We previously reported that Copenhagen City Hall had become known as “the Las Vegas of Europe” for international couples. But now the city is tightening rules after years of soaring demand.
According to the Associated Press, Copenhagen hosted around 8,000 civil weddings last year, and in 5,400 of them neither partner lived in Denmark. From October, 40 percent of wedding times at City Hall will be reserved for residents, while total capacity will rise to 10,000 ceremonies next year.
The move follows revelations that almost 15,000 couples – many from abroad – were wrongly charged about 3.6 million US dollars in fees since 2018. Copenhagen has now abolished the charges and budgeted refunds.
Denmark’s liberal rules remain unchanged, keeping the country a popular destination for international couples, including Asian-European pairs who often face bureaucratic hurdles at home.
Source: The New York Times
