How to Find an Apartment in Denmark

Overview

The Danish rental market — especially Copenhagen — heavily favours landlords. Demand far exceeds supply. Average search time: 2–4 weeks if you are strategic and flexible, 2–3 months if you are picky about location and price. Budget 8,000–13,000 DKK/month for a 1-bedroom in Copenhagen, 5,000–9,000 outside the capital.

Before searching, read the housing scams guide — scams are rampant, especially targeting internationals.

Where to search

Boligportalen (boligportalen.dk)

Denmark’s largest rental platform. Both private landlords and agencies list here. Subscription-based: ~200–400 DKK for 1–3 months access. This is where most legitimate listings appear.

• Set up alerts for your criteria (area, price, size)
• Check multiple times daily — new listings go fast
• Respond within minutes, not hours
• Available in English

BoligZonen (boligzonen.dk)

Second largest platform. Free to browse, subscription to contact landlords (~150–350 DKK/month). Good overlap with Boligportalen but also unique listings. Use both simultaneously.

Facebook groups

Surprisingly effective. Key groups:

• “Lejligheder i København” — largest Copenhagen rental group
• “Rooms/Apartments/Housing in Copenhagen” — English-language
• “Expats in Copenhagen” — often has sublet and room listings
• Similar groups exist for Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg

Advantage: direct contact with the person, often cheaper (private sublettings). Risk: fewer protections, more scam potential. Always visit before paying.

Lejebolig.dk

Curated listings from housing companies and property managers. Often newer apartments at market rates. Subscription model. Good for quality apartments but more expensive on average.

Housing companies (boligselskaber)

Large companies manage thousands of apartments: KAB, AAB, FSB, Domea, Heimstaden. Apply directly on their websites. Social housing (almene boliger) has waiting lists of 5–20 years in Copenhagen. But private-sector listings through the same companies have shorter waits.

Search strategy that works

Realistic timeline

• Copenhagen, flexible: 2–4 weeks of active searching
• Copenhagen, specific neighbourhood + budget: 1–3 months
• Aarhus / Odense: 1–3 weeks
• Smaller cities: Often same-week, especially outside student season (September)

What landlords look for

• Stable income — an employment contract or proof of sufficient income is essential
• Clean rental history — a reference from a previous landlord helps enormously
• Professional communication — well-written, concise, friendly messages in English (or Danish if you can manage it)
• Quick response — landlords want tenants who are serious and ready
• No red flags — vague about employment, unwilling to provide ID, or unable to visit in person

Temporary housing while searching

• Airbnb: 1–2 months while searching. Expensive but flexible. Budget 8,000–15,000 DKK/month for a room or small apartment.
• Housing foundations: STAY, Basecamp, Scandic Hotels (long-stay rates) — furnished short-term options.
• Kollegier: Student housing has waiting lists but sometimes sublets rooms short-term.
• Co-living: LifeX, Movinn — furnished rooms with shared facilities, all-inclusive pricing, shorter commitments.

Common problems

I’ve been searching for weeks with no luck

Expand your search: consider different neighbourhoods (Valby, Vanløse, and Hvidovre in CPH are cheaper with good transport links), raise your budget slightly, or consider a shared apartment as a stepping stone.

Every listing I respond to is already taken

You are not responding fast enough. Enable push notifications on Boligportalen/BoligZonen. Have your template ready. Respond within minutes, not hours.

The landlord wants 6+ months rent upfront

Maximum legal upfront: 3 months deposit + 3 months prepaid + first month = 7 months total. Anything beyond this is illegal. See the deposits guide.

Questions and answers

Is the subscription fee worth it?

Yes. 200–400 DKK for Boligportalen access is negligible compared to the cost of delayed housing (extra Airbnb weeks). Pay for both major platforms.

Should I use a relocation agency?

If your employer offers one, use it. If paying yourself: agencies charge 5,000–15,000+ DKK and are not always faster than self-searching. They are most useful for high-budget searches or if you are arriving from abroad with no time to search.

Can I rent without a CPR number?

Yes — CPR is not required to sign a lease. But landlords prefer tenants with stable residency. Having an employment contract helps more than CPR.