Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit130 km/h
- Drink drive0.5 g/L · about 1 pint or 1 small wine
- Emergency112
Denmark drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 110 km/h (130 on select stretches). The emergency number is 112.
0.5 g/l - lower than England and Wales. Roadside checks are common.
Driving tips
- Headlights must be on at all times, even on the brightest summer day. Automatic daylight running lights satisfy this.
- Cyclists have strict priority. Give way at every junction and never overtake close to a cycle lane on the inside.
- Fines for speeding are issued on the spot and can be eye-watering. Foreign plates are no protection, ANPR cameras are widely used.
- Winter tyres are not compulsory by law, but most locals fit them from late October to April. If you drive during a cold snap with summer tyres and have an accident, your insurance may push back.
- Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes follow lorry speed limits, not car limits. Make sure you know which category your vehicle falls into.
- Parking tickets in towns are usually paid by app (EasyPark, ParkMan) or at machines. Foreign card payment works everywhere.
Worth knowing before you go.
Most Danish motorways default to 110 km/h. A handful of signposted stretches (parts of E20, E45, E55) allow 130 km/h. Always follow posted signs rather than assuming the upper limit.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsNone
- VignetteNot required
- Emission zoneYes · Miljoezoner registration
Danish motorways are free to use. The only tolls you will meet are the two big fixed-link bridges. Motorhomes are charged by vehicle length: 6 metres and under is usually the car rate, above that you move up the tariff. Pre-booking online at storebaelt.dk or oresundsbron.com gives a small discount versus paying at the booth.
Denmark does not use a vignette. There is no sticker to buy, no period pass, and no distance toll on the road network itself.
Low emission zones
Register online: https://www.miljoezoner.dk/en
The Miljozone is aimed primarily at older diesel vans, lorries, and motorhomes. Petrol vehicles and diesels under 3.5 tonnes are not currently in scope. Enforcement is ANPR-based. Foreign vehicles that are not registered in advance will be caught and fined automatically.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit1 items
- Over 3,500 kgspeed stickers, blind-spot stickers
- Documents4 items
Denmark requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- UK Sticker.
- Warning Triangle.
- Reflective Jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- Headlight Converters. Carry 1 set.
- First Aid Kit. Carry Recommended.
- Spare Bulbs. Carry Recommended.
- Towing Mirrors.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
Required for foreign diesel vans and motorhomes over 3.5t before entering any Miljozone city.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
From August 2025, UK trailers over 750 kg need DVLA registration for international travel. Check DVLA guidance before your trip.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
Towing changes your class on the Great Belt and Oresund bridges. Expect noticeably higher tolls.
Read this before you go.
If your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes and runs on diesel, you must register online at miljoezoner.dk before you enter Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, or Frederiksberg. The check is ANPR-based and there is no sticker, your plate is matched to the database.
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport, UK Photocard Driving Licence, Vehicle Log Book (V5C), Insurance Certificate and Travel Insurance Proof.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your VE103 Certificate, Driving Licence Check Code and International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence).
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingDish
- CurrencyDKK
- Emergency112
- Sunday shopping10:00-17:00 (most open)
Denmark uses the ACME and Dish fittings for Autogas refills. The network is very limited, expect only around 30 LPG stations across the country. Most UK motorhomers crossing from Germany take the hint and fill up before the border, where the German network is dense and prices are lower.
For bottled gas, the main Danish brand is Kosan Gas (part of Primagaz). Kosan bottles are widely available at fuel stations and camping shops but use different fittings to UK Calor, so you will need an adapter pigtail to connect one.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped or exchanged anywhere in Europe. Either carry a 3-piece adapter kit or fit a refillable system before you leave. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Danish campsites typically offer 10A to 16A hook-ups, which is more generous than France. You can usually run a small kettle or a heater without tripping the bollard. Voltage is stable 230V and reverse polarity is uncommon, but a socket tester is still worth packing for peace of mind.
