MASTER Web Guide For Diplomats in DK 12062020
MASTER Web Guide For Diplomats in DK 12062020
MASTER Web Guide For Diplomats in DK 12062020
This 'Guide for Diplomats in Denmark' is intended as a guide. It offers an overview for
information of relevant rules and procedures but does not constitute an authoritative legal
statement.
Table of Contents
1
4.7 Practical Arrival Procedures for Holders of Diplomatic or Service Passports ................. 15
4.7.1 Procedure for visa holders .............................................................................. 15
4.7.2 Procedure for citizens from countries not requiring a visa to enter Denmark, including
citizens from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland ......................................................... 16
4.7.3 The registration procedure with the Protocol Department .................................... 16
4.7.4 Registration of EU/EEA-nationals and Swiss citizens working in International
Organisations, incl. EU-agencies/offices .................................................................... 17
4.7.5 Residence scheme for retired, internationally recruited staff from International
Organisations or EU institutions/agencies .................................................................. 19
5. Departure.......................................................................................................... 20
6. Honorary Consuls to Denmark ............................................................................. 21
6.1 Appointment of Honorary Consuls to Denmark ........................................................ 21
6.2 Change of jurisdiction or class .............................................................................. 22
7. Spouses/partners and children obtaining work while in Denmark .............................. 22
8. Social security ................................................................................................... 23
8.1 Social security in general ..................................................................................... 23
8.2 Work Accident Insurance ...................................................................................... 23
8.3 Holiday with pay ................................................................................................. 23
9. Labour Market Supplementary Pensions Scheme (ATP) ........................................... 23
9.1 Locally recruited staff of Diplomatic Missions .......................................................... 23
9.2 Locally recruited staff of International Organisations ................................................ 24
9.3 General information about the ATP scheme ............................................................ 24
9.4 General information about the AUB ....................................................................... 25
10. Health and Medical Care ...................................................................................... 25
10.1 Privileged Persons and the Danish Health Care System .......................................... 25
10.1.1 General rule ................................................................................................ 25
10.1.2 Privileged persons from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland ................................ 25
10.1.3 The European Health Insurance Card .............................................................. 26
10.1.4 Additional information .................................................................................. 27
10.2 Tropical diseases ............................................................................................... 28
11. Security, vandalism ............................................................................................ 28
12. Taxes, Duties and Import/Export Licences, Movables etc. ........................................ 29
12.1 Duty free imports .............................................................................................. 29
12.1.1 Resident Missions......................................................................................... 29
12.1.2 Purchase through bonded warehouses ............................................................ 29
12.1.3 Non-resident Heads of Mission ....................................................................... 30
2
12.2 Reimbursement of MOMS (VAT) .......................................................................... 30
12.3 Application for MOMS reimbursement to the Protocol Department ........................... 31
12.4 VAT exempt purchases in other EU countries ........................................................ 32
12.5 VAT reimbursement to non-resident diplomats ...................................................... 33
12.6 Excise duties, exemption/reimbursement ............................................................. 33
12.6.1 Motor vehicles and fuel ................................................................................. 33
12.6.2 Reimbursement by Customs and Tax Administration (SKAT) ............................. 33
12.7 Honorary Consuls .............................................................................................. 33
12.8 Taxation on Personal Income .............................................................................. 34
12.9 Taxation of locally employed staff ........................................................................ 34
13. Movables ........................................................................................................... 34
13.1 Import and export of movables/personal belongings .............................................. 34
13.2 Cultural heritage export restrictions ..................................................................... 35
14. Restrictions on cash money when travelling out of Denmark .................................... 35
15. Motor Vehicles ................................................................................................... 35
15.1 General rules .................................................................................................... 35
15.2 Customs duties and MOMS (VAT) ........................................................................ 36
15.2.1 New motor vehicles ...................................................................................... 36
15.2.2 Used motor vehicles ..................................................................................... 36
15.3 Registration ...................................................................................................... 37
15.4 Registration fees ............................................................................................... 37
15.5 Withdrawal of a motor vehicle ............................................................................. 37
15.6 Obligatory car inspection .................................................................................... 37
15.7 Third party liability insurance .............................................................................. 38
15.8 Exemption from petrol taxes ............................................................................... 38
16. Driving.............................................................................................................. 38
16.1 Driving license .................................................................................................. 38
17. Parking ............................................................................................................. 40
17.1 Parking in Central Copenhagen and the so-called bridge districts ............................. 40
17.2 Reserved parking at Diplomatic Missions .............................................................. 41
17.3 Parking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .............................................................. 41
18. Education .......................................................................................................... 42
18.1 Schools ............................................................................................................ 42
18.2 Schools with teaching in foreign languages and kindergartens ................................. 42
18.3 Universities....................................................................................................... 46
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18.4 Danish language courses .................................................................................... 47
19. Firearms License, Game License and Angling License .............................................. 47
19.1 Firearms license ................................................................................................ 47
19.1.1 Firearms licence for the personal protection of privileged persons ...................... 47
19.1.2 Firearms licence for staff at embassies ........................................................... 48
19.1.3 Firearms licence for hunting .......................................................................... 48
19.2 Danish temporary game licence .......................................................................... 48
19.3 Angling licence .................................................................................................. 49
20. Real property ..................................................................................................... 50
20.1 Permissions to acquire real property .................................................................... 50
20.2 Local and national regulations regarding building projects ...................................... 50
20.3 Registration duties............................................................................................. 51
20.4 Taxation of real property .................................................................................... 51
21. Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup ............................................................................... 51
21.1 Access to the Airport .......................................................................................... 51
21.2 Royal Lounge .................................................................................................... 51
21.4 CD Parking ....................................................................................................... 52
22. Elections ........................................................................................................... 52
23. Emergencies ...................................................................................................... 53
24. Travel to the Faroe Islands and Greenland ............................................................. 54
25. Rules for flying flags ........................................................................................... 54
26. Information on Danish/EU rules and regulations ..................................................... 55
27. Pets .................................................................................................................. 55
27.1 Dogs and cats ................................................................................................... 55
27.2 Other pets (Washington Convention/CITES) .......................................................... 56
28. Visits to Museums .............................................................................................. 56
29. Trains and busses .............................................................................................. 57
30. Early history objects and natural history objects..................................................... 57
31. Radio communication and radio and TV license ...................................................... 57
32. NemID .............................................................................................................. 58
33. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ........................................................... 59
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1. Foreign Government Missions, International
Organisations and their staff in Denmark
The Vienna Convention is based on the premise that posted staff is posted at an Embassy for a
specific purpose and thus the staff fall into one of the designated categories with varying
responsibilities and privileges and immunities.
Should a member of the posted staff change from one category of staff to another during
his/her posting, this change must therefore be confirmed by the MFA of the sending State.
Article 1 in the Vienna Convention mentions the various categories of members of the staff of
the Diplomatic Missions. The holders of the following ranks are considered to be members of
the diplomatic staff as defined in Article 1(d) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations: Ambassador (Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary), Apostolic Nuncio, Minister
Plenipotentiary, Chargé d’Affaires en pied, Minister, Minister Counsellor, Counsellor, First
Counsellor, Second Counsellor, Commercial Counsellor, First Secretary, Second Secretary,
Third Secretary and Attaché. In addition, Defence Attaché (or Military, Naval or Air Attaché).
A member of the staff of the Mission, who does not hold one of the diplomatic ranks listed
above, will as a general rule be classified as a member of the administrative and technical staff
of the Mission or the service staff.
1.3 Members of the administrative and technical staff of the Mission (Vienna
Convention art.1(f))
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects members of the administrative and technical staff of the
Mission to perform their duties at the Mission on a full-time basis and to be in possession of an
official (service) passport issued by the sending State. If the passport does not indicate the
title/function of the staff member, a note/letter from the sending State must indicate the
function and confirm the function as being within the scope of the technical and administrative
staff. Staff members who are part-time drivers cannot be registered with the Protocol
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Department as members of the administrative and technical staff of the Mission even if they
perform administrative and technical tasks.
1.4 Members of the service staff of the Mission (Vienna Convention art. 1(g))
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations defines members of the service staff as those
who are in the domestic service of the Mission. These persons are part of the staff categories
(members of the Mission) who are posted abroad by their country’s Foreign Service, and
therefore obtain their permit to stay from the Protocol Department.
Members of the service staff recruited abroad may be approved by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs if they satisfy the following conditions:
that the member of the service staff is posted for a limited period of time, and
normally no longer than five years;
that the sending State will ensure that the member of the service staff leaves Denmark
at the end of the person’s tour of duty;
that the sending State confirms that the position concerned is a full-time position;
that the sending State confirms that it will be responsible for health insurance for the
member of the service staff;
that the member of the service staff holds a diplomatic or service passport issued by
the sending State.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not grant residence as service staff to persons who have
previously been employed by another Mission or as private domestic staff for any other
individual employer, or to persons who at the time of employment are staying in Denmark on a
temporary residence permit, e.g. as a student or au pair.
