Equal Treatment and Discrimination 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 prohibits discrimination in employment on a wide range of grounds:
- The Anti-Discrimination Act (Forskelsbehandlingsloven) prohibits discrimination on grounds of race, colour, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, age, disability and national or social origin.
- The Equal Treatment Act (Ligebehandlingsloven) prohibits gender discrimination — including pregnancy, maternity and gender identity — in hiring, working conditions, promotion and dismissal.
- The Equal Pay Act (Ligelønsloven) requires equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.
- Harassment related to any protected ground — including sexual harassment — is treated as discrimination.
- Ligebehandlingsnævnet (the Board of Equal Treatment) handles complaints and can award compensation.
When does it apply?
- You are an employee, job applicant or trainee in Denmark.
- The protection covers the whole employment relationship — hiring, working conditions, promotion, training and dismissal.
- Both direct and indirect discrimination are prohibited.
What to do if you experience discrimination at work
- Document the discriminatory treatment — keep emails, messages or witness statements.
- File a complaint with Ligebehandlingsnævnet — it is free and does not require a lawyer.
- You can also bring a compensation claim before the ordinary court.
- Contact your trade union — many unions pursue discrimination cases on your behalf.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't accept being told that discrimination is "company culture" — it is unlawful, regardless of the workplace's norms.
- Don't fear retaliation — it is unlawful to victimise a person who has filed a discrimination complaint.
- Don't wait too long — there is no strict limitation period for Ligebehandlingsnævnet, but evidence becomes harder to obtain over time.
About Employment Law & Working Conditions in Denmark
Your work in Denmark rests on the so-called flexicurity model — there is no statutory minimum wage, but collective agreements (overenskomster) at sector level cover around 80% of employees. Ferieloven (the Holiday Act) gives you 25 days of paid holiday a year, accrued monthly. Salaried employees (funktionærer) have enhanced notice periods and protection against unfair dismissal under funktionærloven (the Salaried Employees Act). The working environment is governed by arbejdsmiljøloven (the Working Environment Act), enforced by Arbejdstilsynet. Collective-agreement disputes are heard by Arbejdsretten (the Labour Court); individual cases are heard by the ordinary courts.
Common Questions
Which forms of workplace discrimination are unlawful in Denmark?
The Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on grounds of race, colour, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, age, disability and national or social origin. The Equal Treatment Act covers gender — including pregnancy and maternity — and the Equal Pay Act requires equal pay for equal work. Both direct and indirect discrimination are prohibited.
Does Danish anti-discrimination law cover harassment and job applicants?
Yes. Harassment — including sexual harassment — on any protected ground is treated as discrimination. The protection applies to employees, job applicants and trainees and covers the whole employment relationship: hiring, working conditions, promotion, training and dismissal. It is unlawful to victimise a person who has complained about discrimination.
How do I complain about workplace discrimination in Denmark?
Document the treatment — keep emails, messages and witness statements. File a complaint with Ligebehandlingsnævnet; it is free and does not require a lawyer, and it can award compensation. You can also bring a claim before the ordinary court or contact your trade union, as many pursue discrimination cases.
What is the equal treatment and discrimination right in Denmark?
Danish law prohibits discrimination in employment on a wide range of grounds:The Anti-Discrimination Act (Forskelsbehandlingsloven) prohibits discrimination on grounds of race, colour, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, age, disability and national or social origin.The Equal Treatment Act (Ligebehandlingsloven) prohibits gender discrimination — including pregnancy, maternity and gender identity — in hiring, working conditions, promotion and dismissal.The Equal Pay Act (Ligelønsloven) requires equal pay for equal work...
When does it apply — equal treatment and discrimination?
You are an employee, job applicant or trainee in Denmark.The protection covers the whole employment relationship — hiring, working conditions, promotion, training and dismissal.Both direct and indirect discrimination are prohibited.
What do I do if I experience discrimination or harassment at my workplace in Denmark?
Document the discriminatory treatment — keep emails, messages or witness statements.File a complaint with Ligebehandlingsnævnet — it is free and does not require a lawyer.You can also bring a compensation claim before the ordinary court.Contact your trade union — many unions pursue discrimination cases on your behalf.
What should you NOT do — equal treatment and discrimination?
Don't accept being told that discrimination is "company culture" — it is unlawful, regardless of the workplace's norms.Don't fear retaliation — it is unlawful to victimise a person who has filed a discrimination complaint.Don't wait too long — there is no strict limitation period for Ligebehandlingsnævnet, but evidence becomes harder to obtain over time.