No, squatting in Denmark is illegal under the Danish Criminal Code (Straffeloven) § 291, which criminalizes unauthorized occupation of property. Violators face fines or imprisonment up to 1.5 years. The Danish Building and Housing Agency (Bygnings- og Boligstyrelsen) enforces evictions within weeks, while municipalities like Copenhagen prioritize rapid legal action against squatters. Recent 2026 amendments tighten penalties for organized squatting rings, aligning with EU anti-illegal occupation directives.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Denmark
- Criminalization of Occupation: § 291 of the Danish Criminal Code explicitly prohibits occupying residential or commercial properties without the owner’s consent, classifying it as a misdemeanor or felony depending on aggravating factors like violence or property damage.
- Municipal Enforcement: Local authorities (e.g., Københavns Kommune) must initiate eviction proceedings within 14 days of reporting, leveraging the Lov om leje af almene boliger (Law on Rent of Social Housing) to expedite removals.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: New amendments to the Bygningsreglementet (Building Regulations) require property owners to install tamper-proof security systems within 6 months of vacancy, reducing squatting opportunities. Violations by owners (e.g., neglecting security) now trigger fines up to 50,000 DKK.