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Cost of living in Denmark: Food, transport, and more

Discover the cost of living in Denmark, including prices for housing, food, transport and activities, and how to adjust it to your budget.

If you’ve ever wondered about the cost of living in Denmark, the first thing you need to know is that it’s a country with one of the best qualities of life worldwide, but this also means prices can be higher than in other countries. However, don’t worry, because there are ways to adapt your budget without giving up what matters. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about spending on housing, food, transport and leisure activities. It isn’t only about numbers, but also about making your experience in Denmark as comfortable and accessible as possible. If you’re ready to discover whether Denmark fits your lifestyle and budget, keep reading.

In this article

Average cost of accommodation in Denmark

The cost of accommodation in Denmark varies depending on the type of place and the city. Options range from budget hotels and furnished flats to colivings and rentals through platforms like Airbnb, offering a variety of prices to suit different budgets and needs.

Hotels: In Denmark, budget hotels provide functional and clean rooms. For example, the Danish chain Cabinn Hotels offers rooms from around €45 ($50) per night.
Furnished apartments: In cities like Copenhagen, the monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in the city centre can reach about €1,080 ($1,200), while outside the centre the price can drop to €810 ($900). These prices usually include basic services like water, electricity and internet.
Colivings: This is a popular choice among digital nomads and young professionals. Prices vary according to location and facilities, but usually range between €855 and €1,440 ($950–1,600) monthly.
Airbnb: Airbnb offers a wide variety of accommodation in Denmark. You can find private flats from around €90 ($100) per night. Keep in mind that prices may increase during peak seasons or special events.

Cost of food in Denmark

The cost of food in Denmark is relatively high compared to other countries, but it offers many accessible options. From basic supermarket products such as pasta, milk and beef to enjoying a nice breakfast, lunch or dinner in restaurants, Denmark offers a quality gastronomic experience that adapts to different budgets and preferences.

Supermarket prices

In Denmark, the main supermarket chains include Rema1000, Netto, Lidl and Coop. Prices of some basic products in these stores are as follows:

Product	Price in USD	Price in EUR
Pasta (500 g)	$1.50	€1.35
Eggs (dozen)	$3.00	€2.70
Milk (1 litre)	$1.20	€1.08
Beef (1 kg)	$12.00 – 15.00	€10.80 – 13.50
Chicken (1 kg)	$7.00	€6.30
Chocolate (100 g)	$2.00	€1.80
Coffee (250 g)	$3.00 – 5.00	€2.70 – 4.50

These prices are approximate and may vary depending on the brand and supermarket.

Restaurant prices

Meal prices in restaurants in Denmark also vary depending on the type of establishment:

Café breakfast: Between €13,50 and €18 ($15–20).
Restaurant lunch: Around €18 ($20).
Restaurant dinner: Between €27 and €45 ($30–50).

Keep in mind that prices may vary depending on the city and the restaurant’s location.

Transport costs in Denmark

The cost of transport in Denmark varies depending on the means and the location. You’ll find affordable fares for public transport, such as metro and buses, as well as options like taxis and bike rentals. Fuel prices and car insurance are also important factors to consider when living in Denmark.

Public transport in Denmark

Single ticket (2 zones): About €3.60 ($4.00).
24-hour pass (all zones): Around €12.60 ($14.00).
Monthly pass (Rejsekort): It depends on the number of zones. For example, a pass for 2 zones costs €2.70 ($3.00) per trip. If you travel across more zones, the fare increases.

Taxis

Base fare: About €4.50 ($5.00).
Fare per additional kilometre: Around €1.80 ($2.00).
Example fare from an airport to the city centre: Between €31.50 and €45 ($35–50).

Petrol

The average petrol price in Denmark for 2025 is about €2.04 ($2.26) per litre. This price may vary slightly depending on the location and the station, but Denmark usually keeps higher petrol prices compared to other countries due to high fuel taxes.

Bike rentals

Daily rental: Between €14.40 and €18 ($16–20).
Seasonal rental (monthly): Around €31.50 ($35).

Cost of new vehicles in Denmark

The average price of a new car in Denmark is about €24,300 ($27,000). However, it’s important to remember that Denmark applies a high registration tax on new vehicles. This tax is calculated based on the car’s value and CO₂ emissions. For private cars, the tax is structured as follows:

25% of the taxable value €9,000 ($10,000).
85% of the taxable value between €28,300 ($31,450).
150% of the taxable value exceeding €28,300 ($31,450).

This high tax aims to discourage private car ownership and encourage public transport use and other sustainable mobility options.

