Power of attorney in Denmark: the complete guide 2026

A power of attorney is one of the most useful, and potentially most risky, legal documents in Danish law. It gives one person the right to act on another's behalf, and used correctly it can solve a wide range of practical challenges: from property transactions and banking to representation at general meetings and contact with public authorities.

But a power of attorney can also be misused. This guide reviews what you need to know about powers of attorney in Denmark: which types exist, when to use them, and what to watch out for.

Note: the law on powers of attorney can in some contexts be complex, especially for property transactions, business matters and lasting powers of attorney. This guide gives a general overview. If you are in doubt about your specific situation, you should consult a lawyer or a notary.

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney is a legal document in which you (the grantor) give another person (the attorney) the right to act on your behalf. The power of attorney can cover everything from signing documents to administering your finances or contacting authorities.

In Denmark, powers of attorney are primarily governed by the Contracts Act (the Act on contracts and other legal transactions in the area of property law). The Act sets out rules for when a power of attorney is valid and how a third party can rely on it.

Types of power of attorney

There are several types of power of attorney, and it is important to choose the right one for your need.

General power of attorney

A general power of attorney gives the attorney broad authority to act on your behalf in all or almost all matters. It can cover:

• Financial dispositions (banking, paying bills)
• Legal acts (entering into contracts, selling property)
• Personal matters (contact with authorities)

Important: a general power of attorney is a powerful document. You should only give it to a person you fully trust, as it has very wide reach.

Special power of attorney

A special power of attorney limits the authority to a specific act or a defined area. Examples:

• A power of attorney to sell a specific property
• A power of attorney to represent you at a general meeting
• A power of attorney to withdraw money from a specific account
• A power of attorney to sign a specific contract on your behalf

The special power of attorney is the safest type, because it limits the risk of misuse.

Lasting power of attorney

The lasting power of attorney is a special type introduced by the Act on Lasting Powers of Attorney, which entered into force on 1 September 2017. It differs fundamentally from other powers of attorney:

• It is created while you are of sound mind (able to make decisions)
• It only takes effect if you lose the ability to look after your own affairs (for example through dementia or serious illness)
• It is created and registered in the Lasting Power of Attorney Register via tinglysning.dk and acknowledged before a notary
• It must be brought into force by the Family Court House before it can be used

The lasting power of attorney is especially relevant for people who want to ensure that a trusted person can look after their interests if they one day become unable to do so themselves.

Prokura (commercial power of attorney)

In business the term prokura is used, which is a commercial power of attorney to act on behalf of a company. Prokura is not governed by a separate "Prokura Act" (the old one has been repealed); for personally owned undertakings it follows from section 7 of the Act on Certain Commercial Undertakings, and otherwise from the general agency rules. Prokura is not registered in CVR but is proven by a written procuration declaration, where the holder signs "p.p." (per procuration).

Requirements for a valid power of attorney

For a power of attorney to be legally valid in Denmark, the following must be met:

1. The grantor must be able to act rationally

The grantor must understand the consequences of the power of attorney. A person under guardianship with removal of legal capacity cannot as a rule validly issue a power of attorney.

2. Voluntariness

The power of attorney must be given voluntarily. A power of attorney extorted by threats, deceit or exploitation is invalid.

3. Clear identification

The power of attorney should clearly identify:

• The grantor: full name, address and CPR number
• The attorney: full name, address and CPR number
• The authority: what the attorney has the right to do
• Any time limit: when the power of attorney expires

4. Signature

The power of attorney should be signed by the grantor. For certain dispositions (for example property transactions) the signature must be notary-confirmed or witnessed.

5. No formal requirements in most cases

Danish law as a rule imposes no formal requirements on a power of attorney; it can in principle be oral. But in practice you should always use a written power of attorney to avoid problems of proof.

When should you use a power of attorney?

Powers of attorney are relevant in many situations:

• Property transactions: you cannot take part in the signing yourself
• Bank transactions: a trusted person is to administer your account
• General meetings: you cannot attend in person
• Court cases: your lawyer acts on your behalf (litigation power of attorney)
• Authorities: another person is to communicate with the public sector on your behalf
• Illness or absence: you are prevented from acting yourself
• Stay abroad: you are temporarily unavailable

Power of attorney for the bank

One of the most frequent uses is banking powers of attorney. Many banks have their own standard forms, and some banks require their own form or procedure to be used.

