The ride app Uber is returning to Denmark in 2025, a country it previously operated in, with a different business model adapted to the Danish market.

In light of the changes, the trade union 3F welcomed the company back. The union had been one of Uber’s biggest critics in Denmark under its previous model. 

“I think Uber has turned the corner. You are allowed to become wiser. When they come, it’s probably because they want to comply with the Danish rules of the game,” said secretary of negotiations at 3F Transport Jørn Hedengran.

Uber pulled out of Denmark in 2017 amid accusations of social dumping. A review by the Tax Office subsequently showed that 99 percent of the country’s almost 1,200 Uber drivers had failed to report their income from driving.

Uber’s business model was also found to be in violation of the taxi act, and in 2020 the company paid a fine of DKK 25 million for its operations in Denmark.

When Uber stopped doing business in Denmark the driving service had 300,000 users in Denmark, according to Uber.

Many Danes still have Uber’s app on their mobiles because they use it frequently in other countries.

But, from the beginning of next year, when they order a ride via the Uber app in Denmark, the car will come from the Copenhagen taxi company Drivr, and will cost the same as an ordinary Danish rental car.

“We bring the best of both worlds into this partnership. It is Uber’s software platform, where they have millions of users, combined with our knowledge of Copenhagen, where we drive and serve customers on a daily basis” said director at Drivr Bo Svane.

Uber’s collaboration with Drivr mirrors a similar approach they have taken in other countries.

“We do it in many places in Europe. We find a local partner who can help us with the things we need. In this case it is drivers and local knowledge. And then we contribute with our app,” said regional manager of Uber in Northern Europe Maurits Schönfeld.