Danish service deduction 2026: How to get up to 4,758 DKK back on cleaning (complete guide)

The Danish servicefradrag is one of the most overlooked tax benefits in Denmark. Using it costs you nothing, it can return up to 4,758 DKK per person annually — and most households with weekly cleaning already have qualifying expenses. Here's how to claim it, what counts, and where people most often trip.

What is the service deduction?

Servicefradraget is a tax deduction for household services — cleaning, window cleaning, ironing, gardening, childcare and others — performed in your private home by a CVR-registered company. In 2026 you can deduct up to 18,300 DKK per person, and SKAT refunds 26% — up to 4,758 DKK back per person per year.

If you live with a partner, both of you can claim it. That means a 36,600 DKK cap and up to 9,516 DKK back per couple.

Who qualifies?

• You must be fully tax-liable in Denmark
• You must be 18 or older
• The service must be performed in your private home (owned, rented, co-op, or holiday home)
• Payment must be digital — MobilePay, card, bank transfer. Cash never qualifies
• The invoice must include the provider's CVR

What counts as service deduction?

• Regular cleaning (weekly, monthly, one-off)
• Deep cleaning / thorough cleans
• Move-out cleaning of a private residence
• Post-renovation cleaning of a private residence
• Window cleaning
• Ironing
• Laundry and dishwashing
• In-home childcare
• Gardening (mowing, weeding, pruning)
• Snow removal

How to claim it — step by step

1. Pay digitally and save the receipt. We send an invoice by email after each visit — it includes CVR, amount, and payment method.
2. Claim throughout the year or at once in February/March. You can wait for the annual statement, or add expenses in TastSelv any time.
3. Log into skat.dk with MitID, go to the tax assessment form (‘Oplysningsskemaet’) and find the ‘Servicefradrag’ field.
4. Enter the full invoice amount including VAT (yes — that's what you paid; the wording is misleading, it used to be different).
5. You can enter the provider's CVR directly; SKAT verifies it's a real company.
6. SKAT calculates the refund automatically and adjusts your tax or sends any overpayment back.

Five mistakes that cost people the deduction

1. Cash payment. Whatever the amount: SKAT doesn't accept it as documentation.
2. Invoice without CVR. Freelance arrangements without CVR don't count. Always demand an invoice with the company's CVR.
3. Work in a property you don't live in. Holiday home yes, rental property no (that's an income source, not a private residence).
4. Under 18. The deduction only applies to adults. If parents paid cleaning for your apartment, the adults claim it — if eligible.
5. Waiting too long. You cannot claim retroactively more than 3 years after the relevant income year.

Concrete examples

Three typical scenarios for a couple in Copenhagen:

*The couple cap is 9,516 DKK. Amounts above that don't get refunded, but the first 36,600 DKK of expenses are fully within the cap.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim for cleaning in my rental apartment?

Yes, if you're the tenant and live there. The deduction is tied to residence, not ownership.

What if my partner and I live together but aren't married?

You can both still claim, as long as you're both registered at the address, both adults, and both fully tax-liable.

Do I need to gather receipts?

Not physically. SKAT doesn't require you to attach invoices. But keep them for 3 years in case of audits.

Can I claim for my holiday home?

Yes, if it's your own (or in some cases a family member's). Rental properties don't count.

What about move-out cleaning?

Yes — as long as you lived in the apartment as your private residence. You can claim it after moving.

Is servicefradrag the same as håndværkerfradrag?

No. The håndværkerfradrag was abolished in 2022. Servicefradrag only covers services (cleaning, gardening, childcare etc.), not construction or repairs.