Am I allowed to change my legal gender in Denmark?
Yes — from 18 you can change your legal gender by your own written declaration. Denmark was the first in Europe with self-determination, since 1 September 2014. No diagnosis, surgery, hormones or sterilisation is required — legal and surgical gender change are two separate things. You must be 18 (of age), and after a reflection period of 6 months from the application you confirm it in writing, after which you get a new CPR number. The first name can be changed to suit the gender. For young people under 18 no lower age limit has been enacted, but access is currently assessed case by case.
📋 The rules
- From 18 by your own written declaration
- No diagnosis or surgery required
- A reflection period of 6 months from the application
- You get a new CPR number
- The first name can be changed to suit the gender
🔓 Exceptions
- Legal and surgical gender change are two separate things
- For young people under 18 no lower age limit has been enacted
- Access for under-18s is currently assessed case by case
⚠️ Penalties & fines
This is a right, not a prohibition, so there is no penalty. The new CPR number reflects the new legal gender in all official contexts.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I change my legal gender?
Yes, from 18 by your own written declaration, with no diagnosis or surgery.
Is surgery or a diagnosis required?
No. It is based on self-determination and requires no diagnosis, surgery, hormones or sterilisation.
How long is the reflection period?
6 months from the application. Then you confirm it in writing, and you get a new CPR number.
Can under-18s change their legal gender?
No lower age limit has been enacted, but access is currently assessed case by case.
What happens after the gender change?
You get a new CPR number, and the first name can be changed to suit the new gender.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I change legal gender denmark”
- “legal gender change 18”
- “gender change own declaration”
- “reflection period 6 months”
- “new cpr number gender”
- “gender change without surgery”