Yes, you can get married in Denmark without living there. It's the most common question we receive, and at the same time the decisive reason why so many couples from DE/AT/CH choose the Danish route.
The legal basis
Denmark is one of the few EU countries that performs civil ceremonies without a residence requirement. The Familieretshuset reviews only the marriageability of both partners, not where they live. This is regulated in the Danish Marriage Act (ægteskabsloven §11).
Which forms of residence are accepted?
| Partner type | Entry to Denmark | Document |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA citizens | Visa-free | ID card or passport |
| Swiss | Visa-free | Passport + CH residence certificate |
| Third-country nationals in Schengen | With Schengen visa | Schengen visa or EU residence permit |
| Third-country nationals outside Schengen | Visa required | Apply for Danish visa at embassy |
Government fees by residence
The fee varies not by nationality but by residence of the partners:
- At least one partner with EU/EEA/Switzerland residence: € 74 per person → € 148 total
- Both partners with residence outside EU/EEA: € 259 per person → € 518 total
Pitfalls without Danish residence
How long do you have to be in Denmark?
Theoretically you could arrive on the wedding day and travel back in the evening. In practice we recommend at least one overnight stay, appointments are often in the morning or at midday, and originals must be presented. One day to arrive, one day for the ceremony, one buffer day is a realistic plan.
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