The Danish parliament on Thursday passed a new law that states sex without explicit consent constitutes rape.
"It is a groundbreaking day for gender equality in Denmark that we have now got a new consent law," Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup said.
The change means that rape in Denmark would not only be defined as a result of physical violence, coercion or when a victim was unable to resist due to intoxication, for instance.
The Justice Ministry has said that a prosecutor will still have the burden of proof.
The law - passed without any abstentions or opposition - was to enter into force as of January 1.
Other countries
The move was welcomed by among others rights group Amnesty International.
"This is a great day for women in Denmark as it consigns outdated and dangerous rape laws to the dustbin of history and helps to end pervasive stigma and endemic impunity for this crime," said Anna Blus, Amnesty's women's rights researcher.
According to Amnesty, 12 other countries in Europe have adopted similar legislation.