Standard CEE blue plugs are used across the country. Bollards are often unlocked, so you can reset your own breaker if something trips.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are Netto, Rema 1000, Lidl, Aldi, Foetex Food; mid-range chains are Foetex, Kvickly, Meny, SuperBrugsen; premium chains are Meny+.
Typical opening hours: weekday 07:00-22:00; saturday 07:00-22:00; sunday Open, typically 10:00-18:00 or 09:00-20:00; where to buy Supermarkets (including spirits over 16.5% ABV).
Denmark has largely abolished its old Sunday trading restrictions. Most supermarkets are open seven days a week, though hours shrink on Sundays. Public holidays vary, expect some closures around Easter, Christmas, and Ascension Day.
Denmark is unusually relaxed about alcohol sales. Beer, wine, and spirits are all sold in ordinary supermarkets. Prices are very high by UK standards, if you are crossing from Germany, stocking up at a German border supermarket first is standard practice.
- Denmark is nearly cashless. Card payment works everywhere, even farm-gate stalls and public toilets. Do not exchange large amounts of cash.
- Pick up paracetamol and prescription-style medicines from a pharmacy (apotek). Supermarkets do not sell them.
- Bakeries (bageri) open early and are worth seeking out for fresh rye bread, pastries, and coffee.
- Many municipalities run free overnight motorhome spots with water and waste. Search for "autocamperplads" to find them.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenYes
- AHC requiredwithin 10 days
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
To take a dog to Denmark, the standard pet travel rules apply. The detail below covers what your dog needs.
- AHC required. Yes, issued by your vet within 10 days before entry
- Rabies vaccination. Yes, must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel
- Tapeworm treatment for UK return. Required between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back in the UK, administered by a vet
- Breed restrictions. Yes. Denmark bans certain breeds (pitbull, tosa and similar). Check with the Danish embassy before you travel.
Pack the dog's Dog lead, Water bowl, Vaccination records and AHC.
Meat, milk, and products containing either cannot be brought into Denmark from the UK under EU rules. The main exceptions are powdered baby milk, baby food, and medically prescribed pet food. Honey, fish, fruit, and vegetables are generally permitted in reasonable personal quantities.
Denmark is in the Schengen area.
Schengen area: Yes. EES biometric checks: Yes. You will need to register fingerprints and a photo on entry and exit once the system goes live. Trailer registration (UK): UK trailers over 750 kg require DVLA registration for international travel from August 2025. Mobile roaming: Charges vary by provider since the UK left the EU. Check with yours before you travel.
Useful links
- Miljozoner (Low Emission Zone registration)
- Storebaelt (Great Belt Bridge tolls)
- Oresundsbron (Oresund Bridge tolls)
- Vejdirektoratet (Road conditions, in Danish)
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
How much does the Great Belt Bridge cost for a motorhome?
A standard car pays around DKK 260 one-way. Motorhomes are charged by vehicle length rather than weight. Most motorhomes pay roughly DKK 390 to DKK 520 one-way depending on length. Pre-book online at storebaelt.dk for a modest discount versus turning up at the booth.
Do I need to register for the Copenhagen Miljozone?
If your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes and diesel-powered, yes. Foreign heavy diesels must register online at miljoezoner.dk before entering the Miljozone in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, or Frederiksberg. Petrol vehicles and small diesels under 3.5 tonnes are not in scope. Registration is free for compliant vehicles.
Is it worth bringing cash to Denmark?
No. Denmark is almost entirely cashless. Card payment is accepted everywhere, including small bakeries, rural campsites, and public facilities. Euros are rarely accepted for daily transactions. Use a fee-free card rather than exchanging cash at poor rates.
Can I take my dog to Denmark in a motorhome?
Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet issued within 10 days of travel. Coming back to the UK, your vet must administer a tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and 5 days before arrival. Denmark also bans certain breeds, check the Danish embassy's current list before you travel.