Denmark

The Danish Business Authority (DBA) had received 790 filings under the DISA from its July 2021 implementation through 31 March 2026, yielding 543 unconditional approvals, two conditional approvals, and only one rejection, indicating a high clearance rate but a mandatory pre-entry compliance step for sensitive-sector investors. The DBA's broadly interpreted scope—covering greenfield investments, special financial agreements, and database-access arrangements—means market entrants should conduct early-stage screening assessments before structuring any transaction involving a Danish entity.

Kromann Reumert · 2026-05-22

The OECD's 2026 Economic Survey of Denmark, published in January 2026, noted that recent government decisions include increased State participation in Københavns Lufthavne A/S (Copenhagen Airports) and participation in a rights issue by Ørsted, reflecting active public-sector capital deployment in strategic infrastructure and energy assets. Defence spending is projected to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2026, creating procurement and co-investment opportunities in national military infrastructure and domestic equipment production.

OECD · 2026-05-22

The Danish banking sector is undergoing significant consolidation: Nykredit Realkredit completed its acquisition of approximately 96.54% of Spar Nord's share capital by May 2025, with a full merger into Nykredit Bank A/S expected in 2026 that would make it Denmark's third-largest bank. In October 2025, Sydbank A/S, Aktieselskabet Arbejdernes Landsbank, and Vestjysk Bank A/S entered a merger agreement to form AL Sydbank, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, further concentrating the domestic financial services market.

Chambers and Partners – Financial Services Regulation 2025 · 2026-05-22

The U.S. International Trade Administration confirmed as of 18 May 2026 that Denmark maintains no unilateral trade barriers against the United States and applies EU common external tariffs of 5–14% on industrial goods, with a 25% VAT applied uniformly to all goods and services. Denmark's trade posture remains among the most liberal in the EU, with the country holding a structural goods and services trade surplus and total trade representing approximately 128% of GDP.

U.S. International Trade Administration – Trade.gov · 2026-05-18

The IMF's 2025 Article IV mission statement assessed that direct impacts from U.S. tariffs on Denmark are expected to be limited, as exports produced in Denmark passing through U.S. customs account for only 3% of total Danish exports. However, the IMF flagged that heightened trade policy uncertainty and potential tariffs on pharmaceuticals or maritime transport services represent material downside risks to key Danish export sectors.

International Monetary Fund · 2026-05-22

Under the EU's Capital Requirements Directive VI (CRD VI), third-country credit institutions will no longer be able to provide non-consumer loans into Denmark on a cross-border basis after 11 July 2026 unless an exemption applies; a limited grandfathering regime protects contracts entered into before that date. Separately, a pending Danish bill on credit intermediary registration requires current intermediaries to submit applications to the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) from 20 May 2026 and no later than 20 November 2026 to continue operating.

Chambers and Partners – Financial Services Regulation 2025 · 2026-05-20

The European Commission's May 2026 spring forecast projects Danish GDP growth at 1.9% in 2026 and 1.8% in 2027, down from 2.9% in 2025, with the budget surplus declining from 2.9% of GDP in 2025 to 0.9% in 2026, primarily due to increased defence expenditure and support for Ukraine. Headline inflation is projected to remain stable at approximately 1.8% in 2026, partly owing to a temporary reduction in the electricity levy to the EU minimum rate.

European Commission – Economic Forecast for Denmark · 2026-05-21

Danmarks Nationalbank's March 2026 forecast characterised the Danish economic outlook as subject to persistent geopolitical uncertainty, trade conflicts, and rising energy prices, while assessing the economy as fundamentally in balance with high employment and low unemployment. The central bank noted that a permanent DKK 75 billion increase in defence spending compared to pre-Ukraine invasion levels significantly constrains future fiscal prioritisation space.

Danmarks Nationalbank · 2026-05-22

Danske Bank's Nordic Outlook analysis projects that Denmark is expected to transition from pharma-driven headline GDP growth to broader-based domestic growth in 2026, supported by accelerating real wages, recovering consumer confidence, and increased public spending. Nordea forecasts house prices rising approximately 5.3% in 2026, driven by improved household purchasing power from tax cuts, duty reductions, and real wage gains.

Danske Bank · 2026-05-22

Denmark's mandatory digital bookkeeping regime reached its final implementation phase on 1 January 2026, extending requirements to sole proprietorships and associations with annual turnover exceeding DKK 300,000 for two consecutive years; non-compliance carries fines of DKK 10,000–1.5 million and, in serious cases, forced dissolution by the DBA. Transfer-pricing documentation must now be integrated within certified digital bookkeeping systems, raising the compliance bar for multinational enterprises operating Danish subsidiaries.

Azets Denmark · 2026-05-22

Denmark's 2026 Finance Act introduced a zero-VAT rate on books (effective 1 July 2026), abolished excise duties on coffee and chocolate, reduced household electricity duty to the EU minimum, and expanded the senior employment deduction to workers five years before state pension age. The Danish government's 2025–2026 legislative programme also includes amendments to the Working Environment Act enabling the Danish Working Environment Authority to issue contractor-stop orders across entire construction sites for serious violations, effective from 1 January 2026.

Andreas Regnskab / NJORD Law Firm · 2026-05-22

The Danish Consumer Ombudsman has issued updated environmental marketing recommendations incorporating the EU's amended Unfair Commercial Practices (UCP) Directive, which enters into force on 27 September 2026, and introduced a pre-approval mechanism allowing companies to obtain advance regulatory clearance for specific green marketing claims. Technology M&A activity in Denmark is increasingly shaped by stricter DISA requirements, enhanced ESG standards for gender diversity, and tighter General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enforcement, with group-wide turnover now used as the basis for maximum fine calculations.

Potter Clarkson / Chambers and Partners – Technology M&A 2026 · 2026-05-22