At present, there is no requirement stipulating a specific type of negative COVID-19 test that must be presented for entry into Denmark. It must be a test that can prove whether the person is infected with COVID-19. This means that both PCR tests and rapid tests (antigen tests) are accepted in connection with entry, whereas antibody tests do not meet the requirement.

Aircraft passengers

All aircraft passengers travelling to Denmark, including Danish citizens, must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before boarding the aircraft. The airlines are responsible for ensuring that no passengers are admitted on board without presenting a negative COVID-19 test.

You must pay any costs associated with obtaining the test prior to your entry into Denmark. This requirement applies for all passenger flights to Denmark from all over the world, apart from domestic flights and flights from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Special rules apply for children 12 years or younger and certain other groups of persons.

Read more about the rules regarding persons travelling to Denmark by air

Foreigners who are not resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit must have a worthy purpose and a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test to be granted entry through the border control checkpoint at the airport in Denmark. The test must not have been taken more than 24 hours before entry.

Entry via a sea or land border

Foreigners who are not resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit and who have a worthy purpose of entering Denmark must be able to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 24 hours before entry. You must pay any costs associated with obtaining the test prior to your entry into Denmark.

Read more about the rules regarding persons resident in countries outside of Denmark

Special rules apply for foreigners resident in the border regions—that is Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and Blekinge, Skåne, Halland and Västra Götaland County in Sweden.

Read more about the rules regarding persons resident in the border regions

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in or residence permit to Denmark may enter Denmark via a sea or land border regardless of purpose and without presenting a negative COVID-19 test.

Read more about the rules regarding persons resident in Denmark or of Danish nationality or holding a valid residence permit to Denmark

Note that all persons entering Denmark as a general rule are subject to the requirement of testing in connection with entry. See more below.

A COVID-19 test is required in connection with entry into Denmark from abroad.

Different rules on testing apply depending on whether you arrive by aircraft or via a sea or land border. There are also exemptions from the test requirement. These exemptions may be general (i.e. they apply for entry by aircraft and via a sea or land border) or specific (i.e. specifically applying to travellers by aircraft or entrants via a sea or land border).

The following exemptions apply both for entry by aircraft and via sea or land border:

• Children under the age of 15.
• Persons who, for medical reasons, should not take a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test* for COVID-19.
• Persons who, due to physical or mental disability, should not take a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test for COVID-19.
• Persons who were previously infected with COVID-19 within a certain period and who are thus unable to present a negative rapid test (antigen) or PCR test* for COVID-19.

Persons who were previously infected with COVID-19 must be able to present documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result from a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test, which at the time of entry is at least 14 days and no more than 12 weeks old.

The specific exemptions applying for arrivals by aircraft and entry via sea and land borders are outlined below.

*Only rapid tests (antigen tests) are available at the airport.

It is mandatory to obtain a COVID-19 test upon arrival or after entry into Denmark from abroad.

Different rules on testing apply on whether the test is to be obtained upon arrival or after entry depending on whether you arrive by aircraft or enter via a sea or land border. There are also exemptions from the test requirement. These exemptions may be general (i.e. they apply for both arrival by aircraft and entry via a sea or land border) or specific (i.e. specifically applying to travellers by aircraft or entrants via a sea or land border).

In general, the following exemptions apply:

• Children under the age of 15.
• Persons who, for medical reasons, should not take a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test* for COVID-19.
• Persons who, due to physical or mental disability, should not take a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test for COVID-19.
• Persons who were previously infected with COVID-19 within a certain period and who are thus unable to present a negative rapid test (antigen) or PCR test* for COVID-19.

Persons who were previously infected with COVID-19 must be able to present documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result from a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test, which at the time of entry is at least 14 days and no more than 12 weeks old.

The specific exemptions applying for persons arriving by aircraft or entering via sea and land borders respectively are outlined below.

*At the airport, rapid tests (antigen tests) are mandatory.

If you arrive from abroad by aircraft, you must take a rapid test (antigen test) for COVID-19 in the airport at one of the test spots pointed out by the airport. This requirement also applies for Danish citizens.

Upon arrival at the airport, passengers will be guided to a test spot to obtain a rapid test (antigen test). They will then be shown to a waiting area where they must wait for the results of the test. Persons who are tested negative will have to present their test result before leaving the airport. Passengers who are tested positive will be accompanied to a PCR testing facility, where they will be offered a PCR test. This follows the Danish Health Authority’s recommendation for everyone who is tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid test (antigen test) has a follow-up PCR test performed. Infected persons will then be offered transport to their isolation facility. The specifics of these services will vary from airport to airport.

If, as an aircraft passenger, you are not covered by the general exemptions from testing (see above), you may still be exempt from the test requirement if:

• You are an aircraft crew member.
• You are travelling via Denmark in transit and do no not leave the airport transit areas.
• You are arriving from abroad to a Danish airport where it is not possible to obtain a rapid test (antigen test) for COVID-19.

If you arrive at a Danish airport where it is not possible to obtain a rapid test (antigen test), you must obtain a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test for COVID-19 within 24 hours of entering Denmark.

For detailed information about the exemptions, including the conditions for exemption from mandatory testing, see the “special groups of persons” section of this FAQ.

If you enter Denmark via a sea or land border, you must obtain a rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test for COVID-19 no later than 24 hours after the time of entry. This requirement also applies for Danish citizens.

Persons entering Denmark will have access to facilities for PCR tests and antigen tests alike. Test stations have been established in the immediate vicinity of the border crossings, and entrants will also be able to use test stations within Denmark. Persons who establish that they have entered Denmark within the past 24 hours will, to the extent necessary required to meet the 24-hour requirement, and if possible, be afforded extra flexibility in terms of access to testing administered by Testcenter Danmark if, for example, they show up at the facility without a reservation and/or CPR number. It is not necessary to book a reservation for testing administered by the private contractors under their testing agreement with the Danish state.

