Denmark Travel Advice: Is It Safe to Come Here?
Denmark is considered one of the happiest countries in the world. Is it safe to travel to Denmark right now, though? If you browse through the online travel advisories of several countries, including the US, the UK, and Canada, you’ll find similar warnings: Terrorism has reached an all-time high in Denmark; once you enter Denmark, you must stay aware of your surroundings, etc. Is all of that true, though? Are your personal belongings really at risk in public areas in Denmark? Will visiting the Kingdom of Denmark truly jeopardize your personal safety and security? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and more. Let’s go.
Is There a Threat of Terrorism in Denmark?
The sad answer is, yes, there is a high threat of terrorist activities in Denmark. On a scale of 1 to 5, Denmark sits on a pretty 4 in terms of the risk of terrorism. How does this affect you, the tourist or visitor? Terrorist groups may not be targeting you in particular, but they may target public places such as hotel lobbies, museums, markets, and other areas where tourists usually visit.
Threat of Terrorism in Greenland and the Faroe Islands
Although Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of Denmark, they are generally a bit safer. If you hold your bag tightly to your chest in Denmark, you can hang it on your shoulder in the Faroe Islands or Greenland.
Is Denmark Prone to Natural Disasters?
Sadly, yes, Denmark is prone to natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding. Such natural disasters usually compel inhabitants of affected areas to evacuate their homes, resulting in the abandonment and destruction of properties that these people worked so hard to acquire and build. For instance, in 2023, small pressure storms hit residential areas in Denmark, causing flooding and damaging properties.
Climate change has further increased the vulnerability of Denmark to these disasters. Based on the historical pattern of the occurrence of floods and hurricanes in the country, it’s presumed that Denmark is most susceptible to these disasters during the autumn and winter months. There’s no way of knowing for sure that if you come to Denmark in spring or summer, you won’t witness or be affected by a storm surge. However, to reduce your risk of suffering from such unfortunate events, it’s advisable to visit Denmark between March and August.
Denmark Travel Advice for Your Safety and Security
Are you planning to travel to this country anytime soon? You may want to keep these pieces of advice in mind.
General Advice
- Secure your passport throughout your stay here. Ensure it’s kept in a safe place.
- Don’t cover your face in public. If you do, you may have to pay heavy fines.
- Make sure that your travel insurance covers situations, like medical evacuations, when you may need to be rescued from natural disasters.
- Monitor local news to stay up-to-date with the current happenings in Denmark.
- If you notice anything suspicious, contact the nearest Danish authorities to report your observations.
Taking Photos in Copenhagen
Don’t take photos in Freetown Christiania, Copenhagen. Taking photos is not illegal, but it’ll get you in trouble with the men that run the streets. It doesn’t matter if your decision to travel was influenced by the rumored high rate of crime in Copenhagen. If you take photos in Christiania, you may be targeted by robbers and pickpockets who’ll most likely accomplish their mission. The local authorities won’t save you.
Maintaining Good Health
Talk to a health care professional before traveling to make sure that you won’t be susceptible to certain diseases for which vaccines are available. These illnesses include the flu, polio, tetanus, measles, yellow fever, and COVID-19. Make sure to receive the necessary vaccinations against diseases before leaving your home country.
Carrying Valid Travel Documents
If your country is on the list of nations without a visa requirement, make sure that you have a valid passport or any other valid means of identifying yourself. You may not be allowed to enter or leave Denmark if you can’t present this document upon request. Citizens of every country in the Schengen Area may travel to Denmark without a visa or passport, but it’s still recommended to have your passport handy.
Stamping Your Passport at Points of Entry and Exit
Present your passport for stamping at your points of entry and exit. This will help you keep track of how many days you’ve spent in Denmark within a 180-day period and save you from being thrown out. For context, you’re not allowed to stay in Denmark for more than 90 days in total in any 180-day period as a tourist.
Bringing Hard Drugs into Denmark
If you bring into Denmark any banned drugs or psychotropics, you may be arrested, charged, and sentenced just like any local. The Danish government has fixed harsh prison sentences for those who are involved in the possession, use, or trafficking of drugs containing euphoric substances. If you do need any of the prohibited substances for medical reasons, you must provide proof of the fact that the medication was prescribed for you by qualified medical personnel.
Is It Safe to Travel to Denmark Right Now? Final Thoughts
Denmark is a popular destination, but you should stay updated on the latest Denmark travel advisory. Since every country or territory decides who can enter, entry requirements and entry restrictions can change quickly. If you’re traveling from a non-EU country, Denmark’s entry rules follow Schengen protocols. Make sure you meet entry or transit conditions if visiting another Schengen country.
Be aware of health risks. Practice safe sex while you’re here and consult a travel health professional before you leave for any necessary precautions.
Remember, protests around Copenhagen can turn violent despite starting peacefully, so situational awareness is important. If needed, consular services are available through embassies and the Emergency Watch and Response Centre. These services are essential in emergencies, like securing an emergency travel document or the return of your child.
Finally, sign up to receive alerts about travel changes. Have a good grasp of information about border controls and consular services. Travel advice and advisories are provided on a basis without warranty since rules can change rapidly, so always stay informed.
