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Company in Denmark

For years, Scandinavian countries have been the most popular destination for both employees and entrepreneurs. It is no different with Denmark, which has been at the top of the business rankings for years. It ranks the 18th position globally in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita and ranks 6th in nominal GDP per capita. It holds the 13th position as one of the most competitive economies globally and ranks 8th in Europe, as per the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report for the period 2014–2015. Denmark's economy is notable for its high degree of economic freedom, as reflected in assessments such as the Index of Economic Freedom and the Economic Freedom of the World. As of June 2022, the OECD forecasted that the Danish economy would experience a growth of 3% in 2022, followed by a projected growth of 1.4% in 2023. A diversified business conglomerate in Copenhagen, primarily recognized for its activities in industrial transportation and shipping. Some of the largest companies in Denmark by market capitalization are Novo Nordisk, DSV, Vestas Wind Systems, Maersk and Coloplast.

However, before you decide to set up a business in Denmark, it is worth reading the following article. It will give you some basic information about doing business in this country. You will no longer have to worry about Danish regulations, taxes, payment deadlines or the type of documents you need to submit to avoid falling into business traps.
Key information about setting up a business in Denmark
Company denmark - economy Importantly, the rules that apply in this country are identical for all EU citizens.

To set up a company in Denmark, there are a few key steps to follow step by step:
Business forms in Denmark
When it comes to the forms of business in Denmark, the choices include sole proprietorship, joint stock company, general partnership, limited partnership, branch of a foreign company, cooperative associations, representative office of a foreign company or limited liability company. Before setting up a company, it is advisable to find out what the different types of business operation and activities consist of and choose the one that suits you best. Both domestic and foreign entities equally have access to all legal forms of doing business. When setting up a legal entity in Denmark, it's crucial to be mindful of the diverse tax structures applicable to different legal entities. Identifying the optimal alignment between company structure, business requirements, and the relevant taxation framework will establish a solid foundation for launching your business in Denmark. Denmark Company - laws Company in Denmark - types of businesses
Sole trader (Enkeltmandsvirksomhed)
The easiest to run and at the same time the most common form of business in Denmark is the sole proprietorship. Otherwise, known as self-employment, sole proprietorships are run by a person under their own name or under a predefined company name. The basic principle of sole proprietorship is that all assets and liabilities belong to the owner, who is liable for debts with his/her own assets.

In the case of self-employment, owners use a personal CPR registration number and registration is made with Erhvervsstyrelsen, via the website www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk. Only the founder of the business has a say in the running of the business.

Like any type of business, self-employment has both, advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages include, above all: Disadvantages associated with sole proprietorship: When running a sole proprietorship, there are three forms of taxation to choose from:
  1. taxation of the profit as personal income, as is the case for employed persons;
  2. taxation according to the Share Capital Act (Kapitalafkastordning) - part of the profit from the company can be transferred to personal income and part to capital income;
  3. taxation according to the Enterprise Act (Virksomhedsordning) - the costs from credit interest can be written off or the profit from the company can be retained as bank savings.
Public limited company (Aktieselskab - A/S)
The joint-stock company is a legal form for medium-sized and large companies. It is the only one that can be listed on the Danish stock exchange. To establish a public limited company, the founders must draw up and sign a memorandum of incorporation. The memorandum of incorporation should contain: the personal data of the founders and the company's board of directors, the name and registered office of the company, the type and purpose of the business and the amount of the initial capital. The company's articles of association must then be drawn up, and the share capital paid in. The next step is to set a date for the statutory meeting at which the shareholders elect the supervisory board and the management board.

A Danish company can be established by at least one person. It consists of a board of directors and a management or supervisory board. The supervisory board is elected at the general meeting and should have a minimum of three members. When voting on important decisions for the company, there must be a majority of votes. According to the law, the founders of a company do not have to be owners of its shares.

