Public Procurement
Procurement rules
This page gives you an overview of applicable procurement rules, all in Danish.
The Public Procurement Act
The Public Procurement Act implements the procurement directive and regulates public contracts above the threshold. The Public Procurement Act also regulates public contracts below the threshold.
The Public Procurement Act - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
Consolidation Act on electronic communications
Consolidation Act on the use of electronic communications in the procurement and advertising of public procurements under the thresholds with a clear cross-border interest.
Consolidation Act on electronic communications - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
The Tender Act
The Tender Act regulates the awarding of public works contracts below the threshold. Note that section 198 of the Public Procurement Act introduced a number of amendments to the Tender Act, among other things repealing paragraph II from January 1, 2016.
The Tender Act - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
The Act on the complaints board
The Act on the complaints board regulates the right of complaints regarding the awarding of public contracts. The Act makes it possible for complaints to be dealt with by the Danish complaints board.
Act on the complaints board - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
The utilities directive
This consolidation Act implements the utilities directive. The utilities directive regulates the procurement of water, energy, transport and postal services.
Consolidation Act on processes of procurement in the water, energy, transport and postal services - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
The concession directive
The consolidation Act implements the concession directive. The concessions directive regulates the awarding of concession contracts, i.e. contracts where a private operator gains the right to perform a particular task and to the earnings this may result in, for example the establishment of a bridge and the accompanying bridge tolls.
Consolidation Act on the awarding of concession contracts - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
The Defence and Safety Directive
A number of contracts in the defence and security area should not follow the Public Procurement Act, but rather be assessed according to the Defence and Security Directive.
Consolidation Act on contracting entities’ awarding of certain construction, supply and service contracts in the defence and security area - in Danish (retsinformation.dk)
EU sectoral legislation
Public buyers must comply with a range of EU sectoral legislation when carrying out tenders, as these rules set specific requirements depending on the sector, such as energy, transport, or water. This legislation complements general public procurement law and ensures that sector-specific considerations - like safety, enviromental standards, and market regulations - are properly addressed during the procurement process.
The European Commission provides a digital tool for contracting authorities in order to help identify relevant sectoral legislation with procurement provisions.
An overview of the relevant sectoral rules can be found here.
Guides
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority publishes guides on various aspects of public procurement. These guides are intended to provide clear and practical support to contracting authorities, suppliers, and other stakeholders in understanding and applying the procurement rules.