Future brides and grooms flock to this capital to tie the knot, so much so that some call it the “European Las Vegas”. But it’s not for its casinos.
We love it or we hate it, but one thing is certain, Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world: no other city in the world celebrates so many unions. It’s the American cliché that we see in all the films, with its excess, its neon lights illuminating the desert and its famous casinos. Future brides and grooms from all over the world flock there to say “Yes!” in front of an Elvis look-alike, in one of these iconic little white chapels, and with less burden of paperwork… A godsend for those who wish to free themselves from traditional codes and who intend to make their wedding an extraordinary celebration.
But on the Old Continent, it is another destination that attracts future brides and grooms. It’s neither Paris, nor Rome, nor Venice… nor is it for its casinos or its nightlife, but for a completely different reason. Since 2019, the number of foreign couples getting married in this European capital has doubled. And for good reason, there, you can get married in the blink of an eye. Or almost.
Indeed, as reported The Economistit is very laborious to get married as expats in most European countries. A real administrative nightmare. But in Denmark, it’s quite the opposite. Forget long and complicated procedures: even without nationality, a simple valid passport and a form completed online are enough. In Europe, it is the country where it is easiest to get married. It generally takes less than a week (5 working days) to obtain the certificate, valid worldwide. Quick and easy weddings, like those celebrated in the city of vice in the United States. This is also why more and more people call Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, the “European Las Vegas”.
But this sudden boom in marriage tourism is not really to the taste of the locals. As demand is stronger, the time to obtain a date at City Hall has greatly extended. Enough to strengthen nationalist opinions… Moreover, since November 2025, Copenhagen has decided to reserve 40% of slots for couples residing there.
Getting married in the Danish capital is therefore quick in terms of administrative procedure, but less so when it comes to reserving a date. Price-wise, the rates do not seem much more expensive than elsewhere, but some politicians are considering introducing a special tax for foreigners who make the trip to celebrate their union. It remains to be seen whether these new restrictions will discourage lovers in a hurry, or whether they will agree to pay the high price to get married in Copenhagen… for better or for worse.
