How the Danish Electricity Market Works
Denmark uses an unbundled electricity model where the grid operator (netselskab) and the electricity supplier (elselskab) are separate companies. Your grid operator is fixed by your physical address and handles cables, meters and delivery. Your electricity supplier — the company you actually pay for the power — is your free choice. This is different from most countries where a single utility handles everything.
The market was fully liberalised in 2003, meaning every household in Denmark can switch provider at any time with no interruption to supply. Wholesale electricity prices are set hourly on the Nordic power exchange, and providers add a markup (spottillæg) plus a monthly subscription. This is where you save money — by picking a provider with the lowest combined markup and fee for your consumption.
Denmark is divided into two price zones: DK1 (western Denmark — Jutland and Funen) and DK2 (eastern Denmark — Zealand and Copenhagen). Right now the cheapest lasting deal costs 1.95 kr./kWh all-in in N1 A/S (DK1) and 2.05 kr./kWh in Radius Elnet A/S (DK2), because both the spot price and the grid tariff differ. When comparing prices, make sure you are looking at the zone — and ideally the postcode — that matches your address.
What You Need to Sign Up (CPR, MitID, NemKonto)
To sign up with any Danish electricity provider, you will need three things: a CPR number, MitID and a Danish bank account with NemKonto. Here is how to get each one if you have just arrived in Denmark.
CPR Number
Your CPR (Central Person Register) number is your personal identification number in Denmark. Visit your local Borgerservice (citizen service centre) within the first few days of arriving. You will need your passport, proof of address and — if applicable — your work or study permit.
MitID
MitID is Denmark's digital signature system — the equivalent of logging in with your national ID. You can set it up at borger.dk or through your Danish bank. It is available in English and takes about 15 minutes to activate. You need MitID for virtually all official transactions in Denmark, including signing an electricity contract.
Danish Bank Account & NemKonto
Open a Danish bank account (Danske Bank, Nordea and Jyske Bank all serve internationals) and register it as your NemKonto at nemkonto.dk. Most providers require NemKonto for billing.
Don't have these yet? Until you actively choose a provider, you will be placed on forsyningspligt — the default supply, which is usually pricier than the cheapest market deals. Get your CPR, MitID and bank account sorted as quickly as possible, then switch immediately.
How to Choose: 5 Things That Actually Matter
With 53 providers on the market, the differences can seem small. Focus on these five factors to find the best deal for your household.
Total Cost per kWh
Do not just compare the spot markup. Look at the full bill — the comparison does this for you. Among the providers we review, AURA charges 0.0 øre/kWh markup and 49 kr./mo. — 7,800 kr./year at 4,000 kWh — while EWII charges 0.0 øre/kWh markup and 0 kr./mo. — 7,865 kr./year. The subscription weighs more at low consumption, the markup at high.
Intro Offers
Several providers run temporary offers — a one-off welcome credit or a waived subscription and markup for a few months. The comparison prices them with the successor deal where the provider has reported it, and deducts cash rebates. They are genuine savings, but small next to the standard terms you pay for the rest of the contract. Always check what the deal costs once the introductory period ends.
Binding Period
Avoid any contract lock-in. Look for ingen binding (no binding), meaning you can switch at any time without penalty. All 10 providers we review currently have no binding on the deal we show; the comparison shows binding per deal.
Green Energy
If sustainability matters to you, check how the provider sells guarantees of origin — the only documentable form of green electricity, since every deal reports the same general declaration. None of the 10 providers we review has confirmed to us that guarantees of origin are included in the deal we show. For go'energi and Norlys it is still being verified. AURA (add-on (+2,5 øre/kwh)), EWII (add-on (+9,0 øre/kwh)), DCC Energi (add-on (+3,5 øre/kwh)), OK (add-on (+6,0 øre/kwh)) and Jysk Energi (add-on (+7,5 øre/kwh)) sell them as a paid add-on, so they are not part of the price shown above. Altid Energi and SEF Energi do not state them.
Trustpilot Score
Trustpilot is the primary review platform in Denmark. We only count a score from 50 reviews, and our ranking of the best providers weighs price and Trustpilot equally. Low scores often indicate poor customer service or billing problems — both of which are painful to deal with as a non-Danish speaker.
Price Comparison — The 10 Providers We Review
Prices are the full bill per kWh — spot price, markup, subscription, grid tariff, transmission tariffs, electricity tax and VAT — at a household consumption of 4,000 kWh per year, updated 18 October 2026. The subscription is listed separately so you can see how the two parts trade off; note that some providers step the subscription up with annual consumption, so the ranking can change if you use much more than 4,000 kWh.
