GPS and worker monitoring, country by country
GPS and worker monitoring in Denmark
what you need to stay compliant
Updated on 3 August 2026
Competent authority
Datatilsynet (Danish data protection authority)Verified on 15 June 2026
What you risk
set by the courts (up to 20 million euros or 4% of turnover, art. 83 GDPR)statutory maximum, not a fine issued
Updated on 3 August 2026
What you need
6For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
What you need
For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
Objective reason (saglig grund) and proportionality of the monitoring
YesrequiredMonitoring of employees must have an objective and legitimate reason and be proportionate; mere performance surveillance is not allowed.
Datatilsynet, guida sul controllo dei dipendenti (Kontrol af medarbejdere)
Legal basis: collective agreement on monitoring, or legitimate interest
It dependsonly in certain casesIf a collective agreement on monitoring (e.g. the DA/LO agreement) covers the surveillance, the basis is the Danish data protection law; in its absence, the basis is the legitimate interest of the private employer. Collective agreements impose their own notice rules.
Datatilsynet, guida sul controllo dei dipendenti (Kontrol af medarbejdere)
Prior authorisation from an authority before installation
Nonot requiredNo prior authorisation from the Datatilsynet is required; what applies is accountability plus the duty to inform.
Datatilsynet, guida sul controllo dei dipendenti (Kontrol af medarbejdere)
Prior information to workers (at the latest at activation, art. 13 GDPR)
YesrequiredWorkers must be informed, at the latest when the monitoring is activated, of the purpose, scope and use of the data, in a clear and accessible form.
Datatilsynet, guida sul controllo dei dipendenti (Kontrol af medarbejdere)
GPS only for a legitimate purpose, with no reuse to monitor the driver behaviour or location; switchable off for private use
YesrequiredGPS on vehicles is allowed to plan routes, monitor transport or for the safety of employees, but the data cannot be reused to monitor the driver behaviour or location; if private use is permitted, the employee must be able to switch the GPS off.
Datatilsynet, guida sul controllo dei dipendenti (Kontrol af medarbejdere)
Impact assessment (DPIA) for location data combined with another criterion
YesrequiredThe Danish list always requires an impact assessment for the processing of location data in combination with at least one other criterion (WP248 guidelines).
Datatilsynet, lista dei trattamenti che richiedono una valutazione d'impatto
The procedure, step by step
Verify an objective reason (saglig grund) and the proportionality of the monitoring.
Identify the legal basis: collective agreement on monitoring, or legitimate interest; observe any notice periods set by the collective agreement.
Inform the workers at the latest when the monitoring is activated (art. 13 GDPR).
Carry out the impact assessment (DPIA) for the location data.
Configure the system: declared purpose only, no reuse to monitor the driver, switch-off for private use.
If you switch systems: when you change your monitoring system or software, update and re-issue the privacy notice, and check whether the national agreement or authorisation for remote monitoring needs renewing. The provider (data processor), the data collected and the methods often change: the one provided earlier is not enough.
Who to contact
Datatilsynet (Danish data protection authority)
https://www.datatilsynet.dk/english
https://www.datatilsynet.dk/english
Denmark has a single national authority, the Datatilsynet. A particularity: fines are not imposed by the authority but by the courts, following a report from the Datatilsynet to the police.
Verified on 15 June 2026
Datatilsynet
https://www.datatilsynet.dk/english
https://www.datatilsynet.dk/english
Verified on 15 June 2026
The template to download
Download the free GPS privacy notice template for Denmark
Employee geolocation privacy notice template, compliant with GDPR Art. 13, including the countryโs legal basis and supervisory authority. Fill in the blank fields and have it checked by your advisor.
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In Denmark GDPR fines are not imposed by the supervisory authority: the Datatilsynet reports the case to the police and the court sets the fine. In the 2020 inspections on GPS and video surveillance of employees without a privacy notice, the Datatilsynet issued 'serious criticism' (alvorlig kritik) in three cases out of five, with no monetary fines. Watch out for 2026: monitoring and control of employees, including GPS on company vehicles, is among this year's planned inspection topics, with a focus on purpose, proportionality and transparency.
Cite this page
You're free to cite it, as long as you credit the source with a link to this page.
GPS and worker monitoring in Denmark: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp. https://geotapp.com/en-au/resources/gps-workers-eu/denmark/Source: <a href="https://geotapp.com/en-au/resources/gps-workers-eu/denmark/?utm_source=citazione&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=risorse">GPS and worker monitoring in Denmark: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp</a>ยฉ 2026 GeoTapp. Data compiled and verified by GeoTapp. For full republication of the dataset or commercial use, get in touch.
Sources
- Datatilsynet, guida sul controllo dei dipendenti (Kontrol af medarbejdere)
- Datatilsynet, lista dei trattamenti che richiedono una valutazione d'impatto
- Datatilsynet, controlli 2020 sull'obbligo di informazione (GPS e videosorveglianza)
- Datatilsynet (autoritร garante danese)
- Regolamento UE 2016/679 (GDPR)
This is an informational resource, not legal advice. Before activating a monitoring system, have your situation checked by a professional.
Want a system that is already compliant?
GeoTapp records the location only at clock-in, not continuously, and generates the notice for workers to sign. Try it for free.