Drink-driving limits in Denmark (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: The general limit is 0.50 per mille of blood (0.25 mg per litre of breath), and 0.20 per mille for category B drivers in the first three years. The police may require a breath test at any time. Penalties are a fine, withdrawal of the right to drive and, in serious cases, up to 1 year 6 months in prison.

RuleWhat applies
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.05 % blood alcohol [1]
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.20 per mille in the blood (0.10 mg per litre of breath) when driving an ordinary car (category B) within the first 3 years after first acquiring the right to drive a category B car, or when the offence also breaches the licence requirement in § 56(1), first sentence. [1]
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol⚠ Not yet verified
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcoholYes [1]
Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcoholA fine, set with regard to income and alcohol concentration (§ 117 b). Imprisonment of up to 1 year 6 months is possible, for example above 2.00 per mille (1.00 mg per litre of breath) or for repeat offences (§ 117 stk. 2). Above 1.20 per mille (0.60 mg per litre of breath) the right to drive is withdrawn unconditionally (§ 126 stk. 1 nr. 1); other drink-driving leads to conditional withdrawal (§ 125 stk. 1 nr. 5). [1]

Notes

  • The Act states 0.50 per mille of blood or 0.25 mg per litre of breath; 0.50 per mille is shown as 0.05%.
  • Applies from 1 July 2025 (Act no. 567 of 27 May 2025). A person who drives without a licence in breach of § 56(1) is also held to the lower limit.
  • The Act sets no separate limit for professional drivers in § 53, but this was not treated as proof that none exists elsewhere.
  • § 55 says the police may require the driver of a vehicle to give a breath, saliva or sweat sample at any time.

Sources

  1. Retsinformation (Lovtidende): Bekendtgørelse af færdselsloven (LBK nr 118 af 12/01/2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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