How to Apply for a Denmark Schengen Visa for UK Residents

Denmark Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

In early 2020, Denmark joined its Schengen country neighbours in closing its borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has since re-opened its borders to allow travel, but with restrictions that depend on your country of origin.

Denmark has adopted their own national classification of coronavirus risk areas. The country’s travel restrictions are not based on the “EU Traffic Lights” scheme.

Under Danish travel restrictions, countries and regions are classified into 3 categories: “yellow”, “orange” and “red”. These classifications are updated on a weekly basis according to their epidemiological situation so it is best to check often if you wish to travel to Denmark to know which classification the UK belongs to and what restrictions apply.

Currently, travellers from “yellow” countries do not need to demonstrate a “worthy purpose” to travel to Denmark and are not subject to the quarantine requirement.

Foreign residents abroad and travelling from “orange” or “red” countries, however, must demonstrate a “worthy purpose” to enter the country and are also required to complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine, even if they are able to provide a negative COVID test result before entry, upon arrival and after entry into Denmark. This applies regardless of what type of test result is presented (i.e. rapid or antigen test or a PCR test), and regardless of whether you are a Danish or foreign citizen.

There may also be different or additional entry requirements or restrictions for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, so make sure to check what the current requirements and restrictions are if you are planning a trip to either of these territories.

Remember, these procedures and guidelines may update at any time, so you should check on the latest news regarding restrictions, quarantine requirements, or whether a test will be required, either from reliable news sources, the Danish government website, or the UK government website one to two weeks before your trip.

Denmark Regular Entry Requirements

Who needs a visa to travel to Denmark from the UK?

Travelling to Denmark for EU/EEA Citizens

Denmark is a Schengen country, which allows for free movement between the 26 EU and EFTA states (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland). A uniform Schengen visa issued by one of the Schengen states is valid for travel within the whole Schengen area.

Travelling to Denmark Post-Brexit for UK Citizens

The rules for travelling or working in European countries changed on 1 January 2021:

• you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
• if you are travelling to Denmark and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days
• for long-stay visits, to work or study, for business or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Danish government’s entry requirements.
• if you stay in Denmark with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit

At Danish border control, you may need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. You may also need to:

• show a return or onward ticket
• show you have enough money for your stay

There are separate requirements for those who are residents of Denmark. If you are resident in Denmark, you should carry proof of residence as well as your valid passport when you travel. You should also check your passport’s validity when you travel and renew it if you don’t have enough time on it. Your passport must be:

• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave Denmark or any other Schengen country
• less than 10 years old

Travelling to Denmark Post Brexit for Other Third Country Citizens

Citizens of the following countries residing in the UK and planning to visit Denmark are required to get a Danish visa in order to be able to enter Denmark.

The main requirement is that you must have a UK residence permit valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Denmark/the Schengen Area.

Before starting a visa application, or getting a flight to Denmark, make sure to check whether you need a visa to Denmark or not.

If you have a 3-month UK visa you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a Danish Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK.

What are the requirements for an extension of a Leave to Remain?

Travelling to Denmark Post-Brexit

Find out other things that changed during the Brexit transition in our article: Brexit Reminder: Things that will change in 2021.

Should you apply for a Schengen visa at a Danish embassy?

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Embassy of Denmark in London

Steps to Applying for a Denmark Schengen Visa from the UK

Step 1: Know Your Visa Type and Validity

To apply for a Schengen visa to Denmark in the UK, you first need to know the type of visa you require and how long the visa will need to be valid. There are 2 types of visa that you can apply for and the one you need will depend on the duration of your trip and your reason for travelling to Latvia:

1. Short-stay (Schengen) Visa – valid for up to 90 days (in a 180-day period) for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family/friends, conference, EEA/EU national family member
2. Residence and work permits (Long stays) – you should apply for this kind of visa if you want to live in Latvia for more than 90 days for employment, family reunification, study, research etc.

You will then be issued either a single entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa for up to 5 years based on the information you provide in your visa application.

It is important to choose the correct Schengen visa type to apply for depending on your trip so that you have the best chance of having your application approved. Find out more about the different types of Schengen visas in our blog post: Schengen Visa Types – All You Should Know When Applying for a Schengen Visa.

Step 2: Identify where to make the application and book an appointment

The Embassy of Denmark has appointed VF Services (UK) Ltd. as its outsourced partner for acceptance and processing of its visa applications. All visa applications will be accepted and processed by VF Services (UK) Ltd. through its dedicated Denmark Visa Application Centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

It is necessary to book an appointment for an interview at the VFS centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, and you may have to wait several weeks for an available appointment slot for an interview.

