Government to consider sharing summer house tax with holiday municipalities

The Danish government will examine whether tax revenue from summer house owners should be split between their home municipality and the municipality where their summer house is located, DR reports.

Knud Johansson, a resident of Blåvand in Varde Municipality, supports the idea. The town’s population swells from around 300 to over 30,000 in peak season, straining local infrastructure.

“There’s constant wear and tear. Tourists use the roads, paths, toilets, and nature, but they don’t pay for it. So the rest of us have to cover the cost,” Johansson said.

Varde Municipality, home to over 8,000 summer houses, would benefit from the change, according to Mayor Sarah Andersen (V). She noted that additional revenue could fund maintenance and development, including recreational areas for nature-based tourism.

SF party rural and island spokesperson Karina Lorentzen (SF) acknowledged potential complications but said the reform could strengthen municipalities with high summer house densities. A final decision is expected as part of a broader municipal equalisation reform set to take effect in 2029.