Am I allowed to get a tattoo if I am under 18 in Denmark?
No — tattooing people under 18 is forbidden, whatever they want, and even with parental consent. Under the Tattoo Act you can be tattooed at the earliest when you turn 18. A signature from your mother or father changes nothing — that is the trap most people fall into. It is also forbidden to tattoo the head, neck and hands on anyone, regardless of age, so even an adult is turned away for a hand tattoo. Permanent cosmetic make-up of eyebrows, lips and scalp is allowed with special training. The tattooist must be registered with the authorities and supervised, and the ink must follow the EU chemical rules. The penalty hits the tattooist: tattooing someone under 18 costs a fine of at least 10,000 kr.
📋 The rules
- Forbidden to tattoo people under 18
- Applies even with parental consent
- Forbidden to tattoo the head, neck and hands on anyone
- The tattooist must be registered and supervised
- The ink must follow the EU chemical rules
🔓 Exceptions
- Permanent cosmetic make-up of eyebrows, lips and scalp is allowed with special training
- An exception applies to people in a gang-exit programme
- The registration requirement applies to commercial tattooing
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The penalty hits the tattooist, not the young customer. Tattooing a person under 18 — or tattooing the head, neck or hands on anyone at all — can bring a fine or up to 4 months prison, and the first-time fine for an under-18 is at least 10,000 kr. It is the tattooist's job to check the age, and parental consent is not a defence. Tattoo premises are registered and supervised, and the same supervision covers the ink, which must follow the EU chemical rules. A fine does not remove the tattoo either — the young person is left with it.
📎 Official sources
- Tattoo Act · Retsinformation →
- Safety Authority · Tattoos not allowed →
- Environment Agency · Tattoo ink →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I get a tattoo if I am under 18?
No. Tattooing people under 18 is forbidden, and the ban applies even if you want it yourself. Parental consent changes nothing — a signature from your mother or father does not make it legal, and the fine hits the tattooist.
Is there a statutory age limit?
Yes, 18 under the Tattoo Act, and parents cannot consent to a minor being tattooed. You have to wait until you turn 18, however mature you are and whatever a tattooist may tell you.
Where can I not be tattooed?
On the head, neck and hands. That ban applies to everyone regardless of age, so not even an adult can lawfully get a hand or neck tattoo. An exception does apply to people in a gang-exit programme.
Must the tattooist be approved?
Yes. The tattooist must be registered with the authorities and work under supervision, and the requirement covers commercial tattooing. The ink must also follow the EU chemical rules, so unknown or home-made ink is not legal.
What is the penalty for tattooing a minor?
A fine or up to 4 months prison, and the first-time fine for tattooing an under-18 is at least 10,000 kr. The penalty hits the tattooist and not the young customer, and parental consent is not a defence.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I get a tattoo under 18 denmark”
- “tattoo age limit 18”
- “tattoo neck hands banned”
- “tattooist registered requirement”
- “tattoo act parental consent”
- “tattoo ink rules”