Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Denmark Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Copenhagen's property market is included in our pack
If you are thinking about buying an apartment in Copenhagen to rent out, you are probably wondering what kind of returns you can actually expect.
Copenhagen is one of Europe's most expensive cities, but it also has extremely strong rental demand and very low vacancy rates.
We break down gross yields, net yields, rents by apartment size, the best neighborhoods, and all the costs that will eat into your profits.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Copenhagen.
What rental yields can I realistically get from an apartment in Copenhagen?
What's the average gross rental yield for apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for apartments in Copenhagen sits around 4.0%, which means you can expect roughly DKK 40,000 in annual rent for every million DKK you invest in a property.
That said, most apartment investments in Copenhagen fall within a realistic range of 3.5% to 4.5% gross yield, with smaller units at the higher end and larger family apartments at the lower end.
The main factor causing this variation in Copenhagen is the city's unique rent-to-size dynamic: smaller apartments command disproportionately high rents per square meter because the capital has a huge population of students, young professionals, and expats who prioritize location over space.
Compared to other major Danish cities, Copenhagen actually offers lower gross yields than Aalborg (around 5.2%) or Aarhus (around 4.3%), because Copenhagen's purchase prices are significantly higher while rent growth has been capped by strong competition and some regulation.
What's the average net rental yield for apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield for apartments in Copenhagen is approximately 2.7%, which is about 1.3 percentage points lower than the gross yield once you account for all recurring costs.
Most apartment investors in Copenhagen can realistically expect net yields in the range of 2.2% to 3.2%, depending on their specific cost structure and how efficiently they manage their property.
The single biggest expense that reduces gross yield to net yield in Copenhagen is the building service charges (called fællesudgifter), which cover shared building operations, maintenance reserves, and sometimes heating costs, and these charges are particularly high in Copenhagen's older apartment buildings where ongoing upkeep is essential.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Copenhagen.
What's the typical rent-to-price ratio for apartments in Copenhagen in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical rent-to-price ratio for apartments in Copenhagen is about 3.5% to 4.5% annually, which is simply another way of expressing the gross rental yield.
In practical terms, most apartment transactions in Copenhagen show rent-to-price ratios between 3.2% for prime family apartments and 4.8% for well-located studios, with the majority clustering around 4.0%.
The apartment categories with the highest rent-to-price ratios in Copenhagen are studios and small one-bedrooms in neighborhoods like Amagerbro, Valby, and outer Nørrebro, where purchase prices are somewhat lower than prime areas but rents remain strong due to excellent metro access and tenant demand from young professionals.
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How much rent can I charge for an apartment in Copenhagen?
What's the typical tenant budget range for apartments in Copenhagen right now?
The typical monthly tenant budget for renting an apartment in Copenhagen ranges from around DKK 8,000 to DKK 18,000 (roughly USD 1,200 to USD 2,700, or EUR 1,050 to EUR 2,400), depending on apartment size and location.
For mid-range apartments in Copenhagen, most tenants budget between DKK 12,000 and DKK 15,000 per month (about USD 1,800 to USD 2,250, or EUR 1,600 to EUR 2,000), which typically gets them a well-located one-bedroom or a modest two-bedroom in a decent neighborhood.
Tenants seeking high-end or luxury apartments in Copenhagen should expect to pay DKK 18,000 to DKK 25,000 or more per month (approximately USD 2,700 to USD 3,750, or EUR 2,400 to EUR 3,350), which covers premium units in Indre By, waterfront properties in Nordhavn, or spacious renovated apartments in Frederiksberg.
We have a blog article where we update the latest data about rents in Copenhagen here.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Copenhagen is approximately DKK 12,000 to DKK 14,000 (around USD 1,800 to USD 2,100, or EUR 1,600 to EUR 1,850).