A banking power of attorney can give the attorney the right to:

• Withdraw amounts up to a set limit
• View account statements and operate the account
• Enter into and cancel agreements with the bank

Remember to contact your bank in advance. Banks can have specific requirements for the form and approval of the power of attorney, and not all banks accept a self-drafted power of attorney.

Power of attorney in property transactions

Property transactions in many cases require a power of attorney, for example if a spouse cannot attend the signing of the deed. For property transactions stricter requirements apply:

• The power of attorney must as a rule be notary-confirmed by a notary
• Alternatively the signature can be confirmed by two witnesses
• The power of attorney must clearly describe the specific property and the act

Obtain the notary confirmation in good time, as notaries do not always have appointments available at short notice.

Power of attorney in companies

In business, powers of attorney are essential for delegating decision-making authority. In addition to prokura there is:

Right to bind the company: states who can bind the company externally, for example sign contracts. The signing rule is registered with the Danish Business Authority.

Internal power of attorney: delegation of specific authority internally, for example that an employee can enter into agreements up to a certain amount on the company's behalf.

Revoking a power of attorney

A power of attorney can as a rule always be revoked by the grantor. But it is important also to cut off the attorney's ability to bind you towards a third party in good faith:

How to revoke

1. Give the attorney written notice that the power of attorney is revoked
2. Notify relevant third parties (banks, authorities, counterparties) who know of the power of attorney
3. Recover physical copies of the power of attorney if possible

If the power of attorney has been shown to a particular third party, it is often necessary to notify that third party directly for the revocation to take effect towards them.

When does a power of attorney end?

A power of attorney can end on:

• Expiry, if the power of attorney has an end date
• Fulfilment of the purpose, when the specific act has been carried out
• Revocation, when the grantor withdraws it
• The grantor's death: here the rules of the estate take over. The attorney should not simply continue to act, but contact the probate court.

Power of attorney and Digital Post

Several public authorities accept digital powers of attorney, and with MitID you can in certain cases give a digital power of attorney directly.

For Digital Post you can give read access, so a trusted person can read your post from the public sector. This is done via borger.dk.

Lasting power of attorney: a deeper look

Because the lasting power of attorney differs significantly from other powers of attorney, it is worth expanding on:

When does it take effect?

The lasting power of attorney is brought into force when the Family Court House, on the basis of, among other things, a medical certificate, assesses that you are no longer able to look after your own interests, typically through dementia, serious illness or an accident. It is not the grantor or the attorney who decides this; it is a formal assessment.

What can the attorney do?

You decide the reach yourself. The lasting power of attorney can cover:

• Personal matters: decisions about care and housing and contact with authorities
• Financial matters: administration of assets, paying bills, selling assets

You can limit it to cover only one of these areas.

Creation and cost

The lasting power of attorney is created and registered in the Lasting Power of Attorney Register via tinglysning.dk and acknowledged before a notary. The registration itself is free, and there is no registration duty. The only fixed public cost is a notary fee of DKK 300. If you use a template or a lawyer to draw up the document, that cost is in addition.

Frequently asked questions

Must a power of attorney be notary-confirmed?

Not generally. In Denmark there is as a rule no requirement of notary confirmation of powers of attorney. But certain institutions (banks, the Land Registration Court) can require it for specific transactions. Property transactions typically require the power of attorney to be confirmed by a notary or by two witnesses.

Can I give a power of attorney to several people?

Yes. You can appoint several attorneys, either with individual authority (each on their own) or collective authority (they must act together). State clearly in the power of attorney whether the attorneys can act independently or only jointly.

What is the difference between a power of attorney and a lasting power of attorney?

An ordinary power of attorney applies immediately and assumes that you are of sound mind. A lasting power of attorney is created while you are of sound mind but only takes effect when you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. The lasting power of attorney must be registered and brought into force by the Family Court House.

What happens if the attorney misuses the power of attorney?

The attorney has a duty to act within the limits of the power of attorney and in the grantor's interest. Misuse can lead to liability in damages and, in serious cases, punishment for offences such as breach of trust or fraud under the Criminal Code.

Can a minor be an attorney?

There is no fixed age limit for acting as an attorney, but in practice most people choose an adult, because the attorney must be able to act responsibly and understand the consequences.

How long does a power of attorney last?

A power of attorney lasts until it is revoked, expires or the purpose is fulfilled. If no expiry date is stated, it applies indefinitely. It is always recommended to put a time limit on the power of attorney.