Guide: Temporary stay in Denmark

Nordic citizens who travel to Denmark from another Nordic country do not need a passport, but may be asked to identify themselves and document their citizenship. Citizens of the EU and Schengen countries must present a passport or national ID card when travelling to Denmark. Citizens of other countries must present a passport, and in some cases also a visa or residence permit, when travelling to Denmark.

If you are a citizen of a Nordic country, an EU country, an EEA country or Switzerland, you must be registered with the Danish Civil Register if you are going to stay in the country for more than six months. You have the right – but not the obligation – to register if you will be staying in the country for more than three months.

If you are a citizen of another country, you must be registered in Denmark if you are going to stay in the country for more than three months.

If you do not have your place of residence or work in Denmark, and you are staying in the country for less than six months, you are not generally fully liable for tax in Denmark. If you have any doubts, contact the Danish Tax Agency.

As a general rule, you are covered by social insurance in the country in which you work. If you do not work, you are generally covered by the social security of the country in which you live. In many situations, however, there are special rules. You should therefore contact the social security authorities if you are in doubt about what applies in your situation.

Being ‘covered by social insurance’ in a country means that there are rules in that country that apply to you in such areas as:

• Unemployment insurance
• Pension
• Sickness benefit
• Child allowance
• Health services
• Parental benefit
• Occupational illness compensation

You can read more in the article “Which country's social security system are you covered by?”

If you are covered by health insurance in a Nordic country and become ill during a temporary stay in Denmark, you have the right to receive whatever treatment is assessed to be medically necessary during your stay. This applies in the case of acute illness, but also if you have an existing illness, such as a chronic illness, or if you are pregnant and need examination or treatment while you are in Denmark.

Health services in the Danish public health system are usually free of charge to the individual, but you must be able to document that you are publicly insured in your country of residence. If you are covered by health insurance in a Nordic country, you must show the Danish healthcare professional a national ID card and state your address of residence. You can also show your EU health insurance card as documentation.

If you are not registered in the Danish Civil Register and are staying in the country for less than 185 days within a period of 12 months, you can drive on foreign number plates without paying Danish registration tax.

When travelling to Denmark with a pet, you must comply with a number of rules. The rules may vary, depending on which country you are travelling from and how old your pet is.The rules apply both to people going on holiday in or moving to Denmark, to people returning to Denmark after a holiday abroad, and to people who have bought a pet abroad and want to bring it home to Denmark.

Please note that certain breeds of dog are banned in Denmark, and that all dog owners in Denmark must have dog liability insurance. This also applies to short stays.

You should contact your insurance company to ensure you are insured during your stay in Denmark.

If you receive social benefits, you should find out whether they will be affected by the fact that you are staying in Denmark. Contact the authority that pays the benefit.

If you wish to buy a holiday home, leisure residence or other secondary residence in Denmark, you should be aware that you must apply to the Danish Department of Civil Affairs for a permit if you do not reside in Denmark, or have had it for at least five years.

Anyone who is legally resident in Denmark or a country within the EU/EEA has the right to set up a basic deposit account and a basic payment account with a Danish bank. This also applies to consumers who do not have a residence permit, but who cannot be deported.

It is not compulsory to attend school in Denmark, but all children of primary school age who are residing  in Denmark have the right and the obligation to receive education.

Contact the municipality in which you are staying for further details.