A joint-stock company is obliged to have at least one shareholder. Individual shareholders are obliged to notify the company that they have acquired a minimum of 5% of the share capital. The notification must be made within 30 days. Shareholders and co-owners of a joint-stock company are not liable with their assets for the debts of the company, as is the case with a sole proprietorship. However, in the case of loans, the bank may require them to provide a guarantee. As far as taxation is concerned, in the case of shareholders, only the income received is subject to taxation. The company is subject to separate tax rules.

The initial capital must be contributed before the company is registered. The amount of initial capital is DKK 500,000 in cash or other assets. Once the memorandum of incorporation has been signed and the start-up capital has been deposited in the company's bank account, six months are left to register the company with the Danish Trade Register. Registration usually takes two to three weeks. Once this is done, the registered company is given a CVR registration number, which is the equivalent of the Polish REGON number. It is worth remembering that after registration with the Danish Trade Register, the company must also be registered with the tax authority (Told-og Skatteregion). All required documents must be drawn up in Danish. We can register a public limited company through a Danish law firm. The cost of such registration is between DKK 4,500 and 6,000. It is also worth mentioning that when the words 'under registration' (under stiftelse) are added to the company name, then the company has the right to commence operations from the date of signing the memorandum of incorporation.
General Partnership (Interesselskab - I/S)
A Danish general partnership is not considered a legal entity but can enter into contracts, as well as initiate or defend legal action. At least two individuals or organizations must establish the partnership and define their relationship in the articles of association. To register the partnership, required documents and the registration application must be submitted to the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency within eight weeks of signing the agreement. After registration, the partnership will be assigned a Central Company Register number (https://datacvr.virk.dk/) and it is essential to include the abbreviation I/S in the company name, indicating its legal form. If all partners have limited liability, the partnership must be registered with the DBA. The general partnership does not require share capital, and its assets consist of the contributed funds and acquired property.
Limited liability company (Anpartsselskab - ApS)
A limited liability company is most often chosen by those who wish to exercise personal and total supervision over the company. They are often entrepreneurs running a family business. Anpartsselskab has legal personality. We can find out more about its organization and operation from the Private Limited Liability Company Act. The cost of establishing a company with the assistance of a law firm is between DKK 3,000 and DKK 5,000.

The rules that govern the running of a limited liability company and a joint-stock company are similar. See the table below for a comparison and common features between the two forms of business.
Anpartsselskab - ApS Aktieselskab - A/S
More freedom to decide on company matters Less freedom to decide on company matters
Initial capital - DKK 50,000 DKK 500,000 (various assets, min. 125,000 in cash)
Capital belongs to the company, not the owners
Cost of setting up the company by a law firm is DKK 3-5 thousand DKK 4,500 to 6,000 DKK
Management needed Both management and board of directors (possibly supervisory board) are needed
Are subject to tax law
Must have at least one owner
The law to which they are subject is set out in the Danish Companies Act (Selskabsloven). They are obliged to report annually (årsrapport), need statutes (vedtægter) and incorporation documents (stiftelsesdokument).
Denmark Company - limited liability companies
Limited partnership (Kommanditselskab - K/S)
A limited partnership requires a minimum of one general partner, i.e. an active partner. An example of such a partner could be a limited liability company. The general partner is liable for the obligations of the company. In addition to this, the company also needs limited partners, who are also liable for the company's obligations, but only up to the amount of the initial capital they have contributed to the company. Another type of limited partnership is the Partnerselskaber - P/S, i.e. a partnership with limited liability up to the amount of shares. Its partners include public limited liability companies that are liable for the company's obligations. They do so using sums set aside in shares or by managing the entire share capital. Company Denmark - KS company
Branch of a foreign company (Filial af udenlandsk selskab)
Certain types of foreign companies are permitted to conduct operations in Denmark by establishing a branch office. Polish entrepreneurs have the possibility to establish a branch of a foreign company in Denmark. This is a form of business which, although it does not require share capital, the process of setting up a branch takes longer than setting up a company. The opening of a Danish branch is possible when the company registered in Poland has a similar legal form to the one in Denmark. In the case in question, these are a limited liability company ApS or a joint stock company A/S.

