Dog-friendly Denmark

Hundreds of thousands of people bring their dogs with them on holiday in Denmark every year, however it's always a good idea to check the policies surrounding bringing your furry friends before you travel!

Rules and laws

When you travel to Denmark with your dog, there are a few rules to keep in mind.

Visit the website of the Danish Embassy to find all information about travelling with pets to Denmark; you should also consult the website for the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food.

If you bring a dog, a cat or a ferret from an EU country to Denmark, it is very important that the animal can be identified by a chip. This must be done before the animal is 8 weeks old.

EU pet passport and rabies vaccination

The animal must also have an EU pet passport issued by a veterinarian, in which the veterinarian confirms that a vaccination or re-vaccination against rabies has been carried out. It is important that the last vaccination or re-vaccination is not older than the tattoo or the insertion of the chip. A new vaccination must have been carried out at least 3 weeks before entry. The duration of vaccination protection is based on the instructions of the vaccine manufacturer.

Don't forget to pack a lead!

The following rules apply to all dogs in Denmark: 
• From April 1st to September 30th, you have to keep your dog on a leash on the beaches. 
• In forests, it is mandatory to keep the dog on a leash all year round.

The protected Danish adder lives in the heather, in the dunes, in holiday home areas or in nature areas. It only usually attacks when disturbed and only bites on the very rare occasion when it feels threatened. If you're following the rules of conduct, the chance of being bitten is minimal. If your cat or dog is bitten, see a veterinarian for an antidote.

Dog laws and other issues

If you bring your dog on holiday with you, it is important to obey the rules in Denmark, which also apply to you as a dog owner. In addition, there are a number of breeds classified as dangerous, that are prohibited in Denmark. 

The keeping, breeding and importation of the following 13 dog breeds is prohibited in Denmark if they were acquired after March 17th, 2010. Offenses are punished with a fine or a prison sentence of the dog owner, as well as with the dog being put to sleep.

1) Pit Bull Terrier
2) Tosa Inu
3) American Staffordshire Terrier
4) Fila Brasileiro
5) Argentine Dog
6) American bulldog
7) Boerboel 
8) Kangal
9) Central Asian Ovtcharka
10) Caucasian Ovcharka
11) South Russian Ovcharka
12) Tornjak
13) Sarplaninac

The prohibition also applies to crossbreeding of the dog breeds in question. It is up to the owner of the dog to document the breed or type, as well as the time of purchase.

People who bought dogs of the breeds in question before March 17th, 2010 must lead the dog on streets, paths, footpaths and other places on a leash no longer than 2 m. The dog must wear a securely locked muzzle.

All other dogs are allowed in Denmark.

If a dog (no matter what breed) attacks a person, causes significant damage to others or if there are other reasons to suspect that the dog is dangerous for the environment, the police can order a leash, a muzzle or both, as well as the euthanasia of the animal in question.