If you’re planning to get married and you’ve chosen Denmark as the country to get married in, you’ve made an important first stop. There is, however, some legal aspects of your stay in Denmark that must be in order too.
You must be able to stay legally in Denmark during your wedding plans. This means understanding the visa requirements that may apply to you and your partner, whether you’re visiting for a short stay or already residing within the Schengen Area.
Whether you are a tourist, a student, or already residing in a Schengen country, your presence in Denmark must be legal when you apply and when the ceremony takes place.
In this post, we’ll break down the rules regarding the visa requirements when getting married in Denmark.
Whether or not you need a visa to enter Denmark depends entirely on your nationality. Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Schengen Area often need to apply for a short-stay visa, known as a Schengen visa, before entering Denmark. This includes nationals from countries like India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Philippines, and many others. If you are from one of these countries, you must apply for your visa in advance and receive approval before travelling to Denmark to get married.
On the other hand, many nationalities are considered “visa-exempt.” These are countries whose citizens can enter Denmark and the wider Schengen Area without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. These include countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and of course, all EU and EEA countries. Even though you don’t need a visa in these cases, you are still bound by the same time limitations, and your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date.
One of the reasons Denmark is such a popular destination for international weddings is that there is no special marriage visa required. As long as your presence in Denmark is legal at the time of your wedding, you are allowed to get married—regardless of the specific visa or residence permit you hold.
You can legally marry in Denmark if you are:
Holding a Type D national visa issued by Denmark or another Schengen state
If your Type D visa was issued by another Schengen country (such as Germany, the Netherlands, or Sweden), you are still permitted to visit Denmark and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. During this time, you are legally allowed to get married. This applies because Type D visas from other Schengen countries allow short-term travel within the Schengen Zone, including Denmark, under the same rules as visa-free stays.
If your Type D visa was issued by Denmark, then you are residing here legally for a longer period, and getting married during your stay is fully permitted and straightforward.
The Danish authorities focus primarily on whether your stay is legal at the time of the marriage. That means it is not important what type of visa or permit you have, but rather that your documents are valid, and that you are allowed to be in the country when your wedding takes place.
Yes, it is absolutely possible to get married in Denmark on a tourist visa or while staying under a short-term visa-free arrangement. This is in fact one of the main reasons why Denmark is such a popular choice for international marriages. The Danish system is designed to accommodate couples who are visiting the country temporarily and want to get legally married without dealing with lengthy bureaucratic processes.
A tourist visa (or visa-free stay for eligible countries) allows you to remain in Denmark and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days. During this time, you can apply for marriage, submit your documents, and hold your ceremony at a town hall. There are no additional conditions related to your visa category when it comes to marriage, making Denmark one of the most accessible countries in Europe for foreign couples.
Similarly, if you are in Denmark on a student visa or a residence permit from another Schengen country, you can still get married here without needing any separate approval from Danish immigration. The key is that your stay must be legal at the time of your wedding.
Please see our list of all the documents that is or may be required to get married in Denmark.
Most international couples coming to Denmark for marriage do so on a short visit. In such cases, the 90-day rule is especially relevant. Under Schengen rules, you can stay in the Schengen Area, including Denmark, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This applies whether you are travelling on a Schengen visa or entering visa-free.
For the vast majority of couples, this is more than enough time to complete the marriage process, which is typically fast and efficient. Once your documents are submitted and approved, many couples can get married within a few days, especially if they book a ceremony in advance. Denmark is known for its short waiting times and minimal administrative burden, making it ideal for couples looking for a quick but legally recognized wedding.
If you are required to obtain a visa in order to enter Denmark, you will need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C). This type of visa allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days for tourism, family visits, or other short-term purposes, including marriage.
To apply, you will need to contact the Danish embassy or visa application center in your home country. The application process typically includes providing a completed visa form, passport photos, a valid passport, proof of travel insurance, and documentation of your accommodation and travel plans. If you have already arranged a wedding ceremony, it may help to include your appointment confirmation with the town hall. Visa processing times vary, but it is recommended to apply at least four to six weeks before your intended travel date.
If you are a non-EU citizen living legally in another Schengen country with a residence permit, you do not need to apply for a separate visa to get married in Denmark. Your residence permit allows you to travel to other Schengen states, including Denmark, for up to 90 days. This means you can travel to Denmark, get married, and return to your country of residence without any issues, as long as your stay complies with the 90-day rule.
However, it is important that your residence permit is valid at the time of travel and that you carry the necessary documents to prove your legal status when entering Denmark. This is particularly relevant for residents of Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, or other Schengen countries, where many couples choose to make the short journey to Denmark to get married.
At Wedding Planner Denmark, we specialize in assisting international couples with every aspect of getting married in Denmark. Whether you need help understanding visa rules, gathering the correct documents, or navigating the Danish application process, we are here to make everything runs smooth.
We ensure that your paperwork is submitted correctly, guide you in booking your wedding ceremony at a local town hall, and help you handle legal requirements such as apostille stamps or international marriage certificates if needed. Our team is experienced in dealing with diverse situations, from couples visiting on a tourist visa to those living in another EU country.
Contact us today and let us help you with the entire process.
