Student housing and buying a co-op share

The start of the academic year means the hunt for student housing has begun for many. But prices are at record highs, and in many cities SU (the Danish state education grant) does not cover the rent. That has consequences for the many new students.

Prices on the housing market have risen significantly over the past couple of years. Whether it is owner-occupied, student, rental or cooperative housing, it has become harder to find a home in the larger cities. And that creates problems, especially for young people who move to the city to start studying or to find a job. According to calculations from Nordea, it can affect which home you are able to buy later on. It is therefore important that students don't only consider whether their budget makes sense while they study, because their choice of housing today will affect their chances of getting onto the housing market later.

If you live in Copenhagen (in Danish) as a student, you have to make quite a few sacrifices if you want to try to save up for buying a home later. That is why the andelsbolig (housing cooperative share) is also a popular form of housing among many young people, since in many cases you can find cheaper options than if you buy an owner-occupied apartment. It can be a good idea to put yourself on a waiting list a couple of years before you actually want to move. See if there is a waiting list for a cooperative that suits you here.

SU doesn't stretch far enough

The average rent in Copenhagen (in Danish) for a one-room apartment is DKK 7,900 a month, and a room costs DKK 5,100. That is why many students have to make do with a room. That is of course fine, but it is still a big chunk of your income that goes on rent.

In 2026, SU for students living away from home and enrolled in higher education is DKK 7,426 a month before tax (in Danish). That is why the rent often has to be paid by having a student job, taking out a student loan or finding another form of additional income.

Students reading together at a table in an apartment (Photo by Apartment Life on Unsplash)

Student housing or andelsbolig: what is the difference?

A studiebolig (student home) is a rental home reserved for students. You usually have to be able to document that you are actively studying, and when your studies end, you typically have to move out. You pay rent and a deposit, but you build up no value in the home. The options and the application process are described in the guide to renting student housing (in Danish).

An andelsbolig (in Danish) works differently. You buy a share in a cooperative, pay an andelsværdi (share value) and then a monthly boligafgift (monthly co-op fee) to the cooperative. In return, you can stay on when your studies are over, and you decide for yourself when you want to sell. The price is regulated, so you cannot sell at a profit beyond the legal maximum price.

Can you buy an andelsbolig as a student?

It is possible, but the numbers have to add up. Go through it in this order:

Financing: Most people need to borrow to pay the share value. The bank looks at your entire financial situation, and with SU and a student job as your income, the loan may be smaller than you hope. See how andelsbolig loans (in Danish) work before you get started.
Monthly cost: Add up the boligafgift, the loan repayments and utilities, and compare the total with the rent you would otherwise pay for a room.
Residence requirement: In an andelsbolig you are, as a rule, required to live in the home yourself (bopælspligt). You cannot buy a share and rent it out while you live somewhere else. Read more about what the residence requirement in an andelsbolig (in Danish) involves.
Waiting list: Many cooperatives allocate available shares by seniority on a waiting list. The earlier you get on the list, the better your chances later. Here is how to sign up for an andelsbolig in Copenhagen (in Danish).