Denmark

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Denmark, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2.

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Denmark, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120.

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The tax implications for operating in Denmark may be found at the Internal Revenue Service’s United States-Denmark Income Tax Convention. For further clarification, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance.

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Denmark at 88 out of 100 (1st out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e.  clean).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.  

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. The US State Department's page on Italy may be found HERE Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations

Articles

The US State Department's page on DENMARK may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN DENMARK WILL UDPATED INTERNATIONAL ENTRY RESTRICTIONS ON OCTOBER 24 AS PART OF ONGOING EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). TRAVELERS ARE CURRENTLY PERMITTED TO ARRIVE FROM EU AND SCHENGEN AREA COUNTRIES UNLESS THE POINT OF ORIGIN  IS INCLUDED ON A LIST OF "BANNED" COUNTRIES. BEGINNING OCTOBER 24, THE BANNED COUNTRY LIST WILL INCLUDE ALL COUNTRIES OUTSIDE OF THE EU AND SCHENGEN AREA. TRAVELERS FROM BANNED COUNTRIES ARE ONLY PERMITTED ENTRY FOR SPECIFICALLY DEFINED PURPOSES, SUCH AS WORK, STUDY, OR FAMILY REASONS.  THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO SELF-ISOLATE OR PRESENT A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST ON ARRIVAL. ADDITIONALLY, AUTHORITIES PLAN TO TIGHTEN NATIONWIDE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON OCTOBER 29. PUBLIC GATHERINGS WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE AND PROTECTIVE  FACE COVERINGS WILL BE MANDATORY IN ALL INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES. DOMESTIC SOCIAL-DISTANCING MANDATES REMAIN IN FORCE. AUTHORITIES COULD REIMPOSE, EXTEND, FUTHER EASE, OTHERWISE AMEND ANY RESTRICTIONS WITH LITTLE TO NO NOTICE DEPENDING ON DISEASE ACTIVITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Denmark on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic

The quality of Danish medical care is excellent. In a health emergency, dial 112 for an ambulance. Pharmacies are usually open from 9 am to 5:30 pm Monday-Friday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturdays.

Air pollution can exceed tolerable levels in Odense, Arhus, and Copenhagen. If you have a chronic respiratory condition such as asthma, please consult a medical professional prior to your trip and carry appropriate medications.

There are no serious health risks associated with travel to Denmark. However, hikers and gardeners should be aware that Tick-Borne Encephalitis poses a risk in forests, fields, and pastures from April to November.

Denmark is generally safe. Violent crime is rare. Petty crime (pickpocketing, grab-and-run theft) is common at airports, night clubs, public transportation hubs, and popular tourist sites. Fights between bikers and immigrants occasionally break out in the Amager and Norrebro districts of Copenhagen. The Danish police are reliable and well-trained.

Terrorism remains a concern due to the 2005 newspaper publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammed. Danish authorities have been effective but not perfect at suppressing terrorist attacks (see Legal/Political section below).

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

  • Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
  • Driving under the influence may lead to confiscation of your driver’s license and could land you immediately in jail.
  • Possession of dangerous weapons, including pocket knives, may result in criminal penalties.
  • Your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution if you break the law in Denmark.

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Denmark.