How to get a Danish Schengen visa: complete guide

A Schengen visa is granted for short stays of under 90 days in Denmark and other Schengen countries. It is strictly a visitor’s visa and does not confer the right to reside or work in Denmark.

Let’s find out how to obtain a visa to travel to Denmark and who will not need one.

Understanding the Denmark Schengen visa

Denmark is a member of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel among its member countries. A Schengen visa issued by Denmark permits short stays in Denmark and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

A short-term Schengen visa is issued when the applicant is going to Denmark for:

• private or tourist visits; 
• business visits;
• taking part in a cultural, sporting, or scientific event.

Applicants normally get a visa if the authorities assess that they undoubtedly intend to return home before their visa expires.

The other types of short-stay visas available for Denmark include:

1. Family or friend visit visa: for visiting family members or friends residing in Denmark.
2. Cultural, Sports, or Religious events visa: for participating in cultural events, sports competitions, or religious ceremonies.
3. Study visa: for short-term studies, courses, or training programs lasting less than 90 days.
4. Medical treatment visa: for receiving medical treatment in Denmark.
5. Official Visit Visa: for official delegations or members of government institutions visiting Denmark for official purposes.
6. Transit visa: for travellers passing through Denmark en route to another destination.
7. Airport Transit Visa: for travellers transiting through the international zone of a Danish airport without entering the Schengen area.

Where to apply for a Denmark Schengen visa

Applying for a Denmark Schengen visa involves submitting your application to the appropriate Danish diplomatic mission or an authorised visa application centre. The process varies depending on your location and the type of visa you are applying for.

Embassy or Consulate. Applicants need to apply at the Danish embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Most embassies and consulates require one to schedule an appointment in advance. Applicants do this through their website or by contacting them directly.

Authorised Centres. In many countries, Denmark outsources visa applications to external service providers. These centres handle the collection of visa applications and biometric data on behalf of Danish diplomatic missions.

Individuals can apply for a Denmark Schengen visa in a third country where they have legal residence, provided the Danish mission there accepts such applications. They may need to provide proof of legal residence in the third country.

Visa applicants whose main destination is Denmark can lodge their applications using the Danish Immigration Service’s website. 

Applicants who intend to work, study, or stay longer than 90 days in any six months period in Denmark, require a residence permit and cannot apply using this website. 

5 groups of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Denmark

Countries whose citizens must hold visas to enter Denmark are divided into five groups, based on the overall risk of a citizen remaining within the Schengen countries after the individual’s visa expires.

Regardless of which group of countries the applicants belong to, the immigration authorities will refuse a visa if there is a risk that the applicant:

• is suspected of staying in Denmark or another Schengen country for longer than the period of their requested visa;
• poses a security risk.

Decisions on visas are made in accordance with the rules of the EU Visa Code and the rules in the Visa Executive Order and the Visa Guideline.

Citizens from groups 2—5 can normally be granted a visa, if they have a host in Denmark who meet certain requirements:

1. The host must confirm that the applicant’s visit is expected by invitation.
2. The host must have a permanent place to live in Denmark.
3. The host must be either a citizen or a resident of Denmark.

The division of countries into 5 main groups serves only as a rough guideline. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For instance, it will be taken into consideration whether you have previously been issued a Schengen visa and have complied with the terms of the visa.

Countries division in terms of risk of illegal immigration to Schengen countries

Group 1: countries with a very limited risk	Angola, Bahrain, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Cambodia, Comoros, Dominican Republic, Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Cape Verde Islands, China, Laos, Lesotho, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tomé & Principe, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, South Africa, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Equatorial Guinea.
Group 2: countries with some risk	Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal, Niger, North Macedonia, Serbia, Chad, Thailand, Togo, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Group 3: countries with significant risk	Armenia, Azerbaijan, Myanmar, Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Philippines, Georgia, Ghana, Belarus, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam.
Group 4: countries with a high risk	Algeria, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iran, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, stateless Palestiniansix, Senegal, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Yemen.
Group 5: countries with a particularly high risk	Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Syria.

Denmark Schengen visa fees

When applying for a visa to Denmark, including a Schengen visa, applicants need to be aware of the associated fees. These fees cover the administrative costs of processing the visa application.

An additional fee may apply if applicants go through authorised centres, which collect applications on behalf of consulates in some cases. The visa fee can be waived for specific categories of individuals.

