Capital structure and financial items - Change in working capital - Change in working capital (Details) - DKK (kr) kr in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Share Capital, Reserves And Other Equity Interest And Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Inventories	kr (1,085)	kr (895)	kr (1,305)
Trade receivables	(12,909)	(2,822)	(2,126)
Other receivables and prepayments	(469)	(419)	(1,190)
Trade payables	3,153	(641)	(398)
Other liabilities	2,595	1,274	1,202
Adjustment for payables related to non-current assets	(15)	879	295
Adjustment related to acquisition of businesses	(1,409)	0	0
Adjustment related to divestment of Group companies	0	0	(42)
Change in working capital including exchange rate adjustments	(10,139)	(2,624)	(3,564)
Exchange rate adjustments	1,483	(1,729)	176
Cash flow change in working capital	kr (8,656)	kr (4,353)	kr (3,388)

Adjustments for decrease (increase) in inventories to reconcile profit (loss) to net cash flow from (used in) operating activities. [Refer: Inventories; Profit (loss)]

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Adjustments for decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivable to reconcile profit (loss) to net cash flow from (used in) operating activities. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

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Adjustments for increase (decrease) in other liabilities to reconcile profit (loss) to net cash flow from (used in) operating activities. [Refer: Other liabilities; Profit (loss)]

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Adjustments for increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable to reconcile profit (loss) to net cash flow from (used in) operating activities. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

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Adjustments for unrealised foreign exchange losses (gains) to reconcile profit (loss) to net cash flow from (used in) operating activities. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

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The increase (decrease) in working capital.

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Adjustments For Increase (Decrease) In Divestment Of Group Companies

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Adjustments For Increase (Decrease) In Payables Related To Property, Plant And Equipment

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Adjustments For Increase (Decrease) In Relation Of Acquisition Of Businesses

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Increase (Decrease) In Prepayments And Other Current Assets

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Increase (Decrease) In Working Capital, Before Exchange Rate Adjustments

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Share Capital, Reserves And Other Equity Interest And Financial Instruments [Abstract]

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