Add organization

Can a Danish bank refuse to open a basic account for you?

Refusal grounds, deadline and complaints.

Answered at: Checked at:

Short answer

Only in a few cases: if you cannot show a genuine interest in the account, already have a Danish payment account, have committed criminal acts against the bank or have behaved offensively towards its staff or customers. It may also refuse if opening the account would break the money laundering rules. The bank must open the account or refuse no later than 10 working days after it receives a complete application. A refusal must be written, free of charge, give the reasons and explain how to complain.

Practical info

Why

  1. The list of refusal grounds in the law is exhaustive.
  2. The 10-day deadline is absolute and starts when the application is complete.
  3. A written refusal makes it possible to complain.

Details

You can complain about a refusal to Det Finansielle Ankenævn, and Finanstilsynet can review the decision.

Tip

Hand in every document at once and note the date, because the deadline runs from a complete application.

What may differ

How a bank judges the money laundering risk depends on the individual case.

Common misconception

Many think a bank can refuse anyone with an RKI entry or no fixed address.

What actually happens

An RKI entry or the lack of a fixed address is not a lawful reason to refuse a basic payment account.

People also ask

  • Where can I complain about my bank in Denmark?
  • Do foreigners have a right to a bank account in Denmark?
  • Can a bank close my account?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Payment rules, limits and fees change, so check the official sources or your bank before you pay.

Practical info
Help