Renting
In order to rent a property in Denmark, you will generally be expected to pay a deposit amounting to 1 to 2 months rent, either in cash or by bank transfer. Unless you are using a specialist rental agency dealing with short-term lets to expatriates, the minimum lease is generally one year.
For furnished rented apartments in the areas popular with expatriates, you should expect to pay in the region of 9.500 DKK per month for a studio apartment, 12.000 DKK for one bedroom and 15.000 DKK for a two bedroom property. These figures include the charges for heating, hot water and cable television. However, the further away you get from the central cities, the cheaper it is.
Unfurnished longer lets are cheaper and would be a better proposition for those who know that they will stay for a minimum of one year. Prices will be 25 - 30% below those quoted above for furnished lets.
There are several rental agencies which offer both furnished and unfurnished lets:
Some also find their apartment in the Expat in Denmark Forum, on Foreignersindenmark.dk, or on Craigslist.com.
Purchasing a House or Apartment
Houses are more common towards the suburbs. Many apartment blocks are old and do not have lifts. Ground floor apartments are the cheapest, and the price usually increases the higher you go, with top floor being the most sought after. Many new developments are being built in the Amager area.
Mortgages
Mortgages are available at a competitive rate of interest from the major local and international banks. It is advisable to have a mortgage agreed before viewing properties as sales tend to move rapidly and you may lose the chance to buy the property of your choice.
Requirements for Buying a Property
If you want to purchase a property in Denmark there are certain requirements which must be met.
EU and EEA citizens
If you are an EU or EEA citizen you do not need to seek permission from the Ministry of Justice if you:
- Are an EU/EEA citizen who receives a salary in Denmark or have an EU/EEA residence permit.
- Are an EU/EEA citizen who has or will start up your own business, or who has or will establish an agency in Denmark.
- EU citizen who has a residence permit for a pensioner or for a student.
In this case you only need to give a declaration of this to the justice registration judge (“tinglysningsdommer”). You must declare that the property will be used as a year-round property and not as a holiday residence.
Non EU and EEA citizens
In this case you must seek the Ministry of Justice's permission to purchase a house. Unless, you have previously had a property in Denmark or have lived in Denmark for 5 years. You will generally be granted permission if:
- The property will be used as a year-round property.
- The purchaser takes permanent residence in the property and registers him/herself to the national register, within a month of the purchase.
- If the residence permit terminates before 5 years have passed, a copy of the renewal must be sent to the Ministry of Justice as soon as possible.
- In the application you must enclose a copy of the purchase agreement or the estate agent's sheet of information, and a copy of your residence permit.
For more information: http://www.justitsministeriet.dk/om-ministeriet/ministeriet/brugerservice/borgerservice/borgerservice/ (this part is only in Danish, other parts are also in English)
Finding a House or Apartment
Properties available for rent in Denmark are normally advertised in local and national newspapers or registered with estate agents. There are also many relocation agents who can help expats to find rental properties, such as Scandia Housing or City Housing (see “Renting” section).
Useful Links
Global Property Guide - http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Europe/Denmark# (available in English)
Definitions
“Andelslejlighed”
This is the Danish equivalent of shared ownership. It is often referred to as an “andel” or “andelsbolig”. You own your apartment, and the value of it is determined based on the entire value of the building with apartments divided by the amount of apartments in the building.
“Ejerlejlighed”
In this case you have whole ownership of your apartment.
“Lejelejlighed”
Apartments which are for rent.