The Danish Health Authority’s recommends everyone who is tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid test (antigen test) to have a follow-up PCR test performed.

If you are not covered by the general exemptions from testing (see above), you may still be exempt from the requirement to obtain a test within 24 hours of entry if you are:

• A Danish citizen or foreigner resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit, and entering Denmark after having performed work or delivered a service in the border region. This applies, for example, if you are resident in Copenhagen and work in Malmö. However, in order to be exempt from mandatory testing after entry, you must be able to present documentation of a negative test for COVID-19 (either rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test), which at the time of entry is no more than 72 hours old. NB: New rules apply for the border regions from 17 February 2021. See the “border regions” section of the FAQ.
• Resident in the border regions. However, in order to be exempt from mandatory testing after entry, you must be able to present documentation of a negative test for COVID-19 (either rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test), which at the time of entry is no more than 72 hours old. NB: New rules apply for the border regions from 17 February 2021. See the “border regions” section of the FAQ.
• Entering Denmark for the purpose of freight transport or after having transported freight abroad.
• A crew member of an aircraft, train, bus or taxi, or other commercial passenger transport that requires a permit under the Danish Taxi Act.
• Entering from Sweden after having been in transit through Sweden to or from Bornholm without having stopped in Sweden. You may not, for example, stop to purchase items in Sweden while driving through Sweden to or from Bornholm.
• Departing from Denmark no later than 24 hours after the time of entry.

 For detailed information about the exemptions, including the conditions for exemption from mandatory testing, see the “special groups of persons” section of this FAQ.

The exemption for medical reasons applies when the administration of a test upon arrival or after entry to Denmark may cause a person unusually severe discomfort and/or aggravation of existing disease or similar. The conditions covered by this exemption include:

• Children under the age of 15.
• Persons with certain diseases or other conditions that make it difficult or potentially harmful to perform the test, for example:
• Persons with narrow nasal passages due to a deviated (crooked) nasal septum, nasal deformation, nasal polyps, chronic infection of the nasal passages or similar.
• Persons with cancer or after-effects of cancer following treatment of cancer in the nose, mouth or throat area.
• Persons with a recently broken nose or who recently underwent nose surgery.
• Persons who may be at risk of serious bleeding, for example people in treatment with blood-thinning medicine after a heart valve operation or deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the deep veins in the leg or pelvic area), persons with a bleeding disorder or similar.
• Persons with mental and/or cognitive impairment that makes them unable to understand or cooperate in the administration of the test.
• Persons with mental conditions and illnesses, such as anxiety, PTSD or the like, or for whom administration of the test would feel like a traumatic violation of their personal boundaries.
• If the person entering Denmark cites one of the above conditions and is thus unable to undergo a rapid test, the entrant will be instructed to isolate alone and book a PCR test as soon as possible via www.coronaprover.dk.

No documentation, such as a medical certificate, is required to substantiate a claim that a person is unable to undergo a rapid test because of one of the above conditions. If, in special cases, there is specific doubt about the justification for an exemption, the person administering the test can contact and consult the testing facility’s supervising doctor regarding the specific assessment.

Test centres at the airport

In connection with entry at the airports in Copenhagen, Billund and Aalborg, test facilities are located directly in the airport.

• At Copenhagen Airport, the rapid test centre is locatedright before the border crossing checkpoint.
• In Billund, the rapid test centre is located right after the border crossing checkpoint in the baggage collection area. Passengers will be checked as they pass through customs before exiting the airport.
• In Aalborg, the rapid test centre is located right before the border crossing checkpoint.

All persons (including foreigners) may also obtain a free PCR test administered by TestCenter Danmark or a free antigen test administered by private contractors.

PCR test centres

TestCenter Danmark operates test stations in all five regions of Denmark. Persons with a Danish CPR number and NemID can book an appointment for testing at www.coronaprover.dk. Foreigners can show up without an appointment and obtain a test at the addresses listed below. Foreigners also have the option of obtaining a test at mobile stations. Information about mobile stations is regularly updated on the respective websites of the Danish regions.

Information about PCR test centres can also be found on the respective websites of the five Danish regions or in the tables categorised by Danish regions below:

• Capital Region of Denmark:
• Region Sealand 
• Region of Southern Denmark 
• Central Denmark Region
• North Denmark Region 

Rapid test centres (antigen test) 

Private contractors conduct rapid test in Capital Region of Denmark, Region Sealand, Region of Southern Denmark, Central Denmark Region and North Denmark Region. Information about rapid test centres can be found on the respective websites of the five Danish regions:

• Capital Region of Denmark:
• Region Sealand 
• Region of Southern Denmark 
• Central Denmark Region
• North Denmark Region

Find COVID-19 test centre 

Map of COVID-19 test centres

The self-isolation requirement means that you must not leave the isolation site.

There are no specific requirements regarding the physical properties of the isolation site.

Thus you may isolate in your home or where you were otherwise planning to stay after entry into Denmark.

An isolation site can be:

• A private home and adjacent private garden.
• Another suitable facility that allows for accommodation and access to all basic necessities, including food and drink.

• A vehicle used for freight transport (up to a maximum of two occupants).

Thus you may isolate in your own home or in another suitable facility, for example a hotel room. If you isolate in a private home, you may go out into the private garden adjacent to the home, but you may not go outside into common areas, such as a courtyard or garden collectively belonging to a local home-owners’ association.

You may isolate in a home even if your family or romantic partner is staying in the home at the same time. There is no requirement barring you from eating or sharing a bed with persons who are not part of your isolation. Other members of a household in which a person is isolating are thus not subject to the same isolation requirement as the person entering Denmark.

