ETIAS Denmark: Travel Authorization to Visit Denmark
Home to the Vikings, Scandinavian design, and Copenhagen—one of Europe’s most pleasant capitals—Denmark attracts millions of international visitors every year. Starting with the launch of ETIAS in the fourth quarter of 2026, citizens of visa-exempt countries—Americans, British, Canadians, Australians, and about 60 other nationalities—will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization before any stay in Denmark. This authorization is valid throughout the Schengen Area: a single ETIAS is sufficient to visit Denmark and other European countries during the same trip.
Key Information About ETIAS for Denmark
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee | €20 per request (free for those under 18 and over 70) |
| Validity | 3 years or until the passport expires |
| Permitted stay | Maximum 90 days per 180-day period within the Schengen Area |
| Covered territory | Mainland Denmark + the entire Schengen Area (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands — see below) |
| Procedure | 100% online, no appointment or travel required |
| Processing time | A few minutes in most cases |
| Permitted reasons for travel | Tourism, business, transit — not for long-term work or study |
Who needs to obtain an ETIAS to visit Denmark?
ETIAS is mandatory for nationals of visa-exempt countries wishing to enter Denmark. This includes citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and about 60 other countries. European Union citizens do not need ETIAS—they are covered by the right to free movement. Check the full list of nationalities affected by ETIAS to verify your status.
If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you must apply for a standard visa at a Danish diplomatic mission. Visit our page on the difference between ETIAS and the Schengen visa to understand which procedure applies to your situation.
The border authority in Denmark: the Rigspolitiet
In Denmark, border control at the external borders of the Schengen Area is carried out by the Politiet (Danish Police), under the supervision of the Rigspolitiet —the Danish National Police. The Rigspolitiet is the highest authority of the Danish police, responsible for coordinating the country’s 14 police districts. Border control at airports and border crossings is carried out by local districts under the national supervision of the Rigspolitiet.
The Danish police also have a division dedicated to intelligence and security: the PET (Politiets Efterretningstjeneste), the Danish domestic intelligence service founded in 1951. The PET collaborates with Europol and the security services of other Schengen countries on security checks related to ETIAS. Upon arrival in Denmark, officers will check your passport and the validity of your electronically registered ETIAS authorization.
Please note: Since 2024, Denmark has reintroduced temporary border controls at its land borders with Germany in response to migration pressures. For travelers with a valid ETIAS and a valid passport, these controls do not pose any particular difficulties.
| Organization | Role at the borders | Official link |
|---|---|---|
| National Police Agency | Oversight of the 14 police districts and national borders | politi.dk ↗ |
| Danish Immigration Service | Residence permits, immigration policy, and application processing | nyidanmark.dk ↗ |
| Official ETIAS Website (EU) | Official information and application form | travel-europe.europa.eu ↗ |
Major entry airports in Denmark
Denmark has an airport network centered around Copenhagen, with several regional airports on the Jutland Peninsula. Copenhagen Airport is by far the largest in the Scandinavian region and one of the most important Nordic hubs in Europe. By 2025, it aims to handle 32 million passengers—an 8% increase from 2024—with 334 routes serving 171 destinations and 29 new routes launched in the first half of the year.
| Airport | IATA code | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen-Kastrup | CPH | 8 km southeast of downtown Copenhagen | Scandinavia’s main hub — 32 million passengers expected in 2025, home base for SAS and Norwegian |
| Billund | BLL | Central Jutland, near Legoland | ~3 million passengers — hub for western Denmark, European flights, and charter flights |
| Aalborg | AAL | 6 km northwest of Aalborg | ~1.4 million passengers — hub for northern Jutland |
| Aarhus (Tirstrup) | AAR | 36 km northeast of Aarhus | Regional and European flights from Denmark’s second-largest city |
| Bornholm | RNN | Bornholm Island, Baltic Sea | Seasonal flights from Copenhagen — access to Denmark’s sunniest island |
Copenhagen-Kastrup (CPH) is the main intercontinental hub and home base of SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), which operates direct flights to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, and many other destinations. SAS has expanded its presence in Copenhagen with 18 new routes in 2025. The airport is connected to downtown in 13 minutes by metro, and to Malmö (Sweden) via the Øresund Bridge—a geographical feature unique in Europe.
Important note: Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen Area
The Kingdom of Denmark comprises three distinct entities: mainland Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. These two autonomous territories are not part of the Schengen Area—ETIAS does not apply there. If you are traveling to Greenland or the Faroe Islands, separate entry rules apply depending on your nationality. However, if you are transiting through mainland Denmark to reach these destinations, ETIAS will be required for your stay on Danish soil.
Stopover in Copenhagen: Do You Need an ETIAS?
Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport is a major Nordic hub, used by many travelers in transit to Scandinavia, the Baltic states, or certain destinations in Eastern Europe. Travelers from North America often stop there before continuing on to Stockholm, Helsinki, or Oslo.
If your layover in Copenhagen involves passing through Schengen border controls, you must have a valid ETIAS authorization. However, if you remain in the international transit area without crossing the Schengen border, ETIAS is not required for the layover itself. A unique feature of Copenhagen: the airport is physically connected by metro to Malmö (Sweden, also part of the Schengen Area)—any passenger using this connection automatically leaves the airport area and enters the Schengen Area. See our page on transit in Europe and ETIAS for detailed rules.
The ETIAS for Denmark is valid throughout the Schengen Area
An ETIAS obtained for travel to Denmark is valid in all 30 countries of the Schengen Area. A Scandinavian itinerary that includes Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo requires only a single ETIAS. To learn more about all the requirements for traveling in Europe, check out our comprehensive guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About ETIAS for Denmark
Do Americans need an ETIAS to visit Copenhagen?
Yes. U.S. citizens, who can currently enter Denmark without a visa, will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization once the system launches. This applies to all tourist or business stays of less than 90 days. Visit our ETIAS page for U.S. citizens for full details.
Do British citizens need an ETIAS to travel to Denmark?
Yes. Since Brexit, British citizens are considered third-country nationals exempt from the Schengen visa requirement. They will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization to enter Denmark. Visit our ETIAS page for British citizens for more details.
Do you need an ETIAS to travel to Greenland or the Faroe Islands?
No. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen Area—ETIAS does not apply there. However, if you are transiting through mainland Denmark (for example, via Copenhagen Airport) to reach these destinations, ETIAS will be required for your transit through Danish territory.
Can I visit Sweden and Norway using the same ETIAS authorization as for Denmark?
Yes. The ETIAS is valid in all 30 Schengen Area countries, including Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. A tour of Scandinavia requires only a single ETIAS, for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area.
Can I travel from Copenhagen to Malmö (Sweden) using the Danish ETIAS?
Yes. Sweden is part of the Schengen Area. A valid ETIAS authorization allows you to cross the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden freely, as temporary border controls have been in place on this route since 2015. For travelers in good standing, these controls do not pose any particular difficulties.
