START A COMPANY / EUROPE
How to register a company in Denmark
Danish companies register online on virk.dk. An ApS needs DKK 20,000 capital (reduced from 40,000 on 27 February 2025) and a DKK 670 registration fee. Sole traders register on virk.dk too.
- REGISTRY
- Erhvervsstyrelsen (Danish Business Authority), CVR register via virk.dk
- ONLINE
- Fully online
- FROM
- DKK 0 (≈ £1)
- STRUCTURES HERE
- 3
Setting up from abroad
Non-residents can found an ApS; no Danish director is required. Founders and managers sign digitally with MitID (obtainable without a CPR number via an approved foreign eID route), or register a non-Danish company with form Start-40.112.
SOLE TRADER
Enkeltmandsvirksomhed: Enkeltmandsvirksomhed (sole proprietorship)
Freelancers and small traders wanting the simplest start with no capital.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 1 owner
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1-5 days
Steps
Log in at virk.dk with MitID.
Register the business and get a CVR number.
Register for VAT (moms) if turnover exceeds DKK 50,000 in 12 months.
Register for employer duties (A-skat, AM contributions) if hiring.
Set up NemKonto and a business bank account.
Complete the preliminary tax assessment (forskudsopgørelse) with Skattestyrelsen.
Documents
- MitID or approved eID
- CPR number or foreign ID details
- Business description and address
- Bank account details
Official fees
CVR registration for a sole proprietorship is generally free on virk.dk (unverified); the DKK 670 fee applies to companies.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | DKK 0≈ £1 | DIY: online registration on virk.dk, free |
| With an accountant or agent | DKK 3,000≈ £340 | Accountant helps with set-up and bookkeeping, about |
| Full service | DKK 8,000≈ £920 | Accountant with first-year bookkeeping and tax planning, about |
Every year
- Annual tax return including business income
- VAT returns (quarterly or half-yearly)
- Bookkeeping per the Danish Bookkeeping Act
- Preliminary tax payments
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: sole-proprietor registration fee.
PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY
ApS: Anpartsselskab (private limited company)
Most start-ups wanting limited liability and an investor-ready structure.
- Liability
- Limited to what you put in
- You need
- 1 shareholder and 1 director (board optional)
- Minimum capital
- DKK 20,000, fully paid in
- Time
- 1-2 weeks
Steps
Choose a company name and check availability on virk.dk.
Draft the articles of association and founding document (stiftelsesdokument).
Open a bank account and deposit DKK 20,000, or provide a valuation statement for contributions in kind.
Log in to virk.dk with MitID; founders and managers sign the registration digitally.
Submit the registration to Erhvervsstyrelsen and pay the DKK 670 fee.
Receive the CVR number, typically within days.
Register for VAT, employer duties and corporation tax; set up NemKonto and Digital Post.
Documents
- Founding document
- Articles of association
- Capital deposit proof
- Directors' ID and MitID or eID
- Registered address
Official fees
Registration fee DKK 670 (2026); share capital DKK 20,000; no notary required.
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | DKK 670≈ £77 | DIY: Erhvervsstyrelsen registration fee, excluding DKK 20,000 capital |
| With an accountant or agent | DKK 6,000≈ £690 | With an accountant or agent drafting documents, about |
| Full service | DKK 15,000≈ £1,700 | Lawyer, registered address and bank help, about |
Every year
- Annual report filed with Erhvervsstyrelsen within 5 months of year end
- Corporation tax return (22%)
- VAT returns quarterly or half-yearly
- Payroll filings (eIndkomst)
- Keep beneficial owners registered with Erhvervsstyrelsen
Good to know. Capital cut from DKK 40,000 to DKK 20,000 from 27 February 2025 (secondary source; official page blocked; unverified).
PARTNERSHIP
I/S: Interessentskab (general partnership)
Two or more owners running a business together with personal liability and simple rules.
- Liability
- Unlimited: you are personally liable
- You need
- 2 partners
- Minimum capital
- None
- Time
- 1-2 weeks
Steps
Agree a partnership agreement among partners.
Register on virk.dk with MitID; all partners sign digitally.
Pay the registration fee if applicable.
Register for VAT and employer duties.
Open a business bank account.
Set up bookkeeping.
Documents
- Partnership agreement
- Partners' MitID or eID
- Business address
Official fees
Registration fee about DKK 670 (unverified).
Budget
| How | About | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | DKK 670≈ £77 | DIY: registration fee, about |
| With an accountant or agent | DKK 4,000≈ £460 | With accountant set-up and bookkeeping, about |
| Full service | DKK 10,000≈ £1,100 | Lawyer drafts agreement and handles registration, about |
Every year
- Partnership tax statement
- Partners' personal returns
- VAT returns
- Bookkeeping
Check before you rely on it. Not confirmed with an official source: fee.
After you register
- Register for VAT with Skattestyrelsen; mandatory above DKK 50,000 turnover in 12 months.
- Register employees through eIndkomst and pay A-skat and AM contributions.
- Apply for a NemKonto and the digital business mailbox (Digital Post).
- Open a business bank account with the CVR number.
- Report beneficial owners to Erhvervsstyrelsen's register.
- Check sector authorisations, e.g. food, finance or healthcare.
Sources
Checked against:
Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.
Other countries in Europe
This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.