Home > How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Denmark

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa for Denmark

Millions of travelers head to Denmark every single year, whether it’s for business, to visit loved ones, or just to explore all of the amazing sights and culture that this country has to offer.

Preparing for a trip to Denmark also includes a very important key detail: obtaining a visa.

Understanding the visa process can help make your entire travel journey feel a bit smoother.

This guide is here to help you easily navigate it, so you can focus on the excitement of your upcoming travels, no matter the reason you go.

Do I need a visa to go to Denmark?

Whether or not you need a visa to go to Denmark depends on your nationality and the purpose/length of your trip. Denmark is part of the Schengen area, so you must adhere to those requirements.

If you’re from a country that doesn’t have a visa-waiver agreement with the Schengen area (such as India or China), you will need a visa to travel to Denmark, regardless of the purpose or duration of your trip.

Do US citizens need a visa for Denmark?

It depends on the length and sometimes the purpose.

US citizens do not need a visa for Denmark for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) – as long as it’s for tourism, a business trip, or for visiting friends/family.

However, if your trip is going to be longer than 90 days or involves working, you need to apply for the appropriate Denmark residence permit.

Who else doesn’t need a visa to visit Denmark?

Citizens of other Schengen zone member countries, the EU, and the EEA can enter Denmark without a visa.

As mentioned above, travelers from visa-waiver countries like the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and others can visit Denmark without a visa for short stays (a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period).

Is a Denmark visa a work permit?

Not inherently, no.

Some Danish visas allow you to work during the validity of the visa, but others do not. Make sure that you’ve properly researched which type of visa is required if you’re hoping to work in Denmark.

Just because you have a visa for Denmark doesn’t mean you’re allowed to work.

A standard Schengen tourist visa doesn't allow you to work in Denmark, even remotely for your job back home.

A dark purple suitcase in a hotel room in Denmark

How to apply for a Schengen visa for Denmark

After determining the correct visa type, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents and submit them in person to a Danish embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Can I apply for a Denmark visa online?

No. Right now, it’s impossible to apply for a Denmark visa online. All Denmark visa applications must be in person, in the country of the applicant’s residency, at a Denmark consulate or visa processing center.

In the coming years, you will be able to apply for a visa for Denmark online through a legitimate website called EU VAP, but it’s currently still in development. Even so, a portion of the process will still be in person (for biometric collection).

Is it difficult to get a Danish Schengen visa?

The application process isn’t too difficult; it just requires some initial research. When it comes to how likely a Denmark visa is to be approved, this depends on several factors, including whether or not you fulfill the listed requirements.

When visas are denied, it’s often due to the submission of an incomplete application (missing documents), or because of a lack of proof of funds. However, visa applications can be denied for any reason.

What is the rejection rate for Denmark visas?

In 2024, 23.7% of Schengen visa applications for Denmark were rejected globally.

Keep in mind that rejection rates can change at any time, due to a variety of factors, and vary from country to country.

Processing times for Danish visas

Short-stay visa applications typically take a shorter amount of time to process than long-stay visas.

For Schengen visas (ones for short trips), the processing time is typically around 15 days.

That said, make sure you apply for your Denmark visa well before your trip date to ensure you have ample time in case processing takes longer. On top of that, it can take some time to get a visa appointment as they often book out weeks in advance.

Denmark visa application requirements

Requirements for a Danish visa depend on the specific type of visa that you’re applying for.

Regardless of which exact visa you’re applying for, there are some basic documents that all Schengen visa applications will require.

Required documents

These are the typical, basic documents you'll need for any visa application for Denmark:

A completed visa application form.
A recent passport-sized photo that adheres to specific requirements.
A valid passport (with at least 3 months of validity left beyond your intended stay).
Proof of Schengen travel insurance.
Proof of accommodation (an invitation letter from a host or hotel bookings, for example).
Evidence of financial means to support you during your stay.
Return or onward travel tickets (showing when you will leave Denmark/the Schengen area).

Denmark tourist visa requirements (short-stay, Type C)

If you need a Denmark visa for a short stay (under 90 days), you’ll need the documents listed above.

Depending on your unique circumstances, additional documents could be requested.

Is there an interview when applying for a Denmark visa?

Yes, though it isn't exactly an interview. The interview is an in-person appointment.

Once you’ve prepared all of the necessary documents for your Denmark visa application, you will schedule an appointment with a Denmark consulate or visa center in your country of residence.

On the day of your appointment, you’ll share which visa you’re applying for, the purpose of your travels, and all of the documentation.

A couple is enjoying a trip to Copenhagen. They’re smiling and colorful buildings line the water behind them.

ETIAS and Danish visas

Starting in 2026, citizens from visa-exempt countries (such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) will need to apply for ETIAS (short for European Travel Information and Authorization System) to enter Denmark.

ETIAS will be required for these travelers for any length of trip less than 90 days in length.

Learn more about the requirements in our Denmark ETIAS Guide.

Who needs an ETIAS to enter Denmark?

Travelers from countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK will need to apply for ETIAS before entering Denmark for short stays from 2026 onward. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa, you will not need to apply for ETIAS (it’s an “either/or” situation).