What is the difference between a guarantee and reklamationsret in Denmark?
Two kinds of protection
Short answer
Reklamationsret is the right the Danish Sale of Goods Act gives you to complain about faults, and it applies whether or not there is a guarantee. A guarantee is a voluntary promise from the seller or manufacturer, who decides what it covers and for how long. The guarantee does not replace the reklamationsret, so you have both at the same time. For example, a bike with a 5-year guarantee on the frame gives you 2 years of reklamationsret on the whole bike and 3 more years of guarantee on the frame.
Why
- Reklamationsret is set by law and cannot be shortened.
- A guarantee only adds rights on top of the law.
- The guarantee period can be agreed, the 2-year period cannot.
Details
A guarantee must be in Danish if the product is marketed in Danish, and you have a right to get it in writing.
Tip
Always contact the seller first when something breaks, even if the product has a manufacturer guarantee.
What may differ
What a guarantee covers depends on its own terms, which differ between brands and products.
Common misconception
Many think that when the guarantee runs out, they have no rights left.
What actually happens
The 2-year reklamationsret applies by law, no matter how short or long the guarantee is.
People also ask
- How long can you complain about a faulty product?
- Who has to prove the fault in a guarantee case?
- Can a shop refuse to repair a faulty product?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Postal prices and services change, so check the postal operator before you send.
Practical infoRelated questions
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Can you get your money back from your bank if a webshop does not deliver?
When you pay online with a payment card such as Dankort, your bank can move the money back if the item never arrives, you get the wrong item or you were charged more than agreed.
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Who can help if you have a problem with a shop in another EU country?
Forbruger Europa is the European Consumer Centre in Denmark and is part of the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.
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How do you complain about a purchase in Denmark if the shop says no?
You must first complain to the seller, preferably in writing, and the seller must have rejected your claim fully or partly.
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What is e-mærket on Danish webshops?
e-mærket is a non-profit organisation that has certified Danish webshops since 2000 and has more than 2,000 members as of November 2026.