+/- 0 h
- 1 h (Färöer Islands; - 4 h (Greenland)

Copenhagen (København)

Official language

Danish

Language capabilities

English and German

230 volts / adapter required for three-pin Swiss plugs

Banks

10.00 - 16.00 h (Mon - Wed, Fri)
10.00 - 18.00 h (Thu)

Shops

10.00 - 18.00/19.00 h (Mon - Fri)
10.00 - 17.00 h (Sat)
Supermarkets and shopping centres generally open longer (8.00 - 20.00 h). Some supermarkets and department stores also open on Sundays, usually from 10.00/11.00 to 17.00/18.00 h.

• 1 January: New Year's Day (Nytårsdag)

• Thursday before Easter: Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag)

• Friday before Easter: Good Friday (Langfredag)

• Easter Sunday (Påskedag) and Easter Monday (Anden påskedag)

• 40 days after Easter: Ascension Day (Kristi Himmelfartsdag)

• Whit Sunday (Pinsedag) and Whit Monday (Anden pinsedag)

• 25 December: Christmas Day (Juledag)

• 26 December: Boxing Day (Anden juledag)

The country is part of the Schengen Area. The following information is intended for Swiss citizens residing in Switzerland.
The following documents are required to enter Denmark:

• A valid Swiss identity card or Swiss passport.

• No visa is required.

• Minors: check the entry formalities for minors with the local authorities.

• Please note: different entry requirements apply to Greenland. In particular, a valid Swiss passport is required.

Denmark has a temperate maritime climate that is strongly influenced by the proximity of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The climate is relatively uniform, although there are slight differences between the country's various regions.
Jutland (western Denmark):

• The North Sea brings milder winters and cooler summers.

• Summer (June to August): 14°C to 22°C

• Winter (December to February): -1°C to 4°C

• Spring/autumn: 2°C to 16°C

Islands (Zealand, Funen and Lolland) and the east coast:

• These regions are somewhat more sheltered by the surrounding stretches of sea and tend to have smaller temperature differences.

• Summer (June to August): 15°C to 23°C

• Winter (December to February): 0°C to 5°C

• Spring/autumn: 3°C to 17°C

The ideal time for your trip to Denmark:

• Beach holidays: June to August

• City breaks: May to September

• Winter holidays: December to February for ice skating, Christmas markets, museums and cultural events.

• Mobile phones: Using a mobile phone in Denmark may incur roaming charges. Travellers are advised to check the fees before departure and, if appropriate, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.

• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in many hotels, restaurants, cafés and public areas.

• Prepaid SIM cards: A local prepaid SIM card can be purchased for local calls and mobile data. Denmark's main mobile network operators are TDC, Norlys, Telenor and 3 (Hi3G/Tre).

• Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen: a historic amusement park in the heart of Copenhagen.

• Nyhavn, Copenhagen: a picturesque harbour with colourful houses and numerous restaurants.

• The Little Mermaid, Copenhagen: a famous statue based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.

• Kronborg Castle, Helsingør: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

• Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød: a Renaissance castle with impressive gardens and a national history museum.

• Legoland, Billund: a popular family theme park based on the famous LEGO bricks.

• Aarhus Old Town (Den Gamle By): an open-air museum showing life in Denmark in past centuries.

• ARoS Aarhus Art Museum: a modern art museum with its famous rainbow panorama installation.

• National Museum, Copenhagen: Denmark's largest museum of cultural history, with exhibitions from the Stone Age to the modern era.

• Rundetårn (Round Tower), Copenhagen: a historic tower with a spiral ramp and excellent views over Copenhagen.

• Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen: the residence of the Danish royal family, with a daily changing of the guard.

• Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde: a museum with well-preserved Viking ships and information about Viking life.

• Egeskov Castle, island of Funen: a Renaissance water castle with an impressive park and a vintage car museum.

• Skagen: a picturesque town at Denmark's northern tip, known for its distinctive light and artists' colonies.
• Ribe: Denmark's oldest town, with a well-preserved medieval centre and Viking museum.

Find inspiration in our blog post and plan your next city break in Copenhagen, filled with design, food and Nordic joie de vivre:

• Copenhagen sights and highlights: how to experience the city in three days

• Traditional dishes: Smørrebrød, an open sandwich with toppings such as fish, meat, cheese, vegetables and eggs on rye bread; Frikadeller, pork or veal meatballs often served with potatoes and gravy; Stegt flæsk med persillesovs, fried pork belly with parsley sauce and potatoes, Denmark's national dish; Rødgrød med fløde, a traditional red-berry dessert served with cream; and Æbleskiver, spherical pancakes often served with icing sugar and jam, particularly popular at Christmas.

• Fish and seafood: Sild, various types of pickled herring often served as part of a Smørrebrød; Røget laks, smoked salmon frequently served on Smørrebrød or as a starter; and Fiskefrikadelle, fish cakes usually made from cod or haddock and often served with remoulade and potato salad.

• New Nordic Cuisine, modern Danish cuisine: a focus on regional and seasonal ingredients, innovative preparation methods and presentation. Well-known restaurants include Noma and Geranium, both in Copenhagen.

• Typical drinks: Øl, beer, with Carlsberg and Tuborg as the best-known brands as well as a lively craft-beer scene; Snaps, a traditional and often flavoured spirit that is particularly popular at festive occasions and with Smørrebrød; and Gammel Dansk, a herbal liqueur commonly enjoyed as an aperitif or digestif.

