Denmark eases COVID travel restrictions

But there is some fine print in the changes

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Denmark is easing travel restrictions for people who are fully vaccinated or who have had, and recovered from, COVID. As of May 1st, the requirement for a negative test to enter Denmark must now be no more than 48 hours old, up from the previous 24. This applies to crossing into Denmark by land or by air. People who are fully vaccinated are exempt entirely, with some fine print. 

For people who are fully vaccinated, and their children under the age of 15, who reside in Denmark, as well as permanent residents who have had COVID, coming home will be easier. As of May 1st, they will no longer have to present a negative test to board a flight to Denmark from a yellow or orange country, nor will they have to quarantine or be tested when they return home. However there are two important caveats. One, is that in order to be exempted from the negative test before boarding, travelers must have proof of being fully vaccinated “from an E.U or Schengen zone country.”  The second applies to children 15 and older who must still be tested after arrival back in Denmark. 

People living in another E.U. or Schengen zone country who are fully vaccinated will also be able to travel into Denmark without a recognizable purpose for entry, without having to quarantine, and without having to be tested. 

Strict entry conditions remain in place, including mandatory testing and isolation, for anyone coming from a country designated as a COVID ‘red’ zone. Currently this applies to Brazil, India, and several African countries. 

Denmark considers a person fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving a second dose. In addition, the following requirements must be met:

• You must be vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency. Currently the following vaccines are approved for use by the EMA Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. 

• You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an E.U/ Schengen country and have completed your vaccination in an E.U/ Schengen country.

For people who have had COVID:

• Proof of a positive test at least 14 days old and no more than 180 days old before the date of entry into Denmark. 

People who are not Danish citizens or permanent residents who reside outside of Denmark who have been infected and recovered who are traveling from an orange country must continue to have a recognizable purpose for entering Denmark.

It is important to emphasize these changes only apply for travel to and from countries designated as yellow or orange. If you are going to or coming from a COVID red zone country none of the changes apply. 

It is also worth underscoring this only covers entry into Denmark. Other countries have their own entry rules or restrictions for travelers. Finally, Foreign Affairs Denmark can change a country’s COVID colour coded risk designation at any time so a country can go from orange to red during your trip.