If we keep the focus within the EU’s borders – do you know the top 10 countries where Danish companies export to?
Check out the list and see if there are any surprises.
- Germany (approx. 16%)
- Sweden (approx. 9%)
- The Netherlands (approx. 7%)
- Poland (approx. 5%)
- France (approx. 4%)
- Italy (approx. 3%)
- Spain (approx. 2%)
- Finland (approx. 2%)
- Belgium (approx. 1.8%)
- Czech Republic (approx. 0.9%)
Source: Danish Parliament’s EU Information
Export is a huge business. Cars, spare parts, electronics, food products, or machinery – these are just a few examples of what we send from Denmark out to the EU.

But why is Germany almost twice as big as the second country on the list?
Is Germany really that important for exporting Danish companies?
The answer is a very big YES!!!
Here are the 4 reasons:
Germany’s size and economic strength:
Germany is the EU’s largest economy and one of the world’s biggest importers.
With over 83 million inhabitants, Germany is a large customer market for Danish goods.
Geographical Proximity and Logistics
It’s no secret that we share a land border. This makes a big difference in enabling fast and “affordable” transportation.
Furthermore, Germany acts as a transit country to the rest of Central Europe due to its efficient freight routes.
Complementary Strengths
Denmark excels in some areas where Germany does too, but in different fields. The Germans are excellent in cars, machinery, and technology — while Denmark is strong in energy, medicine, and components. So, we complement each other well.
Shared EU Membership and Trade Rules
No customs duties, common standards, and easy cross-border trade. Not cross-border trade in the private sense, but rather the fact that our shared connection with Germany, combined with easy access and their global reach, makes Germany by far the largest export market for Denmark.