Denmark

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Denmark are strict; driving any vehicle — including a bicycle — under the influence of drugs is a serious offense.

Long jail sentences — FCDO: up to 10 years — and heavy fines; applies even to small quantities and when transiting through airports.

Cannabis is illegal in Denmark. Possessing any amount — hash, marijuana or cannabis products such as oils — is a criminal offence under the Euphoriants Act, punishable by a fine or up to 2 years in prison, and police confiscate the drugs. Standard fines start at DKK 2,000 for a first offence with up to 9.9 g of hash and rise with quantity and repeat offences; 100 g or more brings a custodial charge. Christiania in Copenhagen is not a legal zone: police shut down the organised Pusher Street hash trade in 2024 and registered over 1,200 possession cases there in a single year. Denmark's medical cannabis scheme covers only products prescribed by a doctor.

Euphoriants Act § 3: fine or imprisonment up to 2 years; the drugs are confiscated. Standard prosecution fine rates for possession for personal use (Rigsadvokaten guideline "Narkotika", version 1 April 2026, offences after 1 July 2025): hash, cannabis-containing products and synthetic cannabinoids — up to 9.9 g: DKK 2,000 / 3,000 / 4,000 for first/second/third-or-later offence; 10–49.9 g: DKK 3,000 / 4,500 / 6,000; 50–99.9 g: DKK 5,000 / 7,500 / 10,000; 100 g and above: custodial charge. Fines are doubled inside a police-designated strengthened penalty zone (Police Act § 6 a; Penal Code § 81 e) — in the 2024–25 Christiania zone, first-time possession of even small amounts of hash was fined DKK 4,000 instead of DKK 2,000. From roughly 10 kg of hash, Penal Code § 191 applies (up to 10 years; 16 in aggravated cases). A warning replaces the fine only in narrow cases — under § 3(4) where social circumstances and strong addiction to hard drugs warrant it, or as discretionary non-prosecution; the guideline notes that tourists may be issued a warning and expelled from Denmark over the case.

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription — from 1 January 2026 Denmark applies new import rules: medicine containing narcotic substances (lists B–E) is limited to 30 days' personal supply, and antibiotics from outside the EU/EEA to 3 months' treatment.

Possession of weapons of any kind in Denmark — including pocketknives and pepper spray — may result in criminal penalties; carrying pointed or sharp weapons requires a police-issued certificate.

Criminal penalties.

Declare cash and other monetary instruments worth EUR 10,000 (about DKK 75,000) or more to the Danish Customs Agency whenever you enter or leave Denmark — the duty applies even if you are only in transit.

You risk being fined and having your valuables seized if you do not declare.

A valid US state driver's license is acceptable in Denmark for up to 90 days; you must be 18 to drive, and long-term residents must obtain a Danish license.

Driving any vehicle — including a bicycle — under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a strictly enforced serious offense in Denmark.

License confiscation, immediate detention, high fines, and potentially lengthy jail sentences.

Danish road rules differ from the US: right turns on a red light are illegal, headlights must be on at all times day and night, and handheld phone use while driving is banned.

Police fines for violations (US State Dept / Government of Canada).

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGB events in the Kingdom of Denmark.

It is illegal to wear clothing that conceals your face in a public place in Denmark — the ban applies to visitors, with legal exemptions such as masks worn for health reasons.

Fine of about DKK 1,000, increasing for repeat offences (FCDO).