Relations between Denmark and Germany are characterised by good neighbourliness and close cooperation in all areas. Dialogue is intensive, with frequent meetings at all political levels. In addition, there are many visits at parliament and federal-state level, and it is only natural that Denmark maintains particularly close ties with Land Schleswig-Holstein. Cross-border cooperation with Denmark has also been stepped up in recent years.

The positive and lively interaction between the German minority in North Schleswig and the neighbouring Danish minority in South Schleswig also shapes bilateral relations. The successful minority policies on both sides are founded on the Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations of 1955. On 26 August 2022, the countries’ then Foreign Ministers Baerbock and Kofod signed the Joint Action Plan for Future German-Danish Cooperation. It builds on the existing close neighbourly ties and focuses, among other things, on promoting a sustainable green transition. Under the Action Plan, a German-Danish working group for promoting cross-border cooperation was set up that in December 2024 was re-established as the German-Danish border commission, which seeks to eliminate obstacles to mobility in cross-border cooperation. New obstacles can be reported via the website of the regional secretariat in Padborg.

Bilateral economic relations are close and intensive. Germany is one of Denmark’s most important trading partners. Imports from Denmark include industrial products, machinery, food, agricultural products and medical and pharmaceutical products. Germany’s main exports include machinery and motor vehicles, chemicals, consumer goods and food.

Close cultural ties between Denmark and Germany have existed for centuries. Cultural exchange is particularly multifaceted, due in large part to the Danes’ good German language skills compared to those found in many other European countries. The Goethe-Institut in Denmark supports cultural exchange and offers language courses as part of its wide-ranging programme. Academic and student exchanges also take place on a large scale at university level.

Germany and Denmark also pursue various defence policy cooperation projects. Denmark conducts numerous joint maritime training activities and, together with Germany and Poland, is a lead nation at Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin.