Denmark - Business Travel Denmark - Business Travel
Business Customs
• Danish businesspeople may appear somewhat formal at first, but they are likely to quickly show a more informal side of themselves. Danes tend to introduce themselves with their first names only. The typical dress code, especially for younger employees, may seem a little too relaxed to an American businessperson. However, Danes like to get down to business right away and are generally conservative and efficient in their approach to business meetings. Handshakes (with men and women) are the accepted form of greeting. Danes shake hands for greetings upon arrival and departure from a meeting. Unlike in some cases in the United States, men do not stand when a woman enters or leaves a room. Virtually all Danish businesspeople have a good working knowledge of English, therefore, interpreters are rarely required. Business gifts are not a normal custom in Denmark. Business entertaining is usually done at lunch and rarely at dinner in a restaurant. Even more rarely is a businessperson invited for dinner at the home of a business acquaintance in the early stages of their relationship.
• Advance appointments are always required, and punctuality is a must; it is considered rude to be late. Danes work shorter hours than Americans. When they are in the office they are efficient and productive. The standard workweek is 37.5 hours. Mandatory vacation is five weeks plus up to five more days per year, plus local holidays (see below). At least three weeks are usually taken during summer. School’s summer vacation is from about June 28 to about August 15. Generally, business is very slow in the summer period as many executives are out of the office on vacation. Some companies (and especially manufacturing plants) are completely closed. It is not advisable to schedule business meetings or other business activities in Denmark from late June to early August, from December 20 - January 5, or during the week of Easter. Danes treasure their leisure time, most of which is spent with their families. Businesspersons should not routinely expect to meet with their Danish counterparts after 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. On Fridays, many Danes leave early, generally between 2:00-3:00 p.m. Do not plan meetings for Saturdays, Sundays, or on national holidays (see below). Not all Danes appreciate breakfast meetings, which should be scheduled only with due consideration to the situation.
Travel Advisory
• The national carrier, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), provides non-stop service from Copenhagen to New York (Newark), Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Miami, and Boston. Norwegian Air flies non-stop to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Boston, New York (JFK), Oakland, and LA. Major U.S. credit cards are accepted in Denmark (in hotels, restaurants, and major department stores, but not usually in smaller stores), and all major U.S. car rental companies have offices at airports and major cities. A number of Danish hotels are affiliated with U.S. hotel management companies. Consequently, a U.S. business visitor may plan their entire trip to Denmark through their local travel agent, including overseas and local transportation and lodging.• Denmark is known as one of the safest places in the world. It has been spared of natural disasters and crime rates are low. Even so, Denmark still has its share of pick-pockets, so common sense and a certain caution are always good traveling companions. Up-to-date travel information on Denmark and all other countries is available on the Department of State’s website: http://travel.state.gov. All American visitors to Denmark are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section at https://step.state.gov/step/.
• If an American visitor plans to stay in Denmark for a period of more than three months, or if s/he has already been resident in Denmark or one of the other Scandinavian countries for the last nine months, s/he must apply for both residence and work permits before arriving in Denmark. This rule applies to all non-EU citizens. In the United States, applications may be submitted to the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington or one of its diplomatic/consular posts located in a few of the large U.S. cities.
• Business travelers to Denmark seeking appointments with American Embassy Copenhagen officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached on telephone +45 3341 7315, or by email office.copenhagen@trade.gov or www.buyusa.gov/denmark.
Visa Requirements
• American business visitors and tourists do not need visas if they are staying in Denmark for less than three months.• For Danes traveling to the United States, Denmark is part of the U.S. visa waiver program. U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security screening is handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
• State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/
• Embassy website with visa information: http://denmark.usembassy.gov/
Telecommunications/Electric
• Telecommunication services are highly developed. Telephone systems provide first- class digital service, and several cellular system providers offer excellent European and worldwide mobile communications.• In Denmark, telephone numbers consist of eight digits. There are no area or city codes. If you are calling from outside Denmark, the eight digit number must be preceded by the country code 45, often written as +45 followed by the eight digit telephone number.
• In Greenland, telephone numbers consist of six digits, preceded by country code 299 if calling from abroad.
• The Faroe Islands country code is 298 followed by a five digit telephone number.
