Best Apartment Websites in Denmark
Finding a rental in Denmark – especially Copenhagen – is competitive and scam-ridden. This is an honest, ranked review of every platform that actually works, which ones are full of fake listings, and the search strategy that gets results.
Overview
The Danish rental market has no single dominant platform like Rightmove (UK) or Zillow (US). Instead, listings are scattered across 5-6 platforms, Facebook groups, and direct landlord postings. This fragmentation means you need to monitor multiple sources – and it means scammers thrive in the chaos.
Quick ranking
| # | Platform | Verdict | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boligportal | Most listings. Best quality. Subscription required to contact. | 299 DKK/month |
| 2 | BoligZonen | Good volume. Free to browse and contact. More scams than Boligportal. | Free |
| 3 | Facebook groups | Fast-moving. Great deals but highest scam risk. Must be active daily. | Free |
| 4 | DBA.dk | Denmark’s Craigslist. Mixed quality. Some gems, many time-wasters. | Free |
| 5 | Lejebolig.dk | Waitlist system for social/cooperative housing. Long waits but cheap rent. | Free / small fee |
| 6 | HousingDenmark | Curated for internationals. Limited listings but no scams. | Free to browse |
Boligportal
The best overall platform. Start here.
- Largest selection of private rentals in Denmark. Most landlords post here first.
- Subscription required to contact landlords: 299 DKK/month. Free to browse listings.
- Filter by: City, neighbourhood, price, size, furnished/unfurnished, pets, balcony, move-in date
- English interface available. Many listings in English.
- Scam level: Lower than other platforms – Boligportal has some verification, but still check carefully
- Tip: Set up email alerts for your criteria. New listings move fast – contact within hours, not days.
- Worth the 299 DKK? Yes, if you’re actively searching. It’s the cost of one dinner out and gives you access to the largest pool of rentals.
BoligZonen
Free alternative to Boligportal.
- Free to browse AND contact landlords – no subscription
- Decent volume of listings, though less than Boligportal
- Higher proportion of professional landlords and agencies (some charge finder’s fees – legal up to 1 month’s rent)
- More scam listings than Boligportal – verify everything before paying deposits
- English interface available
DBA.dk
Denmark’s classified ads site. Hit or miss.
- Free to browse and contact. The”Danish Craigslist.”
- Listings range from genuine private landlords to sketchy posts
- Good for rooms in shared apartments (værelser) and short-term sublets (fremleje)
- Less useful for full apartments – Boligportal and BoligZonen have better selection
- No English interface – use Google Translate or learn key Danish terms
Facebook groups
Fast-moving, high-risk, high-reward.
Key groups to join:
- “Lejligheder til leje i København” – largest Copenhagen rental group (~100K+ members)
- “Apartments/rooms for rent in Copenhagen” – English-language group for internationals
- “Bolig til leje” – national rental group
- “Expats in Copenhagen” – community group where housing is frequently posted
Advantages: Listings appear before other platforms. Direct contact with landlords. Sometimes below-market-rate deals from people who want a nice tenant quickly.
Risks: Highest scam concentration. No verification. Fake profiles post stolen photos with too-good-to-be-true prices. Never pay anything before viewing in person.
Lejebolig.dk
For social and cooperative housing – long game.
- Register on waiting lists for social housing (almene boliger) managed by housing associations
- Rents are significantly below market rate (regulated by law)
- Wait times: 5-15+ years for central Copenhagen. 1-3 years for suburbs and smaller cities.
- Register immediately when you arrive – the clock starts when you join the list
- Won’t solve your immediate housing need, but a great long-term investment
HousingDenmark
Curated for internationals. Limited but safe.
- Specifically targets international professionals and students
- Smaller selection but higher quality – pre-screened listings
- Furnished apartments common (important for newcomers)
- Higher prices than the general market (landlords know internationals will pay more)
- Good starting point if you need something immediately and safely
FindRoommate.dk
Best for shared housing (roommates).
- Denmark’s main flatshare platform
- Rooms in shared apartments, typically 3,500-7,000 DKK/month in Copenhagen
- Popular with students and young professionals
- Create a profile describing yourself – landlords/flatmates browse and select
- English-friendly
Corporate housing / relocation services
If your employer offers relocation support, they may use agencies like:
- Dwellworks, MOVE, Copenhagen Relocation – professional relocation services. Expensive (employer usually pays). Fully furnished, short-term friendly.
- Airbnb / Booking.com – for the first 2-4 weeks while searching for permanent housing. Budget 500-1,200 DKK/night for a studio.
How to spot scams
Price significantly below market (a 2-bedroom in Nørrebro for 5,000 DKK = scam). Landlord is”abroad” and can’t show the apartment. Requests deposit before viewing. Asks for payment via wire transfer to a foreign account. Listing uses stock photos or photos stolen from other sites. Landlord pressures you to decide quickly.
Safe practices:
- Always view in person before paying anything
- Verify the landlord’s identity – ask for their CPR-registered name and check against the property registry (tinglysning.dk)
- Never wire money abroad – legitimate Danish landlords have Danish bank accounts
- Maximum deposit is 3 months’ rent – anything more is illegal. See deposits guide.
- Get everything in writing – a proper lejekontrakt before paying. See lease guide.
Search strategy that works
- Subscribe to Boligportal and set up alerts for your criteria
- Join 3-4 Facebook groups and check them morning and evening
- Browse BoligZonen and DBA daily
- Respond within 1-2 hours of a new listing. In Copenhagen, good apartments get 50+ inquiries in 24 hours.
- Have your application ready: Brief introduction, what you do, why you’re in Denmark, proof of income, reference from previous landlord if possible.
- Be flexible: Consider neighbourhoods you hadn’t planned on. Valby, Vanløse, Hvidovre, and Amager are cheaper than Nørrebro/Østerbro and well-connected.
- Register for Lejebolig.dk immediately for long-term social housing.
Common mistakes
Only using one platform
No single site has all listings. Boligportal is the best, but many landlords only post on BoligZonen, DBA, or Facebook. Check at least 3 sources daily.
Waiting too long to respond
Copenhagen apartments go fast. If a listing has been up for 3+ days and nobody took it, ask yourself why – it may have hidden problems. The best deals are gone within hours.
Questions and answers
Is Boligportal worth the 299 DKK/month?
Yes – it has the most listings and the highest quality. Think of it as an investment: one month’s subscription versus potentially months of searching on free platforms. Cancel once you find a place.
Can I find an apartment from abroad before arriving?
Difficult. Most landlords want to meet you in person. Consider booking an Airbnb for your first 2-4 weeks and searching in person once you arrive. Some HousingDenmark and corporate housing options allow remote booking.