For zero-emission vehicles, such as electric cars, Denmark offers a basic deduction in the registration tax. In 2025, this deduction is €20,700 ($23,000). However, this deduction will gradually phase out from 2025 and will disappear completely by 2030.

Car insurance in Denmark

Car insurance in Denmark is mandatory and divided into different coverage levels. The annual cost depends on several factors, including the type of vehicle, the driver’s age, accident history and geographic location. On average, the annual cost of car insurance in Denmark is:

Small vehicles: about €450 to €765 ($500–850).
Mid-range vehicles: about €650 to €1,170 ($725–1,300).
Luxury vehicles: about €1,300 ($1,450) per year.

Healthcare costs in Denmark

In Denmark, registered residents are entitled to tax-funded public healthcare. It includes general medical consultations, hospital care and preventive services. However, foreigners not registered in the Danish health system must pay for medical services. For example, a general consultation may cost between €95 and €380 ($105–420), depending on the duration and type of consultation.

Private health insurance

The cost of private health insurance in Denmark varies according to coverage and the insured’s age. Basic plans may cost between €125 and €625 ($140–700), while more complete plans, which include private hospital care and fast access to specialists, may exceed €607 ($700) annually.

Medical service prices

General medical consultation: Between €95 and €380 ($105–420), depending on the duration and type of consultation.
Dental consultation: A standard appointment may cost between €65 and €130 ($70–140), depending on the required treatment.

Medicine prices

In Denmark, prescription and over-the-counter medicines in pharmacies have regulated and standardised prices across the country. This means the price of a medicine will be the same in any pharmacy, regardless of location. For example, a common medicine like paracetamol may cost around €6,50 to €13 ($7–14), depending on the brand and presentation.

Internet and mobile plans in Denmark

Denmark offers a wide range of fixed internet options, from basic to ultra-fast connections. Monthly prices for fibre services usually range between €19 and €77 ($21–85), depending on speed and provider. For example, providers like Telenor and YouSee offer plans from 100 Mbps up to 1 Gbps, with prices to fit different budgets and needs.

Mobile plans in Denmark

In Denmark, mobile plans usually include unlimited calls and texts, with data options that vary depending on usage. Monthly prices for unlimited data plans start at €13 ($14) and can exceed €38 ($42) for plans with more benefits.

Holafly mobile data plans in Denmark

Holafly provides unlimited data plans with instant activation and compatibility with 3G, 4G and 5G networks, depending on coverage. With the Holafly eSIM for Denmark, you can choose the plan’s duration based on your needs, from 1 to 90 days. Prices start from €6,20 ($6,90) for a one-day plan. Once activated, the plan remains valid for the chosen duration, with no need for top-ups.

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Cost of leisure activities in Denmark

The cost of leisure activities in Denmark varies depending on the type of activity and the location. It ranges from going to the cinema or theatre to visiting amusement parks or enjoying outdoor activities, with options to fit different budgets and preferences.

Representative images of Denmark. Source: Unsplash

Cinema: A standard ticket costs between €13,50 and €18 ($15–20).
Theatre: Shows usually cost between €27 and €63 ($30–70), depending on the play and location.
Museums: Entry to museums and art galleries varies between €9 and €22 ($10–25), with discounts available for students and groups.
Zoos and aquariums: Entry costs between €18 and €36 ($20–40), with reduced fares for children and families.
Streaming platforms: Monthly subscriptions to services like Netflix, Spotify or Disney+ range between €9 and €13,50 ($10–15), depending on the chosen plan.
Amusement parks: Entry to parks such as Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen costs between €18 and €54 ($20–60), with special prices for residents and discounts on specific days.
Concerts and festivals: Tickets vary widely, from €27 to over €90 ($30–100), depending on the artist and venue.
Outdoor activities: Renting a bike to explore the city costs between €13,50 and €27 ($15–30) per day.
Gyms and sports: Monthly gym memberships range between €27 and €72 ($30–80), depending on facilities and services offered.
Restaurants and cafés: A meal in a budget restaurant costs between €18 and €36 ($20–40), while a coffee in a local café is priced between €2,70 and €5,40 ($3–6).

The monthly cost of living in Denmark varies depending on the city and lifestyle. In general, you need between €1,080 and €1,350 ($1,200–1,500) per month to cover food, transport and leisure. For a family of four, this amount can reach between €4,050 and €4,950 ($4,500–5,500) monthly, excluding rent.

Keep in mind that costs may vary significantly between cities. For example, living in Copenhagen is usually more expensive than in other Danish cities such as Aarhus or Odense, especially for rent and services.