CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Denmark

1. RECENT UPDATES

Hyperlinks have been updated.

For information on GREENLAND, see Section 12.

BACK TO TOP

2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Denmark

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Exercise normal security precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure.

Canadians should be aware that there are tensions between the government and the "Christiania Free State" about the future of Christiania, a neighbourhood in the city of Copenhagen. Although considered a relatively safe area, there is a potential risk that this situation might flare up on short notice with isolated demonstrations or street disturbances. They should also be aware that gang related shootings have taken place in Norrebro, an area in the northern part of Copenhaghen. Canadians should remain vigilant about their surroundings and avoid large unofficial gatherings.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

BACK TO TOP

3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

The crime rate is lower than in most European countries. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, luggage snatching and purse snatching, occurs in tourist areas, on public transportation, and in restaurants, particularly during the tourist season (summer months and winter holiday season) in urban areas. Pickpockets and purse snatchers may work in teams; one distracts the victim and another commits the robbery. Hotel lobbies and restaurants attract professional, well-dressed thieves that do not attract attention. Remain vigilant and ensure valuables are secure.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur periodically in larger urban centres, and are usually peaceful.

General Safety Information

Avoid poorly lit areas at night.

In an emergency, call 112 for police, fire department, or ambulance services.

BACK TO TOP

4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Danish authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Royal Danish Embassy and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Denmark.

Any person staying over 90 days needs to apply for a permit.

Tourist Visa: Not required

Students must prove that they have sufficient funds for their entire stay.

---

Schengen Area

The member states of the European Union (EU) (not including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom), along with Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (which are not in the EU), make up the Schengen Area, which has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders. The following 25 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period). The 90 days are cumulative and apply to travel within all countries of the Schengen Area. Some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen Area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, Canadians must obtain a long-stay national visa.

---

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/customs_controls/cash_controls/index_en.htm.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Same sex marriage is legal.

BACK TO TOP

5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Denmark - COPENHAGEN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Kristen Bernikowsgade 1, Copenhagen K., DK-1105, Denmark
Tel.: 45 33-48-32-00
Fax: 45 33-48-32-20
E-Mail: copen@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Denmark.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Copenhagen and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

BACK TO TOP

6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

BACK TO TOP

7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Excellent healthcare facilities are widely available. Emergency medical treatment is provided free of charge, but patients must pay for follow-up care.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

BACK TO TOP

8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Denmark are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Denmark to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Danish authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Drug possession, even in small amounts, carries heavy fines and/or imprisonment.

BACK TO TOP

9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Bus, train, and taxi services are extensive. Cyclists are numerous in Danish cities and often have right-of-way over pedestrians and automobiles. In Copenhagen, bicycles may be rented for a small fee but cannot be taken out of the inner-city area. Motorists should be sure to check bicycle lanes before turning right, and pedestrians should watch carefully for bicycle traffic when crossing the street. Ferry services, available for transport to Denmark's many islands, may be disrupted during winter due to inclement weather. Copenhagen-Kastrup International Airport is a 12-minute train ride from Copenhagen.

Penalties for drunk driving and speeding are strict. It is now the law to signal before changing lanes on the highway. The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

---

The currency is the Danish krone (DKK). Credit cards are widely accepted, however, many hotels, restaurants, stores and banks will not honour credit cards that do not have the new “Chip and PIN” technology. Travellers are advised that some stores will add a surcharge to the total amount if payment is made with a foreign credit card. Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) are widely available. Check with your bank for information on ABM services in other countries or regions. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

BACK TO TOP

10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Flooding is a threat in some coastal areas protected from the sea by dikes.

BACK TO TOP

11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

BACK TO TOP

12. ANNEX

Greenland

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Tourist facilities are limited. Main tourist centres are located in Ilulissat, Disko Bay, and southern Greenland.

The crime rate is low. There are no serious security or safety concerns. Ensure personal belongings and passports are secure.

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Greenland - NUUK, Consulate of Canada
Address: Air Greenland, Nuuk Airport, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1012, 3900 Nuuk,
Tel.: (299) 31-1647 or 34-3430
Fax: (299) 32-0288
E-Mail: LPDanielsen@airgreenland.gl

The Embassy of Canada in Copenhagen, Denmark, has consular responsibility for Greenland.

Denmark - COPENHAGEN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Kristen Bernikowsgade 1, Copenhagen K., DK-1105, Denmark
Tel.: 45 33-48-32-00
Fax: 45 33-48-32-20
E-Mail: copen@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Denmark.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Copenhagen, Denmark, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

The climate is extreme, especially during winter. Arctic weather conditions may cause delays and interruptions in transport services. Travellers should carry enough funds to cover unexpected expenses.

There are no roads or railways between towns. Travel is possible only by air, sea, ski, snowmobile, or dogsled. Air Greenland operates regular domestic flights between all towns and larger settlements.

Visitors who wish to explore glaciers, mountains, or North-East Greenland National Park require a special permit. Applications should be made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asiatisk Plads 2, 1448 Copenhagen, Denmark (tel.: 45 33-92-00-00 or 33-92-04-21/ fax: 45 33-92-01-77/ e-mail: um@um.dk / or nnfg@um.dk / website: http://www.um.dk/). Travelling with a tour operator is recommended.

The currency is the Danish krone (DKK).

Limited medical facilities are available, but evacuation is required for serious illness or injury.

BACK TO TOP