| Provider | DK1 all-in | DK2 all-in | Subscription | Guarantees of origin | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AURA | 1.95 kr./kWh | 2.05 kr./kWh | 49 kr./mo. | Add-on (+2,5 øre/kWh) | 4.6/5 |
 Altid Energi | 1.95 kr./kWh | 2.05 kr./kWh | 18 kr./mo. | Not stated | 4.5/5 |
 EWII | 1.97 kr./kWh | 2.07 kr./kWh | 0 kr./mo. | Add-on (+9,0 øre/kWh) | 4.2/5 |
 DCC Energi | 1.97 kr./kWh | 2.07 kr./kWh | 0 kr./mo. | Add-on (+3,5 øre/kWh) | 4.2/5 |
 OK | 1.97 kr./kWh | 2.07 kr./kWh | 49 kr./mo. | Add-on (+6,0 øre/kWh) | 4.3/5 |
 SEF Energi | 1.99 kr./kWh | 2.09 kr./kWh | 0 kr./mo. | Not stated | 4.4/5 |
 Jysk Energi | 2.01 kr./kWh | 2.11 kr./kWh | 0 kr./mo. | Add-on (+7,5 øre/kWh) | 4.6/5 |
 go'energi | 2.02 kr./kWh | 2.12 kr./kWh | 15 kr./mo. | Unconfirmed | 4.7/5 |
 Norlys | 2.08 kr./kWh | 2.18 kr./kWh | 29 kr./mo. | Unconfirmed | 3.6/5 |
 Modstrøm(not recommended) | 1.98 kr./kWh | 2.08 kr./kWh | 10 kr./mo. | Unconfirmed | 4.2/5 |
How to Switch in 3 Steps
Switching electricity provider in Denmark is free, takes less than five minutes and does not interrupt your supply. Your new provider handles everything — including cancelling your old contract.
Choose a provider
Pick a provider from the comparison above. Consider total cost, guarantees of origin and Trustpilot score. Right now Altid Energi has the lowest total cost of the 114 variable-price deals without eligibility conditions from 41 providers without advisories in N1 A/S at 4,000 kWh per year; go'energi has the highest Trustpilot score of the 9 partner providers without advisories at 4,000 kWh in N1 A/S with at least 50 reviews (4.7); OK scored 73.8 in EPSI Rating 2025, no. 1 (source: EPSI Denmark). With a much higher consumption, check the subscription tiers before you decide.
Sign up online with MitID
Click the provider link, fill in your details and confirm with MitID. The entire process takes 2-5 minutes. You do not need to contact your current provider — the new one handles the switch automatically.
Done — you keep your electricity
There is no interruption to your power supply. The switch happens digitally in the background. You also have a 14-day withdrawal right (fortrydelsesret) if you change your mind.
Understanding Your Electricity Bill
A Danish electricity bill has several components. Only two of them — the spot markup and the subscription fee — are within your control. Here is a breakdown of each line item, with the ranges in the market right now.
| Component | Danish Term | Typical Cost | Can You Change It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot price | Spotpris | Varies hourly — set by the market | No — set by market |
| Spot markup | Spottillæg | 0.0 øre/kWh–148.7 øre/kWh (variable deals in the comparison) | Yes — switch provider |
| Subscription | Abonnement | 0 kr.–99 kr./mo. (in the comparison) | Yes — switch provider |
| Grid tariff | Nettarif | Varies by area & time — N1 A/S in this comparison | No — fixed by address |
| Electricity tax | Elafgift | 0.8 øre/kWh | No — government tax |
| VAT | Moms | 25% | No — government tax |
5 Common Mistakes Expats Make
Moving to a new country means navigating unfamiliar systems. These are the five most common — and most costly — mistakes we see expats make with their electricity in Denmark.
Staying on forsyningspligt
The default supply is usually pricier than the cheapest market deals. Many expats do not realise they are on it, or delay switching because the process seems complicated. It is not — it takes five minutes.
Choosing on brand name alone
A well-known name does not mean a lower price. Some of the most recognised providers in Denmark charge more than smaller competitors — the comparison shows where each one ranks. Always compare on price and terms, not brand recognition.
Ignoring DK1 vs DK2
Prices differ between western and eastern Denmark. If you live in Copenhagen (DK2), do not compare using DK1 prices — you will underestimate your actual cost. Always check the price for your specific zone, or enter your postcode in the Danish comparison for your exact grid area.
Paying large aconto (prepayments)
Some providers ask for large advance payments based on estimated usage. If the provider goes bankrupt — which has happened several times in Denmark — you risk losing that prepaid amount. Choose providers with monthly billing after usage to minimise risk. Read our bankruptcy guide.
Not checking Trustpilot
Customer service quality varies hugely between providers. A provider with a low Trustpilot score may save you a few kroner per month but cost you hours of frustration if something goes wrong. As an English speaker, responsive customer service is especially important.
Danish Electricity Terms — Quick Glossary
Danish electricity contracts are full of unfamiliar terms. This glossary covers the words you will encounter most when comparing providers and reading your bill.
| Danish | English | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Elselskab | Electricity provider | The company you choose and buy electricity from |
| Netselskab | Grid operator | Runs the physical cables — fixed by your address, cannot be changed |
| Spotpris | Spot price | Hourly wholesale price set on the Nordic power exchange |
| Spottillæg | Spot markup | Your provider's per-kWh fee on top of the spot price — compare it together with the subscription |
| Abonnement | Subscription fee | Fixed monthly fee charged by your provider |
| Nettarif | Grid tariff | Fee for transporting electricity — paid to the grid operator, varies by time of day |
| Elafgift | Electricity tax | Government tax — cut to 0.8 øre/kWh in 2026 |
| Moms | VAT | 25% value-added tax applied to your entire bill |
| Binding | Contract lock-in | Minimum period you must stay — shown per deal in the comparison |
| Forsyningspligt | Supply obligation | Default supply assigned if you don't choose — usually pricier than the cheapest market deals |
| Aconto | Prepayment | Advance payment based on estimated usage — risky if the provider fails |
| Oprindelsesgarantier | Guarantees of origin | Certificates matching your consumption with renewable generation — the only documentable form of 'green' electricity |
| MitID | Digital ID | Denmark's digital signature system — needed for all contracts |
