Do you need ETIAS for Denmark?
Denmark blends a famously liveable capital in Copenhagen with family favourites like Legoland and easy links across Scandinavia. Once ETIAS is live, eligible visa-exempt visitors will need an approved authorisation before they travel.
In brief
ETIAS at a glance
- Status
- Not live yet
- Expected launch
- Last quarter of 2026
- Applications open
- Not yet
- Official fee
- Expected €20
- Validity
- 3 years or until passport expiry
- Stay limit
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Official application route
- Official EU ETIAS website / app when live
- Private help
- ETIAS Pro may offer optional support when applications open
Denmark at a glance for ETIAS
- Copenhagen city breaks and Tivoli Gardens
- design, food and harbour-front trips
- Legoland and family holidays in Billund
- the Øresund crossing to Sweden
- cruises and Baltic itineraries from Copenhagen
Personalised check
What does ETIAS mean for your Denmark trip?
ETIAS will likely apply to your trip
With ETIAS expected to be mandatory for visa-exempt travellers from 2027 onwards, plan to apply through the official EU system before you travel.
- €20
- Fee
- 3 yrs
- Valid
- 90/180
- Stay limit
Guidance only, not an application. Always confirm on the official EU ETIAS website.
Is Denmark part of ETIAS?
Yes. Denmark is a Schengen country and is fully inside the ETIAS scheme. The same rules apply to Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Billund, whether you fly in, arrive by ferry or cross the Øresund bridge from Sweden.
Copenhagen, Legoland and crossing to Sweden
Denmark suits both a stylish city weekend in Copenhagen and a family trip to Legoland in Billund, and ETIAS applies to both. Many visitors also pair Denmark with Sweden using the Øresund crossing, or start a Baltic cruise from Copenhagen. Sweden is in the same area, so one ETIAS covers the hop across the bridge, and a single authorisation also covers the Schengen ports a cruise calls at, with the time ashore counting toward your shared allowance.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS for Denmark?
Yes, UK passport holders are expected to need ETIAS for Denmark once the system becomes mandatory. That covers Copenhagen city breaks, Legoland family trips and Scandinavian tours, as long as each stay sits within 90 days in any 180-day period.
Do US citizens need ETIAS for Denmark?
Yes. Americans are visa-exempt for short stays in Denmark and are expected to need ETIAS once it is mandatory. Longer stays for work or study still need the appropriate Danish visa or residence permit.
Do Canadian and Australian citizens need ETIAS for Denmark?
Yes, Canadian and Australian passport holders are also expected to need ETIAS for Denmark once the system goes live, on the same basis as UK and US travellers.
How long can you stay in Denmark on ETIAS?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, with ETIAS itself expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until your passport expires. Days in Denmark count toward the same Schengen total as days in Sweden, Germany or Norway.
When should you apply for ETIAS for Denmark?
Once ETIAS launches, apply a few days before you travel to allow for any checks. The official fee is expected to be €20.
EES and the border
Separately from ETIAS, the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is already live at external Schengen borders. It records non-EU travellers’ entries and exits with a facial image and fingerprints instead of a passport stamp, and there is nothing to apply for. See EES explained and what to expect from EES delays.
Travelling to Denmark? Read by nationality
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Common questions
What is the 90/180-day Schengen rule?
ETIAS-eligible travellers can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day window. ETIAS does not extend that limit; it only authorises short stays within the existing rules.
How long will ETIAS last?
An approved ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to 3 years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. It allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period within ETIAS countries.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The official ETIAS fee is expected to be €20. Travellers under 18 and over 70 are expected to be exempt from the fee, though they will still need an ETIAS. Private services may charge a separate, optional service fee for help with the application.
Is ETIAS a visa?
Technically no. ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa. Many travellers search for “ETIAS visa” or “Europe visa waiver”. The closest comparison is the US ESTA system. You still need a valid passport, and ETIAS does not guarantee entry: border officers always make the final decision.
Can I apply directly through the EU?
Yes. When the official ETIAS system opens, every traveller will be able to apply directly through the official EU website or app at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias. Using a private service is always optional.