Tourists now own one in five detached homes in popular Danish holiday areas

In 28 Danish postal districts, at least one in five detached homes are now owned by people from other municipalities, a DR analysis of public property records shows. In Skagen, 36% of such homes are owned by non-locals, many of whom use them as summer houses.

Fie Kastor, a lifelong Skagen resident, said the shift has emptied her neighbourhood. “It’s very intense,” she said, pointing to a map dotted with red markers showing locally owned homes now used seasonally. Neighbours on all sides of her street have converted their houses into holiday properties.

“It’s a sad development,” Kastor said. “I have mixed feelings about tourists owning homes.” While tourism supports local businesses and keeps properties well-maintained, she noted that empty houses mean fewer children for schools and daycare centres. The demand has also driven up prices, making it harder for families like hers to stay.

Steffen Damsgaard, chair of the Rural Districts Joint Council, warned that the trend could threaten local communities. “If the resident population becomes too small, businesses may struggle to find workers, and schools and institutions could close,” he said. Still, he acknowledged that summer houses are preferable to vacant, deteriorating properties, as tourism also generates revenue.

Frederikshavn mayor Jon Andersen said the city council is monitoring the balance between local and non-local ownership. “We need space for young people to settle and pursue education here,” he said, adding that efforts are underway to make it easier to move to Skagen. Affordable family homes remain available outside the most expensive central areas, where prices can reach 5–30 million kroner.

Kastor, a mother of two with a third child on the way, said reversing the trend seems impossible. “I hope solutions are found, but I struggle to see what they would be,” she said. “As a community, we depend on tourism.”