During the isolation, you are advised to observe the guidelines of the Danish Health Authority on isolating in the home, but this is not mandatory.

Important guidance if you have tested positive for novel coronavirus (sst.dk)

In certain cases, you may be referred to a voluntary stay at a municipal isolation facility. You must pay the costs of this stay, including meals. Read more about the municipal isolation facilities below.

Transport

You must wear a facemask or visor during transport if you use public transport, and you should take care to comply with the general recommendations to prevent the spread of infection, including the recommendation on physical distancing from others. Furthermore, you should not make use of public transport if you are ill or assume that you are infected.

Shopping

You must not leave the isolation site, which means that you must not leave your home to shop for groceries or similar errands. Ask family or friends to assist with grocery shopping, and to place the groceries at your front door.

Persons at risk of having been infected and who are awaiting the result of a test for COVID-19 may be eligible for referral to a voluntary stay at a municipal isolation facility.

The municipality assesses whether you are among the target group served by the facility in question. You must pay the costs of your stay, including meals.

In the context of mandatory isolation, the target group for a stay at a municipal isolation facility is adult citizens at risk of having been infected and awaiting a COVID-19 test, who are largely self-sufficient and thus do not require help or treatment from health or social services personnel, and who share a home with:

1) many people in a small area and/or without optimum division of rooms in the home;

2) one or more people who have difficulty cooperating with the potentially infected person in their efforts to follow the authorities’ recommendations on isolation in the home, for example due to social problems or cognitive impairment, or;

3) one or more persons at increased risk of developing a serious course of disease if infected with COVID-19, as defined by the Danish Health Authority in its recommendations for persons at increased risk, and where it is difficult to ensure adequate isolation within the home.

Children and young people under the age of 18 may only be referred to a stay at a municipal isolation facility if accompanied by an adult from the same household.

Call your municipality for more information about your options, or read more on your municipality’s website. If you do not live in Denmark, you can contact the municipality in which you are staying to learn more about the options for referral to a voluntary isolation facility.

There are a number of exemptions from the mandatory isolation requirement. Some exemptions apply for all persons, while others only apply for Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit or for persons resident abroad. There are also special rules for the border regions and for special groups of persons. Exemptions from the mandatory isolation requirement are outlined below.

Detailed information about the exemptions from mandatory isolation can be found in the “special groups of persons” section of this FAQ.

Persons entering Denmark from abroad and who must isolate after entry may temporarily interrupt their isolation:

• To seek necessary treatment in the health service, including to obtain a rapid test (antigen) or PCR test for COVID-19.
• To visit close acquaintances* who are seriously ill or dying.
• To attend a funeral or burial of a close acquaintance.*
• To attend the birth of their child.
• To participate in court proceedings or similar.
• To leave Denmark without undue delay.

After the temporary interruption, persons must resume the isolation without undue delay. This means, for example, that you may not go grocery shopping after you have been to the doctor or attended the funeral of a close acquaintance. You must wear a facemask or visor during transport to your isolation site if you use public transport, and you should take care to comply with the general recommendations to prevent the spread of infection, including the recommendation on physical distancing from others. Furthermore, you should not make use of public transport if you are ill or assume that you are infected.

*The following groups of persons are covered by the term “close acquaintance”: Spouse, cohabitating partner, fiancé, romantic partner, child, stepchild, foster child, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, foster parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, parent-in-law and child-in-law.

In addition to the exemptions that apply for all persons, Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit are exempt under the following circumstances:

• Persons who are a crew member of an aircraft, train, bus or taxi or other commercial passenger transport requiring a permit under the Danish Taxi Act, and who are entering Denmark after having performed work or a function of this nature abroad.*
• Persons who enter Denmark for the purpose of freight transport or after having transported freight abroad.*
• Crew members of a ship, offshore workers and maritime technicians entering Denmark after having performed work abroad or a function of this nature abroad.**
• Persons entering Denmark after performing work or delivering a service in the border regions.**** NB: New rules apply for the border regions from 17 February 2021. See the “border regions” section of the FAQ.
• Persons entering Denmark after visiting a close acquaintance*** in the border region.****
• Persons entering Denmark after performing work abroad as a border guard, emergency responder, police, fire-fighter, or a person participating in the deportation or escorting to Denmark of detainees.
• Persons entering Denmark from Sweden after having been in transit through Sweden to or from Bornholm and without stopping in Sweden.
• Persons entering after performing a necessary journey abroad to exercise stipulated or agreed visitation.
• Persons entering Denmark after visiting a close acquaintance*** in the border regions. NB: New rules apply for the border regions from 17 February 2021. See the “border regions” section of the FAQ.
• Persons entering Denmark after having performed a function abroad as a state envoy, including as a diplomat or as an employee of the Danish Armed Forces, or as a member of the European Parliament.
• Persons who can document having entered Denmark more than six times within the past 30 days from the time of entry (for example, commuters).

*The entrant must be able to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 that was taken no more than seven days before the time of entry.

**The entrant must be able to present a negative antigen or PCR test, which at the time of entry is no more than seven days old.

***The following groups of persons are covered by the term “close acquaintance”: Spouse, cohabitating partner, fiancé, romantic partner, child, stepchild, foster child, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, foster parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, parent-in-law and child-in-law.

**** The entrant must be able to present a negative antigen or PCR test, which at the time of entry is no more than 72 hours old.

For detailed information about the exemptions, such as the requirement for a negative test prior to entry, see the “special groups of persons” section of this FAQ.

