This economy profile presents the Doing Business indicators for Denmark. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013).

This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a member of the EU; Danish legislation and regulations conform to EU standards on almost all issues.

Danish manufacturing remains a strong base for growth, especially as research and development help support its further extension into high-tech industry. The Danish government’s support for the growing use of Internet services for both businesses and individuals bodes well for Danish flexibility and responsiveness to global market trends. Public investment in education, particularly in relation to computers and computing, also supports prospects for growing computer-related services.

The Danish GDP advanced 0.2 percent on quarter in the three months to June of 2015, matching preliminary estimates, but slowing from an upwardly revised 0.6 percent expansion in the previous period. It is the lowest gain in a year GDP Growth Rate in Denmark averaged 0.36 percent from 1991 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 3.89 percent in the second quarter of 2005 and a record low of -2.42 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. GDP Growth Rate in Denmark is reported by the Statistics Denmark.

In Denmark, companies can benefit from an easy plug ‘n play registration and be ready to do business within a few hours. Establishing a business in Denmark is both cost- and tax efficient.

Overview of Denmark Economy – This page summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for Denmark. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.

Danish companies are registered with the Danish Commerce and Companies Agency, in a process that requires minimum administrative procedures. Entrepreneurs may chose from various types of business types, suitable for their needs. As in most European countries, the most common types used are the limited companies.

Business entities in Denmark are primarily regulated by the Danish Companies Act, although certain other business forms are regulated by specific legislation. The Danish Companies Act is in conformity with the relevant European Union Directives.

As a foreign company in Denmark you will need to register or notify to the Danish public authorities. The requirement to register will depend on your specific situation. Here we gather the most relevant registrations for foreign companies in Denmark.

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Denmark.

Denmark has a complex system of personal income tax that includes:

In Denmark, the sales tax rate of 25% is a tax charged to consumers based on the purchase price of certain goods and services. The benchmark we use for the sales tax rate refers to the highest rate. Revenues from the Sales Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Denmark. This site provides – Denmark Sales Tax Rate | VAT – actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

As a foreign company established in Denmark, you must pay VAT in Denmark when you sell goods and services. In some cases, your company must also pay taxes on any profit generated by your company.

Current and historical corporate tax rates in Sweden

Payment of corporate income tax in Denmark

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Denmark stands at 55.60 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Denmark averaged 61.40 percent from 1995 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 65.90 percent in 1997 and a record low of 55.40 percent in 2010. Personal Income Tax Rate in Denmark is reported by the Danish Central Tax Administration.

Visa information for tourists, students and business

The embassy or consulate will issue a visa if it concludes that the applicant do not pose a risk of becoming an illegal immigrant or pose a security risk. The immigration and security risk assessment is based on an assessment of current immigration trends in the country or region as well as the applicants personal situation. 

In most cases, foreign nationals need to have a residence and work permit before they can begin working. In certain cases, however, foreign nationals can perform work-related activities while in Denmark on a visa, without holding a residence and work permit. 

Detailed information about the rules governing residence (stays exceeding 3 months) and/or work permits for Denmark and information about the necessary documentation to be handed in together with your application can be found on the website of the Danish Immigration Service.

There are numerous ways to get around in Denmark. Long distances can be covered by plane, train, bus or car. Denmark has more than 2,600 kilometres of railway and more than 70,000 kilometres of road, of which 1,100 kilometres are motorway

Denmark’s competitive telecom market enjoys Europe’s highest broadband penetration rate.

general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems 

Denmark is not considered an international transportation hub; however, there are plenty of major connections to most European cities, so it is not hard getting to Denmark. The major airport is Kastrup, which is located just outside Copenhagen. The next largest airport is Billund located in central Jutland.

In Denmark – as in most European countries – the relationship between an employer and an employee is regulated on the one hand by what is agreed in individual employment contracts, and on the other hand by a statutory framework with the overriding objective of protecting the employee.

Denmark labor law is modern and flexible, but in Denmark is not provided by the law the minimum wages. 

