Copenhagen may introduce stricter Airbnb regulations as part of a broader effort to combat housing speculation and protect local communities. Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil, the Social Democrats (Socialdemokratiet, S) mayoral candidate for Copenhagen, has proposed a significant tightening of short-term rental rules. If enacted, the new legislation would prevent property owners from renting out anything other than their primary residence.
Why Copenhagen should limit short-term rentals
Rosenkrantz-Theil has made it clear that the primary goal of the proposal is to curb real estate speculation that drives up housing prices.
“We must eliminate housing speculators. It should not be allowed to rent out anything other than the residence where you have your registered address. Those who speculate in it, we will shut down in this way,” she told Politiken.
This means that only homeowners who live in their property will be allowed to list it on platforms like Airbnb, effectively blocking real estate investors from turning apartments into short-term rental businesses.
Current Airbnb rules in copenhagen
As of now, Airbnb hosts in Copenhagen can rent out their primary homes for up to 70 nights per year, a limit that local municipalities can extend to 100 nights. However, under the proposed changes, this rule would become stricter by restricting short-term rentals to primary residences only. This would mean that second homes, investment properties, and other non-primary residences would no longer be eligible for Airbnb-style rentals.
Political support for the Airbnb crackdown
The proposal has gained traction among Danish policymakers. Sisse Marie Welling, the mayor of Health and Care and the lead candidate for the Socialist People’s Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti – SF), confirmed that SF will present the proposal to the Danish Parliament (Folketinget).
This move reflects growing concerns about the negative impact of short-term rentals on Copenhagen’s housing market. Many residents have raised issues about entire buildings being filled with Airbnb units, an influx of temporary occupants, and a lack of local community life in certain neighborhoods.
What’s next for Airbnb in Copenhagen?
For the proposal to become law, it must be approved by the Danish Parliament. Rosenkrantz-Theil has announced her intention to meet with Morten Dahlin, the Minister for City, Country, and Church from the Liberal Party (Venstre), to discuss the proposed legislative changes.
If implemented, these new Copenhagen Airbnb restrictions could significantly reshape the city’s short-term rental market, prioritizing housing for residents over tourism-driven rental profits.