Additional circumstances justifying a temporary interruption of isolation for certain groups of persons

The following Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit may – in addition to the circumstances applying for all persons (see above) – temporarily break their isolation:

• Persons who perform particularly critical and urgent functions and have had significant reasons for being abroad, and who must attend the workplace in person or travel abroad to perform particularly critical and urgent functions. This applies, for example, in the case of a police officer or nurse who has performed a task abroad
• Persons who perform work as wind turbine technicians, food technicians, technical specialists who perform service or production of medical equipment or medicines, including pharmacists, or other types of technical specialists who have had significant reasons for being abroad, and who must attend the workplace in person or travel abroad on work to perform technical work or deliver services of a technical nature. This applies, for example, in the case of a technician who has been abroad to perform repairs on a machine and who works as a field technician in Denmark, visiting various locations to repair and service machines.
• Professional athletes or persons who assist in professional sports activities who have been abroad after participating in a championship, tournament or similar, and who must participate in championships, tournaments or similar in Denmark or abroad. This applies, for example, if a person has participated in an international championship abroad and are to participate in a national championship after returning to Denmark. This does not apply if the persons concerned enter Denmark after having participated in training activities, training camps or similar activities abroad.

After the temporary interruption, persons must resume the isolation without undue delay. This means that persons who are required to isolate may temporarily break the isolation in order to perform one of the above purposes, but must otherwise remain in isolation.

Danish citizens resident abroad and foreigners resident abroad who are permitted to enter Denmark according to the applicable entry restrictions, may – in addition to the circumstances applying for all persons (see above) – temporarily break their isolation in the event it is necessary to perform one of the following worthy purposes:

• To perform work as an employee, employer or self-employed person.
• To perform in an unpaid internship in Denmark as part of a course of study at an institution of higher education under the supervision of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science.*
• To drop off or pick up one’s child at an institution or school.*
• To visit a close acquaintance in Denmark.* **
• To accompany a child with a physical or mental disability in Denmark.*
• To perform commercial freight transport in or through Denmark.
• To deliver services in Denmark.
• To perform work as a crew member of an aircraft, train, bus, ship, taxi, or other form of commercial passenger transport requiring a permit under the Danish Taxi Act, offshore worker, wind turbine or maritime technician, or technical specialist who performs service or production of medical equipment or medicines or foods, or to perform tasks as a cross-border commuter, emergency responder, police office, fire-fighter or border guard.
• To perform tasks as head of state or similar, including delegations, or as a diplomat.
• To participate in a critical business meeting.
• To exercise agreed or stipulated visitation.
• To serve as a primary caregiver for minor children or young people resident in Denmark.
• To participate in a current course of treatment provided by the Danish health authorities or a private hospital in Denmark.

After the temporary interruption, persons must resume the isolation without undue delay. This implies that persons who have performed one the worthy purposes listed above cannot, for example, shop for groceries after having performed the purpose.

Please note that persons governed by the isolation requirement can interrupt the isolation with the purpose of leaving Denmark without undue delay.

Read more under “General exemptions”.

*Only applies for persons resident in the border regions.

**The following groups of persons are covered by the term “close acquaintance”: Spouse, cohabitating partner, fiancé, romantic partner, child, stepchild, foster child, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, foster parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, parent-in-law and child-in-law.

The test that may be taken no earlier than the fourth day after entry must be a PCR test. For more information, refer to the “Where can one be tested?” section of this FAQ.

Note that special rules applies for the offshore industry and mobile workers. See the “special groups of persons” section of this FAQ.

You can interrupt your isolation to leave Denmark without undue delay. This means that you can leave your place of isolation or leave Denmark after work, whereas you cannot for instance visit family or shop on your way.

You should note that other countries may have entry restrictions e.g. testing and isolation upon entry. You can consult the travel advice published by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information about other countries’ entry restrictions.

If you were previously infected with COVID-19 and are thus unable to present a negative test, instead of taking a test upon arrival or after entry, you must present documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result that is at least 14 days and no more than 12 weeks old.

If you previously have been infected with COVID-19, you are also exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement. This is on the condition that you are able to present documentation of a positive antigen or PCR test for COVID-19, which, at the time of entry into Denmark, is at least 14 days and no more than 12 weeks old.

If you are unable to present documentation of a positive test result in accordance with the above provisions, you must comply with the general rules.

The requirement for a test prior to entry (no more than 24 hours before entry) does not apply for children aged 12 or below. Children aged 12 or below are also exempt from the requirement for a test prior to boarding a flight to Denmark.

Children under the age of 15 are exempt from the requirement for a test upon arrival or after entry into Denmark, regardless of whether they are arriving by aircraft or entering via a sea or land border. As a general rule, this implies that all persons from the age 15 and onwards must undergo a COVID-19 test when entering Denmark. Children under the age of 15 may also obtain a test, but it is not a requirement.

Children under the age of 15 are also exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement. As a general rule, this means that all persons from the age 15 and onwards must also isolate when they enter Denmark from abroad.

Special rules apply for stipulated and agreed visitation. See more below.

Persons resident abroad who enter Denmark to exercise stipulated or agreed visitation with a child may temporarily break isolation to perform the visitation. This means that persons do not have to isolate if the visitation starts the moment they enter into Denmark. If these persons leave Denmark immediately after the visitation, they will not have to isolate after the visitation either. However, persons remaining in Denmark after the visitation must isolate.

It is also possible to travel from Denmark to the child’s home country or residence abroad to exercise stipulated or agreed visitation or to pick up the child for visitation in Denmark without having to isolate upon return to Denmark. The same applies in connection with entry into Denmark for persons who have accompanied the child back to the child’s home country after visitation in Denmark, or who have brought a child to visitation abroad.

Children who travel out of Denmark to exercise visitation in another country are exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement upon return to Denmark.

Children resident abroad who enter Denmark to exercise visitation are subject to slightly different rules. Children under 15 years old are generally exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement. Children between 15 and 17 years old are subject to the isolation requirement, but may temporarily interrupt the isolation to exercise visitation with family or persons in their network. This means that children between 15 and 17 years old do not have to isolate if the visitation starts the moment they enter into Denmark. If children between 15 and 17 years old leave Denmark to return home immediately after the visitation, they will not have to isolate after the visitation either. However, if children between 15 and 17 years old remain in Denmark after the visitation itself, they must isolate.

