Winding up - Denmark

Updated 12/2012

Legal requirements

Chapter 14 of the Danish Companies Act and chapter 9 of the Danish Private Companies Act contain rules for winding up private and public limited liability companies. The rules in the Public Companies Act and the Private Companies Act deal exclusively with situations where a company is solvent and the owners themselves choose to close down the company.

Types of dissolution

There are several possible ways to wind up a company voluntarily, such as:

enforced dissolution;
voluntary liquidation;
dissolution by declaration.

You can find further information below:

Guide to voluntary liquidation, declaration or enforced dissolution
Companies Act
Private Companies Act

Voluntary liquidation

Voluntary liquidation is decided upon by the company's general assembly. An administrator is appointed to carry out the liquidation.

Guide to voluntary liquidation, declaration or enforced dissolution

Enforced dissolution

Enforced dissolution is dealt with by the bankruptcy/insolvency court in the municipality where the company is registered. It is possible to restart a company that has been subject to enforced dissolution.

Guidelines on enforced dissolution

When filing for bankruptcy is the only option left for a business owner, it pays to cut losses, initiate proceedings sooner rather than later, and move on to a new business project.

Bankruptcy — Denmark

Administrative procedures

One-stop shop

Decisions concerning liquidation and the appointment of an administrator must be reported to the Danish Business Authority.

The Danish Business Authority's notification form must be used to report a liquidation.

Notification of liquidation

Dissolution by declaration must also be submitted to the Danish Business Authority. A special declaration form must be used for this:

Public companies
Private companies
Limited liability companies

Business deregistration

You must notify the Danish Business Authority if you close or wind up a business.

The Danish Business Authority

Tax deregistration

Notification must also include de-registration and final settlement of VAT and tax.

Reporting a business closure
Forms for declaring a business wind-up or dissolution

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

Winding up - Denmark