How do I set up an ApS (private limited company) in Denmark?

## Setting Up a Danish ApS — Step by Step\n\nThe ApS (Anpartsselskab) is Denmark's most popular company form for small and medium businesses. Since the minimum capital was reduced from DKK 125,000 to DKK 40,000 in 2019, it has become accessible for most founders and freelancers.\n\n## Step 1: Prepare the Share Capital\n\nYou need DKK 40,000 minimum share capital. This must be:\n- In cash — deposited into the company's dedicated bank account once the company is formed, or\n- In kind — assets transferred to the company at an agreed valuation (requires a professional valuation report)\n\nMost founders use cash. Some banks will allow you to open a company bank account before formal registration (telling the bank a company formation is in progress). Others require the CVR number first — in that case you can use a founders' declaration (stifterens erklæring) confirming the capital will be deposited on formation.\n\n## Step 2: Prepare the Foundation Documents\n\nYou need:\n\nVedtægter (articles of association)

Defines the company's name, registered address, purpose, share structure, and governance. Standard templates are available on virk.dk. Most simple ApS use a template.\n\n**Stiftelsesdokument (foundation document)**: Records the formation, names of founders, share capital, and first set of directors.\n\nBoth documents can be prepared online via virk.dk — the system guides you through a digital formation process without requiring paper documents.\n\n## Step 3: Register via Erhvervsstyrelsen (virk.dk)\n\nRegistration is done entirely online at **virk.dk** (Erhvervsstyrelsens portal):\n\n1. Log in using MitID (Danish digital identity — required for Danish residents)\n2. Select 'Stift et selskab' (form a company)\n3. Choose ApS as the company type\n4. Enter company details: name, address, purpose, share capital, founder details\n5. Complete director details — at least one direktør is required\n6. Pay the registration fee (approximately **DKK 670** for online registration)\n7. Submit\n\nRegistration confirmation and CVR number typically arrive within **1-3 business days**. The company is then listed on the public CVR register.\n\n## Step 4: Post-Registration Requirements\n\nAfter registration, several actions are needed immediately:\n\n**Open a business bank account**: All major Danish banks (Nordea, Danske Bank, Sydbank) and fintechs (Lunar, Mynt) provide business accounts. Present the CVR registration and founder ID. Deposit the DKK 40,000 share capital.\n\n**Register for moms**: Via TastSelv Erhverv if you expect turnover above DKK 50,000.\n\n**Register as employer**: If you are paying yourself a salary, register as arbejdsgiver (employer) with SKAT immediately.\n\n**Register for selskabsskat**: Automatic via the CVR registration — SKAT activates the corporate tax account.\n\n**Set up accounting**: Danish companies must keep accounts from day one. Use approved digital bookkeeping software (bogføringsloven compliance).\n\n## Non-Resident Formation\n\nForeigners can form Danish ApS companies without being Danish residents. However:\n- You need a Danish address for the company's hjemsted (registered office)\n- NemID/MitID is required for online registration — non-residents may need a Danish personal CPR number to obtain MitID, or must use a revisor/lawyer as formation agent\n- At least the relevant director information must be submittable through the system\n\nMany formation agents (stiftelsesagenter) and revisorer offer ApS formation services for non-residents, typically for DKK 3,000-8,000 including the state fee.\n\n## Annual Obligations After Formation\n\nOnce formed, the ApS has ongoing annual obligations:\n\n- **Annual accounts (årsrapport)**: filed with Erhvervsstyrelsen within 5 months of year-end\n- **Selskabsskat return**: filed via TastSelv Erhverv by 30 June\n- **Moms returns**: semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly depending on turnover\n- **eIndkomst payroll reporting**: monthly if paying salary\n- **Beneficial ownership register**: update within 2 weeks of any change in ownership\n\n## Typical Costs to Establish an ApS\n\n| Item | Typical Cost |\n|------|--------------|\n| State registration fee | DKK 670 |\n| Revisor / formation agent (if used) | DKK 2,000-8,000 |\n| Business bank account setup | Free to DKK 500 |\n| Accounting software (first year) | DKK 1,000-5,000 |\n| **Total first-year administrative** | **DKK 4,000-15,000** |