Is electronic signature legal in Denmark?
Yes. Danish contract law has no general form requirement, and eIDAS applies directly, so electronic signatures, including MitID-based signing, are valid for most contracts. Wills and some documents used for direct enforcement have stricter rules.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Denmark at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Approach
- Tiered: simple, advanced and qualified
- EU member
- Yes. The eIDAS Regulation applies directly, so a qualified e-signature from any EU country has the effect of a handwritten signature.
Types of electronic signature in Denmark
Simple electronic signature
Any electronic data used to sign, such as a typed name, a click-to-sign box or a drawn signature. Under eIDAS it cannot be refused as evidence just because it is electronic, and it is used for most everyday contracts.
Advanced electronic signature (AES)
Uniquely linked to and able to identify the signer, under the signer's sole control, and linked to the data so later changes are detectable. It carries more evidential weight than a simple signature.
Qualified electronic signature (QES)
An advanced signature made with a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate from a trust service provider on an EU trusted list. It has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature in every EU member state.
What you can sign electronically in Denmark
- Most commercial contracts
- Employment contracts
- Leases and consumer contracts
- Registration of rights in real property through the digital land registry using MitID
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Wills, which must be made before a notary or two witnesses under the Inheritance Act
- Documents to be used as a basis for direct enforcement without a court order (such as some debt instruments and out-of-court settlements) may be signed digitally under § 478 of the Administration of Justice Act, but in practice a signature that clearly identifies the debtor, such as MitID or another advanced or qualified signature, is generally used
- Other documents that require notarisation or witnessing
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Danish law rarely requires written form, and where it does it is generally interpreted technology-neutrally. The weight of a signature depends on how well it identifies the signer, so MitID or qualified signatures are stronger evidence.
E-signatures in Denmark: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed employment contracts valid in Denmark?
Yes. Employment contracts can be signed electronically, and the employer's written statement of terms can be provided electronically.
Is MitID signing legally valid in Denmark?
Yes. MitID is Denmark's national eID and is widely used for signing. It gives strong evidence of who signed.
Can a will be e-signed in Denmark?
No. A Danish will must be made before a notary or signed in front of two witnesses.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Denmark, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Denmark before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
Send documents for eSignature in Denmark
BunnyDoc records every step in an audit trail that can be used as evidence. 5 free signature requests every month, no credit card needed.