Getting Married in Denmark: A Guide for Foreign Couples, and a Vineyard Wedding by the Sea
The rules, documents and fees in plain English, and how to turn the paperwork into a wedding day among the vines, one hour south of Copenhagen.
- About 1 hour from Copenhagen
- Weddings for 10 to 500 guests
- Ceremony by the lake or under the vines
Can foreigners get married in Denmark?
By Jesper Rye Jensen, winegrower and owner of Vesterhave VingaardUpdated 2026
Yes. Foreign couples can get married in Denmark after the Agency of Family Law approves a certificate of marital status, which costs DKK 2,100 in 2026. The civil ceremony can take place outside the town hall, for example at Vesterhave Vingaard in Karrebæksminde, South Zealand, by the lake or under the vines.
Denmark has become a popular place for international couples to marry, as Euronews reported in 2025. The official guidance is available in English, and the paperwork for foreign couples is handled by one national authority. What most guides leave out is the part after the stamp: where you celebrate, and how you get your guests there.
We host weddings on our vineyard by Smålandshavet, and this guide covers what an international couple needs to know, from the first form to the last dance. The legal steps are based on the official pages from Life in Denmark and the Agency of Family Law. The rules can change, so always check those pages before you apply.
Why do so many couples get married in Denmark?
Couples choose Denmark because one authority handles the application, the process is available in English and a complete application is usually approved within days. Copenhagen City Hall alone held more than 5,000 ceremonies for non-resident couples in 2024, according to its marriage department.
- DKK 2,100 is the Agency of Family Law fee for the application in 2026 (Life in Denmark, 2026)
- 5 working days is the general processing time for a complete application (Agency of Family Law, 2026)
- 4 months is how long a certificate of marital status is valid (Agency of Family Law)
- About 8,000 ceremonies took place at Copenhagen City Hall in 2024, more than 5,000 of them for non-resident couples (Euronews, 2025)
- 32,624 couples were married in Denmark in 2025, counting only couples where at least one partner lives in Denmark (Statistics Denmark, 2026)
The Copenhagen figures come from the head of the City Hall marriage department, quoted by Euronews (31 July 2025). The national figure is from Statistics Denmark (12 February 2026, in Danish), which does not count couples where neither partner lives in Denmark. August was the most popular month in 2025 with 5,609 weddings.
How do you get married in Denmark as a foreigner, step by step?
Getting married in Denmark as a foreigner takes six steps: check who handles your case, collect the documents, apply and pay, receive the certificate, book the ceremony and marry with two witnesses. The steps below follow the official guidance from Life in Denmark and the Agency of Family Law.
Check who handles your application
You apply to the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) if one of you is not a Danish or Nordic citizen and does not have permanent residence in Denmark. If you are both Danish or Nordic citizens, or both have permanent residence, you apply to the municipality instead.
Check that you meet the conditions
Both partners must be at least 18 and unmarried, and any earlier marriage must be dissolved. You must be able to enter and stay in Denmark lawfully, but you do not need to be in Denmark when you apply.
Collect your documents
See the table below. Foreign documents must be in the original language with a translation into English or German, and some need an apostille or legalisation.
Apply and pay the fee
Apply online and pay the fee of DKK 2,100 (2026). The Agency of Family Law does not start processing before the fee is paid. Your signature must be handwritten unless you both apply with MitID.
Receive the certificate of marital status
A complete application is generally processed within 5 working days. The certificate is valid for four months, so you must marry within that period. It can be shorter if a passport or visa expires sooner.
Book the ceremony and marry
In the application you name the municipality where you want to marry. Agree the date and place with that municipality, and bring at least two witnesses. Then the party can begin.
Sources: Life in Denmark (updated 8 September 2026), Agency of Family Law: processing time and Agency of Family Law: application form (PDF).
Which documents do you need to get married in Denmark?
The documents you need to get married in Denmark depend on where you live and whether you have been married before. This overview is based on the list from Life in Denmark (2026).
| Document | Who needs it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Colour copy of all passport pages, including blank pages | Both partners | EU citizens can use both sides of an ID card |
| Proof of lawful entry or residence in Denmark | Both partners | For example a visa or residence card |
| Marital status certificate from your country of residence | Partners who do not live in Denmark | Shows that you are free to marry |
| Divorce decree, death certificate or annulment | Partners who have been married before | Proves the earlier marriage has ended |
| Birth certificates of joint children | Couples with children together | Only if relevant |
| Proof of living together abroad | Couples who live together outside Denmark | If it applies to you |
Non-EU passports must have at least 2 blank pages, have been issued within the past 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave Denmark. Always check the current list on Life in Denmark before you apply.
