gældsætning

Gældsætning is a Danish term used to describe the creation or incurrence of a debt obligation. In Danish legal and financial contexts, it denotes the moment or process by which a party becomes liable to another party for a payment or performance, typically through a contract, loan agreement, or statutory obligation. The exact meaning depends on context, and it is often discussed alongside related concepts such as gæld (debt), gældsforpligtelse (debt obligation), and gældsbrev (debt instrument).

In finance and accounting, gældsætning refers to the moment a liability comes into existence on a balance sheet. For example, when a company borrows funds or issues debt securities, a gældsætning is created, and interest and principal obligations arise according to the terms of the agreement. In legal texts, the term is used to describe the act of becoming bound by a debt through contract or statute, which may be contrasted with the subsequent performance of payment or debt restructuring.

Related concepts include assignment of debt (overdragelse of a debt) and novation, which can alter or transfer the underlying gældsætning. The term is primarily found in Danish-language materials and may be translated into English as “incurrence of debt” or “creation of a debt obligation,” depending on the context. Its practical implications touch on liability recognition, creditor rights, and the accounting treatment of financial obligations.

Etymology stems from gæld (debt) and sætte (to set up), reflecting the act of establishing a debt. See also: gæld, gældsbrev, gældsforpligtelse, debt instrument.