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Starting a business in Kalundborg follows national Danish rules with some local requirements administered by Kalundborg Municipality. Incorporation, tax and VAT registration, bookkeeping, and reporting are governed by Danish law at state level, while premises, signage, certain environmental approvals, and local fees are handled by the municipality. Most registrations are completed digitally through the Danish Business Authority and the Central Business Register, and a new company receives a CVR number once registered.
Common legal forms include sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, private limited company, and public limited company. The Danish Companies Act sets out how limited companies are formed, managed, and dissolved. Private limited companies suit most small and medium enterprises because they limit owner liability and have flexible governance. Kalundborg has an active industrial ecosystem, so sector permits and environmental considerations can be particularly relevant for manufacturing, logistics, energy, life sciences, and food businesses.
Choosing the right legal form is a strategic decision with tax, liability, and investor implications. A lawyer can compare structures, draft articles of association, bylaws, and shareholder or founder agreements, and ensure that rights, vesting, transfer restrictions, and governance are tailored to your plans. If you are buying a shelf company or bringing in co-founders or investors, legal advice reduces risk and sets clear rules from day one.
Opening a corporate bank account and documenting share capital can involve strict anti-money laundering checks. A lawyer can guide you on acceptable documentation and timing so registration and onboarding proceed smoothly. If you need licenses or municipal permissions, counsel can map the approvals and design a timeline that coordinates national registrations with local permits.
Kalundborg hosts energy and industrial operations that often trigger environmental approvals, wastewater or waste handling obligations, and zoning reviews. Legal support helps you navigate environmental, health, and safety rules, and any Environmental Impact Assessment needs. If you hire staff, you will need contracts, policies, workers’ compensation insurance, and to understand collective agreements. A lawyer can also align your privacy policy and data processing agreements with GDPR and set up compliant bookkeeping and reporting routines under Danish law.
Company formation and governance are primarily set by the Danish Companies Act and regulations issued by the Danish Business Authority. After incorporation, your company receives a CVR number, must set up a NemKonto for payments from authorities, and will use MitID or MitID Erhverv to sign filings. Beneficial owners and management must be registered. Limited companies must keep an internal share register and register ownership in the national owner register.
Tax and VAT are national. The standard corporate income tax rate is 22 percent. You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds 50,000 DKK in a 12-month period. Employers register for withholding of A-tax and labor market contributions, and report salary via the eIncome system. Expect local business fees such as waste handling and certain utility charges administered in Kalundborg.
Accounting and reporting rules require proper bookkeeping and timely annual reports for companies like ApS and A-S under the Danish Financial Statements Act. Small companies can often opt out of statutory audit if they stay below set thresholds, but you must record the choice properly. The new Bookkeeping Act introduces phased-in digital bookkeeping requirements, with deadlines set by the Danish Business Authority. Check current entry dates for your company size and VAT status.
Employment compliance includes written employment contracts, registration as an employer, workers’ compensation insurance, workplace assessments, and adherence to the Danish Holiday Act with concurrent holidays. Many industries are influenced by collective agreements. Health and safety rules are enforced by the Danish Working Environment Authority.
Data protection is governed by GDPR and the Danish Data Protection Act. Startups typically need a privacy policy, records of processing, security measures, data processing agreements with vendors, and a compliant cookie solution. Companies with 50 or more employees must have a whistleblower scheme.
Sector and local permits depend on your activity. Food businesses need approvals from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and must follow the smiley scheme. Construction, signage, changes of use, and fit-out often require municipal permits. In Kalundborg, industrial and energy projects may require environmental approvals under the Environmental Protection Act and an environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act.
Intellectual property is registered nationally with the Danish Patent and Trademark Office. Your business name must be unique and not infringe earlier rights. Commercial leases fall under the Business Lease Act and often require careful negotiation on maintenance, fit-out, and restoration. Foreign founders can own 100 percent of a Danish company. Management does not have to be resident in Denmark, but the company must have a registered office address in Denmark and be able to receive service and official digital mail.
Common options are sole proprietorship for one owner with personal liability, partnership for two or more owners with joint liability, limited partnership with at least one partner having limited liability, private limited company ApS with limited liability and minimum capital, and public limited company A-S for larger ventures. Most startups pick an ApS because it limits liability, is investor friendly, and has manageable governance and reporting.
