Warranties and Commercial Guarantees in Denmark
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Danish law distinguishes between your statutory rights and any commercial guarantee offered by the seller or manufacturer:
- Statutory complaint right (reklamationsret): Always 2 years from delivery — this is your minimum protection that cannot be reduced.
- Commercial guarantee (garanti): An additional promise by the seller or manufacturer — can offer more than statutory rights (longer period, broader coverage) but never less.
- Guarantee terms: Must be provided in writing, in Danish, and must clearly state what is covered, how long it lasts, and that it does not affect statutory rights.
- Extended guarantees (serviceaftaler): Paid extended warranties are service contracts — read the fine print carefully.
When does it apply?
- You bought a product with a commercial guarantee (e.g., "5-year warranty").
- You are unsure whether to use the statutory complaint right or the manufacturer's guarantee.
What to Do If a Product's Guarantee Has Expired but the Item Is Still Defective in Denmark
- Use whichever path gives you the best outcome — you can rely on the statutory 2-year right even if the guarantee has expired, or vice versa.
- If the defect appears within the guarantee period, use the guarantee if it offers broader coverage (e.g., accidental damage).
- If the guarantee claim is denied, fall back on your statutory rights — the seller cannot refuse both.
- Keep the guarantee certificate and receipt.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't let a seller tell you the guarantee replaces your statutory rights — it cannot. The 2-year reklamationsret always applies alongside the guarantee.
- Don't pay for an extended warranty that merely covers what the law already provides — the statutory 2-year right is free.
- Don't assume international warranties apply in Denmark — check whether the guarantee is valid in Denmark specifically.
Common Questions
What is the difference between a warranty and a guarantee in Denmark?
The statutory complaint right (reklamationsret) is always 2 years from delivery and is your minimum protection under Købeloven — it cannot be reduced. A commercial guarantee (garanti) is an extra promise by the seller or manufacturer and can offer more, such as a longer period or broader coverage, but never less.
Do I lose my 2-year Danish consumer right if the product's guarantee expires?
No. The 2-year reklamationsret always applies alongside any commercial guarantee. You can rely on the statutory right even if the guarantee has expired, or vice versa. If a guarantee claim is denied, you can fall back on your statutory rights — the seller cannot refuse both.
Do I need to pay for an extended warranty in Denmark?
Usually not. Paid extended warranties (serviceaftaler) are service contracts — read the fine print carefully, because the statutory 2-year right is free. A guarantee must be provided in writing, in Danish, and must clearly state what is covered, how long it lasts, and that it does not affect your statutory rights.
When does it apply — warranties and commercial guarantees?
You bought a product with a commercial guarantee (e.g., "5-year warranty").You are unsure whether to use the statutory complaint right or the manufacturer's guarantee.
What should I do if a guarantee has expired but my product has broken down through no fault of my own in Denmark?
Use whichever path gives you the best outcome — you can rely on the statutory 2-year right even if the guarantee has expired, or vice versa.If the defect appears within the guarantee period, use the guarantee if it offers broader coverage (e.g., accidental damage).If the guarantee claim is denied, fall back on your statutory rights — the seller cannot refuse both.Keep the guarantee certificate and receipt.
What should you NOT do — warranties and commercial guarantees?
Don't let a seller tell you the guarantee replaces your statutory rights — it cannot. The 2-year reklamationsret always applies alongside the guarantee.Don't pay for an extended warranty that merely covers what the law already provides — the statutory 2-year right is free.Don't assume international warranties apply in Denmark — check whether the guarantee is valid in Denmark specifically.