Guarantees and the Right to Claim in Denmark (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
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 right to claim: Always 2 years from delivery — this is your minimum protection and cannot be waived.
- Commercial guarantee: An additional promise from the seller or manufacturer — it can offer more than the statutory rights (a 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 your statutory rights.
- Extended guarantees (service contracts): Paid extended guarantees are service contracts — read the fine print carefully.
When does it apply?
- You bought a product with a commercial guarantee (e.g. a "5-year guarantee").
- You are unsure whether to use the statutory right to claim or the manufacturer's guarantee.
What to do if a product's guarantee has expired but the item is still faulty in Denmark
- Use the remedy that gives you the best outcome — you can rely on the 2-year statutory right even if the guarantee has expired, or vice versa.
- If the defect appears within the guarantee period, use the guarantee if it provides broader coverage (e.g. transit damage).
- If a guarantee claim is rejected, you can fall back on your statutory rights — the seller cannot refuse both.
- Keep the guarantee certificate and the receipt.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't let a seller convince you that the guarantee replaces your statutory rights — it cannot. The 2-year right to claim always applies alongside the guarantee.
- Don't pay for an extended guarantee that merely covers what the law already gives you — the statutory 2-year right is free.
- Don't assume international guarantees apply in Denmark — check whether the guarantee is specifically valid in Denmark.
About Consumer Rights in Denmark
If something you bought is defective, Købeloven (the Sale of Goods Act) gives you 2 years to demand repair, replacement, a proportionate price reduction or cancellation — and defects that appear within the first year are presumed to have been present at delivery. For online and distance purchases, Forbrugeraftaleloven (the Consumer Contracts Act) gives you a 14-day right of withdrawal. Misleading advertising and unfair contract terms are prohibited under Markedsføringsloven (the Marketing Practices Act), enforced by Forbrugerombudsmanden (the Consumer Ombudsman). Unresolved disputes can be brought before Forbrugerklagenævnet (the Consumer Complaints Board).
Common Questions
What is the difference between the right to claim and a guarantee in Denmark?
The statutory right to claim (reklamationsret) is always 2 years from delivery and is your minimum protection under Købeloven — it cannot be waived. A commercial guarantee is an extra promise from 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 right to claim always applies alongside a commercial guarantee. You can rely on the statutory right even if the guarantee has expired, or vice versa. If a guarantee claim is rejected, you can fall back on your statutory rights — the seller cannot refuse both.
Should I pay for an extended guarantee in Denmark?
Usually not. Paid extended guarantees (service contracts) 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.
What is the statutory right to claim and commercial guarantees right in Denmark?
Danish law distinguishes between your statutory rights and any commercial guarantee offered by the seller or manufacturer:Statutory right to claim: Always 2 years from delivery — this is your minimum protection and cannot be waived.Commercial guarantee: An additional promise from the seller or manufacturer — it can offer more than the statutory rights (a 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 your statutory rights.Extended guarantees...
When does it apply — statutory right to claim and commercial guarantees?
You bought a product with a commercial guarantee (e.g. a "5-year guarantee").You are unsure whether to use the statutory right to claim or the manufacturer's guarantee.
What should I do if a guarantee has expired but my product has broken through no fault of mine in Denmark?
Use the remedy that gives you the best outcome — you can rely on the 2-year statutory right even if the guarantee has expired, or vice versa.If the defect appears within the guarantee period, use the guarantee if it provides broader coverage (e.g. transit damage).If a guarantee claim is rejected, you can fall back on your statutory rights — the seller cannot refuse both.Keep the guarantee certificate and the receipt.
What should you NOT do — statutory right to claim and commercial guarantees?
Don't let a seller convince you that the guarantee replaces your statutory rights — it cannot. The 2-year right to claim always applies alongside the guarantee.Don't pay for an extended guarantee that merely covers what the law already gives you — the statutory 2-year right is free.Don't assume international guarantees apply in Denmark — check whether the guarantee is specifically valid in Denmark.