NB: New rules apply for the border regions from 17 February 2021. The adjustments are described below.

In addition to the other exemptions, special rules apply in relation to the requirement of test upon entry and the mandatory isolation requirement for the border regions (Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, and Blekinge, Scania, Halland and West Gothia County in Sweden).

You can read more about the applicable entry restrictions, including the mandatory negative COVID-19 test before entry. These rules apply in addition to the rules below specifically concerning test after entry and isolation.

Persons resident in the border regions

Persons resident in the border regions

Test requirement after entry:

Persons resident in the border regions are not required to obtain a test for COVID-19 within 24 hours of entering Denmark via a sea or land border, provided that the person can present documentation of a negative test result obtained by a rapid test (antigen) or a PCR test result which, at the time of entry, is no more than seven days72 hours old.

Isolation requirement:

Persons resident in the border regions who enter Denmark to conduct unpaid internship as part of a course of education in Denmark, drop off or pick up their child at an institution or school, accompany a child with a disability or visit a close acquaintance* in Denmark are exempted from mandatory isolation when performing one of the specific purposes. A person resident in the border regions may thus drop off their child at a school and go to work, but must subsequently isolate if the person remains in Denmark for other purposes.

Persons resident in the border regions may also be subject to the other exemptions from mandatory isolation. This may apply, for example, if the person works, delivers services or participate in a critical business meeting. Read more below under the relevant special groups of persons.

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit

Test requirement after entry:

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who enter Denmark after performing work, delivering services or visiting a close acquaintance in the border regions are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a test within 24 hours after entry via a land or sea border, provided that they can present documentation of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained as a rapid test (antigen test) or a PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old at the time of entry.

Isolation requirement:

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who enter Denmark after performing work or delivering services in the border region or after visiting a close acquaintance* in the border regionsare exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement, provided that at the request of police they can present documentation of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 that is no more than 72 hours old at the time of entry.

*The following groups of persons are covered by the term “close acquaintance”: Spouse, cohabitating partner, fiancé, romantic partner, child, stepchild, foster child, grandchild, step-grandchild, sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, foster parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, parent-in-law and child-in-law.

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who enter Denmark from abroad are exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement if they can document having entered Denmark more than six times within the past 30 days, as calculated from the time of entry.

This may be relevant, for example, in the case of persons who frequently commute to work abroad. It is required that you have entered Denmark more than six times: if you are unable to document that you have entered more than six times, you will be required to isolate after each entry until you can document having entered more than six times. Special rules apply for persons who work in the border regions. For more on these rules, see the section about the border regions.

Documentation may be in the form of flight, bridge, or ferry tickets, or other documentation such as time records or the like that establish that the person has entered Denmark as required for the exemption to apply.

There are no special rules regarding testing.

If you are resident in the border regions and enrolled in an educational institution under the supervision of the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science, you may enter Denmark to perform in an unpaid internship as part of a course of study at a Danish educational institution.

You must be able to present documentation of a negative rapid (antigen) or PCR test for COVID-19 that is no more than 72 hours old at the time of entry.

If you leave Denmark without undue delay after performing in the unpaid internship, you are not required to isolate. If, however, you remain in Denmark after performing in the unpaid internship, you are subject to the mandatory isolation requirement applying for persons entering Denmark from abroad.

Example: A nursing student resident in a border region, for example in Flensburg, who has an unpaid internship at Aabenraa Hospital as part of his or her studies at UC Syd is permitted to commute daily across the border to perform in the unpaid internship, provided that he or she can present a negative COVID-19 test result (rapid (antigen) or PCR test) which is no more than 72 hours old at the time of entry. The student in question may return home across the border if this is done without undue delay after the shift at the hospital comes to an end. If the student chooses to remain in Denmark until his or her next shift as an unpaid intern the following day, the student must isolate under the rules applying for persons entering Denmark from abroad. The student must therefore remain in isolation until the unpaid internship at the hospital the following day requires the student to temporarily break the isolation to perform this worthy purpose.

Persons who are a crew member of a train, bus, taxi or other commercial passenger transport that requires a permit under the Danish Taxi Act are exempt from the requirement to obtain a test no later than 24 hours after entry into Denmark via a sea or land border. This applies regardless of whether the person in question is a Danish citizen or foreigner.

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit are exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement if they enter Denmark after having performed work abroad as a crew member of a train, bus, taxi or other commercial passenger transport that requires a permit under the Danish Taxi Act. It is a requirement that these persons at the request of police are able to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19, which, at the time of entry, is no more than seven days old. In addition to the above requirement, crew members of ships, offshore workers and maritime technicians will also be permitted to present a rapid (antigen) test that is no more than seven days to be exempted form the isolation requirement.

Foreigners resident abroad will be required to isolate when not performing a function as a crew member of a train, bus, ship, taxi or other commercial passenger transport that requires a permit under the Danish Taxi Act. The isolation may be temporarily interrupted in order to attend and perform work, and the isolation requirement does not apply if the person leaves Denmark.

Persons who enter Denmark for the purpose of freight transport are exempt from the test requirement. This applies to both the requirement to present a negative test taken no later than 24 hours* before entry and the requirement to obtain a test in connection with entry. This applies both to persons who are and who are not resident in Denmark.

Persons who are not resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit are required to isolate when not performing freight transport work (the worthy purpose of entry).

Persons with Danish citizenship or foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who enter Denmark after completing freight transport abroad are exempt from the isolation requirement, provided they can present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 that is no more than seven days old at the time entry. If the person in question is unable to present a negative test that is no more than seven days old at the time of entry, that person will be subject to the mandatory isolation requirement.

