New bill gives Copenhagen tools to target illegal Airbnb rentals

DR reports that Copenhagen is preparing to establish a housing patrol after a new bill proposed by politicians at Christiansborg would give authorities stronger powers to tackle illegal short term rentals.

“I am very pleased that something is now happening, because we have a huge challenge in Copenhagen,” Line Barfod, the city’s climate, environment and technology mayor, said.

Many homes are legally rented through platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com. But some properties are rented out on a more or less permanent short term basis, without permanent residents. Barfod said these “shadow hotels” take homes away from families.

The bill, which has been sent out for consultation, would give authorities more tools to identify and stop illegal rentals. Penalties would also be increased.

The Planning and Rural Districts Agency is currently the supervisory authority. Under the proposal, municipalities could take over part of the enforcement. Copenhagen plans to do so.

A majority on the city council has approved a budget allocating 6.8 million kroner a year for the next four years. Some of the money will fund a housing patrol that will monitor Airbnb and other platforms, inspect buildings with large numbers of key boxes and investigate complaints from residents who say they have almost no permanent neighbours left.

The patrol would also gather data that could document how the properties are being used.

Under the proposal, authorities could require rental platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com to provide information, including how many days a home has been rented out. Platforms could also be ordered to block further bookings or remove listings.

Companies that break the rules could face fines of up to 100,000 kroner per apartment.

Asked whether people who illegally rent out apartments to tourists in Copenhagen should now be worried, Barfod replied: “Yes, I think they should. And I think they should stop their illegal activities.”

The bill implements a broad political agreement reached in January 2026. If adopted, the law would enter into force on July 1, 2027.