Immunity in respect of acts performed in the course of their duties extends to members of the
service staff of the Mission. Family members of the service staff of the Mission do not enjoy
immunities under the Vienna Convention.
Personnel from a sending state needed for maintenance work, repair work, construction
work and the like at embassies and residences in Copenhagen must be holders of a Diplomatic
or Service Passport in order to obtain a temporary residence permit as well as work permit
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Protocol Department. Residence and work permits will be
granted for a limited period of time and a maximum of six months. Requests for temporary
residence permits and work permits must include a short description of the maintenance work,
repair work or construction work to be carried out as well as an indication of the time needed
for completing the work. Please note that for non-EU/EEA or Nordic citizens it is - with very
few exceptions - illegal to work in Denmark without a work permit. A Schengen visa does not
constitute a work permit. (For more information on the rules, see: https://nyidanmark.dk/en-
GB/Words-and-concepts/US/Visum/Visa-(short-term)-or-work-permit'). Citizens of Finland,
Iceland, Norway or Sweden can enter and work in Denmark without any permits. EU citizens
may enter Denmark and begin work without a permit. If the stay is expected to last more than
three months, they must apply for an EU/EEA registration certificate before the end of the
three months.
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in the domestic household of a diplomat. A contract must be signed by both parties and
certified by the Diplomatic Mission/International Organisation as guarantor for expenses and
approved by the Protocol before the private domestic staff can obtain a visa to enter Denmark.
The contract (mandatory standard form to be used can be obtained from the Protocol
Department) must respect a number of minimum requirements concerning working hours,
salary, board and lodging at the employer’s residence, existence of a bank account,
insurances, holidays, sickness, return ticket etc. The maximum period for the contract may not
be longer than the diplomat’s residence permit. In any event, the contract must come to an
end when the diplomat leaves the country.
The permit to stay will be given for one year at a time only and the domestic worker must pick
up the ID-card personally at the Protocol Department every year on which occasions the
domestic worker will have an interview with a staff member of the Protocol. This new
procedure is in line with the best practices presented under OSCE auspices.
The above rules apply to expatriate private domestic staff who seek permit to stay and work in
diplomatic domestic households in Denmark as of 1 January 2015. Private domestic staff who
prior to this date already worked in Denmark under a permit from the Danish Agency for
Labour Market and Recruitment must still address the Danish Agency for Labour Market and
Recruitment in case of application for renewal of their permit to stay in order to work with the
same employer.
Any diplomat planning to employ an expatriate private domestic staff in his/her private
household is kindly requested to contact the Protocol Department for more detailed
information and guidance.
Such locally recruited staff may work in Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations as
administrators or as service staff and as domestic service staff with the diplomatic staff.
The competent national authority to be addressed concerning such residence permits etc. is:
The mandatory and absolute provisions of the Danish labour and social laws must be observed
whenever a Mission or diplomat recruits local staff. It is highly recommended to hire assistance
from a Danish lawyer when drawing up staff contracts and related issues. Such staff members
7
who are not privileged staff members and who are nationals of or already legal residents in
Denmark do not enjoy privileges and immunities.
The Danish authorities must exercise its jurisdiction over such persons in such a manner as not
to interfere unduly with the performance of the functions of the Mission, cf. Article 38 (2) of
the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In order to ensure this protection the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs must be informed about recruitment and other changes in local staff
employed as administrators with Diplomatic Missions or International Organisations
Inviolability means that the Danish government may not take coercive measures such as the
arrest or remand in custody of individuals (Article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic
Relations), forced access to or seizure of buildings (Article 30) or seizure of goods and
property. Danish courts are not competent to try cases where the defendant enjoys immunity
under Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Only the sending State can
waive a person’s diplomatic immunity.
1.8 Inviolability
Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the following premises and persons are
inviolable:
A Mission’s official correspondence, the diplomatic bag and the diplomatic courier
(Article 27).
Diplomatic agents (Article 29), members of the administrative and technical staff of the
Mission and members of their families forming part of their households (Article 37,
paragraph 1, and Article 37, paragraph 2).
The private residences of diplomatic agents (Article 30) and members of the
administrative and technical staff of the Mission (Article 37, paragraph 2) as well as
their papers, correspondence and property (Article 30, paragraph 2). Property is only
inviolable when used by persons enjoying privileges and immunities.
Diplomatic agents and members of their families who pass through Denmark, provided
they are travelling to or returning from a post (Article 40).
(With regards to International Organisations and their employees, the issue of inviolability is
regulated by the individual host agreements).
Diplomatic agents (Article 31) and dependent family members forming part of their
households (Article 37, paragraph 1).
8
Members of the administrative and technical staff of the Mission and members of their
families forming part of their households (Article 37, paragraph 2).
Members of the service staff of the Mission who are not national of or permanently
resident in the receiving State when performing acts in the course of their duties
(Article 37, paragraph 3).
(In addition, certain employees of International Organisations where the individual host
agreement provides diplomatic immunity)
The privileges and immunities of family members forming part of the household are in general
considered to be derivative. The Vienna Convention does not provide a definition of the term
“family”. It is generally agreed that the receiving State may formulate a reasonable definition
in order to specify who may enjoy the privileges and immunities of this category of persons.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defines the term “family”, for the purposes of the Vienna
Conventions, as including:
unmarried children under 21 years of age who reside exclusively in the household of the
parent in question.
With special permission, unmarried children between the ages of 21 and 23 may continue to
enjoy privileges and immunities on the condition that they are already attending an accredited
institution of higher learning (i.e. university or similar) on a full-time basis in Denmark and
remain part of the household of the diplomat. In such cases, proof of enrolment must be
presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the request for renewal of the child’s
ID card/residence permit card.
1.10 Inviolability and immunity under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
Consular officers, i.e. Consul General, Consul, and Vice-Consul, are of two categories: Career
consular officers and honorary consular officers. The particular status of members of a consular
post who are nationals or permanent residents of the receiving State, is governed by Article 71
of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
Under the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the following are
inviolable:
Career consular officers, with certain exceptions (Article 41); honorary consuls only in
respect of official act (Article 71).
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1.11 Duty to respect laws and regulations of the receiving State
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects all members of Missions and consular officers to fully
respect Danish laws and regulations during their stay in Denmark, cf. Article 41, sub-section 1,
of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which reads:
“Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such
privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also
have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State.”
Diplomatic and consular immunity does not relieve diplomatic and consular personnel of the
duty to discharge all private financial obligations incurred during their stay in Denmark.
Embassies and organisations as well as their staff are strongly recommended to seek legal
advice in order to ensure clarity of legal obligations when employing staff, renting housing or
engaging in other bigger commitments and if encountering problems relating to the contract.
Likewise embassies and International Organisations are strongly recommended to seek
solutions outside the courts to possible conflicts, if they are not ready to engage in a civil case
before a court.
A diplomatic agent and his/her dependant family members, who are part of his/her household,
enjoy the immunities from Danish jurisdiction specified in the Vienna Convention. So does the
administrative and technical staff and their family members.
In accordance with article 31 of the Vienna Convention, immunity from Danish civil and
administrative jurisdiction will not apply in relation to any professional or commercial activity
exercised by dependant family members.
In accordance with article 41 of the Vienna Convention, it is the duty of all persons enjoying
privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. In case of
serious criminal acts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will therefore ask the sending State to
waive the immunity of a diplomat involved in such activities, cf. article 32 of the Vienna
Convention. This general rule also applies in relation to criminal activities performed by
dependant family members in relation to any professional or commercial activity.
Parking fees must be paid by privileged persons, also when the fee has not been paid, and a
parking control fee is demanded instead by parking attendants. Please note that a parking fee
is not a fine as defined in the Vienna Convention.
2. International Organisations
10
The headquarters and offices of 11 International Organisations, most of them organisations
under the auspices of the United Nations, have in 2013 been co-located in the so-called UN
City at Marmormolen in Copenhagen. The new state-of-the art and environmentally friendly
building is intended to provide the United Nations and other organisations in Denmark with the
best possible conditions for fulfilling their mandates and inspire cooperation, innovation and
knowledge-sharing among the organisations. More information about the UN City may be
found (in Danish) on http://www.byoghavn.dk/byudvikling/bydele/nordhavnen/marmor-
front/fn+byen.aspx
The Protocol Department issues two types of cards: Residence permit cards and identity cards.
Residence permit cards are issued to all nationals of countries outside the EU/EEA area and
Switzerland. The residence permit card is proof that the holder has been granted residence in
Denmark. It also serves as an ID card proving identity of the holder and includes an
administrative CPR number (personal identification number).
Identity cards are issued to all nationals of countries belonging to the EU/EEA area and
Switzerland and serves only as an ID card proving the identity of the holder and includes an
administrative CPR number. (Nationals of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not need a
residence permit. These persons are provided with a letter confirming that they are registered
with the Protocol Department, carry a Danish administrative CPR number, and that they have
the right to stay in Denmark without a residence permit for as long as they are registered with
the Protocol Department). Nationals of the Nordic countries are provided with an ID card only.