Schengen visa fees 

Applicants	Fees
Adults	€90
Children aged 6—12	€45
Applicants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus	€35
Applicants from Cabo Verde	€67.50
Children under 6 years	Free

Documents required for a Schengen visa to Denmark

Applying for a Schengen visa to Denmark requires applicants to gather a range of documents that demonstrate their purpose of travel, financial stability, and intentions to return to their home country. 

Here’s a list of the documents typically required:

1. Filled out Schengen visa application form. You can download the form from the Danish embassy or consulate website.
2. Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended stay in the Schengen Area.
3. Two recent passport-sized photos. Photos must meet Schengen visa photo requirements, including size 35 × 45 mm, colour, and background specifications.
4. Marriage and Birth certificates, if applicable.
5. Travel Insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
6. Copies of the round-trip flight booking or travel itinerary.
7. Proof of accommodation. Confirmed hotel bookings covering the entire duration of your stay.
8. Proof of financial means. Recent bank statements for the last three months showing sufficient funds to cover expenses during your stay.

Denmark Schengen visa rejection

Danish diplomatic missions can refuse visa applications if Denmark Schengen visa requirements are not met. In this case, the applicant will receive a refusal letter with the passport explaining the reason behind the refusal.

The refusal letter will indicate whether the decision is to be appealed to the Danish Immigration Service, the Immigration Appeals Board or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, how to appeal, and whether there is a time limit for appeal.

An appeal about a decision to refuse a visa made by a Danish representation must be submitted to the Immigration Service within 8 weeks from the date on which the applicant received the refusal. 

Best practices for ensuring a smooth application process and common mistakes to avoid

Applying for a Schengen visa can be a straightforward process if you follow best practices and avoid common pitfalls. Here are some tips to ensure a smooth application process.

Best practices:

• gather all required documents and submit them 5—6 months before the trip;
• translate all documents into the required language and notarize the translations;
• complete the application form accurately;   
• provide genuine and verifiable information;
• organise your documents.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• submitting documents less than 2 weeks before the trip;
• missing documents, lack of translation;
• incorrect or inconsistent information;
• lack of proof of financial means;
• failure to demonstrate ties to home country;
• booking non-refundable travel.

Denmark visa and residency types for other categories of applicants

Aside from a Schengen visa, certain categories of foreigners can obtain a long-term visa or residence permit to Denmark. 

EU/EEA, Swiss, or Nordic citizens can legally reside in Denmark for different reasons, such as work or family reunification.

Ukraine citizens can be granted a residence permit under the Special Act section 1, if they are staying in Denmark. 

Family. Foreigners who want to live with their spouse, cohabiting partner, parent or other family member in Denmark must apply for family reunification or a residence permit as an accompanying family member.

Asylum. Any foreign national in Denmark can submit an application for asylum regardless of whether you entered Denmark illegally or have a residence permit or visa.

Workers who want to work in Denmark must apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark. The employer must be certified by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration, SIRI.

Students admitted to a basic or youth study programme in Denmark can be granted a permit to stay and study in Denmark. EU/EEA  or Swiss citizens do not need to apply for a residence permit but must instead apply for an EU residence document.

Holiday workers from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand or South Korea can apply for a Working Holiday residence permit in Denmark.

Religious workers who want to work as a member of the clergy or as a missionary within a religious denomination in Denmark must apply for a corresponding residence and work permit.

Key points about the Denmark Schengen visa

1. Denmark is a highly sought-after destination, attracting tourists and expatriates with its rich history, vibrant culture, and high quality of life. Beyond Copenhagen, regions like South Zealand, Møn, and Lolland are seeing a rise in foreign visitors exploring the country’s diverse attractions.
2. To visit Denmark, you may need to obtain a Schengen visa, which allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. The application process for a Denmark Schengen visa involves several steps, including gathering necessary documents, completing the application form, and attending an appointment at a Danish embassy or consulate.
3. Applicants must demonstrate a clear purpose for their visit, financial stability, and an intention to return to their home country. The visa application process is governed by the EU Visa Code and Denmark’s specific regulations, with decisions influenced by the applicant’s country of origin and the risk of illegal immigration.
4. For those planning to stay longer or reside in Denmark for purposes such as work, study, or family reunification, other visa types and residence permits are available. 

Frequently asked questions