I work without a written contract or off the books — what are my rights?
A contract exists the moment you work for someone under their direction for pay — a written document is proof, not a condition. You have the same rights to the minimum wage, holidays, sick pay and notice as anyone. The employer must give you the written terms within a short deadline (EU rule: essentials within a week). Ask for them in writing. Arbejdstilsynet / Fagforeningen (70 12 12 88) inspects undeclared work and the penalties hit the employer, not you; Fogedretten — betalingspåkrav (domstol.dk) represents you; Udbetaling Danmark / Ankestyrelsen (70 12 80 80) can confirm whether you are registered and insured.
🗣️ What to say
"I have worked for you since [date] as [role], [hours] per week, at [pay]. I have not received a written statement of my terms. Please provide it within 7 days and confirm that I am registered for social security. I also ask for [unpaid wages / holidays] to be paid."
🪜 Step by step
- Collect proof of the workMessages, rosters, payslips or cash records, photos at the workplace, colleagues who will confirm.
- Ask for the written termsThe employer must provide them. A refusal is itself a breach.
- Check your registration: Udbetaling Danmark / AnkestyrelsenYour online social-security account shows whether contributions were paid. If not, the employer owes them retroactively.
- Report to Arbejdstilsynet / FagforeningenInspectorates enforce registration and pay the worker's back contributions from the employer. You can report anonymously.
- Claim what you are owed: Fogedretten — betalingspåkravWages, holidays, notice — the labour court accepts proof of work in any form.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
Will I get in trouble for working off the books?
The obligation to register and pay contributions is the employer's. Workers rarely face penalties, and inspectorates protect those who report.
Am I a freelancer or an employee?
If they set your hours, your tasks and your tools, you are an employee whatever the invoice says. False self-employment is reclassified by courts and inspectorates.
I was hurt at work and I am not registered
Report the accident anyway — accident insurance covers unregistered workers in most countries and recovers the cost from the employer.
📎 Sources
- Arbejdstilsynet / Fagforeningen →
- Fogedretten — betalingspåkrav →
- Udbetaling Danmark / Ankestyrelsen →
- Byretten / Afskedigelsesnævnet (via fagforening) →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “working without contract rights Denmark”
- “employer no written contract”
- “undeclared work report Denmark”
- “false self employment”
- “not registered social security employer”
🧭 Is this still correct?
We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.
⚠️ Readers report that something here may have changed — we are checking it.
✅ Thank you — this keeps the page up to date for everyone.