Rules for dogs in Denmark
A quick overview for your holiday: where your dog has to be on a lead, and where it can run free.
On the beach
- 1 April – 30 September: dogs must be kept on a lead.
- 1 October – 31 March: dogs may run free if they are under control and not likely to cause harm.
- All year: where livestock graze, dogs must always be on a lead.
- Some beaches and bird reserves have special rules or bans – follow the signs.
In dog parks (hundeskove)
In dog parks, dog runs and off-leash areas your dog may run without a lead if you have full control over it. It must come straight back when called and must not bother other dogs, people or wildlife.
Not every dog park is fenced, and the owner (state, municipality or private) sets the rules. Read the sign at the entrance. Dog parks are free and usually open around the clock.
In forests and the countryside
- In state forests, dogs must be on a lead all year.
- In private forests dogs must be on a lead, and you may only use roads and paths from 6 am until sunset.
- On heaths, meadows and other open land, dogs must also be on a lead.
- A dog off the lead in the countryside typically means a fine of around DKK 2,000.
In towns
In towns, dogs must be on a lead in streets, roads, paths and squares unless accompanied by someone with full control over them. Municipalities may have stricter rules.
Travelling to Denmark with a dog
- Your dog needs an EU pet passport (or equivalent health certificate), a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination.
- Denmark bans 13 dog breeds and their crosses. If you are travelling with one of them, check the current rules with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) before you go.
- Always bring poo bags – on the beach too.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog run free on the beach in summer?
No. From 1 April to 30 September dogs must be on a lead on Danish beaches. From 1 October to 31 March they may run free if under control.
Can my dog be off the lead in a dog park?
Yes, if you have full control over it. If it does not come back straight away when called, it must be on a lead – in dog parks too.
What is the fine for a dog off the lead?
A dog off the lead in the countryside outside dog parks typically means a fine of around DKK 2,000.
Find the dog parks where your dog can run free
The Hundeskoven app shows every dog park and dog beach in Denmark on a map – with directions, fencing and facilities. In English, German, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
