About one percent of the population of Denmark has coeliac disease – approximately 55,000–60,000 people. As in many other countries, coeliac disease is severely underdiagnosed, with only about one in four people receiving a diagnosis. Coeliac disease is not a widely known condition in Denmark.
Travel cards
The Danish Coeliac Society offers travel cards in several languages, including one in Danish, in case you need to explain your need for gluten free food in hotels, restaurants or cafés. You can find the Danish card here, and the English version here. If you are spending quite a long time in Denmark, you might find a physical card useful. You can buy this from our online store.
Eating out
There is no certification scheme for gluten-free food at restaurants and cafés in Denmark. Some establishments are entirely gluten-free, and gluten-free meals are available in many places. However, there are significant differences in how gluten-free food is prepared. If you are highly sensitive to cross-contamination, it is important to ask detailed questions about food preparation.
All restaurants and cafés are required to provide information about allergens upon request. If the employee seems unsure or does not fully understand your needs, we recommend finding somewhere else to eat.
The Danish Coeliac Society offers a map based on user experiences that lists gluten free restaurants and cafés – which you can find here. The map can give you an idea of where to eat out. Please remember that the map is based on user experiences, so you should always check whether a restaurant is entirely gluten-free or simply offers gluten-free options. You should also confirm that the restaurant still offers gluten-free food.
Gluten-free food in shops
Most supermarkets offer a range of gluten-free products. It may be worth visiting several supermarkets, as product ranges vary. Gluten-free products are often displayed together on separate shelves. There are also a number of gluten-free bakeries, and some bakeries offer frozen gluten-free products.
Foods labelled “gluten-free” may contain no more than 20 ppm of gluten.
Of course, some products that are not labelled “gluten-free” may still be naturally gluten-free. Allergens must be clearly marked in the product’s list of ingredients. If you buy unpackaged products without a list of ingredients, staff are required to provide information about allergens if you ask.
Glossary
Allergens must be clearly stated in lists of ingredients. Look out for cereals that contain gluten:
| Danish | English |
| Hvede | Wheat |
| Spelt | Spelt |
| Durum | Durum |
| Rug | Rye |
| Byg | Barley |
| Havre | Oats |
| Emmer | Emmer |
| Enkorn | Einkorn |
| Kamut | Kamut |
| Bulgur | Bulgur |
| Couscous | Couscous |
| Semulje | Semolina |
| Glutenfri | Gluten free |
Take part in our events
The Danish Coeliac Society organises a wide range of specialist and social activities. You are welcome to attend e.g. camps, baking courses, gluten free food communities or excursions, which you can find in our calendar.
The events are conducted in Danish, but it is usually possible to participate as an English speaker. Feel free to contact the organiser directly or contact us at post@coeliaki.dk or +45 2552 0832 if you have any questions. Please note that the Danish Coeliac Society is closed during weeks 29–31 and may not be able to respond to enquiries during this period.
The Danish Coeliac Society wishes you an enjoyable and gluten-free stay in Denmark!