For a foreign branch to operate in Denmark, it must undergo registration with the Danish Business Authority, a process that can typically be completed within a few weeks. After the relevant founding documents are drafted, signed, and the share capital is paid, it is possible to register a Danish company online. It's important to note that a branch is subject to Danish corporate taxation once it is established. The Danish Business Authority endeavours to create predictable, responsible and attractive business conditions, aiming to facilitate the smooth operation of businesses in Denmark. It operates across broad fields, spanning planning law, rural development, digitization, effective supervision, and monitoring of funds, companies, money laundering, accounting, auditing, export, and EU checks.

In order to register a branch of a company, documents concerning the Polish company are required. The registration is made through the website www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk. If you wish to use the option of establishing a company branch with the assistance of a law firm, you should expect a cost of DKK 8,000. It is worth knowing that the name of the company branch should contain the word "branch", in Danish 'filial', and the name of the company and the country in which it is established. Denmark Company - registration form The share capital should be at least DKK 80,000. The branch is subject to both corporation tax (25%) and VAT. In order to settle VAT, the branch must be reported to the Danish Tax Authority (SKAT).

The Danish branch is governed by Danish law and the branch manager is fully liable for any liabilities incurred. The branch of the foreign company is obliged to prepare 12 monthly company accounts. A copy of this report should be sent annually to the Trade and Companies Agency.
Representation of a foreign company (Salgskontor)
A foreign company can also conduct its activities in Denmark through a representative office, as long as these activities are of a limited nature, e.g. receiving orders (without invoicing), engaging in administrative work, or performing a specific business activity for a restricted period, such as a construction contract.

A representative office of a foreign company is an interesting form of business activity. Such an activity deals with the promotion of products and services. However, it is worth knowing that such a representative office has neither legal personality nor the right to sell and is not regulated by Danish law. It acts only on behalf of the parent company, which is responsible for all obligations.
Cooperative associations (Andelsforening / Brugsforening)
A cooperative association is formed on the basis of an association agreement. The contract is entered into by individuals and allows for the sale and processing of products belonging to them, as well as the purchase and sale of goods. In the case of a co-operative association, partial liability for obligations is borne by its members. Be sure to add the abbreviation - A.m.b.a. (cooperative association with limited liability) to the name. The abbreviation indicates the legal form of the activity.
Information on taxation in Denmark
In Denmark, individuals and entrepreneurs are subject to taxation. Taxes are progressive, which means that the tax threshold is correlated with the amount of income. Tax deductions are subject to, among other things: It is worth remembering to keep your tax return factually correct, as the Danish tax authorities have up to seven years to check the authenticity of the declared expenses. Company in Denmark - highlights of taxation Sole trader Companies
Company owners pay corporation tax, so-called CIT, at a rate of 22%, unless the company's annual turnover exceeds DKK 20,000. The company then becomes liable for VAT, and this tax in Denmark is 25%.
Individuals
Taxes that individuals pay: It is worth knowing that an individual's total tax burden may not exceed 59%.
Information on VAT
VAT is another word for value added tax. It is added to the price of goods and services. In Denmark, it amounts to 25%. It is paid by companies that sell services or goods and have an annual turnover of more than DKK 50,000.

A Danish company must be registered before providing services and goods. Registration must take place within eight days before business starts. The website of the Register of Foreign Suppliers (RUT) - virk.dk - is used to declare a business as a VAT payer. In CVR on Virk, you also have the capability to conduct individual company searches and utilize various parameters for filtering, including company name, individual's name, company registration number, production unit number, and address of the company, production unit, or individual.

Foreign workers, both seasonal and permanent, are subject to different tax regulations. The amount and type of taxes depend on their origin and how long they have lived in Denmark.

