Before you go to Greenland: what to know
Must know
- Greenland is outside Schengen. A Schengen visa alone does not give permission to enter Greenland.
- There are no roads connecting towns; weather can delay flights and boats. Allow contingency time.
Entry and visas
Bring a passport and check any separate Greenland visa requirement with Danish authorities. EU, UK, US and UAE citizens are on the tourism office visa-exempt list; Ukrainian exemption requires a biometric passport. If your nationality needs a visa, it must specifically cover Greenland.
Passport validity: US guidance requires 90 days beyond departure; check nationality-specific rules with Danish authorities.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitgreenland.com ↗, airports.gl ↗, travel.state.gov ↗
Money
Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.
Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Amex
Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data
- Bring Danish-krone cash for smaller settlements and possible ATM outages.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitgreenland.com ↗
Rules and bans
Laws visitors break unknowingly
- Wear a seatbelt in a vehicle.
- Check expedition and national-park permits before visiting remote protected areas.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗, visitgreenland.com ↗
Culture and clothing
Religion: Follow local customs when visiting a place of worship; ask hosts about access.
Clothing: Use insulating layers and wind protection appropriate to the season.
Etiquette
- Ask before photographing people.
- Remove shoes when invited into a home.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: traveltrade.visitgreenland.com ↗, visitgreenland.com ↗
Climate
A long winter and short, changeable summer; conditions differ greatly by region. Summer is generally June-early September, with warming and snowmelt in April-May.
Month by month
- January: Jan: winter
- February: Feb: winter
- March: Mar: winter
- April: Apr: winter; warming and snowmelt vary locally
- May: May: winter transition
- June: Jun: short summer begins
- July: Jul: summer; conditions remain changeable
- August: Aug: summer; conditions remain changeable
- September: Sep: summer ends; timing varies
- October: Oct: winter
- November: Nov: winter
- December: Dec: winter
Best season: June-August for summer activities; winter activities need specialist planning.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: visitgreenland.com ↗, visitgreenland.com ↗, visitgreenland.com ↗
What to pack
- Insulating layers and windproof outerwear
- Insurance covering evacuation and delays
- Insect protection for summer
- Travel documents and DKK cash
Practical
Plugs: Ask your accommodation about sockets and voltage before packing an adapter.
Water: Check local drinking-water advice before using untreated water outdoors.
Traffic: drives on the right
Insurance: Include emergency evacuation and weather-related travel disruption.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗
Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.