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Denmark is advancing the rollout of its comprehensive digital bookkeeping and invoicing requirements under the 2022 Danish Bookkeeping Act, part of a national effort to modernize financial compliance, streamline tax reporting, and reduce administrative burdens through digitization. The next significant compliance deadline will affect private businesses with revenues exceeding DKK 300,000, beginning January 2026.
Key Mandates Under the Danish Bookkeeping Act
The law requires Danish-resident businesses to:
- Digitally record and store accounting data using approved accounting or ERP systems,
- Be able to issue and receive structured electronic invoices (e-invoices), and
- Support the Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T), a standardized reporting format based on the OECD model, which must be produced on-demand if requested by the Danish Tax Authority (Skattestyrelsen).
These measures aim to boost financial transparency, enhance real-time tax compliance, and integrate Denmark’s accounting standards with European Union digital tax and e-invoicing directives.
Phased Implementation Timeline
To ease the transition, Denmark has adopted a staged approach to implementation:
- 1 July 2024: Applies to businesses already subject to annual Erhvervsstyrelsen (Danish Business Authority) reporting obligations.
- 1 January 2025: Expands to businesses without certified accounting systems, who must:
- Implement digital bookkeeping,
- Be capable of sending and receiving structured e-invoices, and
- Be prepared to generate SAF-T reports when requested.
- 1 January 2026: Encompasses all other private businesses exceeding DKK 300,000 in turnover.
- 1 July 2026: Deadline for businesses using in-house developed accounting software to meet certification and technical standards.
Denmark’s E-Invoicing Infrastructure
Denmark has been a European leader in e-invoicing since 2005, having required B2G (business-to-government) invoices via its NemHandel platform. This uses the PEPPOL BIS 3.0 framework and Denmark’s proprietary OIOUBL standard. In November 2024, Denmark introduced OIOUBL version 3, which includes:
- Mandatory invoice message responses, improving invoice traceability and dispute resolution,
- Full compliance with the European e-invoicing standard EN 16931 facilitates cross-border invoice exchange in the EU.
What Businesses Should Do Now
Businesses operating in Denmark or those providing accounting software and financial services in the country should:
- Assess their annual turnover to determine the applicable compliance timeline.
- Evaluate and upgrade accounting systems to ensure they are certified under Danish regulations.
- Implement e-invoicing capabilities aligned with PEPPOL BIS and OIOUBL standards.
- Prepare for SAF-T compliance, even though submission is only required upon request.
The Danish government is expected to issue further technical guidance and a list of certified accounting systems. Businesses using custom-built ERP or bookkeeping platforms should begin preparations for certification well in advance of the July 2026 deadline.
Why This Matters
This reform is part of a broader European and global trend toward real-time digital tax reporting and automation. For Denmark, it promises a more resilient tax ecosystem and helps businesses streamline operations, reduce paperwork, and stay compliant with evolving international standards.
By 2026, Denmark’s digital bookkeeping infrastructure will be among the most advanced in the EU, aligning closely with neighboring digital leaders like Norway and Estonia.
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