How to Get ETIAS for Denmark in 2026

Beginning soon, millions of travelers will need authorization before traveling to Denmark, whether you're going to Copenhagen or anywhere else.

Starting at the end of 2026, ETIAS will be mandatory for visa-exempt travelers.

Who needs ETIAS to visit Denmark

If you do not need a visa to travel to Denmark, you will need to get pre-authorization to visit Denmark once the Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is live.

The European Union's current launch date is slated for the end of the year. A specific date hasn't been announced, but once it is, this page will be updated.

ETIAS is a big change for travelers who are used to visiting Denmark with just a passport, such as Americans, Britons, and Canadians.

Who does this apply to?

Citizens from the US, UK, Canada, and several other countries will need ETIAS to travel to Denmark if they do not hold a valid Schengen visa.

It’s also important to understand that ETIAS is not a visa. It is a travel authorization for short stays (under 90 days).

Citizens of countries that are not exempt (India or China, for example) do not need ETIAS to travel to Denmark. Instead, they need to apply for a Schengen visa. In that case, you can learn about Danish Schengen visas here.

Exemptions

If you hold a valid visa for Denmark (or the Schengen area), you do not need to apply for ETIAS. ETIAS is an “either/or” situation.

Additionally, if you're a Schengen country citizen, you are also exempt.

There may be other exemptions, too, such as for refugee or diplomat statuses.

How to apply for ETIAS for Denmark

Once ETIAS has gone into effect, you'll need to apply online before you travel to Denmark.

The exact process hasn't been presented yet, but the steps are pretty clear.

• Apply on the official website or mobile application. The mobile app hasn't been launched yet.
• Provide information like your name, travel details, nationality, passport number, birth date, etc.
• Answer a few more questions about your personal history. According to the official European Union website, you’ll be asked to share your parents’ first names, current occupation, and level of education. You’ll also be asked about any past criminal convictions.
• Pay the application fee. There is an application fee that can be paid using a credit or debit card (expect to pay 20 euros per person).
• Wait for approval. ETIAS approval is immediate in the majority of cases. Keep in mind that, while uncommon, approval can take up to 30 days, so make sure to plan accordingly.

ETIAS duration

Your ETIAS is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. When it’s time to reapply, you'll be able to do so in the app.

What a Danish ETIAS allows you to do

When you apply for ETIAS for Denmark, it is valid in all Schengen countries, as well as Cyprus. This means the next time that you travel to Europe, be it Norway, Germany, or somewhere else in the zone, you won't need to reapply for ETIAS unless yours has expired.

It is important to say that ETIAS does not guarantee entry. Border guards can still deny entry at the border.