Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers for legal work are in Copenhagen
People in Copenhagen who need a lawyer are scattered across the city and often search online rather than walk into a physical office. Some come through word of mouth - friends, family and past contacts who know you do this work. Some search Google for 'lawyer Copenhagen' or a specific legal service and find your profile. Some post a task on a marketplace like Websta's, describing what they need, and you can make an offer.
Customers come from small businesses in central Copenhagen neighbourhoods, from self-employed people working from home, from people going through personal legal matters who want to talk to someone local. Corporate clients and large firms have their own lawyers or use established law firms. Your customers are more likely to be individuals, small companies, people new to a situation who need advice or document help. They often search online and read reviews before they call.
How to think about pricing your legal work
Pricing legal work in Copenhagen means thinking about what the market will pay and what your time is worth. Lawyers in Denmark charge in different ways: by the hour, by the job, or by retainer. If you are starting out as an independent person, hourly rates give you a clearer starting point. Research what other independent lawyers in Copenhagen charge for similar work - look at Websta's marketplace for lawyers in Copenhagen, ask colleagues, check if any competitors publish their rates online.
Your first price should cover your own costs and time, and leave you something to live on. It does not need to match what a law firm charges - people often expect independent lawyers to cost less. You can raise your price later as you get more experience and customers. What matters at the start is that you feel the rate is fair for your time, and that customers can actually afford it. Many people will compare prices or shop around, so your rate needs to be realistic for Copenhagen's market and also easy to explain.
What your first ten customers usually look like
Your first customers are rarely ideal clients. They might be people you already know who ask if you do this work. They might be someone's friend who was referred to you. They might be a small business owner who found your profile on Websta and trusts your pricing. Early customers often haggle, ask many questions, or take time to decide. Some will be straightforward and pay on time. A few will delay payment or ask for discounts.
The first ten customers teach you what works and what does not. You learn how long jobs actually take, what questions clients always ask, which types of work you enjoy and which you don't. Some customers will want to work with you again, which is valuable. Others will be one-time jobs. Expect this phase to be slower and smaller than you hope - building a customer base takes time and work.
Taxes, registration and payments in Denmark
When you earn money as an independent person in Denmark, you need to sort out your tax status and payments. Register your business with the Danish Business Authority (Dansk Erhvervsstyrelse) if you are working as a sole trader or setting up a company. You will need a CVR number. You need to report income and expenses to the Danish Tax Agency (SKAT). If you earn above a certain threshold, you may need to register for VAT - check with SKAT for the current rules. Keep records of all income and expenses.
Payments to your own bank account come through Websta's payment system, which uses Stripe. You set your own prices on your profile. When a customer books or pays through Websta, the money goes to your own bank account - Websta does not hold it. You are responsible for your own tax reporting and payments to SKAT. Do not guess about Danish tax rules - contact SKAT or an accountant if you are unsure. The rules change and depend on your exact situation.
Common problems in the first months
Many independent lawyers struggle with the same things when starting out. Prices are often set too low because you want to seem attractive or because you underestimate how long work takes. You might take on work outside your strong areas just to get a job. You might not follow up with customers who show interest but do not book immediately. You might forget to send invoices or track money carefully, then wonder where your income went.
Another common issue is inconsistency - you work hard for a few weeks, then nothing comes in, and you get discouraged. Building a customer base is not steady at the start. You might also say yes to every enquiry and end up with work you did not want to do, for a price that does not work. Be clear about what you offer and who you want to work with. Have a system for following up with leads. Track your time and money from day one.
Why a Websta profile works for this
A Websta profile gives you a professional page that looks like a website, with your services, prices, photos and an online booking system. People searching for a lawyer in Copenhagen can find you. They can read what you offer and your prices before they contact you. You have a page you can send to anyone - past contacts, referrals, people who ask what you do. Customers can book time or pay through the page, and the money goes to your own bank account through Stripe.
The profile also puts you in Websta's marketplace where people nearby post tasks and you can make offers. If someone in Copenhagen needs legal help and posts a task, you can see it and respond. This is a low-cost way to be findable alongside other ways you attract customers - word of mouth, your own network, your website if you have one, Google search. You control your own prices and your own calendar. Websta gives you a tool and a platform; the work of finding customers and delivering good work is yours.
Next steps: building it slowly and steadily
Earning money as an independent lawyer in Copenhagen takes work and time. Start with a clear picture of what you offer, who needs it, and what it costs. Set up your profile on Websta with your services and prices. Tell the people you know that you are doing this work. Follow up with leads and keep track of what actually happens - who calls, what they ask for, how much time work takes. Adjust your prices and services based on what you learn.
Do not expect a large income immediately. Many independent lawyers start part-time while working another job, because the money is unreliable at first. Once you have steady customers and a clear sense of what works, you can decide whether to expand. The people who succeed at this are usually the ones who start small, learn fast, stay consistent, and improve gradually. That takes months, not weeks.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a law degree to work as an independent lawyer in Copenhagen?
- Yes. In Denmark, to call yourself a lawyer and give legal advice, you need formal qualification in law. Check the requirements with the Danish Bar and Law Society (Danmarks Advokatsamfund) or the relevant professional body for your type of legal work.
- Can I set my own prices for legal work on Websta?
- Yes. You set your own prices for your services. You decide what you charge per hour, per job, or however you want to structure it. Websta does not set prices for you.
- How do I get paid when someone books through Websta?
- Payments go to your own bank account through Stripe. When a customer pays, the money is transferred to the bank account you link to your profile. You are responsible for your own bookkeeping and tax reporting.
- What happens if I have a question about Danish tax for self-employed lawyers?
- Contact the Danish Tax Agency (SKAT) or consult an accountant. Tax rules depend on your exact situation and change over time - do not rely on guesses. The Danish Business Authority (Dansk Erhvervsstyrelse) also has resources for starting independent work.
- How long does it take to get regular customers?
- There is no set timeline. Building a customer base takes consistent work over weeks and months. Some people get their first customers quickly through referrals; others take longer. Most independent lawyers combine this work with other income at first because early earnings are unpredictable.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.