Photography & Drones — Denmark

Taking photographs in public is lawful in Denmark, but photographing people who are somewhere not freely accessible to the public is a crime. Section 264 a of the Danish Criminal Code (straffeloven) punishes anyone who without right photographs persons who are in a place that is not freely accessible, and the same applies to observing such persons with binoculars or any other apparatus. Section 264 separately punishes gaining access without right to another person's house or other place that is not freely accessible, so climbing a fence or entering a private courtyard to get the shot is a second offence. Passing the image on is punished in its own right: section 264 d covers passing on, without right, images concerning another person's private affairs, or images of that person taken in circumstances that can clearly be demanded to be kept from a wider public. The provisions apply to visitors and residents alike and do not depend on whether the photograph is published or sold.

Photographing without right persons who are in a place not freely accessible, or observing them with binoculars or other apparatus: fine or imprisonment for up to 6 months (straffeloven § 264 a). Gaining access without right to another person's house or other place not freely accessible, or failing to leave when asked: fine or imprisonment for up to 6 months; up to 6 years where the intent was to obtain a business secret or where there are otherwise particularly aggravating circumstances (§ 264). Passing on without right images of another person's private affairs, or images taken in circumstances that can clearly be demanded to be withheld from a wider public: fine or imprisonment for up to 6 months, rising to up to 3 years where the nature and extent of the disclosure or the number of persons affected makes the circumstances particularly aggravating (§ 264 d).

Verified Oct 9, 2026