Consumer rights in Denmark

As a consumer, you have various rights when you buy goods or services in Denmark. The rules depend, amongst other things, on whether you buy from a physical shop, online or from a private person.

If you buy from a business as a private individual, you are generally covered by the consumer protection rules. This applies both in physical shops and online.

Right of complaint in Denmark

In Denmark, you have a two-year right of complaint when you buy an item from a business. This means that you can complain to the seller about faults or defects in the item for up to two years after purchase.

The right of complaint applies to defects that were already present, or where the cause of the defect was present, when you received the item.

If the item has a fault or defect, you may for example be entitled to:

• Have the product repaired
• Have the product replaced
• Obtain a discount
• Obtain a refund if the appropriate conditions are met.

When you buy an item in a physical shop in Denmark, you do not as a general rule have the right to cancel the purchase. The purchase is binding.

Some shops offer a right of exchange or a right of return, but this is at their discretion. The shop also determines the terms, e.g. the period during which you can return the item, and whether you can obtain a cash refund or just a voucher.

If it is important for you to be able to return or exchange an item, you should check the terms before purchasing it. It is a good idea to obtain the terms in writing, such as on your receipt.

You can read more at forbrug.dk.

When you buy an item online from a Danish business, you generally have a 14-day right of cancellation. The 14-day period usually starts on the day you receive the item.

If you wish to cancel the purchase, you must notify the webshop before the expiry of the deadline. After that, you normally have 14 days to return the item.

You also have a two-year right of complaint if the item has a fault or defect that was present when it was received, or where the cause of the fault or defect was present when you received it.

If you buy from a private individual, you have a two-year right of complaint, unless otherwise agreed at the time of purchase. However, not all of the usual rules on consumer protection will apply in the same way as when buying from a business.

You do not in general have a right of cancellation, unless you and the seller have agreed on this. Moreover, you cannot make use of the standard consumer possibilities of redress in the same way if a dispute arises.

It is therefore important to check whether you are buying from a business or from a private individual, especially if you are shopping on a digital platform.

If you live in another Nordic country and shop in Denmark

If you live in another Nordic country and buy an item from a Danish business, it may be relevant to check which consumer rules apply to your purchase. This applies, for example, if you shop in a Danish webshop or buy an item during a stay in Denmark. In the case of online purchases, it may be relevant to check which country the webshop is aimed at.

If you shop across borders in the EU, Norway or Iceland, Consumer Europe can help to provide advice on your rights and possibilities of redress.

If you wish to complain about a product or service, you should in the first instance contact the seller.

If you cannot find a solution with the seller, you can investigate your complaint possibilities at forbrug.dk. The mediation team for consumer complaints and the Consumer Complaints Board is located in Nævnenes Hus, Copenhagen.

You can find information about consumer rights in Denmark at the public consumer portal: forbrug.dk. Forbrug.dk is operated by the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.