ID cards are classified in three categories reflected by the colour of the card: RED for
diplomatic agents; GREEN for members of the administrative and technical staff; WHITE for
members of the locally employed staff, service staff or private domestic staff. This colour
system is not used for residence permit cards.
Residence permit cards as well as ID cards state the title of the holder.
Locally recruited staff, who at the time of their recruitment were already enjoying legal
residence in Denmark, may apply for white ID cards as proof of identification. When applying
for identity cards for such personnel the Mission must send a note verbale to the Protocol
Department enclosing the registration form (see Protocol Department’s homepage), two recent
photographs (passport size) and the applicant’s passport.
ID cards are not issued to family members of locally recruited staff, service staff and private
domestic staff.
Expatriate staff members of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations and their
dependant family members are registered in the Protocol Department with a so-called
administrative CPR number, which will serve as proof of identity when dealing with Danish
11
authorities, hospitals, doctors, shops, etc., in the same way as the CPR number given to
Danish citizens.
See section 4.7.2 below for special rules concerning registration of dependant family members
who are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and who do not hold a diplomatic passport. See also section
4.7.4 concerning registration of EU/EEA nationals and Swiss citizens working in International
Organisations, including EU agencies/offices.
Holders of ID cards and residence permit cards are advised to carry their cards with them in
order to be able to prove their identity and their registration with the Protocol Department.
Residence permit cards and ID cards must be returned to the Protocol Department by the
Diplomatic Mission or International Organisation upon termination of duty of the staff member.
The following scheme provides a summary of various aspects of the rules and procedures
applied by the Protocol Department (and the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and
Integration) when issuing residence permit cards or ID cards.
ID card if national of
all other countries.
1
See below 4.7.2 for special rules concerning registration of dependant family members who
are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and who do not hold a diplomatic passport.
12
(Voluntary but
recommended).
(Service
passport or
proof from
Foreign Ministry
of status as
posted service
staff)
13
Locally recruited Not Danish Agency for ID card Locally recruited White
already legal applicable International staff
residents in Recruitment and
Denmark all Integration or
other Danish
nationalities Immigration
Service, depending
on who issued the
present permit.
4. Arrival in Denmark
International Organisations must notify the Protocol Department as soon as possible of the
appointment, arrival (and final departure) of all officials of the organisations as well as
members of their families and private domestic staff.
The Protocol Department requests Diplomatic Missions to notify the Protocol Department about
locally recruited staff starting up work or leaving the Mission, cf. paragraph 1.6.
4.2 Agrément
The request for agrément for Ambassadors and defence attachés must be submitted to the
Protocol Department with a note verbale from the sending State through the Embassy of the
sending State. A Photo (passport type) and CV incl. date of birth should be enclosed.
A non-resident Ambassador must obtain agrément in the country where he/she has official
residence before a request for agrément in Denmark will be handled. The date of agrément in
the residing state should be stated in the note verbale when requesting agrément in Denmark.
Special service will only be arranged for a Head of Mission in connection with his/her first
arrival in Copenhagen.
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letter of recall. If the credentials are in a language other than English, French or German, they
should be accompanied by a translation in Danish or one of the languages mentioned.
The Ambassador may also call on the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and on other resident
Ambassadors. Until the credentials have been presented, the Ambassador should refrain from
making other calls.
If special events or urgent matters make it necessary, the Ambassador Designate may pay
other visits in the company of the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy.
Through the Protocol Department, the Embassy may arrange for airport and police authorities
to be informed of the arrival to Denmark of a Chargé d’Affaires e.p. No special service
reception is foreseen by the Protocol Department.
15
You can find a list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Denmark on
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB
You can read more about the Danish (and Schengen) visa regulations on
https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB
Upon arrival in Denmark, residence permit cards will be issued by the Protocol Department.
4.7.2 Procedure for citizens from countries not requiring a visa to enter Denmark, including
citizens from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland
Registration with the Protocol Department will take place upon arrival in Denmark. ID cards
and a letter confirming their registration with the Protocol Department, including an
administrative CPR number, will be issued if the person is a national of an EU/EEA country or
Switzerland. All others will receive residence permit cards which include an administrative CPR
number.
Dependant family members who are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and who do not hold a diplomatic
passport may choose to register as EU-citizens with the Danish Agency for International
Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) provided they in their own right meet the requirements for
residence in Denmark. In case of registration in Denmark with SIRI and subsequent
registration as a resident in Denmark in the CPR, dependant family members may not be
registered with the Protocol Department, since they are not dependant family members
according to the Vienna Convention or relevant Host Agreements, and they do not enjoy any
diplomatic privileges or immunities.
A residence permit card/ID card may be granted to children of privileged persons up to the age
of 21 (with exemption until 23; see chapter 1.9). Should other family members (children older
than 21/23, parents etc.) wish to stay in Denmark during their relative’s posting, they must
apply for a visa through a Danish Diplomatic or Consular Representation in their home country
or in another country where they have legal stay.
A residence permit issued by the Protocol Department gives the spouse/partner and
accompanying children the right to take up employment in Denmark without a work permit.
Concerning consequences of privileged family members’ engagement in gainful activities see
chapter 7.
According to paragraph 18 of the Law on Civil Registration, aliens, who are registered with the
Protocol Department, may not register with the Danish authorities and may not obtain a
“resident” CPR number (a CPR number showing that a person has fixed abode in Denmark. In
Danish: bopæls-CPR-nummer). Privileged persons, including dependant family members, must
register with the Protocol Department in accordance with paragraph 47 in the Foreign Aliens
16
Act. There are only two exemptions from this rule. One relates to dependant family members
who are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and who do not hold a diplomatic passport. These persons may
choose to register as EU citizens with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and
Integration (SIRI). The other relates to EU/EEA nationals and Swiss citizens working in
International Organisations, incl. EU agencies/offices.
2) registration with Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI)
followed by application to be registered with the municipality with a (resident) CPR
number and consequently a Health Security Certificate.
The organisation should notify the Protocol Department when an employee has chosen option
no. 2 and the registration procedure has been completed. A duly completed form 3 B
(Registration at the Protocol Department of Internationally Recruited EU/EEA/Swiss Officials to
International Organisations in Copenhagen who have already registered with the Danish
Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and with a resident CPR number)
should be attached to the organisation’s note verbale, cf.
http://um.dk/en/about-us/the-protocol-department/standard-forms-for-diplomats/
The possibility to register with a resident CPR number includes persons of the above-
mentioned nationalities holding positions in International Organisations who for the time being
are registered at the Protocol Department with an administrative CPR number. These persons
do not need to fill out form 3 B, but should obtain a personal letter from the Protocol
Department stating their right to change their registration to a resident CPR number, cf. below.
17
letter should be shown to the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration
(SIRI) and the municipality during the registration process. These persons do not need to fill
out scheme 3 B when the registration process is completed. Scheme 3 B should only be
completed by newcomers, i.e. persons belonging to group b), when the registration with the
Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and municipality is
completed.
Apart from the above-mentioned differences the registration procedure will be the same for
both groups.
The registration procedure includes two steps: First (A) registration with the Danish Agency for
International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), then (B) registration with the municipality.
(Please note that a residence certificate from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment
and Integration (SIRI) is needed in order to get a resident CPR number).
A) Registration with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI)
The employee should apply for an EU certificate of residence in Denmark under the executive
order on EU residence. The residence certificate affirms the right to reside in Denmark and
enables the applicant to obtain a Danish resident CPR number from the municipal registry in
the municipality in which the applicant lives. The residence certificate is obtained from the
Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI).
All applicants must appear in person at one of the offices of SIRI when submitting the
application. The application form may be found on SIRI’s website www.nyidanmark.dk. The
applicant should always bring his/her original passport or another valid travel document.
In addition to the actual application form (OD1) the applicant must always submit:
A clear copy of his/her passport or other valid travel document. A colour copy is
preferred.
When registering a dependent family member, proof of family relationship with the EU citizen
in the form of marriage certificate and/or birth certificate should be shown.
The above-mentioned personal letter issued by the Protocol Department should be shown if the
person has been registered with the Protocol Department.
It must be underlined that the application must be submitted personally to the Danish Agency
for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Addresses and more information can be
found on:
www.nyidanmark.dk
18
Having received the residence certificate, the applicant should contact the Citizen Services of
his/her municipality of residence in order to get a resident CPR number. Afterwards the
applicant will receive a Health Security Certificate.
Citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden do not need to apply for a residence certificate.
A citizen of a Nordic country has the right to reside in Denmark without a certificate.
All applicants must appear in person and bring the following documents:
A proof of address (a signed and dated rental contract/letter from landlord, property
deeds, certificate of shared ownership in a housing cooperative, receipt for a paid
reservation at a hotel etc.)
The above-mentioned personal letter issued by the Protocol Department should be shown if
the person has been registered with the Protocol Department.