The owner of a Danish company that employs workers is required to register as an employer. Denmark Company - CIT tax
Employer's obligations relating to the employment of an employee in the company
Entrepreneurs hiring employees in Denmark should first familiarize themselves with Danish labour law. The second thing you should familiarize yourself with are the regulations covering particular occupational groups. In particular, it is worth reading the Employment Document Act (Ansaettelsesbevis loven). Among other things, it states that persons employed for a minimum of one month, for more than eight hours per week, must receive a document informing them of their working conditions. In Denmark, there is also a separate act that regulates the rules of the agreement on the posting of employees to work abroad.

So-called collective agreements are popular in Denmark. This is an agreement between employers and employees and concerns working conditions. The collective agreement is concluded through trade unions or an association of employees. Company in Denmark - collective agreement Workers must be guaranteed health and safety training and insurance against occupational diseases. The employer must also provide adequate pay. Unfortunately, discrimination against workers sometimes occurs. When this is discovered, trade unions have the right to organize strikes, lockouts or industrial action. The aim of such actions is to negotiate higher payments for the affected individuals. In addition, trade unions in Denmark can organize labour conflicts or collective disputes with a view to concluding a collective agreement.
Health and safety at work in Denmark
Each Danish employer to comply with both Danish labour law and health and safety regulations. If these are not complied with, the employer may be fined or ordered to stop the work being carried out. A company with more than 10 employees in Denmark is obliged to set up a health and safety organization and to appoint inspectors who are responsible for implementing all safety rules. Companies that provide employees with variable and temporary workstations where people work for more than 14 days are obliged to do the same. Denmark Company - responsibilities of danish employer Company Denmark - responsibilities of employee
Information on reporting a company to the Register of Foreign Service Providers - RUT
Companies operating in Denmark must be notified to the RUT before starting work. Any changes that affect the company must be notified within 1 working day on which they take effect. Importantly, any entity, physical or legal, for which services are performed is considered a Danish service provider. Therefore, anyone working in Denmark (employer and employee) should register.

Registration can be done via the virk.dk website. When registering, the following information is needed: If you have additional questions about the registration itself or Danish labour law, it is possible to contact the staff of the Register of Foreign Service Providers by telephone. The telephone number can be found on the RUT website.

After registration, the employer or employee will receive a personal RUT number. The number is necessary when contacting the Danish authorities. The employee should additionally provide his or her employer with a receipt with the number attached.

Failure to register or to update reported data may result in prosecution or a financial penalty imposed by the Labour Inspector. Importantly, the inspector has the right to charge a penalty for each day of delay in reporting the services to the Register. The penalties are quite severe, and can amount to DKK 10,000 or even DKK 20,000 if the regulations have been breached repeatedly.
Denmark's largest companies
This compilation showcases Danish companies featured in the Fortune Global 500, a ranking that assesses the world's largest companies based on their annual revenue. The provided figures, presented in millions of US dollars, pertain to the fiscal year 2022. Additionally, the list includes details such as the companies' headquarters location, net profit, global workforce size, and industry sector.

I. Maersk Group
Maersk Group ranks as first danish company on the Fortune 500 list of the transportation industry, with revenues of $81,529 million, while earning profits of $29,198 million. The company has an impressive 104,260 employees and is headquartered in Copenhagen. Maersk is involved in a range of business operations, encompassing shipping, port management, supply chain oversight, and warehouse services.

II. Energi Denmark Group
In second place is Energi Denmark Group, which specializes in energy trading. It generates revenue of $48.717 million, with profits of $1.251 million. It has 220 employees and is headquartered in Aarhus. Energi Denmark Group is the largest energy trading company in Denmark and one of the largest in Northern Europe. The company engages in both physical and financial energy trading, primarily focusing on the trading of natural gas and coal.

III. DSV
In third place is DSV, a logistics company, generating revenue of $33.321 million, with profits of $2.484 million. DSV has an impressive 76,283 employees and is headquartered in Hedehusene. Established in 1976 by nine independent Danish hauliers, the company has experienced swift growth and established an international presence, primarily through a series of strategic acquisitions of competitors.

