Denmark
About
| Denmark has an abundance of picturesque villages and towns, historic castles and monuments, and a coastline that includes some broad sandy beaches. Throughout the country, low rolling hills provide a constant succession of attractive views; there are cool and shady forests of beech trees, extensive areas of heathland, and a beautiful lake district. Denmark is known for its excellent cycling terrain, and it also has a multitude of health resorts which are widespread throughout the country. Denmark has excellent facilities for both freshwater and saltwater angling. Sea-fishing tours can be arranged with local fishermen at many Danish harbours. Be daring, and go nude bathing. This is quite common at Danish seaside resorts. |
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| Capital: | Copenhagen (CPH) |
| Currency: | Danish Krone (DKK) |
| Language: | Danish. English, German and French may also be spoken |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 45 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | Year-round activities. May – June, late August. |
| Best for: | Viking Sites, Legoland, Medieval Architecture |
| Plugs: | 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Continental two-pin plugs are standard. On many campsites, 110-volt power plugs are also available. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. Denmark is an egalitarian society. Some restaurants and clubs may have a dress code. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | The age limit for buying beer and wine in Denmark is 16. For drinks with an alcohol percentage higher than 16.5%, you must be 18 or older. Smoking is banned in public areas. Nude bathing is allowed at most beaches; if it is prohibited there will be a sign. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | There may be limited acceptance of debit and credit cards outside of hotels, due to controls imposed on banks. It is preferable to carry cash. |
| Duty Free: | Denmark is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. There are no longer any allowance restrictions on these tax-free items. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Note: The Faroe Islands and Greenland are not part of the EU. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22%, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%, 90L of wine and 110L of beer. Tobacco and spirit allowances apply to travellers aged 18 and over. Beer and wine allowances apply to travellers aged 16 and over. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Denmark by travellers aged 17 or over without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22%. • Other goods up to the value of kr3,250 for air and sea travellers and kr2,250 for other travellers. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited and restricted goods include narcotics, meat and dairy products, medicine, pets, wild animals and plants and their products, weapons and explosives, fireworks and pesticides |
Issuing Authorities
Royal Danish Embassy
iParioli Office Park, Block B2, Ground Floor
1166 Park Street (corner of Park Street and Duncan Road), Hatfield
Tel: 012 430 9340
E-mail: pryamb@um.dk
Web: sydafrika.um.dk/en
Visits by appointment.
Visa Queries are to be directed to the Danish Consulate General in Dubai:
Tel: +971 4 526 8700
Email: dxbgklvisa@um.dk
Web: fae.um.dk
Visa Information is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
Web: um.dk
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Apr 17-18, 20-21; May 29; Jun 8-9; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Apr 2-3, 5-6; May 1, 14, 24-25; Jun 5; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
Schengen Visa:
Denmark is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
- If you intend to visit only Denmark , you must apply at the Embassy of Denmark / Visa Application Centre.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.
Visas for Iceland
Denmark represents Iceland in South Africa. Therefore, if you plan to travel to Iceland, you must apply for a visa in precisely the same way, you would apply for a Schengen visa to Denmark.
Visas to Greenland and the Faro Islands
A normal Schengen visa, such as a Danish or an Icelandic visa, is not valid for the Faroe Islands or Greenland. If you are travelling to these destinations, you will need to have a Schengen visa issued by a Danish representation with the following wording in the comments section of the visa: "Valid for Greenland" or "Valid for the Faroe Islands". Please apply in the normal manner through VFS, but indicate on the application form under "main destination" that you are visiting Greenland or the Faroe Islands.
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Complete your online visa application (https://applyvisa.um.dk/).
2. Pay the visa fee online
3. Print and Sign the cover letter, as well as payment receipt.
4. Make an appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VFS). All supporting documents must be handed in at VFS, and biometrics will be taken.
VISA APPLICATION CENTRE: VFS GLOBAL
Tel: 012 425 3001
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/dnk/
Hours: Mon - Fri: 08:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00
- PRETORIA: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn
- DURBAN: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize), Essenwood, Durban, 4000
- CAPE TOWN: 8th Floor 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
VISA REQUIREMENTS
See General Schengen Requirements.
In addition to the general requirements:
- Application form to be filled in online (https://applyvisa.um.dk/). Cover letter and payment receipt must be printed and signed, and handed in at visa application centre along with supporting documents.
- Denmark does not accept temporary passports.
- Proof of sufficient funds: Please note that ALL adult applicants have to provide proof of pocket money in their own name even if their trip is fully sponsored (500 DKK per day)
- Minors: cover letter must be signed by both parents.
- Round trip reservation and detailed itinerary including dates and flight numbers specifying the dates of entry and exit from the territory of the Member States. The Consulate recommends that you do not buy a plane ticket before your visa has been approved.
- In case of a pre-paid tour, details of the tour from the tour operator should be provided.
Visa Processing Time
Usually 15 days. Applications cannot be submitted more than 6 months in advance.
Visa Validity
Up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
VFS service fee: EUR13 / ZAR 249
The visa fee is payable online when you complete your application. The service fee is payable directly to VFS.
SA Representative
South African Embassy,
Strandore 15, 2100 Copenhagen
Tel: 0045 3918 0185
E-mail: copenhagen.general@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/copenhagen/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
