What is Gældsstyrelsen?
Gældsstyrelsen is Denmark's state debt collection agency. When you owe money to a public authority — unpaid tax, student loan arrears, housing benefit overpayment, local authority charges, fines, or other public claims — and you don't pay, the debt is transferred to Gældsstyrelsen for enforcement. Only Gældsstyrelsen can deduct money directly from your salary (lønindeholdelse). Private creditors like banks cannot do this.
Types of letters you may receive
Warning letter (varslingsbrev om lønindeholdelse) This is the most important letter. It tells you Gældsstyrelsen intends to deduct money directly from your salary, pension, or public benefit. You have 30 days to send your objections. If you don't respond, the deduction starts automatically and you're charged a 300 DKK startup fee.
Decision letter (afgørelse) Follows the warning. Confirms the decision and start date. You can still appeal to Skatteankestyrelsen within 3 months.
Offset letter (modregningsbrev) Gældsstyrelsen has used a public payment owed to you — such as your tax refund or child benefit — to offset your debt. This happens automatically and cannot be blocked even if you have an existing payment arrangement.
What can Gældsstyrelsen do?
They have several enforcement tools: salary deduction (lønindeholdelse) via an automatically increased tax withholding rate; offsetting against public payments owed to you; and in extreme cases, seizure of assets. Interest accrues on the debt at 7.25% per year (2026) from the month the debt transfers to Gældsstyrelsen.
Your rights
You must be warned before salary deductions begin — at least 14 days' notice. You have 30 days to object after the warning letter. You are entitled to a minimum standard of living — Gældsstyrelsen cannot leave you without enough to cover basic needs, though their standard calculation doesn't account for your actual housing costs. If you believe the amount is too high, request a manual budget assessment. You can appeal decisions to Skatteankestyrelsen within 3 months.
What to do now
Log in to "Mit gældsoverblik" at gaeldst.dk to see your debt and which claims are in collection. Contact Gældsstyrelsen if you disagree with the calculation or your financial situation has changed. Consider seeking free, impartial debt advice from Forbrugerrådet Tænk (taenk.dk/gaeld).