All Danish employers are obligated by law to provide you with an employment contract. You are entitled to a contract if you are under employment for at least a month and more than eight hours per week. The contract If the general terms of your employment are regulated by a collective agreement, the employment contract should include a reference to this specific agreement. Describes the specific conditions of your employment.

As an employer in Denmark you are subject to statutory Labour laws applicable to all categories of personnel. Thus, laws will regulate a lot of areas of working life, such as holiday entitlement, maternity leave, parental leave, processing of personal data, employment contract, large-scale redundancies, equal pay, anti-discrimination acts, accidents at work, working time and working environment.

Unlike other forms of social security in Denmark, unemployment insurance is not automatic and must be applied for. However, you do not need to be a member of a trade union in order to become a member of an unemployment insurance fun

When you establish business in Denmark, you have to pay social security contributions for your employees.

Education in Denmark is compulsory for children below the age of 15 or 16, even though it is not compulsory to attend Folkeskole (“public school”). The school years up to the age of fifteen/sixteen are known as Folkeskole, since any education has to match the level offered there. About 82% of young people take further education in addition to this. Government-funded education is usually free of charge and open to all. Denmark has a tradition of private schools and about 15.6% of all children at basic school level attend private schools, which are supported by a voucher system

Denmark performs very well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries in the Better Life Index. Denmark ranks at the top in work-life balance. It ranks above the average in environmental quality, civic engagement, education and skills, jobs and earnings, income and wealth, and personal security.

Danish business etiquette is similar to North American or other English speaking countries, however there are differences that will affect how you plan your meetings and interactions.

Denmark is situated in the zone between three european climatic zones (Borea influence in the north, Atlantic influence the west and Continental influence in the east); the climate throughout Denmark is a mixture of these influences. Generally the western parts of the country has atlantic climate and the eastern parts a more continental influenced climate.

US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Danish government

Denmark remains a relatively safe and secure country. Denmark regularly ranks among the least corrupt nations in the world according to multiple surveys. Violent crimes, including homicides and assaults, occur less frequently than in the U.S. The Danish national police reported a significant drop in overall crime rates in 2012. 

Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more

Business meetings start and end at agreed times and normally hands are shaken both before and after the meetings. Business meetings play a significant role in the Danish way of doing business, as the most common way of keeping people up to date. 

National holidays and observances

Public Holidays in Denmark

Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment

How many Danes live in Denmark? What is the capital of Denmark? Does Denmark have the Euro or the Krone? Find out the answers and more quick facts about Denmark and the Danes.

High quality education at all levels is essential to ensure competitiveness in today’s globalised world. This is why education is a key priority in Denmark. With their high academic standards combined with innovative learning approaches, the Danish institutions are preparing their students to play an active role in a globalised, knowledge based society.

Customs procedure for release into free circulation (ordinary import)Goods that enter the customs territory of the EU from a non-EU country are referred to as ‘non-Community goods’. Before these goods can be marketed within the EU, they should first be released into free circulation.

​We control import and export of food, animal by-products and live animals. … Legislation on import of food 

This page gathers information on Denmark’s participation in the WTO. Denmark has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 28 May 1950.

Looking for a quaint country hotel or a boutique hotel in buzzing Copenhagen? A seaside spa or an elegant hotel rich in classic Danish design? Denmark’s hotels come in all shapes and sizes!

With over 9 years of experience, we ensure you a safe and easy rental housing – and if you wish, we handle also all the administrative

Every year millions of tourists visit Denmark. Some come to see attractions such as Tivoli, the Little Mermaid or Legoland. Others come to enjoy Danish food culture and the New Nordic Cuisine which today dominates the world of gastronomy. 

The Kingdom of Denmark dapples the Baltic Sea in an archipelago of some 450 islands and the crescent of one peninsula. Measuring 43,069 square km (17,028 square miles) and with a population of 5.5 million, it is the geographical link between Scandinavia and Europe. Half-timber villages and tidy agriculture rub shoulders with provincial towns and a handful of cities, where pedestrians set the pace, not traffic.