Global rules on foreign direct investment: Denmark

Denmark maintains specific foreign direct investment regulations to screen transactions involving sensitive sectors and national security interests. The framework covers companies that manufacture dual-use items, develop or produce critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, cybersecurity, space, energy, quantum, nuclear technologies, nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and industrial 3D printing. It also applies to defense enterprises that handle weapons, ammunition, military technologies, or critical services for the Danish defense, as well as businesses that develop IT security products and components or handle classified government information.

Because determining whether a company operates within critical technology or infrastructure sectors can be challenging, investors or companies can submit a request for a pre-screening to the Danish Business Authority. This process allows the authority to formally assess whether a specific Danish company falls within the regulated sectors and whether a formal investment filing is mandatory.

The overarching investment screening framework operates as a voluntary and non-suspensory notification regime. This means stakeholders can choose to submit filings for review, but the rules do not automatically suspend transactions while a review is pending unless specific mandatory criteria are met.