Pet owners love having their companions along on vacation, because that is when they have the most time to spend together — without depending on neighbours for care. If you wish to travel to Denmark with a dog, cat, or other pets, there are certain rules to follow. These are no longer as complicated as they used to be, provided you obtain the required forms in time and vaccinations are up to date. Special regulations apply to pet owners travelling via Sweden, as well as for the temporary import of animals to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Where to Go in Denmark?

What should dog owners keep in mind when vacationing in Denmark?

• Get out of the city when vacationing in a holiday home with a dog: Especially owners of large dogs should make sure there is enough space for the animal. Away from the big cities like <link europa europas-traummetropolen kopenhagen-staedtefuehrer>Copenhagen or Aalborg, a villa by the sea is also affordable and ideal for long beach walks. Note that dogs must be kept on a leash at beaches from 1 April to 30 September.
• If you value being able to move freely with your four-legged friend off-leash, a holiday home near a designated dog forest is your best bet. There are roughly 300 of them across Denmark.

Entry Requirements for Pets

Pet owners may travel with their dog, cat, or ferret for non-commercial purposes from an EU country, Norway, or Iceland to Denmark, provided the following conditions are met:

• The owner accompanies the animal. Under certain circumstances, you may authorise a friend or family member to travel with the pet.
• The animal must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must have been administered at least 21 days before departure to Denmark.
• The animal must be identified with a microchip. If there is a clearly legible tattoo applied before 3 July 2011, a pet passport may be obtained as an alternative.
• Dog owners must take out pet liability insurance covering any injury or damage the dog may cause to persons or property.
• The animal must have an EU pet passport issued by an authorised veterinarian.

The requirements for entry from a non-EU country are stricter.

Banned Breeds

In Denmark, the keeping, breeding, and import of certain dog breeds such as the Pit Bull Terrier, Tornjak, and Sarplaninac are prohibited. Crossbreeds of these breeds are also affected. Exceptions apply only if the dog was acquired before 17 March 2010. Violations are punishable by imprisonment or a fine, and the animal may be euthanised. It is important to know that breeds such as the Spanish Mastiff, Mastino Napoletano, or Tatra Shepherd Dog can look similar. Owners of such dogs should carry appropriate documentation from the breeder or veterinarian when vacationing in Denmark.