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Travel Advice for Denmark
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While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
Travel Advice Levels Location Level Denmark overall Exercise caution
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Local Travel (United Nations Climate Change Conference). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
Summary
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Denmark because of the risk of terrorist attacks.
Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
The United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Denmark from 7 to 18 December 2009. Heightened security measures, including restrictions on movement in the capital Copenhagen, will be in place in the period surrounding the conference. Accommodation and transport services, including airport services, may be affected.
Organised demonstrations are planned in Copenhagen during the conference and other protest activity is likely. You should remain vigilant and avoid demonstrations, protests and large public gatherings as they have the potential to turn violent.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Safety and Security
Terrorism
We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Denmark because of the risk of terrorist attacks. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible safety or security risks.
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Since October 2005, a number of individuals have been arrested in Denmark on suspicion of planning terrorist attacks. In April 2008, three people were convicted of planning an act of terror. In June 2008, the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan was attacked by terrorists.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
There have been isolated incidents of civil disturbance in the last year, particularly in the tourist area of Christiania, in Copenhagen. Travellers should remain vigilant and avoid large gatherings and demonstrations.
You should also read our travel bulletin entitled Re-publication of Cartoons.
Crime
Denmark generally has a low incidence of serious crime. However, we advise you to exercise caution in the inner-city area of Norrebro in Copenhagen. There has been an increase in violence in this area during 2009. While the incidents have been mainly gang-related, bystanders have been fatally injured.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is increasingly common, particularly during the peak tourist season (summer). Thieves target the central train station, airport, hotel lobbies, restaurants, hostels and other tourist areas. Visitors should be aware of their personal belongings at all times.
Local Travel
On 7 to 18 December 2009, the United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in the capital Copenhagen. Heightened security measures, including restrictions on movement in Copenhagen, will be in place in the period surrounding the conference. There will be an increased police presence in the city. Civil disobedience will be penalised with heavy fines and jail sentences.
Accommodation and transport services, including airport services, may be affected by the conference. Demand for accommodation will be high during this period and Copenhagen International Airport is expected to be extremely busy. There will be a marked increase in the use of the public transport system, as well as likely road traffic disruptions.
Organised demonstrations are planned in Copenhagen during the conference and other protest activity is likely. Travellers should remain vigilant and avoid demonstrations, protests and large public gatherings as they have the potential to turn violent.
Cyclists are very common on Danish roads. They often have the right of way and drivers should check cycle lanes before turning. Pedestrians should be careful not to walk on cycle lanes because of the high risk of collisions. You should also be aware of cyclists when opening car doors.
Road conditions in winter can be icy. Roads are normally well salted in central Copenhagen but may not be salted outside of the metropolitan area. Headlights must be on at all times. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Airline Safety
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Money and Valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Foreign-issued credit cards may not be accepted by some outlets in Denmark, or may incur a user surcharge fee.
The currency is the Danish Krone. The euro is not accepted in Denmark.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
For Parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
Local Laws
When you are in Denmark, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Assaults, however minor, may attract jail sentences and a ban from future travel within the European Union.
Penalties for drink driving and speeding may include heavy fines and possible prison sentences.
Drug possession, even in small amounts, is illegal and will lead to heavy fines and/or imprisonment.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Information for Dual Nationals
Australian/Danish dual nationality is not generally recognised by Denmark. The only exception is if Danish citizenship is acquired as a child, through citizenship by descent. Dual nationals who are registered citizens of Denmark may be liable for three months military service when they turn 18. For further information, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Denmark.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Denmark for the most up to date information.
Denmark is a party to the Schengen Convention, along with 24 other European countries, which allows Australians to enter Denmark without a visa in some circumstances. See our travel bulletin on the Schengen Convention for further information.
People travelling directly to or from a country outside the European Union (EU) who are carrying 10,000 euros or more (or the equivalent amount in another currency) are required to declare the cash at the place of their arrival or departure from the EU. Under the legislation, the term "cash" includes cheques, travellers' cheques and money orders. Travellers failing to declare the cash or providing incomplete or incorrect information will incur a fine. There is no requirement to declare cash for people travelling to or from another EU country.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Health Issues
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
The standard of health facilities and care throughout Denmark is high. English is widely spoken. There is no reciprocal health care agreement with Denmark. Costs are comparable with or more expensive than private treatment in Australia. While emergency hospital treatment is generally free, the patient is responsible for follow-up costs.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including Denmark. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to Get Help
In Denmark, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian Embassy Dampfaergevej 26, 2nd floor, 2100 Copenhagen O Telephone +45 7026 3676 Facsimile +45 7026 3686 Email: australianembassydenmark@gmail.com Website: www.denmark.embassy.gov.au/If you are travelling to Denmark, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.