Drivers may isolate in the vehicle used for freight transport. The isolation may be interrupted in connection with the performance of work, to use toilet and bath facilities in the immediate vicinity of the isolation site**, to purchase food and other necessities in the immediate vicinity of the isolation site**, and to relocate to a different isolation site**. No more than two persons may isolate in one vehicle.

Note that the regular mandatory rest period of at least 45 hours must still be observed in accordance with the driving and rest time regulations.

*Persons resident in the United Kingdom and South Africa are not exempted from test before entry.

**This requires that the driver concerned has chosen to isolated himself in his vehicle used for freight transport.

Persons who are a crew member of an aircraft are exempt from the requirement to obtain a rapid test (antigen test) when arriving by an aircraft.

Aircraft crew includes, for example, pilots and cabin crew. Aircraft crew includes both active and deadhead crew.

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who are a crew member of an aircraft are exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement if they can present a negative PCR test for COVID-19 which at the time of entry is no more than seven days old.

Foreign crew members of an aircraft who are not resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit, as well as crew members who are Danish citizens resident abroad, are only exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement while performing their work. This implies that they isolate without undue delay if they stay in Denmark after having entered Denmark as crew members of an aircraft.

The below rules apply for persons who enter or exit Denmark in connection with business meetings. Other business purposes may be subject to the rules outlined under “other special groups of persons”.

Persons resident abroad

There are no special rules regarding testing. Danish citizens resident abroad and foreigners who are not resident in Denmark or hold a Danish residence permit may – if they are permitted entry according to the applicable entry restrictions – temporarily break isolation to participate in a critical business meeting.

Persons resident in countries outside of Denmark

The isolation may only be interrupted as necessary in order to participate in the business meeting. After the end of the business meeting, the isolation must be resumed without undue delay unless the person leaves Denmark after the meeting without undue delay.

Documentation of participation in a business meeting can be provided in the form of a meeting invitation, for example.

Persons resident in Denmark

Danish citizens resident in Denmark and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who enter Denmark after business travel abroad are not, as a general rule, exempt from the test or isolation requirements. This means that persons who enter Denmark after business travel abroad must, as a general rule, obtain a test for COVID-19 and isolate for 10 days. However, certain persons may also be part of another special group of persons and thus exempt from the isolation requirement under those rules. Read more under the relevant special groups of persons.

Danish citizens resident in Denmark and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who perform particularly critical and urgent functions and who have had significant reasons for being abroad are subject to the mandatory isolation requirement, but they may temporarily interrupt the isolation if they must attend the workplace in person or travel abroad to perform especially critical and urgent functions.

This includes, for example, persons who are essential for maintaining critical infrastructure, authority functions or other societal functions, including utilities, the exercise of public authority and governance.

These groups of persons will thus be required to isolate after entry, but they may temporarily interrupt the isolation to perform an especially critical and urgent function if the travel abroad has been necessary and if their function requires their physical attendance in the workplace.

Note that these groups of persons may also be subject to other specific exemptions.

Danish citizens resident in Denmark and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who perform technical work or deliver services of a technical nature and who have had significant reasons for being abroad are subject to the mandatory isolation requirement, but may temporarily interrupt the isolation if they must attend the workplace in person or travel abroad on business to perform technical work or deliver services of a technical nature.

This includes, for example, persons who work as wind turbine technicians and food technicians or technical specialists who perform service or production of medical equipment or medicines, including pharmacists.

These persons will thus be required to isolate after entry, but they may temporarily interrupt the isolation to perform their function as a specialist if the travel abroad has been necessary and if their function requires their physical attendance in the workplace.

Danish citizens resident in Denmark and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit are exempt from the requirement to isolate after entry if they are crew members of a ship, offshore workers or maritime technicians.

This means, for example, that a Danish citizen resident in Denmark or a foreigner resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit who is a crew member of a ship, offshore worker or maritime technician who enters Denmark after having worked or performing a function of this nature abroad is not required to isolate if that person can document a negative rapid (antigen) test or PCR test for COVID-19 that is no more than seven days old at the time of entry into Denmark.

Danish citizens resident abroad and foreigners who are not resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit are subject to the mandatory isolation requirement after entering Denmark for the purpose of working on a Danish drilling platform. Offshore workers resident abroad may temporarily interrupt the isolation on a daily basis to perform their work. Outside of working hours they must resume the isolation.

Persons subject to the mandatory isolation requirement who enter Denmark from abroad in order to perform functions as crew member of a ship, offshore worker or maritime technician may break the isolation after obtaining a negative rapid test (antigen test) or PCR test taken no earlier than the fourth day after the time of entry into Denmark.

There are no special rules for diplomats regarding testing. As a general rule, this means that diplomats must obtain testing according to the rules for entry by aircraft or via sea and land borders.

There are certain exemptions from the mandatory isolation requirement:

Persons resident abroad

Diplomats, including holders of diplomatic passports, official passports or service passports, are covered by the mandatory isolation requirement upon entry, but they may temporarily interrupt the isolation if they are entering Denmark to perform tasks pursuant to their office.

Persons resident in Denmark

Danish citizens and foreigners resident in Denmark or holding a Danish residence permit are exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement if they enter Denmark on a diplomat passport, official passport or service passport, or otherwise have performed a function abroad as an envoy of state. 

Learn more about applicable entry restrictions, comprising requirements to a negative covid-19 test prior to your entry:

For persons with registered address in the border region (in danish)

For persons with permanent Danish address, with Danish citizenship, or with residence permit (in danish)

These rules apply in addition to the following which is solely about the rules related to requirement of test upon arrival or after entry as well as requirements to isolation.