• Typical sweets and baked goods: Wienerbrød, Danish puff pastry often filled with custard, jam or icing; and Kransekage, a marzipan ring cake frequently served at weddings and New Year.

• Greetings: people in Denmark generally greet each other with a handshake, particularly at formal meetings and introductions. An informal hug is common among friends and acquaintances. Eye contact and a smile are important. Typical greetings include “Hej” (hello), “God dag” (good day) and “Farvel” (goodbye).

• Saying please and thank you: “Vær venlig” or “Kan du...” can be used to phrase a request politely. Expressions of thanks include “Tak”, “Mange tak” and “Tusind tak”. “Velbekomme” is used in response to thanks.

• Clothing: dress in Denmark is generally casual, practical and neat. Layered and weatherproof clothing is common because the weather is changeable. Smart casual or business casual is often worn at work, while a suit and tie are less frequently necessary.

• Dining culture: Danes generally eat three meals a day: breakfast, an often light lunch and dinner. Smørrebrød is typical at lunchtime. Guests wait for the host to begin eating and say “Velbekomme” on formal occasions. Hygge, relaxed and cosy socialising over food and drink, is an important part of Danish culture.

• Smoking: smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars and public transport. It is generally permitted outdoors, but designated smoking areas are often provided. Follow the rules displayed locally.

• Tipping: tipping is not obligatory because service is included in the bill. A small tip of around 5-10% is nevertheless appreciated for good service. Rounding up the amount is also common.

• Other: punctuality is very important in Denmark for both business appointments and social events. Danes place great value on recycling and environmental protection, so use bins and separate waste. Communication tends to be direct and honest but also polite, with little small talk. Respect personal space and privacy, as loud and intrusive behaviour is not appreciated.

• Drinking water quality: it is excellent and among the best in the world. Tap water is generally safe and of high quality, so there is no need to buy bottled water.

• Vaccinations: no specific vaccinations are generally required to enter Denmark. Travellers are nevertheless advised to keep routine vaccinations up to date, particularly those for diphtheria, tetanus, polio and measles.

• Medical care is available. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented for medical treatment. The card is not valid in Greenland or the Faroe Islands. Consult the information provided by the Common Institution under the Federal Health Insurance Act.

• If you depend on particular medication, carry an adequate supply. Many countries have special rules on medicines containing controlled substances, such as methadone, and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, check with the responsible foreign diplomatic mission, embassy or consulate, before departure.

• Before and during your trip, follow media reports about the current situation and remain in contact with your tour operator.

• Further information on the current security situation is available from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

• Despite increased security measures, the risk of terrorist attacks remains.

• Demonstrations may occur in larger cities. Exercise caution nearby, as unrest is possible.

• Driving licence: the Swiss driving licence is recognised for car rental.

• Minimum age: it ranges from 23 to 25 depending on the rental company.

• Dipped headlights: they must also be used during the day.

• Equipment: a warning triangle must be carried in the car. A CH sticker is required if the vehicle does not already display a compliant national identifier on its registration plate.

• Alcohol: the blood alcohol limit is 0.5‰.

• Long-distance trains: Denmark operates a modern and efficient rail network covering the entire country. Danish State Railways, DSB, runs most long-distance services. The trains are comfortable and provide a pleasant travel experience.

• Regional trains: an extensive network connects cities and towns throughout the country. These trains are operated by DSB and other regional providers.

• Buses: a well-developed network serves places that cannot be reached by train. The buses are clean and modern and provide reliable access to more remote destinations. Various companies, including Movia, operate these services.

• Subway/trams: Copenhagen is the only Danish city with a metro. The Greater Copenhagen Light Rail has served its full route since 22 August 2026. Light-rail systems also operate in Aarhus and Odense.

• Tickets: these can be purchased at stations, selected sales outlets and online. Options include single tickets, day tickets and season tickets. Mobile apps can also be used to buy tickets.

• Other: on buses, passengers often board through the front door and leave through the rear door. Cycling is very popular, and many cities have well-developed cycle paths; bicycles can also be taken on many trains. Train, bus and metro timetables are well coordinated, so connections generally work smoothly.

• Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport (CPH): direct flights from Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

• Billund Airport (BLL): seasonal direct flights from Zurich.

• Aarhus Airport (AAR): no direct flights from Switzerland; connecting services are available, including via Copenhagen.

Major airlines operating in Denmark include SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

Single emergency number: 112

Embassy of Switzerland in Denmark
Store Kongensgade 128, 1st Floor
1264 København K
Denmark

Tel.: +45 33 14 17 96
Email: copenhagen@eda.admin.ch

Regional Consular Centre Nordic and Baltic Countries
c/o Embassy of Switzerland
Valhallavägen 64
114 27 Stockholm
Sweden

Tel.: +46 8 676 79 00
Email: stockholm.cc@eda.admin.ch

Special legal provisions

• Violations of drug laws are punishable even where small quantities or any type of drug are involved.

• Copenhagen's “Freetown Christiania” has a special status, but Danish law also applies there. Buying, possessing and selling cannabis are illegal. Follow signs and instructions and respect areas where photography is prohibited. Pusher Street's open drug market was closed on 6 April 2024.