Where can you get married in Denmark: town hall or venue?
You can get married in Denmark at a town hall or at another place you agree with the municipality, such as a garden, a park or a wedding venue. The civil ceremony is performed by the municipality, so the municipality decides the date, time and place.
Vesterhave Vingaard lies in Næstved Municipality. Næstved Municipality writes (in Danish) that a ceremony can take place at Næstved City Hall or outside it, for example in your own garden, and that the mayor can allow places such as a forest or a park. For ceremonies outside the city hall, a payment is required to cover the municipality’s extra costs. Town hall ceremonies take place on weekdays during opening hours and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00.
In Copenhagen, the City of Copenhagen writes that you can marry at City Hall, outdoors, or have a registrar perform the ceremony where your celebration is held, and that the waiting time can be up to four months. If you want a church wedding instead, the Agency of Family Law notes that at least one partner must be a member of that church.
On our vineyard, the pavilion and the gazebo by the Lake Terrace are used for ceremonies, and a ceremony under the pergola among the vines is also possible. We help you contact the municipality about a civil ceremony. Ask the municipality whether the ceremony can be held in English.
When should you apply if you plan a wedding in Denmark from abroad?
Plan a destination wedding in Denmark around one number: the certificate of marital status is valid for four months. Book the venue first, then apply so that the certificate is issued inside the four months before your wedding date.
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| As early as possible | Choose the date and the venue | August was the busiest wedding month in Denmark in 2025 (Statistics Denmark) |
| Soon after | Contact the municipality about the ceremony | The municipality decides the time and place of a civil ceremony |
| Before you apply | Order certificates, translations and apostilles | Some documents need a translation and an apostille |
| Within 4 months of the date | Apply to the Agency of Family Law | The certificate is valid for 4 months from the date of issue |
| The weeks before | Send guest numbers, diets and transport plans | So the menu, rooms and coach fit your group |
The order and timing in this table are my own advice, not official rules. The four-month validity and the 5 working days processing time come from the Agency of Family Law.
What does a vineyard wedding in Denmark look like?
A vineyard wedding at Vesterhave Vingaard combines the ceremony, the dinner and the party in one place on the coast of South Zealand. We host weddings for 10 to 500 guests and tailor every wedding to the couple.
1. Ceremony by the lake or under the vines
The pavilion and gazebo by the Lake Terrace are used for the ceremony, with the jetty and water lilies behind you. Photos in the vineyard can follow straight after the vows.
2. A welcome drink with our own bubbles
Guests are welcomed with sparkling wine from the vineyard. Guests who want to can join a tour of the organic vineyard and the wine cellar.
3. Dinner with wine from our own fields
Food from our affiliated chef, served at the table, with our own organic wines matched to the menu. The bar has everything from apple juice to gin and cognac.
4. One contact person
You have one fixed contact person through the planning and on the day itself, which matters when you plan from another country.
| Room | Danish name | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| Farm shop, for welcome drinks | Gårdbutikken | Up to 32 |
| Small Wine Room, for an intimate wedding | Lille Vinstue | Up to 48 |
| Large Wine Room, for dinner and dancing | Store Vinstue | Up to 96 |
| Lake Terrace, for the ceremony and reception | Sø Terrassen | 50 to 100 |
| Pergola Terrace, covered, under the vines | Pergola Terrassen | Up to 150 |
The rooms can be combined. They can also be booked the day after, for example for a brunch and opening the gifts. Read more on our Danish page about bryllup på vingård (wedding at the vineyard).
Why get married on a Danish vineyard?
A Danish vineyard gives your guests something few of them have seen before: wine grown in Denmark, served where it is made. Vesterhave Vingaard is Denmark’s largest organic vineyard, with about 25,000 vines under organic control right by Smålandshavet. The sea protects the vines against night frost and gives the grapes a long season.
We pick the grapes by hand and make the wine ourselves. Our Blå Lagune 2019 received 96 points from Falstaff, and Sort Lagune 3 received 93. For many international guests, a toast with a Danish wine becomes one of the stories they take home.
The long, light summer evenings in Denmark suit an outdoor wedding. If you want to know more about the wine before you visit, read our guide to Danish wine and the story of the Solaris grape.
How do guests get to a wedding outside Copenhagen, and where do they stay?
