Money:
Danish currency is the Krone (DKK), made up of 100 ore. ATMs are
liberally sprinkled throughout the country, and all major credit
cards are widely accepted, expecially Visa. Travellers cheques are
welcome at banks and hotels. Most banks are not open at weekends,
however Copenhagen has several bureaux de change which stay open
late at night, seven days a week.
Time:
GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Sunday in March to the last Sunday
in October).
Electricity:
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round
European-style, two-pin plugs are standard.
Language:
Danish is the official language, but English is
understood and widely used.
Health:
There are no specific health risks in Denmark, and medical
facilities are first class. There is a small risk of tick-borne
encephalitis in forested or rural areas during summer, and insect
protection is advised. Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed in
wild birds, but the risk to travellers is very low. Precautions
such as avoiding close contact with live birds, and ensuring that
all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked should be taken. Free
emergency treatment is available to all foreign visitors at public
hospitals, and due to a reciprocal health agreement UK passport
holders receive free medical and hospital treatment. To make use of
this service, UK national should carry a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC).
Tipping:
Restaurant and hotel bills are inclusive of service charges, as
are taxi fares. Porters usually expect a tip of about kr5 per item
of baggage. Tipping bathroom attendants is customary, usually
around kr1 or 2.
Safety:
Most visits to Denmark are trouble-free, and crime levels are
low. During the tourist season, however, muggers, pickpockets and
bag-snatchers become active especially in crowded areas and on the
train station in Copenhagen. Visitors should take precautions to
keep personal belongings safe.
Customs:
Denmark is an egalitarian society. Women and men are treated
equally.
Business:
Business in Denmark tends to be conducted in a straightforward
manner, though somewhat less formally than in other parts of
Europe. Greetings are with a handshake (greet women first) and
introductions are usually made using one's first name. Business
cards are exchanged before or after the meeting. Punctuality is
vital and if running even five minutes late be sure to call and
apologise. Danes tend to be open-minded and friendly and one can
expect some small talk at the start of a meeting on a range of
topics. Dress should be smart and neat, without being ostentatious,
and can be more casual than in most countries. English is widely
spoken and understood. Business hours are usually 9am to 5pm Monday
to Friday. In the summer months (mid June to mid August) many Danes
are on vacation, so check before arranging a business trip.
Duty Free:
Travellers arriving from an EU country with duty-paid goods
purchased in an EU country are allowed 300 cigarettes, 150
cigarillos, 75 cigars or 400 grams of tobacco, and 1.5 litres of
spirits or 20 litres of sparkling wine. Residents of non-EU
countries entering from outside the EU with goods purchased in
non-EU countries, duty-free in EU countries or on the airplane,
ferry or in the airport are allowed 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos,
50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, as well as 1 litre of spirits or
2 litres of sparkling wine.
Communications:
The international country code for Denmark is +45. The outgoing
code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the
United Kingdom). There are no city codes and all local phone
numbers are eight digits. There are several GSM mobile telephone
networks, which have roaming agreements with most international
mobile phone companies. Public phones are widely available for both
local and international calls and accept coins and prepaid cards.
Internet cafes are available in most urban areas.