Congratulations on starting a business in Denmark The Start-up Denmark Secretariat would like to inform you about doing business in Denmark. In this letter, you will find information about Setting up a business in Denmark Public business development schemes If you have further questions related to your business, you can contact the Danish Business Authority at erst@erst.dk or www.danishbusinessauthority.dk. If you seek information about living in Denmark, please refer to Denmark s common public portal found at https://lifeindenmark.borger.dk. Start-up Denmark Secretariat DANISH BUSINESS AUTHORITY Dahlerups Pakhus Langelinie Allé 17 DK-2100 København Ø Denmark Tel +45 35 29 10 00 VAT no. 10 15 08 17 startupdenmark@erst.dk www.startupdenmark.info Welcome to Denmark and good luck with your business. MINISTRY OF BUSINESS AND Kind regards, GROWTH Nicolai Hellmann Head of Secretariat
2/6 Setting up a business in Denmark Launching your start-up in Denmark is easy. First, you have to select a company type. Then, you have to apply for a CVR-number. Lastly and depending on your chosen company type, you need to observe the applicable rules for VAT and tax. Choose company type Before you register your company, you have to find out what company type you want to establish. It is possible to change the company type later on. You can get more information on company types from the Danish Business Authority s call centre at + 45 72 20 00 30. You can also read more at https://startvaekst.virk.dk/opstart/vaelgvirksomhedsform/overblik-over-virksomhedsformer (in Danish only). Register your company You have to register and apply for a CVR number at www.virk.dk (in Danish only). The CVR number is your company s official registration number, and it is, among other things, used to identify your company with public authorities and when issuing invoices. Please note that you need to obtain a NemID ( EasyID ) in order to proceed with your registration. NemID is your digital signature and the key to digital Denmark. NemID is a single login for public websites, your online banking and many other websites and services. Get your NemID at www.nemid.nu/dk-en/. Register for VAT and tax The Danish Customs and Tax Administration is called SKAT. SKAT is responsible for administering and enforcing tax laws in Denmark. Your start-up, if registered as a Danish company, is subject to Danish tax laws. The tax payment will depend on the type of the company you have established. As a point of departure, you can refer to SKAT s guide Tax in Denmark. The guide introduces the Danish tax system and is intended for newcomers to Denmark and non-danish speakers who are not yet familiar with the system. Download the guide here: www.skat.dk/getfile.aspx?id=121617 VAT and tax for new businesses: www.skat.dk/skat.aspx?oid=2158615 Working in Denmark: www.skat.dk/skat.aspx?oid=68777&vid=0 SKAT in general: www.skat.dk/skat.aspx?lang=us
3/6 Observe other rules When you establish your business in Denmark on a permanent basis, you need to follow all Danish rules related to doing business in Denmark. Below, you find an overview of a range of rules, which may apply to your business. Working environment When you establish a company in Denmark, you will have to follow Danish rules on working environment in the workplace. The Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA) is responsible for e.g. inspecting the working environment in Denmark. Read more here: www.businessindenmark.danishbusinessauthority.dk/working-environment- Social security and workers compensation If your company has employees that carry out work in Denmark, you may be obliged to pay social security contributions under the Danish law. Your employees will be subject to Danish social security Law, if it is not otherwise stated in EC regulation 883/2004 on the coordination of social security schemes or in conventions on social security Denmark has signed. Read more here: www.businessindenmark.danishbusinessauthority.dk/social-security- As employer, you have the responsibility to ensure that your employees have the necessary work and residence permits, if they are not Danish citizens. Read more here: www.newtodenmark.dk Authorisation Some professions require that you apply for authorisation or do a registration/notification by the competent public authority in Denmark, before you start your activities in Denmark. Read more here: www.businessindenmark.danishbusinessauthority.dk/authorisation
4/6 Public business development Several public initiatives exist to help grow your start-up in Denmark. You can contact any of the following for more information. To begin with, you are advised to contact your local. s If you seek advice on realizing your business plan, developing your product or raising capital, you can book free targeted counselling in a regional Business Development Centre ( Væksthus ). Consultants help you identify your challenges and suggest how to deal with them. The consultants can also direct you to programmes and subsidy schemes that you may be eligible to apply for. Northern Denmark Central Denmark Greater Copenhagen Zealand Southern Denmark Northern Denmark Niels Jernes Vej 10 9220 Aalborg Øst +45 70 21 08 08 www.startvaekst.dk/vhnordjylland.dk info@vhnordjylland.dk Greater Copenhagen Fruebjergvej 3 2100 København Ø +45 30 10 80 80 www.startvaekst.dk/vhhr.dk/english-vhhr info@vhhr.dk Central Denmark Åbogade 15 8200 Aarhus N +45 70 22 00 76 www.startvaekst.dk/vhmidtjylland.dk/english info@vhmidtjylland.dk Southern Denmark Forskerparken 10 D/E 5230 Odense M +45 70 23 55 15 www.startvaekst.dk/vhsyddanmark.dk/english_ syddanmark // info@vhsyd.dk Zealand Marienbergvej 132 4760 Vordingborg +45 55 35 30 35 www.startvaekst.dk/vhsjaelland.dk info@vhsj.dk
5/6 Municipal business service Most municipalities offer professional and free of charge business service. As a new business, you can contact the local business service ( Erhvervsservice ) in your municipality for basic advice on start-up opportunities and other activities in your area, e.g. start-up cafés and networks. The Danish Growth Fund The Danish Growth Fund ( Vækstfonden ) can help grow your start-up by providing capital and expertise. The fund is the Danish state s investment fund aimed at promoting the creation of new companies through investments. For entrepreneurs, the fund invests equity in start-ups that have significant growth potential yet have trouble raising sufficient venture capital, and it often works in cooperation with other public operators, e.g. innovation incubators. Read more here: www.vf.dk/en Innovation Fund Denmark The Innovation Fund Denmark ( Innovationsfonden ) invests in new initiatives to create growth and employment in Denmark. You may be able to apply for one of the fund s three programmes: Large-Scale Projects: For substantial investments and long-term projects/partnerships focused on research, technology, experimental development and market development InnoBooster: For start-ups and SMEs with sound development plans Talents: For undergraduates, recent graduates or postgraduate researchers aiming to become entrepreneurs or to secure a research career in the private sector Read more here: www.innovationsfonden.dk/en Market Development Fund The Market Development Fund ( Markedmodningsfonden ) helps promote growth, employment and export, particularly for SMEs in areas where Denmark has strengths and potential. Depending on your business, the fund may be able to supply capital for market development in one of its focus areas: Co-funding for private enterprises innovative solutions Innovative public procurement Industry partnerships Read more here: www.markedsmodningsfonden.dk/in_english
6/6 Further guides You can find more help and initiatives on these sites (only available in Danish): Virk Startvækst Virk Startvækst is the official gateway to information and advice for entrepreneurs and established enterprises with growth potentials. It is operated by the Danish Business Authority, partially in collaboration with the regional Business Development Centres. Read more here: www.startvaekst.virk.dk Vækstguiden Vækstguiden ( The Growth Guide ) offers an overview of all public-sector schemes aimed at generating enterprise growth and development. Covering all major initiatives on regional, national and EU level, the guide collects information about counselling, subsidy schemes, financing and cooperation with public and private companies. Read more here: www.vaekstguiden.dk