For entry-level 1-bed apartments in Copenhagen, you can expect monthly rents around DKK 9,500 to DKK 11,000 (about USD 1,425 to USD 1,650, or EUR 1,250 to EUR 1,450), and these would typically be older units in outer districts like Valby or Vanløse, possibly without an elevator and with a basic kitchen.
Mid-range 1-bed apartments in Copenhagen rent for around DKK 12,000 to DKK 14,000 per month (approximately USD 1,800 to USD 2,100, or EUR 1,600 to EUR 1,850), and these are usually renovated units in popular neighborhoods like Vesterbro, Nørrebro, or Amagerbro with good metro or S-train access.
Luxury 1-bed apartments in Copenhagen command DKK 15,000 to DKK 18,000 or more per month (roughly USD 2,250 to USD 2,700, or EUR 2,000 to EUR 2,400), and you would find these in new developments in Nordhavn, prime Østerbro addresses, or stylish renovations in Frederiksberg with high-end finishes and building amenities.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bed apartment in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bed apartment in Copenhagen is approximately DKK 14,000 to DKK 16,500 (around USD 2,100 to USD 2,475, or EUR 1,850 to EUR 2,200).
Entry-level 2-bed apartments in Copenhagen typically rent for DKK 12,000 to DKK 14,000 per month (about USD 1,800 to USD 2,100, or EUR 1,600 to EUR 1,850), and these would be unrenovated units in outer areas like Brønshøj or parts of Amager, often in older buildings with shared laundry facilities.
Mid-range 2-bed apartments in Copenhagen command DKK 14,500 to DKK 17,000 per month (approximately USD 2,175 to USD 2,550, or EUR 1,900 to EUR 2,250), typically featuring updated kitchens and bathrooms in well-connected neighborhoods like Islands Brygge, Østerbro, or central Nørrebro.
High-end 2-bed apartments in Copenhagen fetch DKK 18,000 to DKK 25,000 or more per month (roughly USD 2,700 to USD 3,750, or EUR 2,400 to EUR 3,350), and these are spacious units in Indre By, waterfront Nordhavn developments, or classic Frederiksberg buildings with period details and modern upgrades.
What's the average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment in Copenhagen is approximately DKK 18,000 to DKK 22,000 (around USD 2,700 to USD 3,300, or EUR 2,400 to EUR 2,900).
Entry-level 3-bed apartments in Copenhagen start around DKK 16,000 to DKK 18,000 per month (about USD 2,400 to USD 2,700, or EUR 2,100 to EUR 2,400), typically found in suburban districts like Valby, Vanløse, or outer Amager, often in older cooperative-style buildings or housing blocks.
Mid-range 3-bed apartments in Copenhagen rent for DKK 19,000 to DKK 23,000 per month (approximately USD 2,850 to USD 3,450, or EUR 2,500 to EUR 3,050), and these are family-sized units in desirable areas like Østerbro, Frederiksberg, or newer parts of Sydhavn with good schools and parks nearby.
Luxury 3-bed apartments in Copenhagen command DKK 25,000 to DKK 35,000 or more per month (roughly USD 3,750 to USD 5,250, or EUR 3,350 to EUR 4,650), representing premium family homes in Indre By penthouses, large Nordhavn waterfront units, or classic Frederiksberg apartments with 150+ square meters of living space.
How fast do well-priced apartments get rented in Copenhagen?
A well-priced apartment in Copenhagen typically gets rented within 14 to 21 days, and in high-demand areas like Vesterbro or Nørrebro, popular units can receive multiple applications within the first week of listing.
The vacancy rate for apartments in Copenhagen currently sits between 1% and 2%, which is among the lowest in Europe and means landlords have strong pricing power with minimal risk of extended empty periods.
The main factors that make some Copenhagen apartments rent faster than others are metro or S-train proximity (tenants heavily prioritize public transport access), the presence of a separated bedroom rather than an open-plan layout, and a functional kitchen with space for a washing machine, which is essential in Danish apartment living.