Guests get to Vesterhave Vingaard in about one hour by car from Copenhagen, or about 15 minutes from Næstved. By train, a direct connection between Copenhagen and Næstved opened in April 2023 and takes about an hour, according to The Copenhagen Post (2023). Check departures on Rejseplanen, the Danish journey planner. For a wedding, a hired coach is often easiest, because nobody has to drive after the toasts.
On the vineyard there are two suites: one with a view of the vines, and one with a view of both the vines and the sea. Check-in is from 3 pm and check-out by 11 am. Larger wedding parties stay with our local partners, mainly Strandhotel Karrebæksminde and Menstrup Kro.
Guests who arrive a few days early can explore the area with our guide to day trips from Copenhagen, or visit the vineyard for a wine tasting before the big day.
Weddings among the vines
Frequently asked questions about getting married in Denmark
Can foreigners get married in Denmark?
Yes. Foreign couples can get married in Denmark if both partners are at least 18, unmarried and able to enter and stay in Denmark lawfully. If one of you is not a Danish or Nordic citizen and has no permanent residence in Denmark, you apply to the Agency of Family Law (Familieretshuset) for a certificate of marital status before the ceremony.
How much does it cost to get married in Denmark?
The Agency of Family Law charges a fee of DKK 2,100 in 2026 to process the application. Some municipalities charge extra for a ceremony outside the town hall; Næstved Municipality asks for a payment that covers its extra costs. The celebration itself is separate. At Vesterhave Vingaard the price depends on guests, menu and wine.
How long does it take to get married in Denmark?
According to the Agency of Family Law, you can generally expect the certificate of marital status within 5 working days if nothing is missing. The certificate is valid for four months, so you must marry within that window. In Copenhagen, the City notes that the waiting time for a ceremony can be up to four months.
Which documents do you need to get married in Denmark?
You need colour copies of all passport pages, proof of lawful entry or residence in Denmark and, if you live abroad, a marital status certificate from your country of residence. Previously married applicants add a divorce decree or death certificate. Foreign documents must be translated into English or German and may need an apostille.
Can you get married at a vineyard in Denmark?
Yes, a civil ceremony can take place outside the town hall by agreement with the municipality. Vesterhave Vingaard lies in Næstved Municipality, which writes that ceremonies can be held outside the town hall. At the vineyard, the pavilion and gazebo by the Lake Terrace are used for ceremonies, and we help you contact the municipality.
Do you need witnesses for a wedding in Denmark?
Yes. Næstved Municipality writes that a ceremony must always be attended by at least two witnesses. For ceremonies at Næstved City Hall, the town hall can provide witnesses if you do not bring your own. For a ceremony at the vineyard, agree with the municipality who your two witnesses will be.
How far is Vesterhave Vingaard from Copenhagen?
Vesterhave Vingaard is about one hour by car from Copenhagen and about 15 minutes from Næstved, on the coast of Smålandshavet in South Zealand. A direct train between Copenhagen and Næstved takes about an hour, according to The Copenhagen Post (2023). A hired coach lets every guest enjoy the wine.
Jesper Rye Jensen
Jesper is the winegrower and owner of Vesterhave Vingaard, Vesterhavevej 204, 4736 Karrebæksminde. He grows organic wine by Smålandshavet in South Zealand and hosts weddings, parties and dinners at the vineyard. His Blå Lagune 2019 received 96 points from Falstaff. This guide is not legal advice; always check the official rules before you apply.
Sources
- Life in Denmark: If you wish to get married in Denmark (updated 8 September 2026)
- Agency of Family Law: Apply for a Certificate of Marital Status
- Agency of Family Law: Processing time for certificates of marital status
- Agency of Family Law: Application form for a Certificate of marital status (PDF)
- Næstved Municipality: Når I skal giftes (in Danish)
- City of Copenhagen: Getting married in the City of Copenhagen
- Euronews: Copenhagen ever after (31 July 2025)
- Statistics Denmark: Flere bliver viet for første gang (12 February 2026, in Danish)
- The Copenhagen Post: Train connection between Copenhagen and Næstved (April 2023)
Send an enquiry for your wedding at the vineyard
Tell us your preferred date, number of guests and what you dream of for the day. We usually reply within 24 hours on weekdays with a tailored offer and a menu suggestion.
Questions? Write or call us in English.
[email protected]+45 40 55 77 04Vesterhavevej 204, 4736 Karrebæksminde, Denmark
The form below is in Danish, but you are very welcome to fill it in in English.
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