More information about the registration procedure may be found at the relevant municipality’s
website.
4.7.5 Residence scheme for retired, internationally recruited staff from International
Organisations or EU institutions/agencies
There are a number of requirements that need to be met in order to obtain a residence permit
with the scheme. Among other things, the employee needs to have retired after having
reached the pensionable age established by the organisation that he/she works for, and it is a
requirement that the employee has turned the age of 60. The pensionable age established by
an individual International Organisation may differ from the pensionable age in Denmark. Once
the employee retires, he/she may only perform work that is unpaid and voluntary.
Furthermore, the employee must have held residence in Denmark for the past 12 years before
retirement on the grounds of his/her employment with an International Organisation including
an EU institution/agency.
It is also a requirement that the employee has an attachment to Denmark, is not receiving
public financial benefits, has certain Danish language skills and is able to post a financial
guarantee.
Accompanying family members in the form of a spouse/partner and minor children can, if
certain requirements are met, also get a residence permit with the new scheme.
19
The employee can submit the application 6 months prior to reaching the pensionable age
established by the relevant organisation and must submit the application before the residence
permit issued by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the terms of Aliens Act section
47(1) expires.
More information on the rules and procedures as well as application forms can be found on the
website of the Danish Immigration Service.
5. Departure
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be notified by verbal note of the departure/termination of
duty of all members of the Mission and consular officers and should, if possible, at the same
time be informed of the name of their successors. The same applies to service staff, private
domestic staff and locally recruited personnel.
Before departure, residence permit cards and ID cards must be handed in to the Protocol
Department. Upon departure Non EU citizens must have an exit stamp inserted in their
passport. Non EU citizens are instructed to bring the passport to the Protocol together with
notification stating date of departure. While the staff member or his/her representative is
waiting at the Protocol during public opening hours, an exit stamp will be inserted in the
passport allowing the staff member to leave the country in due time.
The verbal note to the Protocol Department should include the date of departure (for locally
recruited staff: the date of leaving his or her position).
The note should include the same information for all family members forming part of the
household of the member of the Mission or consular officer leaving Denmark.
The Protocol Department should be notified at least three months in advance of the expected
date of departure if a residing Ambassador wishes to be received in a farewell audience by Her
Majesty the Queen.
The notification should be given by a verbal note and should include the following information:
dates/periods until departure where the Ambassador is NOT able to attend an audience;
if spouse/partner will attend the audience and the full name of the spouse/partner
20
the language the Ambassador prefers to use during the audience (French, English or
one of the Scandinavian languages).
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps should be informed if the Ambassador wishes to hold a
farewell reception. The Dean will in accordance with the tradition give a farewell speech for the
Ambassador. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not give speeches, neither at departures nor
at national day receptions.
The Permanent Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives all departing
Ambassadors for a farewell call. Contact for an appointment should be made directly to the
secretary of the Permanent Secretary of State.
Please note that it is not possible for Ambassadors to have farewell calls with the Ministers on
departure.
With reference to Articles 10, 11 and 12 of the Vienna Convention of 24 April 1963 on Consular
Relations you will find below an outline of the general policy concerning the appointment of
honorary consuls to Denmark (incl. the Faroe Islands and Greenland).
As a general rule, a new honorary consul will not be accepted in the Capital Region if the
country in question already has an Embassy in Copenhagen.
The Embassy of the sending State should propose the candidate to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs by verbal note. The verbal note must state the full name of the candidate, category of
consul, the proposed consular jurisdiction, the address of the consulate and the candidate’s
home address and email. The candidate’s full CV and a list of Danish references must be
enclosed. The Letter of Commission is not to be provided at this stage.
21
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will communicate forms to be completed by the candidate either
by regular mail or email. The candidate’s written authorisation for the relevant authorities to
make the necessary inquiries must be given in this context.
Once the Danish authorities have established that the candidate is not unsuitable to serve as
honorary consul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ acceptance will be communicated to the
Embassy by verbal note and the Embassy will at this time be requested to forward the Letter
of Commission.
be issued by the competent authority of the requesting State and duly sealed and
signed
It is recommended that the consular jurisdiction area takes its point of departure from the
Danish administrative units, i.e. the 5 Regions (the Northern Denmark Region, the Central
Denmark Region, the Region of Southern Denmark, the Region of Zealand and the Capital
Region) and the 98 municipalities.
An exequatur signed by the Chief of Protocol will be issued on the basis of a correct and
complete Letter of Commission.
The Letter of Commission will be forwarded directly to the appointed Consul, and the Embassy
will be notified by Note Verbale including a copy of the Letter of Commission with Exequatur.
The appointment of the Honorary Consul will at the same time be published at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs’ webpage and in Statstidende.
A Head of a consular post may not take up his or her duties until an exequatur has been
issued.
Spouses/partners and children of privileged persons do not need a work permit in order to
work in Denmark, irrespective of their nationality.
Working spouses/partners and children will be liable to pay income tax on their salary.
22
In accordance with article 31 of the Vienna Convention, immunity from Danish civil and
administrative jurisdiction will not apply in relation to any professional or commercial activity
exercised by dependant family members.
In accordance with article 41 of the Vienne Convention, it is the duty of all persons enjoying
privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. In case of
serious criminal acts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will therefore ask the sending State to
waive the immunity of a diplomat involved in such activities, cf. article 32 of the Vienna
Convention. This general rule also applies in relation to criminal activities performed by
dependant family members in relation to any professional or commercial activity.
The Diplomatic Mission or the International Organisation must ensure that the Protocol
Department is informed of spouses/partners or children working in Denmark.
8. Social security
In case of need for acute treatmentsee chapter on Health and Medical Care.
23
nationals (or nationals of another EEA/EU country or Switzerland) or permanent residents in
Denmark.
However, locally recruited staff members from an EEA/EU country and Switzerland being
employed by a Diplomatic Mission of their own nationality, and who have chosen not to be
covered by Danish legislation on social security prior to 1 May 2010, are covered by relevant
Social Pensions Schemes of the national legislation of these Missions. Locally recruited staff
members who have made such choice prior to 1 May 2010 can keep their decision on social
security coverage until 30 April 2020 given their employment carries on and their country of
residence is unchanged. A later date applies to Switzerland (until 31 March 2022) as well as to
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (until 31 May 2022).
Citizens from Turkey, Pakistan, Serbia, Morocco, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina in Denmark may likewise choose to be covered by the legislation on social
security of the countries where they are citizens, respectively. They need to make this choice
within 6 months from the date of their employment. If no such choice is made, they will be
covered by Danish legislation.
The employees must meet certain criteria regarding age. The contribution per employee
depends on the number of hours worked. Employers must report to the ATP about the total
ATP contributions per employee, and ATP accordingly collects the total payments from the
employers.
A personal pension is payable from the recipient’s public retirement pension age (at present 65
years of age) based on these contributions.
As a general rule, employers with employees covered by ATP are obliged to register at the
Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen, Langelinie Allé 17, København Ø; tel: +45 35 29
10 00; e-mail: [email protected]).
Embassies included in the ATP Scheme should also pay to the Labour Market Occupational
Diseases Fund (AES) and the Danish Labour Market Fund for Posted Workers (AFU). Payments
are made through Samlet Betaling.
Specific questions concerning ATP reporting and payment may be addressed to:
ATP
Kongens Vænge 8
24
3400 Hillerød
Tel.: +45 70 11 12 01
Web: www.virk.dk
The Danish authorities have established that the AUB is to be considered a tax. Thus, in
compliance with Article 23 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Diplomatic
Missions accredited to Denmark and International Organisations and other Missions resident in
Copenhagen are exempt from paying contributions to AUB.
25
Health Insurance Card (the “yellow” card):
As described in section 4.7.4, EU/EEA nationals and Swiss nationals, who are employed by
and receive their salaries from an International Organisation or an EU agency/office,
may choose to register with the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration
(SIRI), instead of with the Protocol Department, followed by an application to be registered as
residents with the municipality with a (resident) CPR number. In this case, they as well as their
accompanying spouse/partner and children under the age of 18 apply for the “yellow” Health
Insurance Card, that – as the “Special Health Card” - will give them access to the public
Danish health care system on the same terms as Danish residents. Most services within the
public health care system are provided free of charge.
Dependent family members, who are EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and who do not hold a diplomatic
passport, may separately choose to register with the Danish Agency for International
Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) instead of with the Protocol Department, see further
section 4.7.2. In these cases, an accompanying spouse/partner and children under the age of
18 apply for the “yellow” Health Insurance Card. When choosing this possibility these persons
are obliged to inform Udbetaling Danmark if they are dependent family members to privileged
persons from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.
EHIC may be issued by the domestic (sending) state to privileged persons, who are seconded
by their government to work at a Diplomatic Mission or in an International Organisation in
Denmark, and their dependent family members.
