.jpg)
Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting has released its inaugural Future Ready Business report, showing that Danish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) report Europe’s highest satisfaction with AI-driven cost savings. Among SMEs using AI, 65% say it has exceeded expectations for cost reduction, the strongest result across all EU markets, well ahead of peers such as Germany and Spain. The research findings portray a market of contrasts, with Danish SMEs combining high regulatory readiness and a strong preference for strategic outsourcing, while facing growing pressure from rising costs and constrained access to credit.
65% of Danish SMEs using AI report cost savings exceeding expectations, the highest across EU markets.
76% of Danish SMEs use AI daily or weekly, placing Denmark among Europe’s most active AI markets.
91% of Danish SMEs feel well informed and prepared for regulatory change, the highest confidence in Europe.
54% of Danish SMEs cite data security and privacy concerns as a barrier to technology adoption, above the European average of 46%.
One in five Danish SMEs (21%) cite difficulty accessing credit or financing as a major challenge, the highest level across Europe.
Danish SMEs rank second only to Sweden for outsourcing payroll, legal, accounting, and HR functions.
The Future Ready Business report draws on insights from more than 1,000 businesses across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and Spain. Among Danish SMEs, 76% use AI daily or weekly, placing Denmark among Europe’s most active AI markets. Despite this high engagement, fully cloud-based adoption remains moderate at 28%, with 63% operating hybrid IT environments.
“AI in Denmark is being deployed with a clear business purpose, not as a technology trend,” said Martin Tage, Country Manager, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting Denmark. “Businesses are selective, quality-driven and focused on translating AI into real productivity and efficiency gains. Even without the highest penetration levels, the impact is significant and creates a strong foundation for further AI investment.”
Danish SMEs are Europe’s most confident on regulation, with 91% saying they feel well informed and prepared for regulatory change. However, half of them (53%), the highest share in Europe, say regulation slows technology adoption. Data security and privacy concerns remain a significant barrier to technology adoption, cited by 54% of Danish SMEs, above the European average of 46%.
Danish SMEs are making strategic use of external expertise. Denmark ranks second only to Sweden for outsourcing payroll (43%), legal (44%), accounting (47%), and HR functions (30%). Meanwhile, one third of Danish respondents (33%) identify finding and keeping the right talent as a top concern. Despite these challenges, Danish business owners are exceptionally optimistic, with almost nine in ten (86%) feeling positive about their company’s future.
Cybersecurity and data privacy are a top priority for Danish SMEs, with half (49%) having already upgraded their protections and 46% planning to do so. One in five SMEs (21%) cite difficulty accessing credit or financing as a major challenge, the highest level across Europe.
The Future Ready Business report draws on insights from more than 1,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and Spain, examining how businesses are responding to economic volatility, regulatory change, talent constraints, and digital transformation across Europe. All participating organizations had fewer than 250 employees.
About Wolters Kluwer
Wolters Kluwer is a global leader in information solutions, software and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services.
Wolters Kluwer reported 2025 annual revenues of €6.1 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,100 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.
TechIntelPro empowers B2B technology decision-makers with the latest industry trends, deep insights, leadership perspectives and actionable intelligence to drive both organizational and professional milestones—and thrive on the tech pulse.