Test requirement upon arrival in or after entry into Denmark

According to the new rules applicable for persons arriving in Denmark from abroad, they shall as a general rule take a test upon arrival or after entry. Persons arriving by plane must, as a general rule, take a rapid test (antigen test)at the airport, whereas passengers entering Denmark via sea or land border must take a rapid test (antigen test)or a PCR test no later than 24 hours after their entry into Denmark. These requirements also apply to professional athletes and their essential operational or support staff.

Isolation requirement for persons resident in Denmark

As a general rule, persons entering Denmark from abroad must, without undue delay, self-isolate for a period of 10 days and, as a general rule, they must not leave their accommodation before the expiry of this period. There are, however, a number of exemptions from this requirement which, for instance, permit the temporary interruption of the isolation for the purposes of attending to certain duties performed by Danish citizens and foreigners resident in or holding a residence permit to Denmark..

Elite sportspersons and essential operational or support staff, such as e.g. a coach or physiotherapist, who enter Denmark after having participated in a championship, a competition, or similar abroad shall be entitled to temporarily interrupt their isolation period if they will be attending championships, competitions or the similar in Denmark or abroad.

This apply for instance when they attend a match as an element in national or international championships, comprising training activities relating to their participation in a national or international championship, competition or the similar in Denmark or abroad. This does not applyif the professional athletes and essential operational or support staff enter Denmark after having participated in training camps and other activities abroad.

Following the temporary interruption of isolation, professional athletes and essential operational or support staff shall, without undue delay, resume isolation. A isolation site may be a private home or another suitable facility. In the event that professional athletes and essential operational or support staff for instance self-isolate at a Danish hotel, it will be possible for teammates, coaches, staff, etc. to self-isolate by more persons sharing the same room.

The mandatory isolation may be prematurely broken after obtaining a negative PCR test taken no earlier than the fourth day after entry into Denmark.

Isolation requirement for persons resident abroad

As a general rule, persons entering into Denmark from abroad shall upon entry and without undue delay isolate at a isolation site for 10 days and, as a general rule, he or she is not be permitted to leave the quarantine accommodation before the expiry of this period. There are, however, a number of exceptions to this rule which for instance facilitates the temporary interruption of the isolation for persons with permanent residence abroad having entered into Denmark to provide a service.

With respect to championship matches, competitions or similar to take place in Denmark and to be attended by professional athletes and essential operational or support staff without permanent residence in Denmark,

Professional athletes and essential operational or support staff participating in championships, competitions or similar are considered as a a service provided for e.g. an organiser of a match, a tv station or the similar.

This means that for instance foreign national and club teams shall be entitled to the temporary interruption of their isolation for the purpose of participating in matches against Danish national teams and clubs in championships, competitions and similar, comprising training activities linked with their participation in a championship, competition or similar, that take place in Denmark. This shall not, however, apply to other training activities or the participation in friendly matches and practice matches, training camps, and other activities taking place in Denmark.

After participation in championship matches, competitions and the similar taking place in Denmark, professional athletes and essential operational or support staff shall, without undue delay, resume isolation at the isolation site. In the event that professional athletes and essential operational or support staff for instance isolate at a Danish hotel, it will be possible for teammates, coaches, staff, etc. to isolate by more persons sharing the same room.

The mandatory isolation may be prematurely broken after obtaining a negative PCR test taken no earlier than the fourth day after entry into Denmark.

If you are a mobile workers traveling to Denmark, you may temporarily interrupt the isolation to perform your work as an employee, employer or self-employed person. Outside of working hours, you must remain in isolation. You are also subject to the test requirements before and upon arrival and after entry.

Mobile workers are workers who cross the border into Denmark in order to work and possibly to live temporarily in Denmark. This applies no matter the duration of stay and the nature of the work. 

If you employ mobile workers traveling to Denmark as an employer, there is a special requirement that, as employer, you must ensure that your employees are PCR tested for COVID-19 no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 96 hours after the employee in question tested negative for COVID-19 before entering Denmark. Similarly, as an employer or self-employed person without employees entering Denmark to work, you must obtain a PCR test for COVID-19 no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 96 hours after you tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entering Denmark. The Danish Working Environment Authority is authorised to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with these rules.

Persons who obtained a negative test for COVID-19 in accordance with the rules in “Bekendtgørelse om pligt til at sikre covid-19-test af tilrejsende arbejdskraft efter indrejse i Danmark” (“Executive order on the the legal requirement to ensure COVID-19 testing of mobile workers after entry into Denmark”) are not subject to the mandatory isolation requirement when the test has been obtained in accordance with the executive order.

Executive order on the the legal requirement to ensure COVID-19 testing of mobile workers after entry into Denmark (retsinformation.dk)

This entails, that when you are a mobile workers traveling to Denmark, you are required to isolate, but you can interrupt the isolation after having obtained a negative PCR test taken no earlier than 48 hours and no later than 96 hours after you tested negative for COVID-19 before entry into Denmark.

 You can read more about the rules and requirements in connection with inspections at the website of the:

Danish Working Environment Authority

No.

If you test positive in the airport, you will be guided via an exit to a PCR testing facility at the airport, where an additional PCR test will be administered to determine whether you are infected with a particular virus variant.

After this additional PCR test is taken, you will be offered transport by the test supplier to your isolation facility. Many people choose to isolate in their own home, but if you are unable to maintain a sufficient distance from others in your household, for example because your home is very small or members of your household are at increased risk of serious illness if they are infected with COVID-19, you may be referred by your municipality to a voluntary isolation stay outside your home.

Stays at a municipal isolation facility are available through referral by the municipality. Call your municipality for more information about your options, or read more on your municipality’s website. If you do not live in Denmark, you can contact the municipality in which you are staying to learn more about the options for referral to a voluntary isolation facility.

