RKI: What It Is, and How to Get Out Again

What is RKI?

RKI (Ribers Kredit Information) is Denmark's largest register of bad debtors, owned by the credit reporting agency Experian. Banks, landlords, and telecom companies use the register to assess whether you've paid your debts on time in the past.

• A creditor can list you if you owe money and haven't paid after a reminder
• A listing can make it hard to borrow, rent a home, or take out certain subscriptions
• Both individuals and businesses can be listed

How to get out of RKI

There are three real ways out of a listing:

• Pay the debt. Once the creditor has received the money, the listing should be removed as a starting point.
• Make an agreement. A payment plan or settlement with the creditor can, in many cases, also lead to the listing being removed.
• Wait it out. Without payment, the listing is automatically deleted after a maximum of 5 years, according to Experian, which owns the register, but the debt itself doesn't disappear, you simply no longer appear in the register for it.

What you can do in the meantime

While you're working on getting out of RKI, a few things are worth knowing:

• Free debt counseling from Forbrugerrådet Tænk can help negotiate an agreement with a creditor
• A documented overview of your disposable income strengthens your position in a conversation with a creditor or bank
• New loans while you're listed in RKI are typically declined by established banks and lenders

Who can see that you're listed in RKI?

It isn't only the company you applied to yourself. Most Danish businesses and public authorities that are customers of Experian can look you up in RKI when they run a credit check on an application from you, for example a bank, a landlord, or a telecom provider.

What does RKI mean for your bank agreement?

A bank typically checks RKI before approving a loan, a credit card, or an overdraft account. A documented disposable income doesn't remove the listing, but it shows the bank your finances can support an agreement while you work on getting out of RKI.

Frequently asked questions

• How long can I be listed in RKI? A maximum of 5 years. After that, the listing is automatically deleted, regardless of whether the debt has been paid.
• Does the debt disappear once I'm removed from RKI? No. Being removed from RKI only means the listing is gone. You still owe the money, unless you've paid it or had the debt forgiven.
• Can I get a loan while listed in RKI? Most banks and established lenders decline applications from people in RKI. Some specialized lenders offer loans despite RKI, often at a high interest rate. Always check the total cost carefully.