What is the Currency in Denmark?

What is the Currency of Denmark?

If you’re planning a trip to Denmark—perhaps to explore Copenhagen, visit the Tivoli Gardens, or take a coastal cycling holiday—it’s important to understand how the local currency works. This guide is for UK travellers and outlines the official currency of Denmark, how payments are made, and what to expect when managing your money abroad.

What currency does Denmark use?

Denmark’s official currency is the Danish Krone, abbreviated as DKK and symbolised by kr. It is the only legal tender throughout Denmark, including in its capital, Copenhagen, and other cities like Aarhus and Odense.

Although Denmark is a member of the European Union, it opted out of adopting the euro, and continues to use its own national currency.

How is the Danish krone structured?

The krone is a decimal currency divided into 100 øre. However, øre coins are rarely used in practice, and most prices are rounded to the nearest whole krone.

Common denominations include:

• Banknotes: 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 kroner

• Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner

At the time of writing, £1 is worth approximately 8.5 to 9.0 DKK, although this varies with market conditions. Check a reliable exchange rate source before you travel for up-to-date conversion.

Can you use euros or pounds in Denmark?

No. The only accepted currency in Denmark is the Danish krone. Some businesses near tourist hubs or airports might quote prices in euros, but you’ll still be expected to pay in krone.

British pounds are not accepted for purchases, so you’ll need to bring DKK or withdraw it on arrival.

Should you bring cash or use a card in Denmark?

Denmark is one of the most cashless societies in Europe. Cards are accepted almost everywhere—including supermarkets, buses, cafés and public toilets. Visa and Mastercard are widely used, and contactless and mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are very common.

That said, carrying a small amount of cash can still be useful in certain scenarios, especially in rural areas or if you encounter a minimum spend for card use.

UK travellers are advised to use fee-free travel cards, such as Monzo, Starling or Revolut, to avoid transaction charges and get better exchange rates.

Where to get Danish kroner

You can order DKK from UK currency providers before your trip, or withdraw cash from ATMs in Denmark. ATMs (called kontantautomater) are easy to find in airports, banks and shopping centres.

Avoid airport exchange desks, which often charge high fees. If using ATMs, decline any offer to be charged in GBP—always choose to be charged in DKK for the best exchange rate.

Tips for managing money in Denmark

• Pay by card wherever possible—most Danes don’t use cash

• Choose DKK, not GBP, when offered currency conversion at ATMs or terminals

• Bring a travel card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees

• Keep a few hundred kroner in cash just in case

• Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5–10% in restaurants is appreciated

Common mistakes to avoid

A common misconception is that Denmark uses the euro due to its EU membership. This is incorrect—only the Danish krone is accepted.

Another mistake is paying in GBP when offered the option. Dynamic currency conversion almost always gives you a worse rate than paying in local currency.

In summary

Denmark uses the Danish Krone (DKK) as its official currency. While the country is largely cashless, it’s still helpful to carry some cash for flexibility. UK travellers can manage their spending efficiently by using fee-free bank cards, paying in local currency, and avoiding poor exchange rates at airports.