And if you want to know what should be the right price, check our latest update on how much an apartment should cost in Copenhagen.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Denmark versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Which apartment type gives the best yield in Copenhagen?
Which is better for yield between studios, 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, studios and 1-bed apartments in Copenhagen typically offer the best rental yields, with studios reaching up to 4.7% gross and 1-beds around 4.3% gross, compared to 3.4% or lower for larger units.
Breaking down the typical gross yield ranges in Copenhagen by apartment type: studios achieve around 4.5% to 4.8%, 1-beds around 4.0% to 4.5%, 2-beds around 3.2% to 3.6%, and 3-beds around 3.0% to 3.5%.
The main reason smaller units outperform in Copenhagen is that the city has an unusually high concentration of single-person households and expat professionals who need short commutes, creating fierce competition for studios and 1-beds that pushes their rent-per-square-meter significantly higher than family apartments.
Which features are best if you want a good yield for your apartment in Copenhagen?
The features that most positively impact rental yield in Copenhagen are metro or S-train proximity (ideally within a 5-minute walk), a functional layout with a separated bedroom rather than an open-plan space, and in-unit access to laundry facilities, because Danish tenants strongly prioritize practical daily living over luxury finishes.
In Copenhagen, upper floors (3rd to 5th in buildings without elevators, or top floors in buildings with elevators) rent out easiest because they offer better natural light, less street noise, and the "hygge" feeling that tenants value, while ground-floor units often struggle unless they have a private courtyard.
Apartments with balconies or outdoor space in Copenhagen do command measurably higher rents (roughly 5% to 10% premium) and rent faster, especially after the pandemic increased demand for private outdoor areas in a city where winters are long and dark.
Building features like elevators can justify their higher service charges in Copenhagen, particularly in 5+ floor buildings targeting older tenants or families, while parking rarely adds enough rent to offset costs since most Copenhagen tenants rely on bikes and public transport anyway.
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Which neighborhoods give the best rental demand for apartments in Copenhagen?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rental demand for apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the Copenhagen neighborhoods with the highest rental demand are Vesterbro, Nørrebro, Østerbro, Indre By, Frederiksberg, Amagerbro, and Nordhavn, all of which consistently show near-zero vacancy and intense competition among tenants.
The main demand driver making these neighborhoods attractive in Copenhagen is not just central location but the specific lifestyle they offer: Vesterbro and Nørrebro draw young professionals with their cafe culture and nightlife, Østerbro attracts families with its parks and schools, while Nordhavn appeals to expats and professionals seeking modern waterfront living with excellent metro connections.
In these high-demand Copenhagen neighborhoods, well-priced apartments typically rent within 7 to 14 days, and vacancy rates hover around 1% or even lower, meaning landlords can be quite selective with tenant applications.
One emerging neighborhood gaining rental demand momentum in Copenhagen is Sydhavn (South Harbor), where new developments and improved metro access are attracting younger tenants priced out of Vesterbro, though it still offers slightly better yields than more established areas.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Copenhagen.
Which neighborhoods have the highest yields for apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the Copenhagen neighborhoods with the highest rental yields are Amagerbro, Valby, Sydhavn, and outer parts of Nørrebro, where purchase prices are lower than prime central areas but rental demand remains strong.
Gross rental yields in these top-yielding Copenhagen neighborhoods typically range from 4.2% to 5.0%, compared to 3.0% to 3.5% in the most prestigious areas like Indre By or prime Frederiksberg.
The main reason these neighborhoods offer higher yields in Copenhagen is that they benefited from recent metro expansions (particularly the City Circle line and M4 to Sydhavn) which boosted tenant demand and rents, while purchase prices have not yet caught up to central levels, creating a temporary yield advantage for investors who move quickly.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Denmark. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Should I do long-term rental or short-term rental in Copenhagen?
Is short-term rental legal for apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals are legal in Copenhagen but strictly limited to 70 days per year for your primary residence, with an option for municipalities to allow up to 100 days under specific conditions.
