Retail outlets are no longer obliged to accept cash between 22:00 and 06:00 at night in Denmark.

Copenhagen’s 20:00 curfew
The new rules were introduced on January 1, and in around 25 percent of the country’s postcodes, outlets have the right to refuse cash from 20:00.

This applies to the whole of Copenhagen Municipality and other major urban areas where, according to the results of a 2012-16 Business Ministry report, retail stores are more likely to be robbed during the night.

Ministry seeks to cut crime
The ministry is hopeful it will reduce the number of night-time robberies, as with no cash on the premises there will be less for criminals to steal.

“By allowing the stores themselves to choose whether they want to receive cash in the evening and night hours, the stores are getting a new tool to protect the staff from robberies,” commented the business minister, Brian Mikkelsen.

Rema 1000 first to apply for restriction
However, major chains need to get permission from Finanstilsynet to introduce the restriction from 20:00.

So far, only one major retail company has done so: the Norwegian supermarket chain Rema 1000.

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