From midnight between 13 and 14 May, the following new rules will enter into force:
- The incidence threshold for opening/closing yellow and orange countries/regions in the EU/Schengen area is being raised from the previous 20/30 to 50/60 (100,000/7 days). This means that the thresholds for countries and regions being categorised as ‘yellow’ are being relaxed, after which more travellers can be exempted from having to self-isolate after entering Denmark. The country and region colours as a result of the new incidence threshold will be published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark on Friday afternoon, and will apply from Saturday at 16:00.
- The requirement for people entering Denmark to have a worthy purpose for their visit is being discontinued for all foreigners residing in orange EU and Schengen countries. This means that tourists from EU and Schengen countries, among others, will be able to enter Denmark. They will still be subject to post-entry testing and isolation requirements unless they are vaccinated or have been previously infected. The isolation requirement will lapse on 26 June (phase 4) for persons entering Denmark from orange EU and Schengen countries.
- The requirement for pre-boarding tests on flights from yellow countries and regions is being discontinued. This means that people travelling from a yellow country or region in the EU and Schengen area do not have to present a negative test in order to board the flight home. However, they are still required to have a test on arrival at the airport in Denmark.
In addition, a number of new rules of a more specific nature will enter into force on 14 May:
New rules for pregnant/breastfeeding women and Danish expats
An exception to the requirement to self-isolate on entering Denmark is being introduced for pregnant and breastfeeding women who are travelling with their vaccinated partner/spouse. The partner/spouse must meet the requirements for being considered fully vaccinated.
Danish expats who can document that they have completed a course of vaccination with an EMA-approved vaccine in a country outside the EU/Schengen area (third countries) are treated in the same way as fully vaccinated EU and Schengen area citizens with regard to travel restrictions. This means that they are not required to be tested or self-isolate on arrival in Denmark.
New rules for border regions – tourists exempt from isolation and simplification of testing requirements
A number of special rules apply for border regions (i.e. Schleswig-Holstein, southern Sweden (the counties of Blekinge and Skåne) and western Sweden (the counties of Halland and Västra Götaland).
With phase 3, people – including tourists – entering Denmark from a border region are no longer required to self-isolate post-entry. In other words, people who have a permanent address in, for example, Schleswig-Holstein, can visit their holiday cottage in Denmark without having to self-isolate.
Moreover, people who have a permanent address in a border region will in future have to present a negative COVID-19 test that has been taken no more than 72 hours before their time of entry into Denmark. Today, different limits apply (48 and 72 hours, respectively), but the requirement will now be the same for everyone with a permanent address in a border region.
Simplification of rules
To make things clearer for travellers, some of the rules are being simplified:
- Exceptions applicable to children are being simplified so that children under the age of 15 years – who are currently exempt from the requirement for post-entry testing – also no longer need to be tested before boarding a flight to and entering Denmark.
- Exemptions for previously infected people are being simplified so they comply with the latest recommendation from the health authorities that the exemption should apply from 14 to 180 days after a positive PCR test. A rapid test/antigen test can no longer be used as evidence of having been previously infected.
- Previously infected people are now being treated in the same way as fully vaccinated people, and cannot enter Denmark from red countries without having to self-isolate after entering Denmark.
Other revisions
- Efforts are currently being made to increase testing capacity at airports to handle the growing number of travellers while minimising the risk of importing infection into Denmark. The Danish Government will present a detailed model for testing at airports as soon as possible.
For press enquiries about travelling to Denmark, contact the Press Office of the Danish Ministry of Justice: jac@jm.dk.
For press enquiries about travel advice, contact the Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark: pressevagten@um.dk.
Further questions?
- Citizens who require further information about outbound travel and travel advice are encouraged to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark’s 24/7 Operations Centre on bbb@um.dk or +45 3392 1112.
- Questions about worthy purposes for entry into or transit in Denmark should be directed to the arrivals hotline of the Danish police on +45 7020 6044. You can find the hotline opening hours at coronasmitte.dk
- The Joint Danish Authorities Hotline answers general questions about the coronavirus. Call +45 7020 0233. You can find the hotline opening hours at coronasmitte.dk
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has established an online help form for businesses.