Transportation
• The infrastructure is excellent everywhere, and all major islands and the peninsula of Jutland are inter-connected by networks of tunnels and bridges. The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen (1.3 million inhabitants), which is the center of government and business. It is located on the island of Zealand only a few miles from Southern Sweden. In July 2000, Copenhagen became connected to Sweden by a ten-mile bridge/tunnel fixed link. Denmark’s second largest city, Aarhus, is located on the Jutland peninsula, about a three hours drive from Copenhagen. Business visitors can also move easily from one part of the country to another by train or domestic airlines. There are 74,000 km of paved roads in Denmark (including 1,250 km of freeway) and a 2,000 km railway network. There are twelve civilian airports besides Copenhagen International Airport (Kastrup), which is a major international airport. It serves as the Scandinavian hub for SAS (Scandinavian Airline System), consolidating flights to the U.S. and Europe from other Scandinavian countries.• Copenhagen Airport handles 60 scheduled airlines and serves more than 66,000 passengers per day. 29 million passengers passed through the facility in 2016, making it the busiest airport in the Nordic countries and has a maximum capacity of 83 loadings/hour and room for 108 airplanes. Unlike other Scandinavian airports, a considerable share of the airport’s passengers are international. It is a very modern airport and it is on track to expand its capacity for more aircrafts and more than 40 million passengers a year.
• The city of Copenhagen also has a modern seaport catering to freight vessels as well as cruise liners. Copenhagen has become one of the most popular points of departure for cruise liners in Europe.
• A new metro underground system was inaugurated in May 2003. The Metro was extended in 2007, connecting Copenhagen Airport with the city center so travelers can reach downtown Copenhagen in only 14 minutes. The fourth phase of the Metro, called Cityringen, is expected to open in 2019. The new line will have 17 stations and will cover major parts of the city center as well as portions of the surrounding boroughs (Østerbro, Nørrebro, and Vesterbro districts and the Municipality of Frederiksberg) currently not covered by S-train or Metro line service. The Port of Copenhagen includes a free port. Other major ports are at Esbjerg, Aalborg, Aarhus, and Fredericia. The port of Esbjerg (southwestern Jutland) is the center for offshore oil and gas activities in Denmark.
Language
• Virtually all Danes have a good working knowledge of English and most Danish businesspeople speak English as their second language. Many also speak German and some French or Spanish. Interpreters are rarely required.
Health
• A visitor to Denmark faces no special health risks, as the overall health conditions are excellent. No special inoculations are required. Any needed immunization is available in Copenhagen. Although Danish law is strict about commercial processing, cooking, handling, and serving of foods, consumers are advised to show caution when using eggs and preparing poultry, as salmonella bacteria has been found in these products. All milk and tap water is safe to drink.• Because Denmark is almost entirely surrounded by sea, it has a moderate, maritime climate. The average temperatures range from 32F in February to 62F in July. Temperatures vary slightly from day to night. Average annual rainfall is 24 inches. Days are short in winter, with about 5 hours of daylight in December and January. Daylight in summer lasts 16-18 hours on clear days.
• Danish medical care is of high quality and is comparable to the medical care one finds throughout Western Europe. Diagnostic laboratories and specialists in all fields of medicine are available. Hospitals are well-equipped and maternity hospitals and many clinics are available. Almost all doctors and dentists speak English.
• The system for providing care in Denmark is different from that in the United States. Danish citizens and permanent residents of Denmark qualify for free hospitalization and medical treatment under the Danish National Health Service. While medical treatment and hospital care is covered by the Danish National Health Service, it may require referral from a general practitioner, which often results in longer waiting periods. To avoid waiting time in these situations, patients may choose to seek medical and hospital care privately as paying patients.
• Tourists do not qualify for treatment under the Danish National Health Service, except in cases of emergency. Tourists will not be denied medical care unless the medical facility determines that the emergency occurred as a result of a pre-existing condition. In which case the individual must be prepared to pay for all services received. It is important for those traveling to Denmark to keep up-to-date health insurance that covers overseas travel.
• Most medicines are available locally. They may, however, not be the same brand names as those used in the United States. Prices are generally the same or lower than in the U.S. Tourists should bring a supply of the medicine that they know they will need. In case of emergency, dial 112 for ambulance - fire - police.
