Denmark Visas: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

Millions of travelers head to Denmark every single year, whether it’s for business, to visit loved ones, or to explore the rich culture of this Nordic country – from its picturesque coastline and forests to its ornate castles and bustling cities.

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

Understanding the visa process is vital to ensuring a smooth journey. This guide is here to help you easily navigate the process so you can focus on the excitement of your upcoming adventure to the land of fairy tales and stunning landscapes!

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 both visas have the same 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 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 family visits.

However, if your trip exceeds 90 days or involves working or studying, you need to apply for the appropriate Denmark visa from the USA.

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. Additionally, 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 Denmark 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.

How do I apply for a Denmark visa?

After determining the correct visa type, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents and submit them in person to a Denmark 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 Denmark 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 lack of proof of funds. However, visa applications can be denied for any reason.

What is the rejection rate for Denmark visas?

In 2023, 19.94% of Schengen visa applications 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.

How long does it take to process a Denmark visa?

Short-stay visa applications typically take a shorter amount of time to process than long-stay visas. With that being said, Denmark visas usually take anywhere from 15 to 45 days to process, but can take longer. Make sure you apply for your Denmark visa well before your trip date to ensure you have ample time in case processing takes longer.

Denmark visa application requirements

Requirements for a Denmark visa depend on the specific type of visa that you’re replying for.

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

What documents are needed for a Denmark visa?

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

• Completed visa application form
• A recent passport-sized photo
• A valid passport (with at least 3 months beyond your intended stay)
• Proof of Schengen travel insurance
• Proof of accommodation (an invitation letter from a host or hotel bookings)
• Evidence of financial means to support you during your stay
• Return or onward travel tickets

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.

Type D (long-stay) Denmark visa requirements

If you're staying in Denmark for more than 90 days (for work, study, or other reasons), you'll need additional documents, such as a work contract or proof of school enrollment. The specific documents required will depend on which Type D Denmark visa you are applying for.

Denmark study visa requirements

If you’re going to Denmark to study abroad, you’ll need to provide all of the basic documentation as well as proof of your enrollment into a Danish university or educational institution.

Denmark digital nomad visa

Denmark doesn’t currently offer a digital nomad visa. Remote workers who are not citizens of the Schengen area or EU may be able to apply for long-stay visas that would allow them to work on a freelance basis.

Keep in mind that if you are working in Denmark, even if it’s remote and for a different country, you do need to secure the right type of visa.

Is there an interview when applying for a Denmark visa?

Yes. 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.

Do I need to apply for ETIAS to visit Denmark?

Starting in 2025, 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.

Who needs 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 2025 onward. If you’re applying for a Schengen visa, you will not need to apply for ETIAS (it’s an “either/or” situation).

Is Denmark part of the Schengen zone?

Yes! Denmark is a Schengen zone country, meaning that your Denmark visa generally allows you to travel freely within the entire Schengen area, including destinations like Sweden, Germany, and France.

Can I travel within the EU with a Denmark visa?

Not entirely. The Denmark visa allows you to travel freely through Schengen area countries. While many of the countries in the EU are also in the Schengen zone, not all of them are. Those countries are excluded.

Key takeaways for Denmark visas

• There are a variety of types of visas for Denmark.
• Each visa type has specific document requirements.
• Denmark is part of the Schengen zone.
• To apply, you must have Schengen-compliant travel insurance, and proof of it at the time of your consulate appointment.
• To apply, you usually have to prove sufficient funds, as well as share a flight itinerary and proof of accommodation.
• Some Denmark visas allow you to work abroad, others don’t.
• Processing times vary from 15 days to 45 days or more.
• You must apply for a Denmark visa in-person at a Danish consulate or visa processing center.
• In the coming years, you will be able to apply for a Danish visa online with EU VAP.
• Denmark does not currently have a digital nomad visa