In Denmark you will see the word licitation more often than tender, especially around building work. It is a Danish term with its own shades of meaning, so it is worth knowing what it covers and which rules sit behind it.
Short answer: A licitation is a Danish public tender, used in particular for construction work, where bids are submitted and then compared. It comes in several forms, such as offentlig (public), begrænset or indbudt (restricted or invited) and omvendt (reverse). For contracts above the EU thresholds, the udbudsloven applies.
What a licitation is
A licitation is the process of inviting and comparing bids for a contract, with construction as its classic home. The word is everyday Danish for this kind of competition, which is why so many suppliers search for it directly.
The main types
An offentlig licitation is open, so any qualified supplier may bid. A begrænset or indbudt licitation is restricted, where the buyer invites a selected group. An omvendt licitation, a reverse tender, flips the usual setup. Knowing which type you are in tells you whether you can simply bid or must first be invited.
Where the rules come from
Above the EU thresholds, Danish public tenders follow the udbudsloven, the procurement act. Construction below the thresholds has had its own rules in the tilbudsloven, and these are being brought into the udbudsloven, so the dividing lines are being simplified. Always check the current version before you rely on the detail.
FAQ
Is a licitation the same as an udbud? A licitation is a form of tender, strongly associated with construction. Udbud is the broader Danish word for a public procurement.
What is an omvendt licitation? A reverse tender, which turns around the usual way bids are compared.
Which law applies above the EU thresholds? The udbudsloven.