The main legal restrictions for operating a short-term rental apartment in Copenhagen include the 70-day annual cap, mandatory registration with the Danish tax authority (SKAT), and the requirement that platforms like Airbnb report your rental income directly to tax authorities, so there is no way to operate under the radar.
For Airbnb-style rentals in Copenhagen, you do not need a separate license if you are renting your primary residence within the 70-day limit, but if you want to operate a dedicated short-term rental property that is not your home, you would need to explore commercial permits which are very difficult to obtain in Copenhagen's residential zones.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Copenhagen.
What's the gross yield difference short-term vs long-term in Copenhagen in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals in Copenhagen can potentially generate 1.0 to 2.5 percentage points higher gross yield than long-term rentals, but only if you can legally operate and achieve high occupancy during your permitted 70 days.
In practical terms, long-term rentals in Copenhagen deliver around 3.5% to 4.5% gross yield consistently, while short-term rentals might achieve 5.5% to 7.0% gross on paper, though the legal day cap means you cannot capture a full year of that premium rate.
The main additional costs that reduce any net yield advantage for short-term rentals in Copenhagen include cleaning between guests (often DKK 400 to DKK 700 per turnover), furnishing and maintaining the apartment to tourist standards, platform fees (typically 3% to 15%), higher utility costs, and the time or management fees required to handle bookings and guest communication.
To genuinely outperform a long-term rental in Copenhagen, a short-term rental would need to achieve at least 60% to 70% occupancy at premium nightly rates, which is essentially impossible to sustain legally given the 70-day annual limit, making long-term rental the safer and often more profitable choice for most investors.
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What costs will eat into my net yield for an apartment in Copenhagen?
What are building service charges as a % of rent in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical building service charges (fællesudgifter) in Copenhagen run about 15% of monthly rent on average, which works out to roughly DKK 1,500 to DKK 2,500 per month (approximately USD 225 to USD 375, or EUR 200 to EUR 330) for a standard apartment.
The realistic range of building service charges in Copenhagen spans from about 10% of rent for newer, efficiently-run buildings up to 20% or more for older properties with higher maintenance needs or shared heating systems.
In Copenhagen specifically, the services that typically justify higher-than-average fællesudgifter are collective heating from older centralized systems, ongoing facade or roof maintenance on the city's many 100+ year old buildings, and shared courtyard upkeep which is culturally important in Danish apartment living where courtyards serve as communal outdoor spaces.
What annual maintenance budget should I assume for an apartment in Copenhagen right now?
A sensible annual maintenance budget for an apartment in Copenhagen is around DKK 8,000 to DKK 10,000 (approximately USD 1,200 to USD 1,500, or EUR 1,050 to EUR 1,300) as an owner's reserve for inside-the-unit repairs and refresh.
Depending on apartment age and building condition, annual maintenance costs in Copenhagen can range from DKK 6,000 for newer units (about USD 900 or EUR 800) up to DKK 15,000 or more (approximately USD 2,250 or EUR 2,000) for older apartments in pre-1950 buildings where pipes, windows, and electrical systems need more frequent attention.
The most common maintenance expenses Copenhagen apartment owners face annually are plumbing repairs (Copenhagen's hard water takes a toll on fixtures), window sealing and draft prevention for the cold winters, and periodic kitchen appliance replacement, since tenants expect functioning refrigerators, stoves, and often washing machines as standard in Danish rental apartments.
What property taxes should I expect for an apartment in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical annual property tax for a rental apartment in Copenhagen is around DKK 8,000 to DKK 12,000 (approximately USD 1,200 to USD 1,800, or EUR 1,050 to EUR 1,600), though this varies significantly based on the official land value assessment for your specific property.
The realistic range of property taxes in Copenhagen spans from about DKK 6,000 for smaller apartments or those on lower-valued land, up to DKK 15,000 or more (roughly USD 900 to USD 2,250, or EUR 800 to EUR 2,000) for larger units in prime central locations with high land assessments.
