Copenhagen City Hall Wedding Guide (2026 Rules for Foreigners)

Copenhagen City Hall (Københavns Rådhus) has married more international couples than perhaps any other building in Europe. Its red-brick tower, the spiral staircase to the wedding hall and the five-minute ceremony have become a modern classic — and since 2025 they’ve also become harder to book.

What changed in 2025

Two big things:

1. Fees for non-residents were scrapped. A legal review found Copenhagen’s extra charges for foreign couples unlawful; the city stopped charging them and began refunding past fees.
2. A resident quota arrived. From late October 2025, roughly 40% of ceremony slots are set aside for Copenhagen residents. With demand from abroad still rising, couples report waits of around 12 weeks for a date in season.

The city plans for around 10,000 ceremonies a year, so it’s far from impossible — but you need flexibility, or a backup.

How to book

1. Get approved first. Apply to the Agency of Family Law (see our step-by-step guide).
2. Request a slot through City Hall’s online booking system. The marriage office reviews your file and confirms by email, typically within a few business days.
3. Be flexible. Fridays and Saturdays go first. Weekday mornings are easier — and quieter for photos. There are no ceremonies on Sundays.

On the day

• Day before: both of you show your passports (and visas or residence permits, if relevant) at the City Hall information desk, Monday–Friday. Check the hours in your confirmation.
• Arrive 15–20 minutes early. Follow the hearts on the floor through the Great Hall to the stone spiral staircase marked Bryllupssalen and wait to be called.
• The ceremony lasts around five minutes. The registrar speaks briefly about marriage, you say “I do”, exchange rings if you wish, and sign with your witnesses.
• You leave with two copies of the international marriage certificate. Ask on the day if you need more.

Up to about 75 guests can attend. The balcony above the main hall is a favourite photo spot, though ceremonies can’t be held there.

Getting ready nearby

City Hall sits on Rådhuspladsen, between Tivoli and the Latin Quarter — Villa Copenhagen, Nimb and the hotels around Vesterbrogade are all a few minutes’ walk. Our hotel picks are below.

Photos after the ceremony

The classic route: City Hall courtyard → Strøget → Nyhavn → the harbourfront. Most Copenhagen wedding photographers offer one- or two-hour City Hall packages that cover exactly this. See the best wedding photo spots in Copenhagen.

When City Hall is full

You can marry at any Danish town hall with space. Popular alternatives within an hour:

• Frederiksberg City Hall — ten minutes away, but also busy.
• Gladsaxe City Hall — often more availability, 30 minutes by bus.
• Helsingør — combine with Kronborg Castle and a beach hotel.

Copenhagen can also send a registrar to another location in the city for an extra fee — a garden, rooftop or your dinner venue.

Always confirm current rules with the City of Copenhagen’s marriage office (Vielseskontoret).