Housing
Buying property as a foreigner, the permission gate
The one-line versionDenmark is one of Europe's strictest markets. If you have permanent residence or 5 years here, you can buy via a simple declaration. Otherwise, non-EU buyers need Civilstyrelsen permission first - and buying gives no residency.
Can you buy at all?
It depends entirely on your residency, not just nationality:
- EU/EEA/Swiss with a permanent home or 5 years' residence: buy a primary home via a declaration to Tinglysningsretten - no separate permission.
- Anyone with 5+ years' Danish residence: exempt from permission, whatever your nationality.
- Non-EU without 5 years: you must get permission from Civilstyrelsen (Department of Civil Affairs) before completing - tied to one specific property.
Buying property is not a route to residencyDenmark has no golden visa. Owning a home gives you no immigration benefit - it works the other way round: you usually need to establish residence first, then buy. Immigration (SIRI) and property law are entirely separate.
What it costs to buy
| Cost | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Deed registration (tinglysningsafgift) | DKK 1,850 fixed + 0.6% of price |
| Mortgage registration (if financing) | ~1.25% of the loan + a fixed fee (rate dropped from 1.45% on 1 Jan 2026) |
| Lawyer / buyer adviser | ~DKK 10,000-25,000 |
| Total closing costs | Roughly 1.2-3.5% of price (higher with a new mortgage) |
Two annual taxes once you ownEjendomsvaerdiskat (property value tax) runs around 0.51% up to a high-value threshold, then 1.4% above; grundskyld (municipal land tax) is set locally. Both are collected through your tax and the 2026 reform caps sharp annual increases.
The process
- Find a property; sign a purchase agreement (koebsaftale), usually with a 6-day cooling-off period.
- Non-EU without 5 years: apply to Civilstyrelsen for permission on that property (weeks to months).
- Arrange financing - non-residents often need 20-25%+ down; the owner-occupier LTV cap is 80%.
- Register the deed (skoede) at tinglysning.dk with MitID - most foreign buyers give a lawyer power of attorney.
Use a Danish lawyerA notary is not part of Danish purchases - a lawyer or koeberraadgiver reviews the contract, checks the land registry for liens, and handles registration. Not legally required, but strongly advised for any foreign buyer.
Common questions
Do I need permission to buy?
EU/EEA with a permanent home or 5 years' residence buy via declaration. Non-EU without 5 years need Civilstyrelsen permission first, tied to a specific property.
Does buying get me residency?
No - Denmark has no golden visa. Property ownership confers no immigration right.
What are the total costs?
Broadly 1.2-3.5% of the price, driven mainly by deed and mortgage registration fees, plus lawyer costs.
Can I get a Danish mortgage?
Yes, through realkredit institutes, but non-residents face stricter terms - often 20-25%+ down and proof of stable income.
Verified July 2026 against official sources: the Danish Rent Act (Lejeloven, LBK nr 341), um.dk and Civilstyrelsen (property acquisition), tinglysning.dk and lifeindenmark.borger.dk. Figures are 2026 levels and reset each January. General information, not legal advice - see our editorial policy.