EHIC may be issued by Udbetaling Danmark to privileged persons from EU/EEA countries and
Switzerland being employed by and receiving their salaries from an International Organisation
or an EU agency/office in Denmark.
EHIC may be issued by Udbetaling Danmark to dependent family members, who are
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and who choose to register with Danish Agency for International
Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), see section 4.7.2.
26
The Special Health Insurance Card:
27
Additional information regarding insurances offered by insurance companies may be obtained
by contacting Insurance & Pension Denmark (IPD), which is the trade association of Danish
insurance companies and industry-wide pension funds:
Additional information regarding privileged persons’ access to health care in Denmark may be
obtained by contacting:
Infektionsmedicinsk Klinik
Afsnit 8622
Opgang 86, 2. sal
Esther Møllersvej 6
2100 København Ø
https://www.rigshospitalet.dk/afdelinger-og-klinikker/hjerte/infektionsmedicinsk-
klinik/kontakt/Sider/default.aspx
As an exception to the general rule, this ward can be contacted directly without first consulting
a general practitioner.
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (in Danish the PET) is in charge of coordinating
all security assignments, including official visits by heads of state etc., protection of Foreign
Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations in Copenhagen and their staff residing in
Denmark, including personal protection. Every Foreign Mission and International Organisation
is assigned a PET contact officer who should always be considered the first option for contact
on such issues.
28
All requests concerning security assignments to be undertaken by the police should be directed
to the Danish Security and Intelligence Service which can be contacted by tel: +45 38 27 88
88 (24-hour service), by fax +45 33 43 01 88 or by mail: [email protected]
Should the premises of a Mission be damaged due to politically related vandalism, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs will pay for the necessary repairs in accordance with the Vienna Convention
on Diplomatic Relations. All incidents of vandalism should be reported to the local police and to
the Protocol Department. Smaller events, such as a broken windowpane, may be repaired
immediately and the Mission will be reimbursed the cost against presentation of the invoice(s).
In case of more substantial damage, the Mission is kindly requested to obtain two quotations
and photos of the damages together with the request of reimbursement of the cost of the
repair work.
In cases requiring immediate action, the Mission should at once contact the local police or call
the emergency service on 112 or 114 (direct line to the nearest police station).
Skattestyrelsen
Nykøbingvej 76
Bygning 45
4990 Sakskøbing
Tel.: +45 72 22 28 10
[email protected]
Web: www.skat.dk
Form 13.004 must be signed by the applicant and endorsed by the Head of Mission and
stamped with the Mission’s official stamp. A similar form, 13.005 called “Customs Declaration
for International Organisations” should be used by the International Organisations in Denmark.
29
for immediate delivery of the goods. After the delivery, the supplier passes on the declaration
to the customs authorities.
Further questions about the mentioned forms can be made to Skattecenter København
(contact info above).
MOMS, which at present in Denmark is 25 per cent, the equivalent of 20 per cent of the retail
price, is under the current legislation (the Danish Law on MOMS) reimbursed to Foreign
Diplomatic Missions and their diplomatic staff (including technical and administrative
personnel) and to the International Organisations and their diplomatic staff.
The purchases must be reasonable in quantity and meant to cover actual needs for the
Missions, the diplomatic staff and their dependent family members residing in Denmark only.
MOMS is reimbursed on purchases of goods and services which have been bought in Denmark
(but not in Greenland and the Faroe Islands), and are not mentioned in the list of non-
exemption. Reimbursement is not possible on purchases older than 36 months.
Antiques
Auction items
Second hand articles
Gift certificates, ”gavekort” and items marked “Gavemærke”
Bridge tolls
Admission fees for entertainment (cinemas, theatres, exhibitions etc.)
Membership fees for clubs and associations
Medicine
Ammunition and fire arms
Renovation on a privately owned property is not considered as a purchase, but
as an investment, and the expense will for this reason not be reimbursed, because
it is not meant to cover actual needs for the diplomat.
Construction material as well as installation and construction expenses in
connection with renovation of privately owned property is considered as a personal
investment.
Expenses in relation to buying and selling property, such as but not limited to
lawyer’s fee.
30
Insurance cases, when the expense is covered by the insurance company.
Please note that no Danish MOMS is included in the price of the following items (and receipts
for purchases of such items may not be submitted for reimbursement):
Newspapers
Stamps
Passenger transport
Dentists’ and doctors’ bills etc. (except for health certificates)
Insurance policies
Admission fees for museums
School fees, private and public day care and play groups
Tips
In order to have the MOMS reimbursed, each individual purchase made by the Mission,
organisation or privileged staff member must at present
amount to a minimum of DKK 1,500.00 and the MOMS amount no less than
DKK 300.00
The minimum amount does not apply to supplies of electricity, town gas, natural gas, water,
heating oil, district heating, waste disposal and sewage services.
The amount of DKK 1,500.00 may be subject to annual adjustment based on the development
in the Danish consumer price index.
Claims will only be processed by the Protocol Department once they have been approved in
PRO-Moms by the head of embassy, consulate or International Organisation or by a staff
member authorized by him/her to approve claims for MOMS reimbursement.
31
organisations and privileged staff members are themselves accountable for keeping their bank
information updated and correct.
The flow and functionalities of ‘PRO-Moms’ are described in the manuals integrated in the
system. The preconditions for reimbursement of MOMS on purchases as described above (in
12.2) are:
Each individual purchase must be paid in full and it must be clear from the bill which goods or
services have been purchased. All purchases not paid in cash must be accompanied by proof of
payment. If payment is made by credit card, the card transaction slip must be submitted as
proof of payment. If payment is made by a store account card (e.g. Magasin and Illum), the
individual invoices (of DKK 1,500.00 or more) must be uploaded together with the store
account statement (as proof of payment). In addition the MOMS amount must be clearly
specified on the bill by the vendor in order to have the MOMS reimbursed.
Claims for any purchases that are not sufficiently documented or not subject to MOMS or
MOMS reimbursement (see 12.2 above) will be returned through ‘PRO-Moms’. Returned claims
may be re-submitted during the subsequent submission period, provided that the lacking
information is attached.
The Protocol Department’s Moms-Team is available for any questions you may have to the
procedures and guidelines. The contact information for the Moms-Team is available on the
Protocol Department’s homepage: https://um.dk/en/about-us/the-protocol-
department/directory-of-the-protocol/diplomatic-section/
http://um.dk/en/about-us/the-protocol-department/standard-forms-for-diplomats/
When the form has been filled in and signed by the buyer, it must be provided with the
Mission’s stamp and the signature of the Head of Mission and sent to the Protocol Department
for certification, i.e. that
32
12.5 VAT reimbursement to non-resident diplomats
MOMS is not reimbursed to non-resident diplomats accredited to Denmark. If they are
diplomats in another EU country, they may, however, from their country of residence make
use of the EU VAT exemption scheme described above for purchases made in Denmark.
Concerning application for duty-free import of goods to Denmark for official purposes or for
personal use during temporary visits to Denmark, please see 11.1.3.
The Customs and Tax Administration has made a manual which describes how to apply for
refund of energy taxes. Please contact The Customs and Tax Administration/Punktafgifter
København to receive the manual.
Skattestyrelsen
Nykøbingvej 76
Bygning 45
4990 Sakskøbing
Tel.: +45 72 22 28 10
For further information, please consult the homepage of the Danish Ministry of Taxation:
www.skat.dk
33
Skattestyrelsen
Nykøbingvej 76
Bygning 45
4990 Sakskøbing
Tel.: +45 7222 2810
Web: www.skat.dk
Administrative and technical staff of the Mission are together with their families exempt
from taxes to the same extent as diplomatic agents.
Members of the service staff of the Mission and private domestic staff of members of the
Mission are exempt from taxes on the emoluments they receive from their employment.
Members of their families enjoy no tax exemption.
With regards to International Organisations, tax exemptions are regulated in the particular
host agreement. Officials are normally fully liable to taxation in Denmark but exempt from
paying tax on their salaries and emoluments from the International Organisation. In the event
where officials in an International Organisation are entitled to employ a private domestic staff,
the tax status of the private domestic staff depends on the Host Agreement.
Danish nationals or persons residing in Denmark at the time of employment are fully
liable to taxation cf. section below.
13. Movables
34
There are no restrictions on the export of movables except as indicated below.
Cultural objects older than 50 years and valued at DKK 162,000 or more
An application form should be used and sent to the Danish Commission on the Export of
Cultural Assets:
Kulturværdiudvalget
Sekretariatet
Det Kgl. Bibliotek
Søren Kirkegaards Plads 1
1016 København K
If an export licence is denied, Kulturværdiudvalget will offer to buy the object at a price to be
fixed by evaluation.
Please observe that diplomatic agents are subject to the same restrictions as Danish citizens
concerning the amount of cash to be carried when travelling out of Denmark. According to
Danish legislation, cash amounts of more than Euro 10,000 or DKK 75,000 must be declared to
the Danish Tax Authorities (SKAT) before being carried to any other country. More information
may be found:
http://skat.dk/skat.aspx?oid=2234822
35
be considered reasonable considering the size of the Mission and household. For International
Organisations and their employees, the rules on acquisition and possession of motor vehicles
are to be found in the specific host agreement.