An ApS requires at least 40,000 DKK in share capital. An A-S requires at least 400,000 DKK. Capital can be contributed in cash or as non-cash assets with proper valuation. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not have a statutory minimum capital but expose owners to personal liability.
If your documentation is ready, online registration can be completed within a few days. You typically need articles of association, a foundation document, proof of paid-in capital for limited companies, identification for owners and management for anti-money laundering checks, information on beneficial owners, and a Danish business address. A name check is done during registration.
You must have a registered business address in Denmark. There is no general residency requirement for directors or management in an ApS or A-S, but the company must be able to receive official digital mail and service of process. Some banks and service providers may ask for local contact persons during onboarding.
You must register if your taxable turnover exceeds 50,000 DKK in a 12-month period. Many companies register voluntarily from day one to recover input VAT on startup costs. Certain activities can be VAT exempt, and special schemes apply in specific sectors.
Banks perform robust anti-money laundering checks. Prepare incorporation documents, ownership structure, identification for all owners and managers, business plan, expected transaction volumes and counterparties, and proof of address. For limited companies, you must document share capital payment. Start the bank process early, as onboarding can take time.
All businesses must keep orderly accounts. Limited companies must file an annual report with the Danish Business Authority, usually within six months after the financial year end. The Bookkeeping Act is introducing mandatory digital bookkeeping for many VAT liable businesses with phased deadlines. Smaller companies can often opt out of audit if they remain below statutory thresholds.
Yes, if you have more than one owner it is highly advisable. This private contract complements the articles of association and covers vesting, transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights, deadlock resolution, governance, roles, confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, and exit rules. Investors typically require such agreements.
Depending on your activity you may need permits for signage, change of use, construction and fit-out, outdoor serving, and extended opening hours. Industrial, energy, chemical, and food businesses may need environmental approvals, waste and wastewater arrangements, and sector licenses. Engage the municipality early to confirm what applies to your site and operations.
Foreign individuals and entities can own 100 percent of a Danish company. To work or reside in Denmark you may need a residence and work permit. The Start-up Denmark program can be relevant for certain innovative ventures. You can appoint a local representative for filings if you do not have MitID yet.
Register as an employer, issue a compliant written contract, withhold A-tax and labor market contributions, report salaries via eIncome, set up workers’ compensation insurance, follow the Holiday Act, prepare workplace policies, and perform a workplace assessment. Check if a collective agreement applies to your industry or location.
Danish Business Authority for incorporation, company registers, and bookkeeping rules.
Central Business Register for CVR registrations and public company data.
Danish Tax Agency for VAT, corporate tax, and employer withholding.
Danish Data Protection Agency for GDPR guidance and notifications.
Danish Working Environment Authority for health and safety requirements.
Danish Patent and Trademark Office for trademarks, designs, and patents.
Erhvervshus Sjælland for free business advisory services in Region Zealand.
Kalundborg Municipality Business Service for local permits, zoning, and guidance.
Kalundborgegnens Erhvervsråd for local networking and business support.
Start-up Denmark and the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration for founder visas and work permits.
Clarify your business model, ownership, funding needs, and risk profile. This informs the choice between a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited company. Decide an intended start date and whether you need VAT registration immediately.
Prepare key information and documents: proposed company name and Danish address, owners and percentage holdings, management structure, expected turnover and activities, draft articles of association, and identity documents. If forming an ApS or A-S, plan how you will pay in share capital and gather documentation for the bank.
Arrange a short consultation with a business formation lawyer. Ask for a fixed-fee scope covering structure selection, drafting of articles and a shareholders or founders agreement, registration filings, beneficial owner registration, and post-incorporation checklist. If you operate in a regulated or industrial sector, request a permit map and timeline that includes municipal steps in Kalundborg.
File the incorporation with the Danish Business Authority and obtain your CVR number. Complete beneficial owner registration, set up MitID Erhverv, open a NemKonto, and finalize your bank onboarding. Register for VAT and as an employer if applicable.
Implement compliance basics: choose a digital bookkeeping system that meets Danish Bookkeeping Act requirements, adopt a privacy policy and data processing agreements, arrange workers’ compensation insurance, and schedule your first annual report deadline. If you lease premises, have your lease reviewed under the Business Lease Act and secure any necessary municipal permits before opening.
If you need legal assistance now, collect your questions, any draft documents, and business plan, then contact a lawyer experienced in Danish company formation and Kalundborg municipal processes. A short, well prepared consultation usually accelerates the entire setup and helps you avoid costly delays.