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
• Denmark is in the Central European Time Zone. Central European Standard Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1). Like in most states in Europe, summer (Daylight-Saving) time is observed in Denmark, where the time shifts forward by 1 hour, i.e. 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). After the summer months, the time in Denmark shifts back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET, (GMT+1). The time changes do not necessarily occur on the same days as in the United States, but generally a week or two earlier in the spring and the fall.• Normal business hours are from 9.00AM to 4.30PM
• Local holidays 2018 & 2019:
Holidays (in Danish) 2018 2019
New Year's Day (Nytårsdag) January 1 (Mon) January 1 (Tue)
Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag) March 29 (Thu) April 18 (Thu)
Good Friday (Langfredag) March 30 (Fri) April 19 (Fri)
Easter Monday (2. Påskedag)
Catholic/Protestant April 2 (Mon) April 22 (Mon)
Common Prayer Day (Store Bededag) April 27 (Fri) May 17 (Fri)
Ascension (Kristi Himmelfartsdag)
40 days after Easter May 10 (Thu) May 30 (Thu)
Whit Monday (2. Pinsedag)
(7 weeks after Easter Monday) May 21 (Mon) June 10 (Mon)
Constitution Day (Grundlovsdag) / not all businesses are closed June 5 (Tue) June 5 (Wed)
Christmas Eve (Juleaftensdag) December 24 (Mon) December 24 (Tue)
Christmas Day (Juledag / 1. juledag)
Catholic/Protestant December 25 (Tue) December 25 (Wed)
2nd Christmas Day (also called Anden Juledag) December 26 (Wed) December 26 (Thu)
Banks are closed on New Year's Eve / not all businesses are closed December 31 (Mon) December 31 (Tue)
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
• Temporary exemption from duty can be granted, for instance, to the following:o Goods intended for public displays at exhibitions and fairs
o Commercial samples
o Professional tools and equipment
• If the goods are put to unauthorized use or are not exported within the prescribed time they must go through normal customs clearance and become liable for relevant duties and taxes.
• Please also see Chapter 5: Trade Regulations and Standards – Temporary entry
Resources
• U.S. Embassy in Denmark: http://denmark.usembassy.gov/• Danish Train Services www.dsb.dk
• Copenhagen Airport www.cph.dk
• Weather – www.dmi.dk
• Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – www.um.dk
• Denmark’s official website – www.denmark.dk
• Tourist in Denmark – www.visitdenmark.com
• American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark – www.amcham.dk
• Police - http://www.politiet.dk/Indholdpaaengelsk/oversigtUK.htm
Contacts, Market Research, and Trade Events
Contacts• Note: The telephone country code for Denmark is 45 (excluding Greenland and Faroes). There are no city codes as such. All phone and fax numbers are 8-digit numbers.
Embassy of the United States of America
Address:
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 24
DK-2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel.: (+45) 3341 7100
After hours (+45) 3341 7400
Fax: (+45) 3543 0223
http://denmark.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Commercial Service
Tel.: (+45) 3341 7315
e-mail: copenhagen.office.box@trade.gov
http://export.gov/denmark/
U.S. Embassy Trade Personnel
Mr. Bjarke Castberg Frederiksen, Head of Commercial Section
Ms. Sabina Krøigaard, Commercial Specialist
Mr. Aleksander Moos, Commercial Specialist
Ms. Maria Norsk, Commercial Specialist
Mr. Dillon Banerjee, Regional Senior Commercial Officer (Resident in Stockholm)
Mailing address for mail from the United States of America:
FCS
5280 Copenhagen Pl
Washington, DC 20521-5280
Danish Government Agencies
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asiatisk Plads 2
DK-1448 Copenhagen K
Tel: (+45) 33-920000
Fax: (+45) 32-540533
www.um.dk
Ministry of Business and Growth
Slotsholmsgade 12
DK-1216 Copenhagen K
Tel: (+45) 33-923350
e-mail: em@em.dk
www.evm.dk
Ministry of Environment and Food
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration
Stationsparken 31-33
DK-2600 Glostrup
Tel: (+45) 72-276900
Fax: (+45) 72-276501
www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk
