|
Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands - Consular Information
Sheet
November 17, 2000
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Denmark is a highly developed stable
democracy with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are extensive.
English, which is a compulsory subject in the public school system,
is widely spoken. Denmark is the only Nordic/Baltic member of
both the EU and NATO.
Greenland, a self-governing dependency of Denmark, is not a member
of the European Union. Greenland is located in the arctic region
and is thus characterized by an extreme climate. Its economy is
based primarily on fishing, although presently Greenland is experiencing
an upswing in ecotourism.
The Faeroes are an island group in the North Atlantic Ocean.
They are a self-governing overseas administrative division of
Denmark and are not members of the European Union. Precipitous
terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands and tourism
is low. However, there are tourist facilities available, ranging
from cabins to four-star hotels, and guided tours available from
May through September.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport and visa regulations are
similar for Denmark, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. A valid
passport is required. Tourist and business travelers do not need
visas for visits of up to three months (the 90-day period begins
when entering any Scandinavian country: Denmark/Greenland/Faeroe
Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden). For further information
on entry requirements for Denmark/Greenland/Faeroe Islands, travelers
may contact the
Royal Danish Embassy at 3200 Whitehaven Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20008, phone (202) 234-4300, on-line at http://www.denmarkemb.org
or one of the Danish Consulates General in Chicago, Los Angeles,
or New York.
CRIME: Denmark, Greenland, and the Faeroe Islands all
have relatively low crime rates. However, travelers to Copenhagen
and other major Danish cities can become targets for pickpockets
and sophisticated purse snatchers. Purses and luggage are particular
targets for thieves in hotel lobbies and breakfast rooms, fast
food outlets, and Copenhagen's main train station. Car and home
break-ins are also on the rise. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport
should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest
U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department
of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip
Abroad for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The
pamphlet is available by mail from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Excellent medical facilities are widely
available in Denmark. In Greenland and the Faeroe Islands, medical
facilities are limited and evacuation is required for serious
illness and injury. Although emergency medical treatment is free
of charge, the patient is charged for follow-up care.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Travelers are advised to carry special
insurance coverage for arctic areas when visiting Greenland and
the Faeroe Islands.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United
States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment
for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals
often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured
travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your
policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation,
and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems requiring
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States
can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Ascertain whether payment
will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you
will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance
policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for
disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas
insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau
of Consular Affairs brochure Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via
the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions may be obtained from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign
country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ
significantly from those in the United States. The information
below concerning Denmark is provided for general reference only,
and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Excellent
Danish expressways, highways, and secondary roads are of high
quality and connect all areas of the country. It is possible to
drive from the northern tip of Denmark to the German border in
the south in just four hours. Greenland has no established road
system, and domestic travel is performed by foot, boat or by air.
The majority of the Faeroe Islands are connected by bridges or
serviced by boat. Although the largest islands have roads, most
domestic travel is done by foot, horseback, boat or by air.
A valid U.S. driver's license may be used while visiting Denmark,
Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. Highways in Denmark are equipped
with emergency telephones at frequent intervals. Travelers should
be aware that pedestrians and automobiles must yield right-of-way
to bicyclists in Denmark, and it is important to watch for traffic
from bicycle lanes when crossing streets (bicycle lanes are most
often located nearest to the curb). Drinking and driving laws
are strictly enforced with offenses severely punishable by fine
and/or imprisonment.
For additional information about road
safety, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
home page road safety overseas feature at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.
For specific information concerning Danish driver's permits, vehicle
inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the
Danish Tourist Board in New York via the Internet at http://www.denmark.org.
Emergency Numbers: The emergency telephone number for
police/fire/ambulance in Denmark and the Faeroe Islands is 112.
In Greenland local police should be contacted. For more specific
facts on Denmark, travelers may wish to visit the
homepage of the Danish Tourist Board in New York at http://www.denmark.org.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has assessed the Government of Denmark's Civil Aviation
Authority as Category One -- in compliance with international
aviation safety standards for the oversight of Denmark's air carrier
operations. This rating applies to Greenland and the Faeroe Islands
as well. For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation at 1 (800) 322-7873, or visit the
FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/. The
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign
air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services.
For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers,
travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Danish customs authorities may enforce
strict regulations concerning temporary importation into and export
from Denmark of items such as firearms and medications. It is
advisable to contact the Embassy of Denmark in Washington or one
of Denmark's Consulates in the United States for specific information
regarding customs requirements.
Danish customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission
Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission
of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for
exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet headquarters, located
at the U.S. Council
for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United
States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, send an
e-mail to atacarnet@uscib.org,
or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States
and may not afford the protections available to the individual
under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe
than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Denmark's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or
imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal
drugs in Denmark are strict and convicted offenders can expect
jail sentences and heavy fines.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information
on international adoption of children and international parental
child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATION: Americans
living in or visiting Denmark are encouraged to register at the
Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen and obtain updated information
on travel and security within Denmark. The U.S. Embassy is located
at Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24; 2100 Copenhagen, Tel: (45) 35-55-31-44.
Fax: (45) 35-43-02-23. After hours emergencies: Tel: (45) 35-55-92-70.
Information is also available via the U.S. Embassy home page at
http://www.usembassy.dk. The U.S. has no consular presence in
Greenland or the Faeroe Islands.
|
