Overview
Denmark is a UN and EU member state and implements UN and EU sanctions. Denmark does not implement autonomous sanctions.
The national competent authority for sanctions implementation is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Danish Business Authority is responsible for export control and sanctions licensing.
Denmark passed legislation in June 2025 that increased the penalty for violating sanctions to among the highest in the EU.
National Competent Authorities
The competent authority for general sanctions matters is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Danish Business Authority is responsible for export control and sanctions licensing.
The Police Intelligence Service and the National Unit for Special Crime are jointly responsible for investigating and prosecuting sanctions breaches.
Other relevant government departments are here.
Legislation
Export Control Act (LBK No. 635, 9 June 2011)
Export Control Act (Act No. 2305, 8 December 2021)
Export Control Act (Act No. 641, 11 June 2024)
Export Control Executive Order (BEK No. 712, 5 July 2019)
Export Control Executive Order (BEK No. 694, 29 May 2024)
Sanctions Lists
EU sanctions are directly applicable in Denmark – EU Sanctions List.
Denmark also implements UN Sanctions – UN Sanctions Lists.
Denmark does not have an autonomous sanctions list.
Guidance
General guidance on financial sanctions
How to apply for an export permit
Check if you are subject to export controls
Danish Maritime Authority sanctions guidance
Guidance on identifying individuals and companies subject to asset freezes
Licensing
Applications for derogations from EU sanctions should be submitted to the Danish Business Authority by emailing eksportkontrol@erst.dk. The application should include:
- The name, address, telephone, email address and company registration number of the applicant and the designated person or entity.
- The regulation and specific article on which the application is based.
- The reason for the application.
- Substantiating documentation (e.g. contracts, invoices, professional statements).
- The name, address and company registration number of the recipient of payment.
- The details of the receiving bank account.
Further information can be found at section 7 of the Danish Government’s general guidance on sanctions.
Enforcement
It is a criminal offence to violate UN and EU sanctions in Denmark, per section 110c of the Criminal Code. Amendments to the Danish Criminal Code in June 2025 brought Denmark in line with Regulation EU 2024/1226 (‘The Harmonising Directive’). Denmark now has the following penalties for sanctions offences:
- Violations of EU and UN sanctions are punishable by up to 5 years in prison, or up to 8 years if the offence is aggravated. This penalty is also imposed on those who violate EU export controls on military equipment.
- Negligent sanctions violations are punishable by a fine or up to 2 years in prison.
Intentional or negligent export of dual-use items without a licence is punishable by a fine or up to 2 years in prison, per the Export Control Act of 11 June 2024.
Reporting
EU reporting requirements apply in Denmark. These obligations are set out in Council regulations and require natural and legal persons, entities and bodies to supply “any information which would facilitate the implementation [of sanctions]… to the competent authority of the Member State where they are resident or located.” See our EU Reporting page for more information.
Individuals and businesses which implement asset freezes must notify the Danish Business Authority by emailing eksportkontrol@erst.dk or by contacting them at the following address:
The Danish Business Authority
Langelinie Allé 17
DK-2100 Copenhagen O
Tel: +45 35 29 15 00
Fax: +45 35 29 10 01
Individuals and businesses must notify the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the State Prosecutor for Serious Economic and International Crime in cases of a matching name in relation to EU or UN sanctions lists related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and terrorist financing. The FIU can be contacted at the following address:
Financial Intelligence Unit
The State Prosecutor for Serious Economic and International Crime
Kampmannsgade 1
DK-1604 Copenhagen K
Tel: +45 45 154710
Email: fiu@politi.dk
Export controls
EU export controls apply in Denmark.
The Danish Business Authority is responsible for export control and sanctions licensing.
There are three types of export permit: individual permits, EU export permits, and global export permits.
Applicants for individual permits, which includes exporters of dual-use goods and exporters trading in goods caught by Russian sanctions, must fill out an end-user declaration and complete this online form.
EU export permits are governed by EU regulations.
Exporters of products which are solely for civilian use can apply for a global export permit by emailing eksportkontrol@erst.dk stating which products and countries the permit would cover.
