Denmark has an enviable quality of life, a stable property market and a well-organised legal system for property transactions. But for foreign nationals, buying property here comes with a significant extra step: navigating the Danish Property Acquisition Act. This step-by-step guide tells you everything you need to know before you start your property search. 

Step 1: Check your eligibility 

Before you look at a single property, establish whether you can legally buy in Denmark — and if so, on what basis. There are three routes: 

  • Route A – Free purchase: You currently live in Denmark with registered residence (folkeregistreringsadresse), OR you have previously lived in Denmark for a total of at least five years. 
  • Route B – EU/EEA exemption (primary residence only): You are an EU or EEA citizen and the property will be your primary home in Denmark. You can buy without a permit but must sign a statutory declaration (tro og love-erklæring) registered with the deed. This route does NOT apply to holiday homes. 
  • Route C – Permit from Civilstyrelsen: You do not meet Route A or B criteria. You must apply to Civilstyrelsen for permission to buy a specific property. Processing time: approximately four weeks. 

Step 2: Get a lawyer on board early 

Appoint a property lawyer before you make an offer. Your lawyer will verify your eligibility, advise on the permit application if needed, and ensure a lawyer’s reservation clause (advokatforbehold) is included in the purchase agreement. Without this clause, you may be contractually bound to complete a purchase even if serious problems emerge. 

Step 3: Make an offer and sign the purchase agreement 

In Denmark, estate agents draw up a standard purchase agreement (købsaftale). Your lawyer reviews every clause and negotiates changes with the seller’s agent where needed. The advokatforbehold gives you typically five to six working days to have the agreement approved by your lawyer — and to withdraw at no cost if any deal-breaking issues are found. 

Step 4: Permit application (if required) 

If you need a permit from Civilstyrelsen, your lawyer submits the application with full supporting documentation of your ties to Denmark. The purchase agreement is typically made conditional on receipt of the permit. Civilstyrelsen’s processing time is usually around four weeks. 

Step 5: Deed preparation and registration 

Your lawyer prepares the deed (skøde) and registers it digitally with the Danish Land Registry (Tinglysningsretten). Registration fees are: DKK 1,850 fixed + 0.6% of the purchase price (2025 rates). For mortgage loans, the registration fee is DKK 1,825 + 1.45% of the loan amount. These are government fees paid separately from your lawyer’s fee. 

Step 6: Settlement and handover 

Your lawyer reviews the settlement statement (refusionsopgørelse), which distributes ongoing property costs between buyer and seller as of the handover date. Once the purchase price is released to the seller and the deed is registered, you receive the keys. 

Summary of costs to expect 

  • Lawyer’s fee for purchase: from DKK 8,000 (standard purchase) to DKK 14,000+ (including Civilstyrelsen application). 
  • Deed registration fee: DKK 1,850 + 0.6% of purchase price. 
  • Mortgage registration fee: DKK 1,825 + 1.45% of loan amount. 
  • Home insurance (mandatory if taking a mortgage). 
  • Owner’s title insurance (ejerskifteforsikring — optional but recommended). 

Questions about buying property in Denmark as a foreigner? Contact Globe Advokater for a free, no-obligation assessment in English.