Business Customs

Danish businesspeople may appear somewhat formal at first, but are likely to quickly show a more informal side of themselves, just as the dress code sometimes may seem a little too relaxed to an American businessperson. However, they are likely 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 both for greetings upon arrival and departure from a meeting. Unlike 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, and interpreters are rarely required. Business gifts are not a normal custom in Denmark. Business entertaining is usually done at lunch, and more 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. The standard workweek is 37 hours. Mandatory vacation is five weeks plus up to five more days per year (a sixth week will be fully phased in all labor contracts by 2004), plus local holidays (see below). At least three weeks are taken during summer. School summer vacation is from about June 20th to about August 8th, and generally, business is slow in that period as many executives are out of the office. Some companies (and especially manufacturing plants) are even completely closed. It is not advisable to schedule business meetings or other business activities in Denmark from late June to early August, from December 20th - January 5th, or in 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 4:00pm on weekdays. On Fridays, many Danes leave early, generally between 2:00-3:00pm. 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, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Seattle with United Airlines as a U.S. code-share partner. 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 his entire trip to Denmark through his 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 natural disasters and crime rates are low. Even so, Denmark still has its share of pick-pockets and other potential unpleasantries, 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

If an American visitor plans to stay in Denmark for a period of more than three months, or if they have already been resident in Denmark or one of the other Scandinavian countries for the last nine months, he or she 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 or one of its diplomatic missions located in a few larger 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 fax at +45 3542 0175) or www.usatrade.dk

Visa Requirements

American business visitors and tourists do not need visas if staying in Denmark for less than three months as 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 options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.

State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html

United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

US Embassy Consular Section: http://www.usembassy.dk/Offices/Consular.htm

Telecommunications

Telecommunication services are also highly developed. Its 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. 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 preceeded by country code 299 if calling from abroad.

The Faroe Islands country code is 298 followed by their five digit telephone numbers.

Transportation

The infrastructure is excellent everywhere, and all major islands and the peninsula of Jutland are inter-connected by a network of tunnels and bridges. The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen (1.3 million), which is also the center of government and business. It is located on the island of Zealand only 15 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 three hour’s drive by car from Copenhagen. Business visitors can also move easily from one part of the country to another by train or domestic airlines. There are 70,000 km of fine roads in Denmark (including 1000 km of freeway) and a 3000 km railway network. There are twelve civilian airports, plus the Copenhagen International Airport (Kastrup), which is a major international airport and serves as the Scandinavian hub for SAS (Scandinavian Airline System), consolidating travelers to the U.S. from other Scandinavian countries.

Kastrup Airport was voted the world’s second best airport in 2003 by the international airline organization IATA (Singapore was no. 1.) Copenhagen also has a modern seaport catering to freight vessels as well as ocean cruise liners. A new metro underground system was inaugurated in May 2003. Copenhagen has also become one of the most popular points of departure for cruise liners in Europe. The Port of Copenhagen includes a free port (see above). Other major ports are at Esbjerg, Aalborg, Aarhus, and Fredericia. The port of Esbjerg 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. 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. Most 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. However, medical treatment and hospital care, covered by the Danish National Health Service, may require referral from a general practitioner, which often creates long 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. If, however, the medical facility determines that the emergency occurred as a result of a pre-existing condition, the tourist must be prepared to pay for all services received.

Most medicines are available locally. They may not, however, be the same brand names as those used in the United States and prices are generally higher than in the U.S. Tourists should bring a supply of the medicine that they know they will need. In case of emergency - ambulance - fire - police - dial 112

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 most states in Europe, Summer (Daylight-Saving) Time is observed in Denmark, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour; 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). After the Summer months the time in Denmark is shifted back by 1 hour to Central European Time (CET) or (GMT+1).

Normal business hours are from 9.00AM to 4.30PM

Local holidays 2005:
March 24, Maundy Thursday
March 25, Good Friday
March 28, Easter Monday
April 22, Prayer Day
May 5, Ascension Day
June 5, Constitution Day
May 16, Whit Monday
December 24-26, Christmas
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings Return to top
Temporary exemption from duty can be granted, for instance, to the following:

• Goods intended for public displays at exhibitions and fairs
• Commercial samples
• 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

Web Resources

U.S. Embassy in Denmark: www.usembassy.dk
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