To set up a coffee shop in Denmark, choose your legal form (Enkeltmandsvirksomhed for speed and low cost, or ApS for liability protection; min share capital DKK 40,000) and register for a CVR at virk.dk, then sign up for VAT (moms) if turnover will exceed DKK 50,000 in 12 months. Before opening, register the food business with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen), implement an HACCP-based self‑monitoring plan (egenkontrol), ensure documented food‑hygiene training for staff, and be ready to display your Smiley report. Secure a municipal permit for outdoor seating, an alcohol license via the police/municipal licensing board if serving wine/spirits, and KODA/Gramex music licenses. Register as an employer to report eIndkomst, withhold A‑skat and AM‑bidrag, and take out Arbejdsskade and product liability insurance. Fit‑out to code: ventilation, grease handling, hand‑wash stations, fire safety, accessible toilets where required, electrical compliance (Sikkerhedsstyrelsen). Display prices including moms; provide allergen information and correct Økologisk spisemærke use if claimed. Operations: target 70–80% beverage gross margin, 55–65% on food; keep payroll near 30–35% of sales; negotiate roasted‑coffee lead times and water filtration for consistency. Open a NemKonto business account, set up integrated POS/accounting, and plan waste sorting and deposit (pant) returns via Dansk Retursystem.
