EU Inc. vs Danish ApS

The quick answer

The ApS (Anpartsselskab) is Denmark's standard private limited company — the default choice for domestic business, and rightly so. The EU Inc. (Societas Europaea Unificata) isn't trying to replace it for purely domestic Danish businesses. But for founders operating — or planning to operate — beyond Denmark's borders, the comparison changes quickly.

Denmark's online formation is among Europe's fastest — but DKK 40,000 in required capital is one of the EU's higher thresholds since the €1 IVS was abolished.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	EU Inc. (S.EU)	Danish ApS
Formation time	48 hours (digital)	Days
Minimum capital	€1	DKK 40,000 (~€5,400)
Notary required	No	No
Valid in	All 27 EU member states	Denmark
Fully online formation	Yes (via BRIS)	Yes
Harmonised EU-wide rules	Yes — one rulebook	No — Danish law
Available now	Q1 2027 (law passing 2026)	Yes

What the ApS does well

Same-day digital registration through the Danish Business Authority
Universally understood by Danish banks, accountants, and public authorities
Available today — no waiting on the EU legislative calendar

Where the EU Inc. pulls ahead

One entity valid in all 27 member states — hire, contract, and operate anywhere in the EU without subsidiaries or branch registrations
48-hour fully digital formation with €1 minimum capital and no notary
One harmonised rulebook instead of 27 national systems — the same company law whether your customer is in Denmark or anywhere else in the Union
Built-in EU-wide frameworks from the proposal, including harmonised employee stock options (EU-ESOP) and standardised investment documents (EU-FAST)

Can a ApS become an EU Inc.?

The Commission proposal contemplates that existing national companies can become an EU Inc. through domestic conversion or cross-border merger, division, or conversion — meaning a ApS founded today shouldn't be locked out later. The exact conversion mechanics depend on the final text adopted by Parliament and Council, so treat this as direction of travel rather than settled law.

The bottom line

If your business begins and ends in Denmark, the ApS remains a sound choice. If your ambitions cross a border — hiring, selling, or raising anywhere else in the EU — the EU Inc. is purpose-built to make that simple in a way no national form, however good, can be. Many Danish founders will end up choosing it not against the ApS, but for everything the ApS was never designed to do.

National requirements are approximate, change with local reform, and may vary by structure and circumstances. EU Inc. figures reflect the European Commission proposal of March 18, 2026, which is subject to amendment before final adoption. This page is general information, not legal advice.