per hour in towns and 80 kilometers on most roads. On the motorways, you can usually drive 130 kilometers per hour, but some parts only allow 110 kilometers per hour with posted signs.

Parking

Park your motorhome or car in the direction of traffic (the right-hand side of the road). Often you are allowed to park between 1 hour and 2 hours in many places without paying. Parking if indicated by an additional sign are only valid at certain times. Here you should note the special color coding (times in black or white refer to the days of the week from Monday to Friday. Times in brackets are for Saturdays and times in red are for Sundays and public holidays). The traffic rules in Denmark require a parking disc in the windscreen. Foreign cars can buy a parking disc at tourist offices, petrol stations or at www.pintrip.eu.

Petrol stations

The majority of the many petrol stations in Denmark have automatic payment machines that make it easy to fill the tank, when the station is closed. Usually, the machines accept some international credit cards as payments, and many take cash.

Money/Credit cards

The currency in Denmark is the Danish Krone (DKK). You can travel to Denmark with Euros and Maestro (EC) or credit card to begin with. In tourist places you can pay with euros. The official exchange rate is around 1 EUR = 7.41 DKK and is relatively constant. You can withdraw Danish kroner from a Danish ATM, but you can also pay directly by card. This is much more common. Cash payments are generally not accepted at parking machines or on local public transport. We recommend that you take an internationally accepted credit or debit card with you. The popular payment MobilePay can only be used by holders of a Danish personal identification number (CPR number).

Cyclists

Denmark is a nation on two wheels. You will see bicycles everywhere you go, so make sure to watch out for them. Motorists must always yield to bicycles, and they often have their own lanes, but sometimes you have to share the road.

Alcohol

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a definite no go in Denmark. The absolute legal limit of alcohol in your blood is 0.5 percent in Denmark, and that is strictly enforced. If the alcohol limit in your blood is over 0,5 you will receive punishment and fines by the police.