The service focuses on delivering visas within a short time (15 days calculated from the date the Embassy receives the application). Please note that for applications handed in in Manchester or Edinburgh this date is usually 3-4 working days after the application date. Applications handed in in London are usually received at the Embassy the next working day.

VFS, the Embassy's outsourcing partner, accepts visa applications for business/conference visits and from family members of EU/EEA nationals at all three centres without an appointment Monday – Friday 8.30 – 12.00. Please note that all applications submitted at the visa centre will incur a mandatory service charge (currently £25.69 – subject to change).

Step 3: Complete your application form

The Schengen Visa application form contains questions about you including:

• Name and surname
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Sex and marital status
• National Identity number
• Passport number
• Home address and email
• Purpose of trip
• Question regarding previous trips to Schengen, if any
• Intended date of arrival in Schengen area you are visiting, and the intended period of stay
• Cost of traveling and remaining in Schengen area you are visiting, who will cover them, etc.

Make sure your answers are correct and that they comply with the information in the rest of the documents. Complete the form, print it twice, and sign both copies at the end.

Find out more about how to complete a Schengen visa application form in this blog post.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a visa to Denmark in the UK:

• A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure:
  • Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,
  • Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,
  • Your passport will be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.
• A valid UK residence permit or another form of Identity Card.
• The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)
• The UK residence permit must be valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Denmark.
• One Danish Schengen Visa application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant.
• One recently taken passport format photo with a blank background and where all your facial features are clear, which must be glued to the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected.
• A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to Denmark
• Biometric data (Applies only if you haven’t provided biometric data within the last 59 months):
• Fingerprints – This requirement only applies if you haven’t provided biometric data within the last 59 months.
  Note: Children under the age of 12 are exempted from providing fingerprints.
• A copy of the passport bio page where the photo is included.
• Proof of travel arrangements:
  • Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport
  • A complete itinerary of your visit to Denmark (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).
• Travel Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation not just in Denmark but in the whole Schengen zone (minimum coverage of € 30,000).
• Holders of diplomatic passports and family members of EU/EEA citizens are exempted from providing proof of travel medical insurance
• Proof of accommodation in Denmark:
  • Evidence of a hotel booking or rental agreement, or
  • Invitation from your Danish host (family member, friend) with a copy of their passport
• Proof of financial subsistence: Proof of financial subsistence:
  • Original recent Bank Statement (covering the last 3 calendar months. The last transaction must be no more than 1 month old)
  • £60.00 per person per day if you are staying in a hotel.
  • £40.00 per person per day if you are staying in a hostel or similar.
  • £20.00 per person per day if you are staying with family or friends (even when your host has confirmed that he/she will be covering your expenses) plus funds for a return ticket to your country of residence.
  • Traveller’s Cheques
    Note: Cash is not considered proof of financial subsistence.
• Certificate of criminal record of the home country– showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement
• Proof of paid Denmark visa fee.

Note: Photocopies of the original documents should also be submitted and documents should not be more than one month old.

The documents listed above are documents required in all cases, regardless of the purpose of your visit in Denmark.

Depending on your employment status, here is a list of additional documents that are required for your visa application:

For employees:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Leave permission from the employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

For the self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

For foreign students in the UK:

• Proof of enrollment
• No-objection certificate from school or university

For retirees:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If unemployed and married to an EU citizen:

• A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer stating the position held within the company as well as the starting date,
• Spouse’s valid passport
• An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation must be in English or Danish and must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in UK.

Requirements for children under the age of 18:

Parents or an adult guardian are required to accompany their underage children at the application centre at the Embassy of Denmark in London. Also, minors who are granted a Danish visa are not allowed to travel to Denmark by themselves. They should be accompanied by an adult during their stay in Denmark.

Required documents for visa application for underage children:

• Birth certificate
• Denmark Schengen Visa application form should be signed by both parents.
• Family court order, in cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
• Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents
• A notarized parental authorization to travel to Denmark, signed by both parents / guardians, if the minor will be travelling alone with another person.

All documents provided should be legalized and be in the following languages:

• English
• Danish

Step 5: Attend your appointment

On the day of the interview, show up at the appointment centre on time (embassy or consulate). Remember that if you are late even for a few minutes, then they will probably cancel your appointment. Try wearing something a bit more official, but comfortable.

The Denmark visa interview takes around 10 minutes to complete. During this interview, the consular officer will ask you several questions about you and your intended trip. You will also be submitting the required documents throughout the meeting, to the interviewer.

After the verification of your application, the application form information will be entered into the online system of the consulate or embassy and you will receive a printed copy of your application, which process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After you get the printed form, please make sure to verify all the details are correct and sign the form.

Underage applicants must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

Denmark Schengen Visa Fees for UK Residents