The currency of Denmark is the Danish krone (ISO code DKK, symbol "kr"). In mid-2026, one US dollar buys roughly 6.9 kroner, while one euro is held steady at close to 7.46 kroner. Despite being a long-standing member of the European Union, Denmark has kept its own national currency rather than adopting the euro, and the krone remains one of the oldest continuously used currencies in Scandinavia.
The Danish Krone at a Glance
The word krone simply means "crown," a name shared with the currencies of neighbouring Norway and Sweden because of their common history. Each krone is theoretically divided into 100 øre, though the smallest øre coins have been phased out and prices are now rounded to the nearest 50 øre in cash transactions.
- Official name: Danish krone (plural: kroner)
- ISO code: DKK
- Symbol: kr (sometimes written "Kr." or "DKK")
- Subunit: øre (1/100 of a krone)
- Issuing authority: Danmarks Nationalbank, the Danish central bank
The same krone also circulates in two parts of the Kingdom of Denmark outside the European mainland: Greenland, the world's largest island, and the Faroe Islands. The Faroes issue their own distinctive banknotes, but these are pegged one-to-one with the Danish krone and represent the same underlying currency.
Why Denmark Does Not Use the Euro
Denmark joined what became the European Union in 1973, but it has consistently chosen to keep the krone. In a national referendum held in September 2000, about 53% of Danish voters rejected adopting the euro. Denmark holds a formal opt-out from the single currency, meaning it is under no obligation to switch even though it meets the economic criteria.
Instead of joining the eurozone, Denmark links the krone to the euro through the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II). The central rate is fixed at roughly 7.46 kroner per euro, and Danmarks Nationalbank commits to keeping the exchange rate within a very narrow band around that figure. In practice this means Denmark "imports" much of its monetary policy from the European Central Bank: when the ECB changes interest rates, the Danish central bank usually follows in order to defend the peg.
A Short History of the Krone
The krone was introduced in 1875, replacing the earlier rigsdaler. It was created as part of the Scandinavian Monetary Union, an agreement between Denmark, Sweden, and later Norway to use a shared gold-backed crown currency across the region. That union dissolved during the upheaval of the First World War, but each country kept its own krone, which is why three different "crowns" still circulate in Scandinavia today.
Over the following century the krone moved off the gold standard, floated, and eventually settled into its current managed peg against the euro. Through all these changes the currency has remained a symbol of Danish economic independence within an increasingly integrated Europe.
Banknotes and Coins
Danish banknotes come in five denominations and are instantly recognisable for their unified design theme: every note features a famous Danish bridge on the front and a prehistoric archaeological find on the back. The bridges celebrate Denmark's geography as a nation spread across the Jutland peninsula and hundreds of islands.
- 1,000 kr — Great Belt Bridge
- 500 kr — Sallingsund Bridge
- 200 kr — Knippelsbro (Copenhagen)
- 100 kr — Langebro (Copenhagen)
- 50 kr — Sallingsund Bridge motif
Coins are issued in values such as 50 øre, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 kroner. The higher-value coins are easy to spot because some carry a distinctive hole punched through the centre, a traditional feature of Danish coinage.
Using Money as a Traveller
Denmark is one of the most cashless societies on Earth, so visitors rarely need large amounts of physical kroner. Contactless cards and international debit and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, from supermarkets and museums to small market stalls and even some public toilets. The domestic mobile payment app MobilePay is enormously popular among Danes, used for everything from splitting restaurant bills to church collections, though it generally requires a Danish bank account.
A few practical tips: keep a small amount of cash for the rare vendor that does not take cards, withdraw kroner from bank-affiliated ATMs to avoid steep fees, and remember that Denmark is among Europe's more expensive destinations, so prices in Copenhagen can be noticeably higher than the euro figures travellers may be used to. For more on the country itself, see our denmark country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denmark use the euro?
No. Denmark uses the Danish krone and holds a permanent opt-out from the euro. Voters rejected the euro in a 2000 referendum, though the krone is closely pegged to it.
What is the symbol for the Danish krone?
The krone is written with the symbol "kr" before or after the amount, and its international ISO code is DKK. So 250 kroner may appear as "250 kr" or "DKK 250."
Can I use euros in Denmark?
Sometimes, but not reliably. A handful of tourist-oriented shops and hotels near the border or in Copenhagen accept euros, usually at an unfavourable rate. You should plan to pay in kroner or, more conveniently, by card.
Is it better to use cash or card in Denmark?
Card is almost always better. Denmark is nearly cashless, and contactless payment is accepted in the vast majority of shops, restaurants, and transport services, making a travel card or phone wallet the most practical option.