Since the purpose of the privileges granted to privileged persons is to ensure the efficient
performance of their functions, the primary function of the vehicle must be passenger
transportation. Thus i.e. the purchase of a motorhome/camper van (without paying duties and
taxes) will not be accepted, since a motorhome/camper is not considered necessary to fulfil
the functions of privileged persons whilst residing in Denmark.
A vehicle registered on diplomatic number plates may only be driven by members of the
privileged person’s family, forming part of the household, and by domestic staff on duty. A
diplomatic vehicle may further be used in a family member’s transportation to and from work
but not for professional or commercial use (e.g. as a delivery vehicle).
The motor vehicles must at all times be in compliance with the Danish standards applicable for
vehicles and covered by a valid compulsory third party liability insurance. A leased vehicle
cannot be registered on CD plates.
Technical-Administrative Personnel (TAP) must have owned and used the vehicle for at least
one year in order to import the vehicle without paying duties and MOMS.
Correspondence and queries concerning customs and other duties on motor vehicles may be
addressed to the customs office in Copenhagen:
Skattecenter Høje-Taastrup
Helgeshøj Allé 9
2630 Taastrup
36
15.3 Registration
Application for registration and license plates must be sent to:
Motorcenter Høje-Taastrup
Helgeshøj Allé 9
2630 Taastrup
Any vehicle exempt from registration fees shall be liable to a registration fee when the
conditions for the exemption are no longer fulfilled. The taxable value of used vehicles is to be
fixed by SKAT.
Skattecenter Høje-Taastrup
Helgeshøj Allé 55
2630 Taastrup 32
Tel.: +45 7222 1818
Web: www.skat.dk
Deregistration of the privileged person’s vehicle(s) is to be carried out as soon as possible and
without undue delay. It is expected that deregistration is effectuated within 30 days after end
of duty. It is an absolute condition that the mandatory third-party/liability insurance is valid
until deregistration. The Mission/Organisation must ensure that their employees deregister
their vehicles within the stipulated time limit.
If a privileged person remains in Denmark after deregistration with the Protocol, based on
another set of rules, or sells the vehicle to a non-privileged owner in Denmark, the vehicle
must be re-registered with a Danish registration office and the diplomatic license plates
returned to the registration office.
37
www.applusbilsyn.dk
www.quickbilsyn.dk
The Police isauthorized to remove the license plates from a car which has not undergone
obligatory car inspection. If the license plates are removed due to the lack of car inspection,
the vehicle must not be parked on public roads and must be removed as soon as possible and
within 48 hours; otherwise it will be removed at the owner's expense. In order to obtain new
license plates you should contact the Danish tax authorities, a vehicle inspection facility or
another entity being authorized to hand out license plates. The price for new license plates is
approx. DKK 1,180 + possible handling fee.
The Police is authorized to remove the license plates from a car being driven without a valid
third party liability insurance. If the license plates are removed due to lack of insurance, the
vehicle must not be parked on public roads and must be removed as soon as possible and
within 48 hours; otherwise it will be removed at the owner's expense. In order to obtain new
license plates you should contact the Danish tax authorities, a vehicle inspection facility or
another entity being authorized to hand out license plates. The price for new license plates is
approx. DKK 1,180 + possible handling fee.
All inquiries regarding license plates should be addressed to the Danish tax authorities.
16. Driving
Privileged persons and their dependent family members, including members of the service staff
and private domestic staff, may drive a motor vehicle in Denmark provided they are in
possession of one of the following valid driving licenses:
Other non-Danish driving licenses than the above-mentioned, if the driving license is
drawn up in Latin letters or if it is supplemented with a translation into Danish, English
or French, provided the translation is drawn up by a public authority or an organisation
which is authorized to do so in the issuing country.
38
An international driving license issued in accordance with the International Conventions
of 24 April 1926 on Motor Traffic, 19 September 1949 on Road Traffic or 8 November
1968 on Road Traffic.
Embassy staff being posted to serve as drivers must present a valid national driving license
respecting the above with their application for a residence permit with the Protocol
Department.
Driving licenses should be prolonged in the country where they were issued. If the national
rules of the issuing state do not allow a prolongation, the Danish Authorities may prolong the
driving license. Applications for such prolongations must be presented at the latest 6 months
before the expiration of the driving license in order to ensure that a new card be available in
time before the expiration.
As a general rule, it is not possible for persons with a residence permit/EU residence document
issued by the Protocol Department to obtain a Danish driving license. There are two
exceptions: 1) National rules prevent the person from obtaining a driving licence in the
sending State (for International Organisations: the State of citizenship) – documentation from
the competent national authority to this effect is required. 2) Evidence can be produced that
the applicant has been studying in Denmark for at least six months (high school, youth
education and university).
In cases where, on the basis of the alcohol test or the police report, there is no doubt about
the condition of the driver, the Ministry will take appropriate measures.
Severe cases may result in requests to the Head of Mission to waive the immunity of the
person or to recall him/her.
Exceeding posted speed limits is also a serious offence. Danish Police is using a variety of
measures (including permanent and temporary photo control posts) to reduce the number of
violations of speed limits. A system is in place according to which penalties are fixed according
to the location and the degree of the violation.
39
As per 1 February 2015 a new rule in the Danish Traffic Act establishes strict liability for the
owner (or registered user) of a vehicle for violations of speed limits registered by an Automatic
Traffic Control system, when the violation constitutes a maximum of 30% of the allowed
speed, unless another person admits to being the driver of the vehicle at the time of the
violation or unless the vehicle was in the unauthorized possession of another person, e.g. in
case of theft.
The new rule implies that in such cases, the owner (or registered user) of a vehicle will
automatically be notified and simultaneously presented with a fine notice indicating the fine to
be paid and methods of payment.
The Protocol Department will receive information on these speeding offences and stay in touch
with Diplomatic Missions on the matter.
When exceeding the posted limit by more than 30% the Police will handle the matter case by
case. The Protocol Department will be informed and will contact the relevant Head of Mission
about the matter.
https://www.sikkertrafik.dk/raad-og-viden/i-bil/klip-i-koerekortet
17. Parking
Having a parking permit does not exempt you from complying with any local parking
restrictions in places where there are special signs giving time limits or other parking
restrictions.
Remember always to use the parking disc for time-restricted parking. On parking, set the
pointer to the time of arrival. If parking before a time restriction starts and continues into the
time restriction, set the pointer to when the time restriction actually starts.
All staff at embassies and international organizations – privileged persons or not – are
obligated to pay any surcharge levied for illegal parking, whether issued by the municipality of
Copenhagen (“Center for Parkering”), the police or private companies, such as Europark and
Cityparkering, who have been hired to patrol and collect fees on private parking lots, e.g. at
supermarkets.
40
The parking rules in Copenhagen are described in detail in a Mini Parking Guide issued by
Copenhagen Parking Centre. It is available in Danish, English and German and may be ordered
from:
https://international.kk.dk/sites/international.kk.dk/files/p-miniguide-en_maj_2018.pdf
A resident’s parking permit (beboerlicens) will be issued only to persons with a residential
address in the area. Vehicles registered by the Mission may likewise achieve permits on
similar conditions.
Privileged persons may buy a permit to park in certain areas of central Copenhagen. Personal
contact should be made to
Borgerservice
Nyropsgade 7
1602 København V
The reserved parking spot outside a Diplomatic Mission is not reserved for the exclusive use of
the Mission’s vehicles, but for all vehicles with business at the Mission. In case of unauthorised
parking in reserved parking lots, the Diplomatic Mission should contact the Copenhagen
Parking Centre at tel: +45 70 80 80 95 and a parking attendant of the district will seek to
issue a parking fine.
All vehicles, both vehicles belonging to the Mission and vehicles with business at the Mission,
must comply with the relevant parking regulations and pay the parking fees, if the reserved
parking place is located within a pay zone.
Parking in front of the government conference centre Eigtveds Pakhus is generally prohibited.
However, in case of special events the prohibition may be waived. The area is public property,
and vehicles illegally parked there are subject to penalty parking fees. Visitors to the
conference centre should park in the parking area behind Eigtveds Pakhus.
41
18. Education
18.1 Schools
In the public school system, children of diplomats are normally accorded the same conditions
(free tuition) as Danish children. Some municipalities, however, charge a certain amount for
some services, such as remedial and special needs education.
In Denmark there is ten years of compulsory education starting with one year of pre-school
class for children by the age of 5-6. The “Folkeskole” is the Danish municipal primary and
lower secondary school, which is attended by 87 per cent of all children. It offers nine-year
primary and lower secondary school and an optional tenth grade.
Primary and lower secondary education is also offered by private schools of which there are
some 400 spread throughout the country. The state covers 80-85 per cent of the expenditures
while the parents pay the remaining 15-20 per cent (fees vary between the different schools
and grades).
