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Copenhagen Basics

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Time

Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style, round, two-pin plugs are standard.

Money: Danish currency is the Krone (DKK), made up of 100 øre. ATMs are liberally sprinkled throughout the country, and all major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are welcome at banks and hotels, and most restaurants and shops. Most banks are not open at weekends, however Copenhagen has several bureaux de change which stay open late at night, seven days a week.


Currency Exchange Rates
DKK 1.00 = A$ 0.24 C$ 0.20 IRR 1.70 NZ$ 0.28 £ 0.11 US$ 0.19 R 1.57

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: Danish is the official language, but English is understood and widely used.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British nationals must have a passport. No visa is required for stays of up to three months if the passport is endorsed British Citizen or British Dependent Territory citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen or British National (Overseas) issued Hong Kong, or 'holder has the right of abode in the UK', or 'holder is entitled to re-admission to the UK'. In all other cases, a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a valid passport. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a valid passport. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens must hold a valid passport and require a Schengen visa for entry to Denmark.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a valid passport. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.
Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand citizens must have a passport. No visa is required for stays of up to three months.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors must hold tickets and documents for return or onward travel. Visitors should also have at least US$30 per day to fund their visit, unless a Danish citizen meets them at the airport and officially vouches for them. Denmark is a signatory to the Schengen agreement, which also includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.

Health: There are no specific health risks in Denmark, and medical facilities are first class. There is a small risk of tick-borne encephalitis in forested or rural areas during summer, and insect protection is advised. Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed in wild birds, but the risk to travellers is very low. Precautions such as avoiding close contact with live birds, and ensuring that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked should be taken. Free emergency treatment is available to all foreign visitors at public hospitals, and due to a reciprocal health agreement UK passport holders receive free medical and hospital treatment. To make use of this service, UK national should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Tipping: Restaurant and hotel bills are inclusive of service charges, as are taxi fares. Porters usually expect a tip of about kr 5 per item of baggage. Tipping bathroom attendants is customary, usually around kr 1 or 2.

Safety: Most visits to Denmark are trouble-free, and crime levels are low. During the tourist season, however, muggers, pickpockets and bag-snatchers become active especially in crowded areas and on the train station in Copenhagen. Visitors should take precautions to keep personal belongings safe.

Business: Business in Denmark tends to be conducted in a straightforward manner, though somewhat less formally than in other parts of Europe. Greetings are with a handshake (greet women first) and introductions are usually made using one's first name. Business cards are exchanged before or after the meeting. Punctuality is vital and if running even five minutes late be sure to call and apologise. Danes tend to be open-minded and friendly and one can expect some small talk at the start of a meeting on a range of topics. Dress should be smart and neat, without being ostentatious, and can be more casual than in most countries. English is widely spoken and understood. Business hours are usually 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Communications: The international country code for Denmark is +45. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are no city codes and all phones are eight digits. There are several GSM mobile telephone networks, which have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies. Public phones are widely available for both local and international calls and accept coins and prepaid cards. Internet cafes are available in most urban areas.

Duty free: Travellers to Denmark over 16 years arriving from the EU do not have to pay customs duty on 800 cigarettes, or 400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 1kg of tobacco; 10 litres of spirits with alcohol content exceeding 22%, or 20 litres of alcoholic beverages with alcohol content less than 22%, or 90 litres wine or 60 litres of sparkling wine, or 110 litres of beer. Travellers arriving from non-EU countries can enter with the following items for duty-free purposes: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre of spirits with alcohol content above 22%, or 2 litres of dessert wine not exceeding 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres of table wine; and 50g perfume or 250ml eau de toilette. Other items up to the value of kr 1,350 are permitted provided they are for non-commercial use. Fresh food items are strictly prohibited. Drugs have to accompany a doctor's prescription and firearms and ammunition will only be cleared if accompanied by an authorization from the relevant authorities in the traveller's home country.