The Waiting List Is Long — But There Is an Alternative

Dreaming of a new home in Copenhagen, Aarhus, or another major Danish city? Then you probably know the feeling: you sign up for the waiting list at a housing association, pay your annual fee, and wait. And wait. According to Boligselskabernes Landsforening (the Danish Housing Association), the average waiting time for social housing in Copenhagen is 10–15 years, and for the most popular areas it can take up to 20–30 years.

But what if you don't have to wait at all? With a housing swap, you can skip the waiting list and move into a new home in 2–8 weeks. In this guide, we compare both strategies honestly — so you can choose the path that suits your situation best.

The Waiting List Is Long — But There Is an Alternative

The Waiting List Reality: Numbers That Speak for Themselves

Let's start with the facts. Boligselskabernes Landsforening regularly publishes waiting times in the social housing sector:

Copenhagen (city centre and bridge quarters): 15–30 years waiting time
Copenhagen (outer districts): 10–15 years waiting time
Aarhus city centre: 8–12 years waiting time
Odense and Aalborg: 5–8 years waiting time
Smaller towns and rural areas: 1–4 years waiting time

On top of that, there is an annual registration fee of typically 150–300 DKK per housing association. If you are registered with multiple associations, the costs quickly add up — with no guarantee that you'll be offered something that fits your needs.

Housing Swap: How It Works

A housing swap is a direct agreement between two (or more) tenants to exchange homes permanently. The right to swap is protected under the Danish Tenancy Act § 161, which gives you the right to swap your rental home if you have lived there for at least 3 years.

The process typically looks like this:

Create a listing with photos and a description of your home
Find a swap partner who has a home you're interested in — and vice versa
Visit each other's homes and agree on the terms
Apply for landlord approval (landlords can only refuse for legitimate reasons)
Complete the swap and move into your new home

With a platform like Byt og Flyt, the entire process can typically be completed in 2–8 weeks.

Comparison: Housing Swap vs. Waiting List

	Housing Swap	Waiting List
Time	Typically 2–8 weeks	5–30 years depending on area
Cost	Free on Byt og Flyt	150–300 DKK/year per association
Control	You choose your home and partner	You are offered homes by turn
Risk	Requires mutual interest	Long wait, no guarantee
Flexibility	Swap across cities and housing types	Tied to specific association

Who Is Housing Swap Best For?

Housing swap is the ideal solution if:

You have lived in your rental for at least 3 years and meet the legal requirements
You need a home within months, not decades
You want control over where you move and which home you get
You want to save money instead of paying registration fees for years
You are ready to be proactive in the search process

Housing swap is especially popular among families needing more space, couples moving in together, tenants changing jobs, and seniors looking to downsize.

Can You Use Both Strategies at the Same Time?

Yes — and we actually recommend it. There is no reason to choose one or the other. The smartest approach is:

Keep your place on the waiting list. Continue paying your registration fee and maintain your seniority.
Create a listing on Byt og Flyt at the same time. It is free, and you can start looking for swap partners right away.
Take whichever opportunity comes first. Find a great swap before the waiting list pays off? Perfect. Get offered your dream home via the waiting list? Just as good.

The Legal Framework

It is important to know the rules before getting started. The Danish Tenancy Act § 161 establishes your right to swap, but there are conditions:

You must have lived in your home for at least 3 years
Your landlord can only refuse for legitimate reasons (e.g., overcrowding)
No money may be exchanged between swap partners (key money is illegal)
The swap must be approved by both landlords

Take the First Step Today

You can keep waiting on the waiting list — or you can act now. Thousands of tenants across Denmark are looking for a swap partner right now, and your dream home could be one of them.

Create a free listing on Byt og Flyt today and discover what opportunities await you. It only takes a few minutes, and you can start browsing potential matches right away.

Housing Swap vs. Waiting List: Why Wait 10 Years When You Can Swap Now?

The Waiting List Is Long — But There Is an Alternative

Housing Swap vs. Waiting List: Why Wait 10 Years When You Can Swap Now?

The Waiting List Is Long — But There Is an Alternative

The Waiting List Reality: Numbers That Speak for Themselves

Housing Swap: How It Works

Comparison: Housing Swap vs. Waiting List

Who Is Housing Swap Best For?

Can You Use Both Strategies at the Same Time?

The Legal Framework

Take the First Step Today

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