A European School opened in August 2014 with a limited number of classes and languages.
The school is planned to develop over the years. The school will have room for 13 year groups
and 900 students when fully phased in by 2021. The school is free of charge.
The following schools and kindergartens are known by the Protocol Department:
42
Amager’s International School
Engvej 141
2300 København S
43
Prins Henriks Skole (French) Valby Preschool
Frederiksberg Allé 22A Søndermarksvej 13
1820 Frederiksberg C 2500 Valby
Web: www.rygaards.com
Email: [email protected]
Web: [email protected]
http://www.hellerupmontessori.d
k/
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International School of Hellerup
Bernadotteskolen
Rygaards Allé 131
Hellerupvej 11
2900 Hellerup
2900 Hellerup
Web: https://sktjosef.com/
International baccalaureate
At the following schools students may prepare themselves for the International Baccalaureate
(IB):
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Birkerød Gymnasium og HF Herlufsholm Skole og Gods
(partly boarding school) (partly boarding school)
Søndervangen 56 Herlufsholm Allé 170
3460 Birkerød 4700 Næstved
https://www.workindenmark.dk/Moving-to-DK/Bring-your-family/School-and-Education
18.3 Universities
There are general and specific admission requirements for foreign students. For the University
of Copenhagen, information can be obtained from:
Study Division
University of Copenhagen
Fiolstræde 1
1171 København K
Web: www.ku.dk/english/
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18.4 Danish language courses
There are several institutions offering Danish language courses, which can be found through
the search engine at the link below to the website of the Ministry of Education. Currently, this
search engine only exists in Danish, cf.
https://www.uvm.dk/institutioner-og-drift/institutionsregisteret
An overview of the language courses offered in Denmark can also be found at the link below:
https://statistik.uni-c.dk/instregvisning/Liste.aspx?InstType=1052
The licence is issued for weapons meant for the owner’s personal protection, and one firearms
licence is issued for a handgun (pistol/revolver). Only one licence per person. No licence will be
issued for automatic weapons.
Applications for a firearms licence must contain personal information about the applicant as
well as specifications for the firearms for which the applicant applies. The application must be
endorsed by the Head of Mission and sent to:
Københavns Politi
Operativ Planlægning & Analyse
Politigården
1567 København V
Copy of both sides of the applicant’s Danish diplomatic ID card or residence permit card, copy
of the page showing name and photo from the applicant’s passport as well as the page with
the Danish visa must be enclosed with the application.
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19.1.2 Firearms licence for staff at embassies
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) issues firearms licences to staff at Foreign
Embassies in Denmark based on a security need.
PET may issue firearms licences for small arms – with the exception of machine pistols, fully
automatic rifles and machine guns – and ammunition for such arms to staff at Foreign
Embassies in Denmark. The licence can only be issued to a natural person.
Embassies that wish to apply for firearms licences for its members of staff based on a security
need may approach the embassy's contact person in PET, who will hand out the application
form and provide guidance. Under Section 6 b of the Danish Weapons and Explosives Act, the
submission of an application for a firearms licence is subject to a fee.
Firearms licences remain valid for a period of two years, cf. Section 6 d (1) of the Danish
Weapons and Explosives Act. The certificate can be renewed upon application.
The licence is subject to the condition that the weapon may not be stored or carried outside
the extraterritorial area. Carrying the weapon outside the extraterritorial area is, however,
permitted in connection with entry into and departure from Denmark.
Furthermore, it will be possible to apply for special permission to carry and use the weapon
outside the extraterritorial area for the purpose of training at a shooting range.
The licence is personal, and the holder of the licence must always carry the certificate together
with the weapon. Upon termination of the holder’s functions with the Mission, the licence must
be returned to PET.
Permission to buy weapons or ammunition in Denmark is also obtained from PET. The dealer
will return the used permission to the PET.
https://www.politi.dk/da/borgerservice/vaabentilladelse/
You are only allowed to possess barrelled weapons if you have a game licence.
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http://www.naturstyrelsen.dk/International/English/Topics/Hunting/
Web: http://eng.mst.dk/
First-time applicants must enclose a copy of their passport, documentation of their connection
to an embassy, valid game licence issued in their country of residence and documentation if
they are entitled to hunt with sporting rifles.
Applicants who have earlier had a temporary Danish game licence only need to enclose a copy
of their passport and documentation of their connection to an embassy.
A fee must be paid for a game licence. The temporary game licence is valid with a receipt
stamp from a post office or a bank. A game licence comprises a third party liability insurance
for accidents in connection with shooting caused by the person in whose name the game
licence has been issued. Applicants should allow the Danish Forest and Nature Agency 3 weeks
for processing a game licence.
A temporary Danish game licence is valid for a period of one year from 1 April - 31 March.
https://www.fisketegn.dk/fisketegn/common/setLocale.do?language=en
The angling licence may be obtained on the following English web address:
https://www.fisketegn.dk/fisketegn/common/setupAnglerFisherType.do
Many campsites, fishing tackle dealers and vacation home rental agencies also sell angling
licences.
Your angling licence is personal and you must carry your fishing number or receipt for
payment while fishing together with personal identification. The income from angling licences
is used to care for fish stocks.
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20. Real property
Justitsministeriet
Civilafdelingen/ Formueretskontoret
Slotsholmsgade 10
1216 København K
This also applies to owner-occupied flats (ejerlejligheder) and to flats where the tenant has
bought a share in the house (andelslejligheder).
Privileged persons who are EU citizens are not required to obtain permission if the real
estate/property is meant for year-round occupancy. The same applies to privileged persons
who are citizens in Nordic countries that are not members of the EU. However, it is
recommended to contact the Ministry of Justice before any acquisition is made.
The property should be registered as soon as possible and no later than six months from the
date of conveyance. The permission from the Ministry of Justice must be submitted to the
Register of Mortgages (Tinglysningsretten) when registering the deed. No permission is needed
when selling real property.
In addition to the permission from the Ministry of Justice, permission to use an existing
building whether owned or rented/leased for office purposes needs to be obtained from local
authorities (municipalities).
If no such district plan or municipal planning regulation pertain to your local area, you will
have to follow the provisions issued respectively by the Planning Division of your local
municipality, the Act on Planning (in Danish: “Planloven" - LBK nr 287 af 16/04/2018), and the
Act on Building (in Danish: “Byggeloven” - LBK nr. 1178 af 23/09/2016).
Municipalities are prepared to provide guidance on general and local regulations and
ordinances regarding zoning, usages, etc.
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20.3 Registration duties
Foreign States are exempt from registration fee on documents by means of which the Foreign
State acquires or rents real property for office use or for residences for its staff. When buying
real property, normal registration fees will have to be paid and an application for
reimbursement should be sent to:
Skattecenter Høje-Taastrup
Helgeshøj Allé 9
2630 Taastrup
More information may be obtained by contacting the ID card office, tel. +45 3231 2317.
Provided the Royal Lounge is available, the Protocol Department may facilitate the use of it in
connection with the arrival, departure or transit of:
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Foreign Royalty
Heads of State
Heads of Government
Ministers for Foreign Affairs and
Presidents/Speakers of Parliament
The Royal Lounge may only be used by other visiting Cabinet Ministers provided a Danish
Cabinet Minister is present.
All requests for the use of the Royal Lounge must be directed and facilitated through the
Protocol Department.
Any catering services wished for in the Royal Lounge must be arranged through email
[email protected].
In order to cover the expenses of manning the Royal Lounge, VIP administration, marshalling
of cars, cleaning, etc. Copenhagen Airports CPH has a VIP charge.
21.4 CD Parking
CD cars on blue plates may be parked for up to 75 minutes at the CD parking (free of charge)
at the parking space east of terminal 3, referred to as P-8. For parking up to max. 4 hours in
the car park buildings/areas, each Mission may obtain one personnel card (personalekort) free
of charge from:
VIP coordinator
Tel.: +45 2228 7065
Email: [email protected]
Lufthavnsparkeringen
Københavns Lufthavne A/S
2770 Kastrup
Web: www.cph.dk
It should be noted that parking for more than 4 hours at the airport must be paid on general
conditions.
22. Elections
Diplomatic Missions may open polling stations for elections in their home country at the
premises of their Missions without special authorisation.
If it is deemed necessary to open such polling stations outside the premises of the Embassy,
such as school buildings, a formal request should be addressed to the Protocol Department.
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The opening of such polling stations will normally not give rise to objections on the part of the
Danish Authorities. If Embassies need assistance or guidance from the Ministry of Economic
Affairs and the Interior in connection with general questions regarding elections, the person to
approach is Election Advisor Christine Boeskov (telephone no. +45 25 16 12 06).
Regarding information to voters through radio, television and press the Embassy is requested
to approach these institutions directly.
Concerning election posters the Embassy’s attention is drawn to the Ministry of Justice’s Order
No. 645 of 12 October 1989 as amended by No. 828 of 25 November 1998.
