Best Investment & Business Structuring Lawyers in Frederiksberg

About Investment & Business Structuring Law in Frederiksberg, Denmark

Investment and business structuring law in Frederiksberg covers how individuals and companies form, reorganize and govern Danish entities to reach strategic goals. This includes choosing the right corporate form, drafting foundational documents, and planning ownership and control structures for growth and resilience. The field also encompasses cross-border investments, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance with Danish and EU regulations.

In Frederiksberg and the broader Copenhagen region, the two most common Danish corporate forms are ApS (Anpartsselskab) and A/S (Aktieselskab). ApS typically requires a minimum capital of 40,000 DKK, while A/S requires 400,000 DKK. These vehicles are used for startups, family businesses, and investment holdings, with governance and reporting obligations tailored to each form. A lawyer helps align entity choice with tax planning, ownership goals, and risk management.

Local considerations in Frederiksberg include property leasing, municipal permitting, signage rules, and compliance with local planning and environmental regulations that affect how a business operates from premises in Frederiksberg Municipality. A Danish solicitor or corporate attorney can integrate local regulatory expectations with national corporate law to ensure smooth operations. Practical support range from corporate formation to ongoing governance and restructuring projects.

Key services a specialized attorney provides in this field include entity registration, drafting articles of association and shareholder agreements, restructuring and reorganizations, due diligence for acquisitions, and guidance on corporate governance and anti-money laundering compliance. These services help preserve ownership structure, protect investor interests, and support scalable growth.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

• Capital raise for a Frederiksberg tech startup with international investors. An attorney can structure share classes, draft a precise shareholder agreement, and ensure capital is correctly paid into a Danish ApS or A/S. This reduces future disputes and aligns creditor protection with investor expectations.
• Succession planning for a family-owned property company in Frederiksberg. A lawyer can facilitate a tax-efficient transfer of ownership, establish intergenerational governance, and prepare buy-sell arrangements to avoid future conflicts among heirs.
• Cross-border acquisition of a Danish target based in Frederiksberg. A counsel guides the deal structure, reviews cross-border tax implications, negotiates the share purchase agreement and coordinates due diligence across jurisdictions.
• AML and beneficial ownership compliance for a new holding company with subsidiaries. An attorney ensures proper identification of beneficial owners, documentation, and regulatory filing to satisfy Danish and EU requirements.
• Shareholder disputes or governance matters within a Frederiksberg group. Legal counsel drafts and enforces shareholder agreements, executes buy-out provisions, and coordinates with auditors and regulatory authorities.
• Pivoting a local Frederiksberg business into a holding and acquiring other Danish assets. A lawyer designs an efficient group structure, intercompany agreements, and transfer pricing considerations to optimize governance and taxation.

Local Laws Overview

The Danish legal framework for Investment & Business Structuring rests on core statutes and regulatory regimes. The most relevant laws govern company formation, governance, taxation, and anti-money laundering controls. In Frederiksberg, these rules are implemented through national statutes and enforced by Danish authorities with local administrative coordination.

Selskabsloven (The Danish Companies Act) governs formation, governance, and ownership transfers for Danish companies such as ApS and A/S. It prescribes formation requirements, board structures, shareholder rights, and mechanics for restructurings and mergers. Compliance with the Act is essential for legally binding control and capital maintenance in Danish entities.

Selskabsskatteloven (Corporate Tax Act) sets the framework for corporate income tax on Danish and foreign-owned entities operating in Denmark. Danish tax administration applies a standard corporate tax rate on profits and outlines rules for deductions, transfer pricing, and international taxation considerations relevant to Frederiksberg businesses. The current corporate tax rate is 22 percent for many large and small enterprises, subject to specific reliefs and exemptions.

Hvidvaskloven (Anti-Money Laundering Act) imposes customer due diligence, verification of beneficial ownership, and ongoing monitoring for companies and their beneficial owners. This regime affects how you structure ownership, register with the CVR, and file reports to the appropriate authorities. Compliance is important when establishing new corporate structures or expanding into new markets.

Denmark's corporate income tax rate is 22 percent. Skat.dk

The central business register (CVR) is maintained by Erhvervsstyrelsen and used by all Danish companies for registration and reporting. virk.dk

For Frederiksberg residents, local considerations include municipal building, zoning, and business premises rules that can affect structuring decisions. The Frederiksberg Municipality provides guidance on permits, signage, and property use that can shape where and how a business operates from Frederiksberg addresses. See official city resources for local requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Danish Selskabsloven and why does it matter?

