Foreign nationals from selected countries are required to obtain proper documents before entering the country, for example, to obtain the Schengen visa for Denmark. This particular visa can be issued for certain purposes, such as a medical visa, airport transit, or others. Its distinctive advantage is that the holder may freely travel within the Schengen zone, between any of the member countries.
Our immigration lawyer in Denmark can assist you if you need to apply for a Schengen visa for Denmark. In this article, we answer some of the common questions that may arise when applying for this type of visa. For more detailed information, as well as nationality-specific details, please feel free to reach out to our agents.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who must apply for a Schengen visa in Denmark? | Certain non-EU nationals who come to an EU country for short stays. |
| Exceptions to the Schengen visa requirement | Holders of a valid visa or residence permit for another Schengen state. |
| Other exceptions | Some categories of travellers (diplomats, etc.) |
| In which country do you apply for a Schengen visa | Usually, in the EU country in which you will be spending most of your temporary stay. |
| Types of Schengen visas | Single entry, multiple-entry, airport transit. |
| Maximum Schengen area visa stay | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. |
| Where do you apply for a Schengen visa for Denmark? | At the Danish consulate in your country of origin |
| What are the general application documents? | Visa application form, photograph, medical insurance, supporting documents. |
| Are biometrics collected for a Denmark Schengen visa? | Yes, your fingerprints. |
| What is the general processing time for a Schengen visa for Denmark? | 15 days |
| Residence under the Schengen visa | Not permitted |
| Can I work if issued a Denmark Schengen visa? | No, a work permit is required |
| Schengen visa fee | EUR 90 for adults |
| Schengen countries | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. |
| Assistance for Schengen visa applications | Yes, upon request |
Table of Contents
Who needs a Schengen visa for Denmark?
Not all foreign nationals are conditioned to obtain this type of visa prior to entering Denmark. In fact, this is only required for non-EU/EEA foreign nationals. Examples of countries that need a Schengen visa for Denmark include the following: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Egypt, North Korea, India, Iran, Kenya, Libya, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, or Vietnam.
The Schengen Area is considered the largest visa-free zone in the world, uniting 26 countries. While many of the European Union countries are included in the Schengen zone, the two should not be confused.
Citizens of all of the countries mentioned above will require a Schengen visa to enter Denmark or another European country of their choice. Please keep in mind that this list of countries is not an exhaustive one, and our team of immigration lawyers in Denmark can provide a full list of countries.
For detailed information on the steps required to move to Denmark, you can discuss these with our team. We answer questions on work and residence permits, residential property purchase and renting, your mandatory NemKonto and MitID, taxation, and the treatment of foreign pension, as well as health services and insurance matters. You can reach out to us as needed.
The following infographic summarizes some important details:
What information is included in a Schengen visa for Denmark?
The Schengen visa for Denmark is freely available, and it is obtained after filling in a form that includes certain information about the applicant. It has a standardized, harmonized form used throughout all of the member states. The following information is required:
- surname, the former family name (if applicable) and the first name;
- the date and place of birth;
- current nationality and nationality at birth;
- gender and civil status;
- information about the parental authority or legal guardian;
- national identity number, if applicable;
- travel document number and other information;
- personal data for the family member who is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and the family relationship, if applicable;
- the applicant’s home address, e-mail address and telephone number.
This application form must be fully filled in and signed. Our Denmark immigration specialists can provide you with more details as well as assist you during the application phase.
What documents are the documents required to obtain a Schengen visa for Denmark?
Apart from the filled-in application form, foreign nationals who are interested in Denmark immigration and plan on initially entering the country with a Schengen visa will also need to provide the following documents:
- Documents and photos: the valid passport is to be presented, along with two recent photographs;
- Itinerary: information about the round trip, including reservations and the flight numbers;
- Travel insurance: proof of proper travel health insurance that covers all of the Schengen zone;
- Financial means: proof that the applicant has the financial resources to stay in Denmark (and other Schengen countries); this can be a bank account statement or a sponsorship letter; our immigration lawyer in Denmark can provide you with more details about these;
- Accommodation: proof that the applicant has successfully secured accommodation for the duration of the stay;
- Visa fee payment: proof of having paid the Schengen visa fee of 80 euros per applicant (for adults).
Please keep in mind that the Schengen visa is only a short-term one and it is not the equivalent of a residence permit. For more information on moving to Denmark, please reach out to our agents.
The following video summarizes the application process:
Other types of Danish visas
As previously stated, the Schengen visa for Denmark is suitable for short-term visits (of many types, be it business or travel). Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries with a visa requirement to enter Denmark also have the following options for short-term visas:
- The business visa: used for a short business trip to Copenhagen or other Danish cities. It does not allow the holder to work in Denmark; however, because it is business-related, the holder is permitted to engage in certain work-related activities related to the travel purpose. Another business visa is in place for long-term business projects;
- The cultural visit visa: issued to foreign nationals who will participate in a certain cultural or scientific event. Examples include congresses or sporting events. Providing proper documents for attending the said event is required for this type of visa;
- The private visit and tourist visa: issued to those who book a private visit or tourist visit in Denmark for up to 90 days. This visa includes a special assessment from the Danish authorities to determine if the applicant intends to return to their country of origin (without any doubt) before the visa expires.
Our immigration lawyer in Denmark can give you more information about short-term visas, including special ones such as those granted for private visits.
Another option available to holders of short-term visas for Denmark is to invite another person to join you in the country, also for short-term purposes. Several conditions apply, and our team can help you understand the requirements and the conditions that apply to the host (the person who already holds the short-term visa and makes the invitation).
Understanding your right to remain in the country and re-enter if needed is important, whether you obtain a Schengen visa for Denmark or another short-term visa. Below, our Denmark immigration specialists list some conditions:
- The 90 days allowed in the country may be spent all in one stay, or on multiple visits, but only as allowed by the visa type (one or two entries or multiple entries);
- The visa is usually placed as a sticker on your passport;
- The entire date of entry and the entire exit day are calculated towards your remaining number of days in Denmark.
Facts about Denmark
Are you planning on obtaining a Schengen visa for Denmark and coming to the country for various long or short-term purposes? Here are a number of figures about the country, presented by our team of Denmark immigration specialists:
- In December 2025, Denmark’s population was estimated at 6,027,610 inhabitants;
- The percentage of immigrants (or their descendants) in the total population was 16.3% in 2025;
- Based on their right to reside in the country, most immigrants were Nordic citizens (estimated at 205,442 people), followed by EU citizens with the right to work and reside in the country. Permanent residence permit holders were the third-largest category.
If you are interested in applying for a Danish residence permit, as opposed to a Schengen visa, our team will give you complete details about the process and the documents you need to submit to the Danish Immigration Service. As the time you can remain in the country based on a Schengen visa is limited, we suggest reaching out to our team as soon as possible if you need clarification about your lawful stay.
If you are interested in the Schengen visa for Denmark or more visa options, as well as permanent residence permits and obtaining citizenship, please contact our immigration lawyer in Denmark.