Persons who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival or after entry into Denmark must isolate even if they belong to one of the groups of persons who would otherwise be exempt from mandatory isolation. If you have a positive test for COVID-19, you will also be barred from temporarily breaking your isolation even if it is for a worthy purpose. However, you may break your isolation to seek necessary treatment in the health service, including in connection with testing. When breaking your isolation to seek treatment, you should observe the applicable recommendations to limit the spread of infection.

Read more about the general guidelines on:

The website of the Danish Health Authority (sst.dk)

Special rules apply for air passengers who are only travelling via Denmark in transit. Special rules also apply for persons who enter from Sweden after having been in transit through Sweden to or from Bornholm without stopping in Sweden, and for persons who enter Denmark via a sea or land border and subsequently leave Denmark within 24 hours.

The rules below are specifically referring to the mandatory test requirement upon arrival or after entry into Denmark. Please note that a requirement for test before entry may apply. Read more here:

For personer med dansk bopæl eller med dansk statsborgerskab eller med opholdstilladelse (coronasmitte.dk)

For personer med bopæl i udlandet (coronasmitte.dk)

Transit in airports

The testing requirement for persons arriving in Denmark from abroad by aircraft do not apply for persons who are only travelling via Denmark in transit, and who stay within the transit areas in the relevant airport. This implies that persons travelling via Denmark in transit with the purpose of travelling to a country abroad are exempted from the test requirement in the airport. Persons, for example, travelling from abroad to Copenhagen Airport with the final destination in Aalborg Airport must be tested in Copenhagen Airport.

Transit via sea or land borders

Persons entering Denmark from abroad via a sea or land border are not subject to the requirement to obtain a test within 24 hours after entry if they leave Denmark within 24 hours.

Transit through Sweden to or from Bornholm

Persons entering Denmark from Sweden after having been in transit through Sweden to or from Bornholm and without stopping in Sweden are not subject to the requirement to obtain a test within 24 hours after entry via a sea or land border and they are also exempt from the mandatory isolation requirement.

Also note that Sweden may have rules which, for example, require testing when entering Sweden from Denmark. You should refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark’s travel advice for Sweden before you travel.

The requirements for testing upon arrival and after entry and mandatory isolation apply from Sunday, 7 February at 00:00 and provisionally until 5 April 2021. Please be aware that the rules can continually be adjusted. If you are planning to travel to Denmark from abroad, please always keep yourself updated on the newest rules.

Persons traveling from Greenland and the Faroe Islands to Denmark are not subject to requirements for testing and isolation after entry.

Violation of the mandatory testing and isolation rules is punishable by fine.

You may be fined if you violate the requirement to obtain a test, and, if asked, you must provide the necessary information to personnel administering the test.

You may also be fined for violating the requirement that, as a person entering Denmark, you must, without undue delay, isolate at an isolation site for 10 days and may not leave the isolation site before the end of the 10-day period.

The fine will generally be levied in the amount of DKK 3,500 for first-time offences and may increase in the event of repeat offences.

In order to be entitled to sickness benefit, it is a condition that you are unable to work due to your own illness.

If you are in isolation only because of your entry into Denmark, you will not be entitled to sickness benefit. This is because, in such a situation, you are not considered unable to work due to your own illness.

If your employer pays you wages while you are in isolation due to entry into Denmark, your employer will be entitled to reimbursement under the special COVID-19 provision under section 53b(2) of the Danish Sickness Benefits Act.

The Danish Sickness Benefits Act (retsinformation.dk)

This requires that you meet the conditions of the Sickness Benefits Act for entitlement to sickness benefit, with the exception of the requirement for inability to work because of your own illness, and that you are unable to work from home.

If you are in isolation because you have been diagnosed as infected with COVID-19, you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you are a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19, you will be entitled to sickness benefit if you are unable to work from home and meet the other conditions of the Sickness Benefits Act. This is because, in such a situation, you meet the condition of being unable to work due to your own illness.

If your employer pays you wages while you are in isolation due to infection with COVID-19, you have symptoms of COVID-19, or you are a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19, your employer will be entitled to reimbursement under the special COVID-19 provision under section 53b(1) of the Danish Sickness Benefits Act. This requires that you meet the other conditions for entitlement to sickness benefit, and that you are unable to work from home.

No, you are neither exempt from the requirement to be tested upon your entry into Denmark nor from the isolation requirement.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be exempt from the requirements according to the rules for special groups of persons. If you live in Denmark and enter Denmark after the completion of your work performance, the delivery of your service, or if you have visited a close acquaintancein the border region, provided that you can present a negative test which, at the time of entry, is no more than 72 hours’ old. Read more in the “special groups of persons” section of this FAQ.

Persons vaccinated for COVID-19 must comply with the same test and isolation requirement as other travelers.

You can use public transport to get to your isolation site e.g. own home. You must wear a facemask or visor during transport if you use public transport to get to your isolations site, and you should take care to comply with the general recommendations to prevent the spread of infection, including the recommendation on physical distancing from others. Furthermore, you should not make use of public transport if you are ill or assume that you are infected.

If you test positive in the airport, you will be offered transport to your isolation site. The specifics of this service will vary from airport to airport.

Persons with a Danish civil registration number (CPR) or administrative CPR number can collect and print test results at sundhed.dk.

Persons without a Danish CPR number and NemID, who needs to prove that they are PCR tested, can use covidresults.dk.

Before testing is possible, creation of a profile on covidresults.dk is required. Afterwards, testing can be conducted at a mobile or permanent test station where you show the “Foreigner ID”–a unique ID number—provided by covidresults.dk. You can show up without an appointment. Subsequently, you can collect and print proof of vaccination on the website.

Link to instructions on how to use covidresults.dk:

Documentation for COVID-19 test for those without NemID (pdf)