This ranking is derived from the Forbes Global 2000, a compilation that assesses the 2,000 most extensive publicly traded companies globally. Various criteria contribute to the Forbes list, encompassing revenue, net profit, total assets, and market value for each company. Each of these factors is assigned a weighted rank based on its significance in determining the overall ranking. The accompanying table includes information about the headquarters' location and the industry sector of each company. All figures are presented in billions of US dollars and pertain to the year 2018.

1. Copenhagen-based Maersk Group ranks 262nd on the list, generating $39.0 million in revenue, with profits of $3.1 million. The company has 56,600 employees and assets of $28.1 million. It specializes in the transportation industry.

2. Copenhagen-based Danske Bank ranks 339th, generating $15.4 million in revenue, gaining $2.2 million. The bank has an impressive 548.2 thousand employees and assets of $16.6 million. It operates mainly in the banking sector. As of October 11, 2022, Danske Bank commands a substantial market cap exceeding $10.3 billion, a testament to its significant presence and impact in the financial sector.

3. Novo Nordisk of Bagsværd ranks 376th with $17.7 million in revenue, generating $6.1 million in profits. The company has 17.0 thousand employees and assets of $116.3 million. It specializes in the pharmaceutical industry. Novo Nordisk specializes in the manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products and services, with a particular focus on medications and devices for diabetes care.

4. Copenhagen-based Ørsted ranks 486th, generating $11.5 million in revenue, with profits of $2.8 million. The company has 26.7 thousand employees and assets of $31.4 million. It operates mainly in the public services sector. As of January 2022, the company holds the position as the world's leading developer of offshore wind power, measured by the number of constructed offshore wind farms.

5. Copenhagen-based Carlsberg Group ranks 794th, generating $9.9 million in revenue, with profits of $0.8 million. The company has 18.0 thousand employees and assets of $19.3 million. It specializes in the beverage industry. Through a combination of growth and innovation, Carlsberg has expanded its beer portfolio to include over 140 brands. This diverse range encompasses core beer brands, craft and specialty selections, as well as alcohol-free brews.

6. Aarhus-based Vestas Wind Systems ranks 847th, generating $12.0 million in revenue, with profits of $0.8 million. The company has 13,600 employees and assets of $17.9 million. It specializes in manufacturing electrical equipment. In alignment with its objectives, the company is dedicated to developing solutions that expedite the energy transition and reinforce Vestas' ongoing leadership in the wind industry.

7. DSV of Hedehusene is ranked 1012nd, generating $12.5 million in revenue, with profits of $0.6 million. The company has 5,900 employees and assets of $15.5 million. It specializes in the transportation industry.

8. Fredensborg-based Coloplast ranks 1361st, generating $2.7 million in revenue, with profits of $0.6 million. The company has 1,900 employees and assets of $21.9 million. It specializes in healthcare. It specializes in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of medical devices and services related to ostomy, urology, continence, and wound care.

9. Jyske Bank of Silkeborg is ranked 1520th, generating $2.4 million in revenue, with profits of $0.4 million. The bank has an impressive 91,900 employees and assets of $3.4 million. It operates mainly in the banking sector. The headquarters of the bank are situated in Silkeborg, and it operates with 98 branches in Denmark, along with a lone branch in Germany located in Hamburg. Notably, it holds the position as the second-largest bank listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, and it stands as the largest bank in Denmark headquartered outside of Copenhagen.

10. Novozymes of Bagsværd ranks 1668th with $2.3 million in revenue, generating $0.5 million in profits. The bio tech company has 3.0 thousand employees and assets of $13.2 million. It specializes in the pharmaceutical industry. The company concentrates on researching, developing, and producing industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up a business in Denmark?
Denmark is an entrepreneur-friendly country. It is characterized by relatively low income tax (at 28%) and a low burden on employers for health and social insurance (only 1% of the wage fund). Denmark has a free market and free competition. There are no restrictions on setting up and running your own business. Registration is done through the website of the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency (DCCA), located at: www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk. When registering, the company is given a special Central Company Register number - CVR. The company must also be registered with the Tax Office. This can be done via www.toldskat.dk.

