Denmark
Cards, ATMs and cash in Denmark: what to expect
Usually yes — Denmark is a card-first country, and Visa and Mastercard are the default way to pay in cities (check for very small or rural sellers). Carry a card with no foreign transaction fee plus a second card as backup, and a modest cash float for the rare cash-only stop. Always choose DKK at the terminal.
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GuideDenmark
Key facts
- Card acceptancecheck
- Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in cities; small or rural sellers may differ (check)
- Cash neededcheck
- Rarely; a small DKK float is enough backup (check)
- Currency
- Danish krone (DKK); Denmark is outside the euro
- Pay in
- DKK — decline the terminal's offer to charge in your home currency
- ATM feescheck
- Local operator fees vary by machine and bank; your own bank's fee and rate often matter more (check)
- Tipping
- Service is included; round up or 5–10% for excellent service
- Contactlesscheck
- Common in shops and restaurants; check before relying on it for transit (check)
Quick answer
Pay by card. Denmark is one of Europe's most card-first countries, and in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense you can go days without touching cash. Visa and Mastercard are the safe default; American Express is less widely taken (check).
Plan for two cards from different networks, a card with no foreign transaction fee, and a small DKK cash float for the rare seller that takes only cash or a Danish payment app. Always choose DKK when a terminal or ATM offers to convert.
- Carry two cards from different networks, stored separately.
- Keep a small DKK cash float for the rare cash-only stop (check).
- Always choose DKK at the terminal and the ATM.
- Save your bank's overseas contact number before you fly.
Details
Denmark is a card-first country. Supermarkets, restaurants, museums, taxis and most city transport ticket machines take contactless Visa or Mastercard, and some businesses no longer handle cash at all (check). A few small kiosks or rural stalls may only take MobilePay, a Danish app tied to a local bank account that visitors usually cannot set up — so a card plus a little cash covers you.
Set up before you fly: a card with no foreign transaction fee, a second card from a different network as backup, and your bank's travel notice if it still requires one. Add the card to your phone wallet for tap-to-pay. Telling your bank you are travelling reduces the chance that a first transaction in Copenhagen triggers a fraud block.
At the terminal, choose DKK. If the screen offers to charge you in USD, GBP or another home currency, decline — that is dynamic currency conversion, and the rate is usually worse than your bank's (check the exact markup with your issuer). The same rule applies at ATMs: let your own bank do the conversion.
ATMs are easy to find in cities and at Copenhagen Airport. Bank-branded machines are generally a better bet than standalone machines in bars or convenience stores, which can add a steep fee (check). Withdraw a larger amount less often to cut per-withdrawal charges. Your home bank's fee and exchange rate often cost more than the local operator's fee, so compare both.
Cards are also the usual way to pay for transport. Contactless bank cards and the Rejsekort travel card are used on Copenhagen metro, S-tog and buses, and ticket machines accept cards (check current rules before you rely on a foreign card at the gate). For trains between cities, book on DSB and pay by card (check).
| Situation | What works | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket, café, restaurant | Contactless Visa/Mastercard | Some are cash-free (check) |
| Metro, bus, S-train | Contactless card or Rejsekort (check) | Buy before boarding where required |
| Small kiosk or rural stall | Card usually; cash backup | A few take only MobilePay (check) |
| ATM withdrawal | Bank-branded ATM | Avoid standalone machines; decline conversion (check) |
| Taxi | Card, including in-app | Round up if paying cash |
Acceptance and fees can change; confirm with your bank.
Tips
Denmark is outside the euro, so euros are not accepted in shops — exchange or withdraw DKK instead. Contactless is the norm; you rarely need a PIN for small amounts, but keep your PIN memorised for larger payments and ATMs.
If a machine or terminal is card-only and your card does not work, staff can usually point you to the nearest ATM. For emergencies, transfer services exist in the big cities, but they are slow and costly — a second card is a better plan.
Keep receipts if you may claim VAT refunds on shopping, and check your bank's app for the real exchange rate applied. For day-to-day budgeting, see the country money and tipping page.
FAQ
Short answers to the questions travellers ask most about paying in Denmark.
Questions people ask
Are credit cards widely accepted in Denmark?
Usually yes. Visa and Mastercard are the default in cities, including cafés, shops and transit ticket machines (check). American Express is less widely taken. Carry a small amount of cash as backup for the rare cash-only or MobilePay-only stop.
Which ATMs have the lowest fees in Denmark?
Bank-branded ATMs are generally cheaper than standalone machines in bars or shops, which can add a steep fee (check). Your own bank's overseas fee and exchange rate often cost more than the local fee, so compare both before withdrawing.
Should I pay in local currency or my own?
Always pay in Danish kroner (DKK). If a terminal or ATM offers to convert the charge into your home currency, decline — that dynamic currency conversion usually gives a worse rate than your bank's (check the exact markup with your issuer).
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisitDenmark
- officialDanmarks Nationalbank
- officialDSB
- secondaryWikivoyage – Denmark