Selskabsloven is the core statute governing Danish companies, including formation, governance, and share transfers. It defines rights and duties of owners, board members, and managers, and governs how restructurings must be executed. Understanding it helps determine the most suitable corporate form for your Frederiksberg venture.

How do I start a Danish ApS in Frederiksberg?

Starting an ApS requires at least 40,000 DKK in capital, a formal articles of association, registration with the CVR, and compliance with reporting obligations. You should engage a lawyer to draft the articles and shareholder agreement and to coordinate capital verification and filings.

How much does it cost to set up or restructure a company in Denmark?

Costs vary with complexity and counsel. Typical fees include registration costs, notary or lawyer fees for documents, and potential tax planning costs. Be sure to obtain a written engagement letter detailing scope, hourly rates or fixed fees, and estimated timelines.

How long does it take to register a company in Frederiksberg?

Simple registrations for ApS or A/S typically take a few business days to a few weeks, depending on document readiness and approval cycles of the CVR system. Digital filings speed up processing, but completeness of documents remains critical.

Do I need a lawyer to draft a shareholder agreement?

Yes. A shareholder agreement codifies control rights, dividend policies, buy-sell provisions, and dispute resolution. A Danish attorney ensures alignment with Selskabsloven and the specifics of your ownership structure.

Can I restructure a family business without disrupting current operations?

Restructuring requires careful planning of ownership, governance, and tax implications. An attorney helps design a structure that minimizes disruption and preserves continuity of management and operations for Frederiksberg entities.

What's the difference between an ApS and an A/S for my plan?

An ApS is typically used by small to mid-size ventures with lower capital requirements and simpler governance. An A/S suits larger enterprises with the need for more complex governance and broader share transfer opportunities.

How should I handle cross-border investments into a Frederiksberg company?

Cross-border investments require careful tax planning, transfer pricing alignment, and compliance with AML rules. A Danish attorney coordinates multi-jurisdictional documentation and filings to minimize risk and ensure local compliance.

What is the timeline for due diligence in a Danish asset purchase?

Due diligence timelines depend on deal size and complexity but typically extend from several weeks to a few months. A lawyer helps organize data rooms, confirm representations and warranties, and tailor closing conditions.

Is corporate taxation in Denmark different for foreign-owned entities?

Foreign-owned Danish companies generally follow the same corporate tax regime as Danish entities, with potential cross-border tax planning considerations. A tax lawyer can optimize deductions, credits, and treaty relief where applicable.

How do I meet AML and UBO obligations in Denmark?

AML compliance requires identifying and verifying beneficial owners and maintaining ongoing monitoring. Denmark implements EU directives through its own regime, and legal counsel can structure ownership to meet these requirements.

Should I hire local Frederiksberg counsel or a broader Copenhagen firm?

Local counsel familiar with Frederiksberg regulatory nuances can coordinate with national experts for a cohesive strategy. A local attorney can also assist with municipal requirements and local governance challenges efficiently.

Additional Resources

• Erhvervsstyrelsen (Danish Business Authority) - Oversees company registration, digital filing, and guidance on Danish corporate forms and business conditions. https://erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/
• Skat.dk (Danish Tax Authority) - Administers corporate taxation, VAT, and tax compliance for Danish companies. https://skat.dk/
• Finanstilsynet (Danish Financial Supervisory Authority) - Regulates financial markets, AML controls, and corporate governance standards relevant to structuring. https://www.npt.dk/

Next Steps

1. Define your goals and select the appropriate Danish corporate form (ApS or A/S) for your Frederiksberg project.
2. Assemble essential documents such as identification, business plans, and any existing agreements or share registers for review.
3. Assess local Frederiksberg requirements for premises, signage, and zoning that may affect entity structuring or expansion.
4. Identify a lawyer or law firm specializing in Investment & Business Structuring in Frederiksberg or greater Copenhagen.
5. Schedule an initial consultation to discuss objectives, timeline, and budget; request a written engagement proposal.
6. Review proposals, compare scope, cost, and timelines; sign a formal engagement letter and begin the project plan.