Who is a VAT payer in Denmark?
VAT is payable by those whose annual turnover exceeds DKK 20,000. VAT in Denmark is 25%.

What is a residence certificate?
Anyone who intends to stay in Denmark for more than three months and entrepreneurs who want to set up a business in Denmark must apply for an EU/EEA residence certificate. Information on this can be obtained both from the Regional Office and from the website www.statsforvaltning.dk.

What is a PMV?
PMV (Personligt ejet mindre virksomhed) is a small self-employed business for which the owner is responsible with his/her own assets. There is no obligation to register this type of business with the Central Register of Business Activities (CRV). What is more, a PMV does not require start-up capital. However, if you employ an employee or if your annual income exceeds DKK 50,000, you will need to change to a self-employed form of business.

What is a Denmark Holding Company?
A Danish Holding Company is a Danish holding company with shares in other foreign subsidiaries. There are no imposed restrictions on subsidiary companies, but may only have one shareholder. It requires a minimum share capital of DKK 125,000. Dividends as well as profits of such a company are tax-free. To register a company, one must go to the Agency for Trade and Companies. Registration takes a very short time, it can even be done in one day. The company's accounts are public and are audited every year.

Who can invest in a Denmark Holding Company?
The Danish Tax Reform Act 2009 refers to several types of investors: What is a Danish Private Limited Company - PLC?
It is a Danish limited liability company (Anpartsselskab -ApS). A share capital of DKK 50,000 is required to establish such a company. The abbreviation ApS must be added to the end of the company name. A PLC company is required to have one Danish director and at least one shareholder. Importantly, the shareholders of a PLC company are only liable for liabilities with their contribution. Registration of a Denmark Private Limited Company must be done with two government agencies: The Danish Trade and Companies Agency and the Companies Registry. At the Danish Business Authority, we can find specimens of the Articles of Association, which include provisions on, among other things, the personal details of the promoters, the costs of setting up the company, the personal details of the auditor of Danish business or the allocation of shares and who is on the board of directors. It is important to remember that Denmark is part of the European Union, which means that the company has more opportunities to develop in the market of EU member states.

It is worth knowing that a PLC can operate in various forms. However, it is prohibited to set up several types of them: What is 'Invest in Denmark'?
'Invest in Denmark' is a Danish organization dedicated to providing information on new Danish investments.

What is the cost of translating documents from Danish?
To translate documents from Danish, you will need to contact a sworn translator. The cost of such a service is approximately DKK 400 per page of document.

Where can I buy Danish kroner at a favourable exchange rate?
Online exchange offices are the best choice, as not only do they have lower margins than those found at land-based outlets, but it is also possible to negotiate them.

What penalties can be imposed on Danish companies?
Danish companies are supervised by the police, the Tax Authority and the Labour Inspectorate. Areas that are subject to scrutiny include registration with the RUT, payment of taxes, adherence to health and safety rules and employees' Danish work permits. Before financial penalties are imposed, however, Danish employers are given warnings. If both forms do not work, prosecution is possible.

What is the supervision carried out by the Labour Inspectorate?
The Labour Inspectorate supervises every company operated in Denmark, including foreign ones. All inspections are carried out of concern for employee safety. Inspectors do not need a court order to carry out inspections of companies. Furthermore, inspections are unannounced. The Labour Inspectorate inspects areas such as: What is LetLon used for?
LetLon is a free system found on the website of the Danish Tax Administration. It makes it easy to keep payroll records for employees. Simply enter the hourly rate of the person working for your company, and the system will give you all the taxes and costs you need for your annual settlement.

What is Afstaelse?
It is a rent or deposit for renting premises for a business, which the tenant pays to the landlord.

What is a NemID?
NemID (EasyID) is an identifier that all Danish companies receive. It functions as a digital signature in Denmark.
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