What is ApS (Anpartsselskab) / A/S (Aktieselskab)?
ApS is Denmark's private limited company, requiring DKK 40,000 minimum share capital. Most common structure for small businesses after capital requirement was reduced from DKK 125,000 in 2019. A/S is the public limited company form requiring DKK 400,000 capital.
Current Rate (Indkomstår 2025)
N/A — corporate structure, subject to 22% selskabsskat
Example
A freelance graphic designer forms an ApS with DKK 40,000 share capital, deposits the capital in a business bank account, registers with Erhvervsstyrelsen via virk.dk, receives a CVR number, and begins invoicing through the company to access the 22% corporate tax rate.
How ApS (Anpartsselskab) / A/S (Aktieselskab) works in Denmark
The ApS (Anpartsselskab) is Denmark's workhorse limited liability company structure. Since the minimum capital was lowered to DKK 40,000 in 2019 (from DKK 125,000), it has become accessible for solo founders and micro-businesses. The capital must be paid up on incorporation — it can be in cash deposited in the company's bank account or in kind (assets transferred at agreed valuation).\n\nKey characteristics of an ApS: limited liability for shareholders (their risk is capped at their capital contribution), a single director (direktør) is sufficient, no mandatory board of directors (though one may be appointed), private company (shares cannot be publicly traded), annual accounts must be filed with Erhvervsstyrelsen within 5 months of year-end (or 3 months for large companies).\n\nThe A/S (Aktieselskab) requires DKK 400,000 minimum capital and must have both a bestyrelse (board of directors, minimum 3 members) and a direktion (executive management). A/S is the form required for listed companies and certain regulated industries. The governance requirements are more extensive.\n\nRegistration: Both ApS and A/S are registered via virk.dk (Erhvervsstyrelsens portal). The process takes 1-3 business days after submitting the articles of association, shareholder register, and director details. Registration fee is around DKK 670. A CVR (Central Business Register) number is assigned immediately.\n\nReviser (auditor): Large ApS companies must have their accounts audited. Most small ApS (below two of: 250+ employees, DKK 89m revenue, DKK 44m balance sheet) are exempt from mandatory audit but may elect to have one. Audit exemption must be confirmed annually.\n\nSole-director ApS: An owner-manager running their own ApS is both the shareholder and the direktør. They pay themselves salary (subject to A-skat and AM-bidrag) or dividends (taxed at 27%/42%). The 22% corporate rate inside the ApS versus up to 55.9% personal rate creates a strong incentive to retain profits and invest before distributing.
Related terms
Danish corporate income tax at a flat 22% rate on taxable profits of resident companies (ApS, A/S). No progressive thresholds. Paid via TastSelv Erhverv to Skat.dk. Applies to worldwide income of Danish-resident entities.
Danish holding company structure where a parent ApS/A/S owns shares in operating subsidiaries. Dividends paid up from operating company to holding company are typically tax-exempt under the participation exemption, enabling tax-efficient profit accumulation and reinvestment.
Danish Business Authority — the company registry for Denmark. All companies must register here to receive a CVR number. Annual accounts (årsrapport) are filed here. Public register of companies, directors, beneficial owners, and financial accounts.
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