Central Customs and Tax Administration (SKAT)
Customs Center Copenhagen
Nykøbingvej 76
Bygning 45
4990 Sakskøbing
Tel: (+45) 72-221818
www.skat.dk
Miljo- og fødevarestyrelsen (Danish Environmental Protection Agency)
Slotsholmsgade 12
DK-1216 København K
Tel: (+45) 38-142142
www.mst.dk
Patent- og Varemaerkestyrelsen (The Danish Patent Office)
Helgeshoj Alle 81
DK-2630 Taastrup
Tel: (+45) 43-508000
Fax: (+45) 43-508001
www.dkpto.dk
Sundhedsstyrelsen (National Board of Health)
Islands Brygge 67
DK-2300 København S
Tel: (+45) 72-227400
Fax: (+45) 44-889599
www.sst.dk
Laegemiddelstyrelsen (The Danish Medicines Agency)
Axel Heides Gade 1
DK-2300 København S
Tel: (+45) 44-88-9595
Fax: (+45) 44-889599
www.dkma.dk
Trade Associations/Chamber of Commerce
The American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark
Dag Hammarskjölds Allé 13
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Tel: (+45) 33-932932
Fax: (+45) 33-932938
www.amcham.dk
The Danish Chamber of Commerce
Borsen
DK-1217 Copenhagen K
Tel: (+45) 33-746000
Fax: (+45) 33-325216
https://www.danskerhverv.dk/engelsk/
Confederation of Danish Industry
H.C. Andersens Boulevard 18
DK-1787 Copenhagen V
Tel: (+45) 33-773377
Fax: (+45) 33-773300
www.di.dk
The Agricultural Council
Axeltorv 3
DK-1609 Copenhagen V
Tel: (+45) 33-394000
Fax: (+45) 33-394141
www.lf.dk
Commercial Banks
Citibank International plc, Denmark Branch
Dagmarhus
Vesterbrogade 1L, 5 tv
DK-1620 Copenhagen V
Tel: (+45) 33-638383
Fax: (+45) 33-338333
www.citigroup.com
Danske Bank A/S
Holmens Kanal 2-12
DK-1092 Copenhagen K
Tel: (+45) 33-440000
e-mail: danskebank@danskebank.dk
www.danskebank.com
Nordea Bank A/S
Grønjordsvej 10
PO Box 850
DK-0900 Copenhagen K
Tel: (+45) 33-333333
Fax: (+45) 33-331212
www.nordea.com
Jyske Bank A/S
Vestergade 8-16
DK-8600 Silkeborg
Tel: (+45) 89-222222
Fax: (+45) 89-222496
www.jyskebank.dk
Washington-based U.S. Country Contacts
TPCC Trade Information Center
Washington DC
Tel: 1-800-USA-TRADE
Agricultural Export Services Div.
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Independence Ave, SW
Washington DC 20250-1000
Tel: (202) 720-7420
Fax: (202) 690-4374
U.S. Department of Commerce
Denmark Desk
Room H-3043
14th and Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: (202) 482-4414
Fax: (202) 482-2897
U.S.-based Multipliers Relevant for Denmark
Royal Danish Embassy in Washington
3200 Whitehaven Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C, 20008-3683
Tel.: (202) 234-4300
Fax.: (202) 328-1470
e-mail: wasamb@um.dk
www.denmarkemb.org
Royal Danish Consulate General in Los Angeles
10877 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1105
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel: (310) 443-2090
Fax: (310) 443-2099
e-mail: info@danishconsulate.org
www.danishconsulate.org
Royal Danish Consulate General in Chicago/Trade Commission of Denmark
211 East Ontario, Suite 1800
Chicago, Illinois 60611-3242
Tel: (312) 787-8780
Fax: (312) 787-8744
e-mail: infodk@consulatedk.org
www.consulatedk.org
Royal Danish Consulate General New York
825 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022-7519
Tel: (212) 223-4545
Fax: (212) 754-1904
www.denmark.org
Danish American Chamber of Commerce
825 Third Avenue, 32nd Fl.
New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 980-6240
Danish Mission to the UN
One Dag Hammerskjold Plaza
885 Second Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 308-7009
Fax: (212) 308-3384
e-mail: denmark@un.int
www.un.int/denmark
Danish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York
One Dag Hammerskjold Plaza
885 Second Avenue, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 980-6240
e-mail: jh@daccny.com
www.daccny.com
Market Research
To view market research reports produced by the U.S. Commercial Service please go to the following website: http://www.export.gov/mrktresearch/index.asp and click on Country and Industry Market Reports.Please note that these reports are only available to U.S. citizens and U.S. companies. Registration to the site is required, but free of charge.
Trade Events
Please click on the link below for information on upcoming trade events.http://www.export.gov/tradeevents/index.asp
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.