Driving a hire car in Denmark
Crossing the Storebælt Bridge costs DKK 235 one way for a car of 3 to 6 metres paid by card or cash, and the Øresund Bridge DKK 470 at the toll station. Diesel cars need a particulate filter or Euro 5 in five cities' low-emission zones, and dipped headlights or daytime running lights must be on whenever you drive.
Official sources read on 30 October 2026.
Find a rental carStorebælt and Øresund bridge tolls
- Storebælt Bridge, 2026 prices for one crossing: a car 3 to 6 metres long pays DKK 235 by card or cash, or the express price of DKK 205 with an active Bizz or number-plate payment agreement.Source: Storebælt (A/S Storebælt, Sund & Bælt) – "Prices and discounts for private customers", price list 2026
- At the Storebælt toll station you can pay by card in the blue lanes (American Express, Dankort, Visa, Mastercard, Diners and JCB) or in Danish kroner or euros in the yellow cash lanes, except with the 500-euro note.Source: Storebælt (A/S Storebælt, Sund & Bælt) – "Prices and discounts for private customers", price list 2026
- The Storebælt price depends on the total length and height measured at the crossing, including any trailer, bike rack, roof box or towbar.Source: Storebælt (A/S Storebælt, Sund & Bælt) – "Prices and discounts for private customers", price list 2026
- Øresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö: a car up to 6 metres pays DKK 470 per single trip at the toll station (regular price, VAT included, valid from 14 September 2026). A return trip costs twice the single fare.Source: Øresundsbron (Øresundsbro Konsortiet, owned by the Swedish and Danish states) – "Øresund Bridge prices"
Low-emission zones (miljøzoner) for diesel cars
- Denmark has low-emission zones in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Odense and Aarhus.Source: Miljøzoner.dk (Danish Environmental Protection Agency) – "Does your vehicle meet the rules?"
- Since 1 October 2023 diesel cars must have a particulate filter or be at least Euro 5 to be used legally in the zones. The rules apply to Danish and non-Danish cars, and the fixed penalty for a car is DKK 1,500.Source: Miljøzoner.dk (Danish Environmental Protection Agency) – "Rules for passenger cars and minibuses"
- A non-Danish diesel car first registered before the date limits must be registered, with documents showing its particulate filter or Euro standard, no later than the day it enters a zone. Non-Danish vehicles more than 30 years old are exempt.Source: Miljøzoner.dk (Danish Environmental Protection Agency) – "Rules for passenger cars and minibuses"
Parking discs (P-skive)
- Where parking is time-limited, set the parking disc to the time you arrive, moved forward to the next quarter of an hour: if you park at 12:55, set it to 13:00. A wrongly set disc can lead to a parking charge.Source: Aarhus Kommune – "15a. Tid udløbet. Tidsbegrænset parkering/Urigtigt indstillet p-skive"
- Buying parking time in an app does not replace the disc where time-limited parking applies: the Danish Supreme Court upheld a parking charge in such a case in 2019.Source: Aarhus Kommune – "15a. Tid udløbet. Tidsbegrænset parkering/Urigtigt indstillet p-skive"
Winter tyres and studded tyres
- The Danish Road Traffic Authority recommends changing to winter tyres in good time if you need the car when there is a risk of snow, ice and slush, and says you can be fined for driving on tyres that are obviously unsuitable for the weather. A car's tread must be at least 1.6 mm deep.Source: Færdselsstyrelsen (Danish Road Traffic Authority) – "Vejledning om dæk"
- The driver must make sure at all times that the vehicle is in a safe condition, including that it is not fitted with obviously unsuitable tyres.Source: Retsinformation – Færdselsloven (LBK nr. 118 of 12 January 2026), § 67(3)
- Studded tyres may be used on cars only from 1 November to 15 April, and only if all wheels have them.Source: Retsinformation – Bekendtgørelse om detailforskrifter for køretøjers indretning, udstyr og anvendelse (BEK nr. 1440 of 2024), § 18
Headlights and alcohol
- Outside the hours of darkness, motor vehicles must still drive with dipped headlights; front fog lights or special daytime running lights may be used instead.Source: Retsinformation – Færdselsloven (LBK nr. 118 of 12 January 2026), § 33 a
- The drink-driving limit is 0.50 per mille in the blood or 0.25 mg per litre of exhaled air. For car drivers in their first three years after first getting a car licence, the limit is 0.20 per mille or 0.10 mg per litre.Source: Retsinformation – Færdselsloven (LBK nr. 118 of 12 January 2026), § 53
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Storebælt Bridge cost by car?
In 2026 a car 3 to 6 metres long pays DKK 235 one way by card or cash, or DKK 205 with an active Bizz or number-plate payment agreement. Bike racks, roof boxes and trailers count towards the measured length and height.
Can I drive an older diesel car into Copenhagen?
Only if it has a particulate filter or is at least Euro 5: since 1 October 2023 this applies to diesel cars in the low-emission zones of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Aalborg, Odense and Aarhus. The fixed penalty is DKK 1,500.
How do I set a parking disc in Denmark?
Set it to your arrival time, moved forward to the next quarter of an hour, for example 13:00 if you park at 12:55. Paying in an app does not replace the disc where parking is time-limited.
Are winter tyres compulsory in Denmark?
The Danish Road Traffic Authority recommends winter tyres when there is a risk of snow, ice or slush. The law requires the driver to make sure the car does not have obviously unsuitable tyres, and you can be fined for them. Studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to 15 April on all wheels.
What is the drink-driving limit in Denmark?
0.50 per mille, or 0.20 per mille for car drivers in their first three years after first getting a car licence.
Do I need headlights on during the day in Denmark?
Yes. Outside the hours of darkness motor vehicles must still use dipped headlights, or front fog lights or daytime running lights instead.