Estonian ride-hailing giant Bolt has officially entered the Danish market, marking a major milestone with its first-ever acquisition. The company announced the purchase of Danish electric taxi startup Viggo. Expanding Bolt’s operations into a country known for its tough ride-hailing regulations.
Founded in 2019, Viggo operates a fleet of 300 fully electric vehicles. And has attracted more than 450,000 users across Copenhagen and Aarhus. The move gives Bolt instant access to Denmark’s largest cities, where it previously offered only e-bike rentals in Copenhagen.
Bolt’s founder and CEO, Markus Villig, said the acquisition aligns perfectly with the company’s mission. Which is to improve urban transportation while supporting green mobility. “We’ve always set a high bar for acquisitions, but Viggo impressed us with their fully electric operations and their vision for better cities,” Villig shared. “This deal makes Bolt the largest ride-hailing operator in Denmark.”
As part of its Danish expansion, Bolt also announced a partnership with local taxi company Taxi 4×27. With over 600 vehicles in its fleet, Taxi 4×27’s rides will now be bookable directly through Bolt’s platform. Further strengthening the company’s footprint in the market.
Since its launch in 2013, Bolt has grown into one of Europe’s biggest mobility players, offering services like e-scooter and e-bike rentals, food and grocery delivery, and car-sharing. Today, Bolt operates in more than 600 cities across 50 countries — and Denmark now officially joins that list.
Denmark has long posed challenges for international ride-hailing platforms. Uber once operated in Copenhagen but exited the market in 2017 after stricter taxi regulations made it nearly impossible for private drivers to operate. At its peak, Uber had around 2,000 drivers in Copenhagen alone.
However, earlier this year, Uber quietly returned to Denmark, this time in partnership with local taxi company Driver. Unlike in other countries where ride-hailing apps often undercut traditional taxi fares, Denmark’s rules require app-based rides to match official taxi prices. This regulatory environment has kept competition low and ride-hailing costs high.
Now, with both Bolt and Uber operating under different models, Denmark’s mobility landscape is poised for change. Bolt’s acquisition of Viggo — known for its commitment to electric vehicles — could give the company a unique edge as cities prioritize sustainability.
Still, how Danish riders respond to these two international giants entering the market again — this time as partners to local operators — remains to be seen.
