Card keeps getting declined in Denmark?

Just back from Denmark, and I can confirm cards usually work, but not 100% of the time. My Revolut Visa failed at a Nordea ATM once, while my regular Mastercard had no problem. Even in Copenhagen’s trendy areas like Vesterbro, some kiosks wanted cash. Plan 600-700 DKK daily if you’re eating in restaurants and visiting attractions. Denmark is heavily digital, but I recommend carrying at least 200 DKK cash, because having your card rejected when buying train tickets or snacks is annoying.

I wouldn’t call card rejection common in Denmark, but it does happen. My Visa was accepted everywhere in Copenhagen, yet in Odense one café only took local debit. ATMs from Danske Bank never failed me. Denmark is expensive-budget around 700 DKK per day for food, transit, and entrance tickets. Most stores are happy with cards, but rural gas stations may still want local payment cards. Have a small amount of cash ready just in case your foreign card isn’t accepted.

In Denmark, I had my Mastercard rejected twice at an ATM in Aarhus, but it worked fine at Nordea ATMs in Copenhagen. Shops in Nyhavn and central tourist areas are very card-friendly, but small bakeries occasionally insisted on cash. With Denmark being pricey, plan at least 600-800 DKK daily for meals, metro tickets, and museum entries. ATMs don’t charge heavy local fees, but your home bank might. Rejection is rare, but don’t assume you’ll never need Danish kroner in your pocket.

Denmark is mostly card-friendly, but I had odd moments where my foreign card was rejected. ATMs from Danske Bank and Nordea generally worked, but a Coop supermarket declined my Visa once. Cash isn’t essential in Copenhagen since most restaurants and transit systems take cards, but having 200-300 DKK handy helps. Budget 500-700 DKK daily if you’re dining out and visiting attractions like Tivoli Gardens. Card rejection isn’t “common,” but it can happen, so always keep a backup option.