The Ministry advises the Embassy to inform the Danish Security and Intelligence Service in
advance about the time and place of the planned polling stations:
Politiets Efterretningstjeneste
Klausdalsbrovej 1
2860 Søborg
Email: [email protected]
23. Emergencies
Call 112 if you need urgent medical assistance in the event of acute life threatening illness or
injury or if you need the fire brigade or the police.
Call 1813 if you need help in the event of injury or a sudden illness. You can also dial 1813
when you are in doubt about what to do. You must call 1813 for advice; you cannot just go
to the regional emergency departments.
Telephone calls to 112 and 1813 are answered by the regional Emergency Centre, which is
responsible for providing proper assistance. For example, the Emergency Centre is able to
send an ambulance, refer you to a hospital emergency department or send a physician to your
home.
You can receive treatment in five regional emergency departments 24 hours a day. Please dial
1813 in advance. There are emergency departments at e.g. Bispebjerg, Herlev and Hvidovre
hospitals, the North Zealand Hospital Hillerød as well as the Hospital of Bornholm.
You can receive treatment for sudden illnesses and minor injuries at six urgent care centres
from 7 AM to 10 PM. Please dial 1813 in advance.
You can receive urgent help in psychiatric acute admissions/centres. Dial 1813 if you are in
doubt. Psychiatric admissions in Ballerup, Glostrup, Hvidovre, Nordsjælland and Copenhagen
are open 24 hours a day, while psychiatric admissions in Amager and Frederiksberg are open
between 8 AM and 10 PM.
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Dial 1813 if you have suffered broken teeth or suffer from toothache outside of your dentist’s
surgery hours.
You may choose to install the 112 app on your mobile phone. With the 112 app you can start a
call to emergency services and simultaneously send them your mobile phone’s GPS
coordinates. You can read more about the 112 app on www.112app.dk. The app is free of
charge and is available for download from Apple App Store, Google Play, Windows market
Place or via www.112app.dk
Download the free app ”Akuthjælp” in App Store or Google Play and look up addresses and
opening hours for emergency admissions, emergency dentist etc.
https://www.regionh.dk/english/Healthcare-Services/Emergency-Medical-
Services/Pages/Medical-Helpline-1813.aspx
The following procedures should be observed regarding visits to Greenland and the Faroe
Islands by diplomatic agents, as defined in Article 1, (e) of the Vienna Convention on
Diplomatic Relations:
Visa
Diplomatic agents from states whose citizens may enter Denmark without a visa may also
travel to Greenland and the Faroe Islands without a special visa.
Diplomatic agents from States whose citizens need visa to enter Denmark must obtain a
special visa for travel to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This special visa will be issued by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Protocol Department, on the basis of a note verbale.
The Danish flag is called Dannebrog and, according to legend, dates back to 15 June 1219. The
Faroe Islands and Greenland have their own flags.
In general, it is not permitted to fly Foreign flags in Denmark except for the flags of the Nordic
countries, the UN flag and the EU flag. However, national flags can be flown at the chancellery
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of a Diplomatic Mission, at the residence of the Head of Mission and on the Mission’s or Head of
Mission’s official car.
Further legal information can also be found on the Danish parliament’s webpage: http://ft.dk/
Information about the Schengen rules and visa requirements and procedures for foreign
nationals wishing to visit Denmark can be found here: https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB
27. Pets
Rules regarding the importation of pet animals are laid down in EU Regulation 576/2013 of 12
June 2013 on the animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of
pet animals.
‘Pet animals’ mean animals of the species listed in Annex I to the Regulation, which are
accompanying their owners or a person responsible for such animals on behalf of the owner
during their movement, and which are not intended to be sold or transferred to another owner.
All current rules are explained on the homepage of the Danish Veterinary and Food
Administration: www.uk.foedevarestyrelsen.dk (English version). The Regional Control
Authorities must be contacted for personal calls. In the following a summary:
In general, dogs and cats must be identifiable by either a microchip of ISO standard or a
readable tattoo. Furthermore, they must be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the
recommendations of the manufacturing laboratory of the used vaccine. A health certificate is
required for this purpose.
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If the dog or cat originates from a country not listed in Annex II to Regulation 576/2013 in
addition to the requirements mentioned above, a neutralising antibody titration at least equal
to 0,5 IU/ml carried out on a sample taken by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after
vaccination and three months before entering Denmark.
Forms for the above-mentioned health certificate can be downloaded from the homepage of
the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
Dogs and cats less than three months old may be imported without rabies vaccination but with
proper ID and health certificate and only upon receiving an import permit.
In Denmark, it is required by law to have a dog liability insurance. The insurance covers if a
dog does damage to people outside the owner’s household or to their belongings. The
insurance may be purchased from most Danish insurance companies.
Please observe that according to Danish law, the ownership and breeding of some specified
dog breeds are prohibited, cf.
http://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/english/ImportExport/Travelling_with_pet_animals/Pages/T
he-Danish-dog-legislation.aspx
There are no restrictions on the import of certain aquarium fish, hamsters and guinea pigs, but
several exotic animals such as parrots, some other bird species, tortoises, turtles, snakes and
other reptiles may be covered by provisions governing endangered species. It is recommended
in such cases to contact the Danish Nature Agency:
Naturstyrelsen
Gjøddinggård, Førstballevej 2
7183 Randbøl
Tel.: +45 7254 3000
Web: http://mst.dk/natur-vand/natur/international-naturbeskyttelse/handel-med-
truede-arter/dyr-og-planter-omfattet-af-cites/
Email: [email protected]
Certain museums in Copenhagen and surroundings grant free entry for diplomats and their
spouses upon presentation of the red ID card or the diplomatic Residence Card.
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A guide to museums in Copenhagen and the Copenhagen area may be found:
https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/sightseeing/cool-art-museums-copenhagen
Passengers on the S-tog and the Metro are obliged to have valid tickets before entering a
train.
In greater Copenhagen inspectors carry out random checks on trains, including the Metro, and
buses to make sure passengers are holding a valid ticket. Passengers not holding a valid ticket
must pay a surcharge for the ticket of DKK 750, cf.
https://www.dsb.dk/kundeservice/skriv-til-os/kontrolafgift/
If early history objects of gold, silver or other valuable metals or of other cultural value are
found in Denmark, and no one is proved to be the owner, the object is state property. Finders
of such objects must deliver the objects to the National Museum of Denmark, cf.
http://natmus.dk/salg-og-ydelser/museumsfaglige-ydelser/danefae/indlevering-af-danefae/
Other natural history objects found in the earth such as rare fossils, animal skeletons, rare
minerals and meteorites should be offered to the State. The finding place should be noted, and
the nearest scientific museum should be contacted. If the State wishes to buy the objects, the
finder will receive remuneration.
The Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen) may authorise Diplomatic Missions to use
radio and satellite equipment for communication with their home country and with Missions in
other countries.
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Radio equipment which complies with the requirements in Executive Order No 459 of 23 May
2012 on Frequency Use without License and on Amateur Radio Examinations and Call Signs
etc. may be used without a license.
Other radio equipment may be subject to licensing according to Executive Order No 999 of 15
October 2012 on Frequency Use with License.
Erhvervsstyrelsen
Langelinie Allé 17
2100 København Ø
Mail: [email protected]
Web: http://dba.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/home/0/2
https://ens.dk/ansvarsomraader/frekvenser/ansoeg-om-tilladelse-og-kaldesignal/ansoeg-om-
frekvenstilladelse
According to the Radio and TV Licenses Act article 12 Diplomatic Missions and their privileged
staff members are exempt from paying license fees for Danish radio and television broadcasts.
It is a condition for the exemption that the privileged person is not registered in the Danish
Civil registration system/CPR with a resident CPR-number.
32. NemID
Individuals working and living in Denmark often need a NemID. NemID is a common online
login to access public and private self-service solutions, e.g. Digital Post, online banking or the
Danish Customs and Tax Administration (SKAT).
Diplomats may apply for a NemID by visiting a citizen service centre (Borgerservice) in the
municipality where he/she lives and bring a witness.
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Bring a valid photo ID and an identification document containing the assigned
administrative social security number. Please contact a citizen service centre in case of
questions in regards to legitimation.
The individual must also bring a witness, who can attest to the identity of the
individual. The witness will need to sign a sworn statement with his or her own personal
NemID, or in writing - in case the witness does not own a NemID.
The witness must have reached the age of 15, be able to meet the general ID
requirements and sign a sworn statement.
We recommend that the witness brings his or her own personal NemID, as it is possible
to sign the sworn statement with NemID.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Protocol Department, processes personal data regarding
privileged persons and other staff working for other countries’ Missions accredited to Denmark
and international organizations residing in Denmark. The Protocol Department also processes
personal data regarding candidates in the process of being appointed as honorary consuls in
Denmark.
You can read about how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs processes personal data in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs’ Privacy Notice:
English version
Danish version
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