Property taxes for apartments in Copenhagen are calculated primarily through land tax (grundskyld), which is based on the official land value assessment multiplied by the municipal rate, and for rental (non-owner-occupied) properties, you pay land tax but not the "ejendomsværdiskat" that applies to owner-occupied homes.
There are limited property tax exemptions in Copenhagen, but rental property investors generally do not qualify for the reductions available to owner-occupiers, so you should budget for the full land tax amount when calculating your net yield.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Copenhagen.
How much does landlord insurance cost for an apartment in Copenhagen in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical annual landlord insurance for an apartment in Copenhagen costs around DKK 2,500 to DKK 4,000 (approximately USD 375 to USD 600, or EUR 330 to EUR 530), covering liability and optional contents if you rent furnished.
The realistic range of annual landlord insurance in Copenhagen spans from about DKK 2,000 for basic liability-only coverage up to DKK 5,000 or more (roughly USD 300 to USD 750, or EUR 260 to EUR 660) if you add comprehensive contents insurance, rent default coverage, or legal expense protection.
What's the typical property management fee for apartments in Copenhagen as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical property management fee for apartments in Copenhagen is around 8% to 10% of monthly rent (approximately DKK 1,000 to DKK 1,500 per month, or USD 150 to USD 225 / EUR 130 to EUR 200) for a single-unit investor using professional management.
The realistic range of property management fees in Copenhagen spans from about 6% of rent for basic tenant-in-place management up to 12% to 15% (roughly DKK 800 to DKK 2,000 per month, or USD 120 to USD 300 / EUR 100 to EUR 260) for full-service management including tenant finding, inspections, and emergency repairs.
Standard property management services in Copenhagen typically include rent collection, tenant communication, coordinating routine repairs, and handling lease renewals, while tenant-finding fees (often equivalent to one month's rent) and major renovation oversight are usually charged separately.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Denmark compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Copenhagen, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| City of Copenhagen | Official municipal guidance for people moving to Copenhagen. | We used it to anchor realistic rent levels in central Copenhagen. We then mapped their "room-count" ranges into 1-bed, 2-bed, and 3-bed apartment categories. |
| Boligsiden | Denmark's leading housing data platform used by media and professionals. | We used their Copenhagen price-per-square-meter data as our purchase price anchor. We then calculated yields by combining this with rental data. |
| Vurderingsportalen | Official Danish property assessment and tax information portal. | We used it to distinguish which taxes apply to owner-occupied versus rental property. We then translated this into practical net yield cost estimates. |
| SKAT (Danish Tax Authority) | Official tax authority guidance on rental income and deductions. | We used it to explain how Denmark taxes rental income. We then reflected this in our short-term versus long-term rental discussion. |
| EU Tourism Legislation Portal | Official reference to Denmark's national short-term letting framework. | We used it to confirm the 70-day (up to 100-day) annual limit on short-term rentals. We then applied this to strategy recommendations. |
| Newsec | Major Nordic property services firm with Danish market expertise. | We used it to define what building service charges typically cover. We then translated this into a percentage-of-rent range for net yield calculations. |
| Colliers Denmark | Leading commercial real estate firm publishing regular market reports. | We used their residential market data to validate vacancy rates and rental trends. We cross-checked neighborhood-level demand patterns. |
| Global Property Guide | International property research source with standardized yield data. | We used their Denmark yield benchmarks to triangulate our calculations. We compared Copenhagen yields to other Danish cities. |
| Topdanmark | One of Denmark's largest insurance providers with landlord-specific guidance. | We used it to clarify insurance responsibility splits between owner associations and landlords. We then sized realistic annual insurance budgets. |
| Laros Administration | Danish property administrator with transparent posted pricing. | We used their price list to ground property management fees in real market rates. We converted this into percentage-of-rent ranges for investors. |
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